Sara F. Thorndike

As the senior vice president for finance and business/treasurer at Penn State, Sara F. Thorndike is responsible for the management of the university’s financial performance and operating budget and the Finance and Business Unit's strategic planning process. Thorndike also leads financial, endowment management, business and administrative activities at all Penn State campuses. She serves as a member of the President's Council and the Board of Directors for Penn State Corporation. In addition, she chairs the Penn State Investment Council and Health Care Advisory Council.

Prior to joining Penn State, Thorndike served as vice chancellor for administration and finance and chief financial officer for East Carolina University from 2018 to 2021. Previously, she served as the senior associate vice chancellor for business affairs, chief financial officer and controller for the University of North Carolina Wilmington from 2014 to 2018 and as the controller and accounting director for the Principia Corporation from 2005 to 2014. Prior to that, she served in financial analyst and accountant roles at various corporations.

Thorndike earned a doctorate of education in higher education leadership from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, a Master of Business Administration from The Ohio State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Franklin University. She is a certified public accountant licensed in Ohio and North Carolina.

Active in numerous community and business organizations, Thorndike serves on the board of directors of the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County and the Centre County United Way. She also volunteers for the Higher Education Financial Wellness Alliance and is active in National Association of College and University Business Officers and a variety of professional and community service organizations.

Rice-Johnson has more than 30 years of experience in the health insurance industry, having held a variety of management positions at Highmark and its predecessor company. Throughout her career, she has developed a passion for improving the health care experience, particularly as it relates to oncology services. She is committed to positively impacting the employment situation of our nation’s military veterans through championing private-sector hiring efforts.

In addition to her position at Highmark, Rice-Johnson serves on the boards of the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Carlow University, the Duquesne Club, Blue Health Intelligence and Whitaker Center. She is board chair of the Epilepsy Foundation Western/Central Pennsylvania and board president for Variety – the Children’s Charity. She is also on the board of trustees for the Civic Light Opera of Pittsburgh. In 2014, she was named a Carlow Laureate, the University’s most prestigious alumni award, recognizing those whose work, thought and action demonstrate the highest standards of professional accomplishment and leadership.

Rice-Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Carlow University.