CFO Coaching Services for Higher Education

Gain confidence. Lead with clarity. Flourish in your role.

Overwhelm Is Costing You More Than Time

Budget pressures. Staffing shortages. Competing demands from trustees, faculty, and senior leaders. Instead of leading strategically, you’re stuck reacting; putting out fires, fielding urgent requests, and carrying stress long after the workday ends. You deserve space to think clearly, so you can act with purpose and intention.

What Is CFO Coaching?

Coaching is a partnership that inspires successful leaders to maximize their potential, providing structured, confidential one-on-one sessions that support leaders as they create and follow their own roadmap for success. Through coaching, River Heights Solutions supports you in bridging the gap between where you are now and where you want to be in the future. Through coaching, you gain clarity in the midst of complexity, strengthen your leadership presence, and align your work with what matters most.

Coaching could be right for you if:

You’re frequently being pulled into details and rarely have space to think strategically.
You’re losing energy, sleep, or focus under the weight of competing demands.
You want to elevate your leadership presence and influence across your institution.
You’re ready to get out of survival mode and find your flow in leadership.

Book Your Consultation

Why Work With River Heights Solutions?

With more than 25 years experience working in higher education, including as a Vice President for Finance and Administration, Maura Donahue understands the pressures of financial leadership roles and the human cost of overwhelm. With expert training, experience, and certification in executive and career coaching, her CFO coaching services are:

Grounded in Experience

I’ve sat in the VPFA seat and in divisional-level financial and administrative roles. I understand the complexity and politics of higher education leadership.

Rooted in Compassion

I care deeply about my clients and how the challenges of their roles affect their overall wellbeing. I bring this client-centric outlook to every coaching engagement to help clients unlock new insights, perspectives, and clarity.

Focused on Flourishing

The impact of my coaching extends beyond achieving better results at work. Clients experience a ripple effect that can bring increased joy and purpose to their lives.

Meet Your Certified Executive Coach: Maura Donahue, Ph.D.

I’ve spent 25 years in higher education, including serving as Vice President for Finance and Administration. Today, I combine that experience with professional coaching certifications to support finance leaders like you.

I know what it feels like to carry institutional responsibility while struggling to stay focused and grounded. My coaching gives you the space to pause, reflect, and regain clarity so you can lead with confidence and purpose.

READ MY STORY

How Coaching Works

Step 1: Complimentary Consultation

We’ll discuss your current challenges and goals.

Step 2: Tailored Coaching Plan

I’ll recommend a coaching structure that fits your needs and schedule.

Step 3: Coaching Sessions

Confidential one-on-one sessions to explore strategies and next steps to accomplish your goals and flourish in your leadership.

Get Coaching

CFO Coaching Services: Frequently Asked Questions

What are CFO coaching services?

CFO coaching services are tailored one-on-one sessions that help higher education finance leaders regain clarity, strengthen leadership presence, and manage competing demands with confidence.

How is this different from general executive coaching?

I specialize in higher education finance leadership. With 25 years of lived experience in higher education, including as a VPFA, I understand the unique challenges finance leaders face.

What results can I expect?

Clients often report feeling clearer and unburdened, more confident, and better able to prioritize strategically. Many also see stronger institutional influence and improved work-life harmony.