As Wake Forest’s executive vice president, Dr. Travisano oversees the University’s financial operations and has the responsibility for human resources, facilities and campus services, information systems, real estate, and hospitality and auxiliary services. She plays a key role in advancing the University’s strategic priorities and identifying and allocating resources to support Wake Forest’s academic mission.
With deep expertise in running complex organizations in both stable and uncertain times, Dr. Travisano’s career encompasses more than three decades of service to higher education and nonprofit organizations. She served as executive vice president and chief operating officer for the last eleven years at two iconic Florida universities, including the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University. In addition to her work in higher education, Dr. Travisano serves as an independent director on the board of AutoNation, where she is Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee.
Dr. Travisano has consistently received special recognitions and awards throughout her career. Recipient of the National Diversity Council’s Glass Ceiling Award, she also was named one of South Florida’s Influential Business Women by the South Florida Business Journal, the March of Dimes Woman of Distinction, Woman of the Year by the 1,000 Plus Club for Cancer Research, Businesswoman of the Year by the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, an Apogee Award from South Florida Business & Wealth, and Student of the Year by her doctoral colleagues at Nova Southeastern University. She has also been honored twice by Boys and Girls Club of Broward County as one of Broward County’s Top 100 Women, and the Florida Diversity Council named her as one of Florida’s Most Powerful and Influential Women.
Dr. Travisano served as Chair of the Miami Dolphins Foundation’s Dolphin’s Challenge Cancer, breaking prior records for her leadership in fundraising for this event. Dr. Travisano was elected to the Orange Bowl Committee to serve a lifetime appointment as a member.
Dr. Travisano holds a doctorate in higher education leadership from Nova Southeastern University, Master of Business Administration from Chatham University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Robert Morris University.