---

Jonathan Wolf has been named the inaugural chief financial officer for the University of Wisconsin–Madison College of Computing & Artificial Intelligence (CAI). 

Wolf will lead financial strategy and operations for CAI, overseeing the college’s finance, human resources, and facilities functions. He will work with college and department leadership on budgeting, long-term financial planning, resource allocation, and other operational priorities as the college continues to grow. 

“Jonathan brings tremendous experience and knowledge of UW–Madison, and his judgment and expertise have already been invaluable to CAI,” Founding Dean Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau said. “He was an important partner as we worked through many of the decisions involved in establishing the college, and I’m incredibly glad to have someone with his experience helping us build a strong foundation for CAI’s future.” 

Wolf brought his financial expertise to the development of CAI, helping its leaders navigate the financial planning associated with establishing the new college. His work included developing the investment framework between CAI and university leadership that will support the college’s continued growth. 

Wolf brings more than a decade of financial leadership and experience at UW–Madison. He joined the university in 2012 and went on to serve as chief financial officer for the Wisconsin School of Business, where he oversaw significant growth in the school’s financial operations. During his tenure, the school’s financial footprint grew from approximately $60 million to $120 million. Wolf also helped launch new revenue-generating academic programs that increased annual revenue from approximately $7 million to $25 million and led the financial planning for a $37 million building renovation.

“As we build CAI, financial strategy should not only help us manage our resources effectively, but also position us to pursue new opportunities. I’m excited to develop an incentive-based financial model that rewards growth, innovation, collaboration, and contributions throughout the college, while ensuring we remain financially sustainable,” Wolf said. “We also have a strong finance team to build on. Our goal will be to streamline workflows and remove barriers, while providing faculty and staff with the guidance and support they need to make informed decisions and focus their energy on advancing our collective mission.” 

Wolf earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration, majoring in finance and economics, from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh. He also holds a project management certificate, is Lean Six Sigma certified, and was selected for the National Association of College and University Business Officers’ Emerging Leaders Program. 

Outside of work, Wolf is an outdoor enthusiast and also enjoys cooking, chess, and weight training.

---