Biography

Abby Benson currently serves as Interim Vice President for Administration and Finance at the University of Rhode Island (URI). In this role, Abby oversees several key areas of the University—including facilities, risk management, human resources, budget and finance, public safety, and purchasing. Abby previously served as Senior Advisor and Chief of Staff to the President of URI.

Abby brings a depth of experience in policy, strategy, and university administration to URI, having served in leadership roles in both public and private institutions. Most recently as Deputy Chief Operating Officer at CU Boulder, she worked closely with the Chancellor, Provost, the CU System, and Board of Regents to align and advance campus-wide priorities including student success, diversity, equity, and inclusion, maintaining positive relations with the local community and effective stewardship of campus resources. Prior to this role, Abby led the CU System’s federal advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., and cultivated partnerships between researchers, students, and industry in CU Boulder’s Research and Innovation Office.

Prior to joining CU in 2012, Abby was Assistant Director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Washington, D.C., office. She also served for nine years as a Marine Safety and Security Officer in the United States Coast Guard, as an earth scientist for Tetra Tech, and as an analyst for Arthur D. Little. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in geology and geophysics from Yale University and Master of Science and Master of Engineering degrees in transportation and logistics from MIT.