Media Contact:
Maritza Kelley, Director of External Affairs & Communications, communications@pfm.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nicole Salazar has joined PFM Financial Advisors LLC as a Director in the Higher Education and Healthcare Practice, beginning June 2, 2025. Nicole was most recently the Vice President of Financial Services at the University of Arizona, where she held a series of progressively senior leadership roles over a 13-year tenure.
As a dynamic leader in higher education finance, Nicole brings over 17 years of experience in strategic financial management, overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets, guiding complex audits, and leading cross-functional teams of 200+ professionals. At the University of Arizona, she played a pivotal role in managing financial operations for over $2.5 billion in annual expenditures, championing transparency, sustainability, and institutional effectiveness.
In her new role at PFM, Nicole will focus on financial improvement strategies for higher education clients. Her extensive background includes aligning financial strategy with long-term organizational goals, driving operational transformation, and providing expert advice on financial planning. This experience, as well as her expertise in performance optimization, accounting compliance, budget realignment, and cost recovery strategies, makes her a key asset for organizations navigating today’s evolving fiscal landscape.
“We are very excited to welcome Nicole to our team,” said Ryan Conway, Managing Director. “We are confident that her proven experience in modernizing financial operations and driving institution-wide fiscal strategies will provide tremendous value to our clients.”
PFM has consistently ranked as the number one financial advisor on debt financings in the higher education sector by Refinitiv, based on both the number of transactions and par amount, since 19981. Over the past several years, PFM has made a focused effort to expand the services it provides to its higher education and healthcare clients, serving as a broader strategic financial advisor.
During her time at the University of Arizona, Nicole oversaw financial modernization initiatives, including the development of an enterprise accounting system and strategic organizational efficiencies.
Nicole commented on her new position, stating, “I’m honored to take on this opportunity to work alongside an exceptional team focused on driving financial resilience and innovation. I look forward to helping shape the future of strategic finance in this exciting next chapter.
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About PFM
At PFM, financial advisors and consultants partner with clients to transform their world. Our clients have individual needs, and our tailored advice reflects this. We have the flexibility to support the largest endeavors any client could contemplate with teams that maintain the camaraderie, collaboration, and creativity that define working with PFM. We combine superior financial advice, disciplined management, and ingenuity to build, power, move and educate.
PFM is the marketing name for a group of affiliated companies providing a range of services. All services are provided through separate agreements with each company. This material is for general information purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or a specific recommendation.
For more information regarding PFM’s services or entities, please visit www.pfm.com. For important disclosure information, please visit www.pfm.com/disclosures.
1PFM’s financial advisory business consists of PFM Financial Advisors LLC presently and also included Public Financial Management Inc. through December 6, 2021. PFM Financial Advisors LLC commenced operations on June 1, 2016. All transactions prior to such date were effected through Public Financial Management Inc.
