DFMC BOARD CANDIDATE
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
NAME OF CANDIDATE: Shirley Pajanor
REPRESENTING (ARCH)DIOCESE OF: San Diego
POSITION TITLE: Chief Financial Officer
NUMBER OF YEARS IN CURRENT POSITION: 6
NUMBER OF DFMC CONFERENCES ATTENDED: 13
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Since 2008, I have been part of the Diocesan team overseeing the financial wellbeing of our Diocese and related entities. We have accomplished the following during this period:
- We have successfully implemented multiple systems including payroll, benefits and accounting systems
- Spearheaded the efforts to moving 150 locations to a standard accounting platform accessible through the cloud
- Created the first Cyber Security Task Force in partnership with Diocesan parishes and schools to help provide guidelines related to organization’s systems
- Coordinated 100+ parishes, civil reorganization and related administration and system changes
- Accomplished significant debt refinancing and compliance with all required covenants
- Successfully secured several Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for the various entities within the diocese
- Coordinated and obtained clean audit reports for the various diocesan entities including high schools, cemetery and retirement funds
- Streamlined outside entities by bringing books into Diocese and leveraging in-house team for their accounting needs
- Leveraged technology for instant statements of account balances and detailed invoices
- Increased organizational collaborative efforts in partnering with parishes and schools for various administrative projects
BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR BACKGROUND PRIOR TO WORKING FOR THE (ARCH)DIOCESE:
I started my career working at couple of the Big 4 Accounting Firms where I focused on auditing Fortune 500 companies.
ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION:
My family is originally from Tamil Nadu, India, who migrated to the United States in the 70’s, and I was born in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. My family temporarily moved back to India where I attended high school. On my family’s return to the US, I obtained my BA in Accounting from Michigan State University, and subsequently became a Certified Public Accountant in the State of California. Since 2004, I have lived in San Diego with my loving family; husband Vino, son Anish, daughter Mithra, mother-in-law Gaja, and miniature schnauzer Toto.
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS, ETC.: B.A – Accounting, CPA and CDFM
PARISH/CHURCH AFFILIATIONS: Mater Dei Parish – Lector and Eucharistic Minister