Lori Cranston, College of Public Health associate dean for finance and administration, received the University of Iowa’s Strategic Business Partner of the Year Award at the UI’s Human Resources and Business Conference on April 30.

The award recognizes an outstanding University of Iowa business and finance leader who over the course of their tenure exemplifies strong leadership and ethical practice; demonstrates solid business and financial acumen; collaborates on university-wide initiatives; shows commitment to internal controls and compliance; and applies best practices in their own operations and shares it with others.

“Lori is a proven business and finance leader who demonstrates excellence and has earned the respect of her colleagues across the university,” says Selina Martin, university controller and a member of the awards selection committee. “She has provided her expertise and value to the university in many ways by contributing to initiatives which have impacted business, human resources, facilities management and IT.

“Lori is the most valuable kind of colleague – generous with her time, honest with her input, creative with her ideas, and supportive of the important ways in which we are trying to improve how we ‘do business’ at the university.”

Prior to joining the College of Public Health in January 2015, Cranston served in the Office of the Provost from 2004 to 2014 and in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences from 1995 to 2004. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Iowa.