After a national search, Kim Toatley, associate vice president of Financial and Research Administration for the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), has been selected to serve as vice president for Finance and Planning and chief financial officer for the Institute. 

Toatley will begin her new role on Jan. 1. She will report directly to Shantay N. Bolton, executive vice president for Administration and Finance, and join the president’s cabinet. 

“Kim brings substantive experience in financial operations, research administration, fiscal stewardship, and compliance, as well as an in-depth knowledge of Georgia Tech and the University System of Georgia’s financial goals and strategies,” said Bolton. “I am confident that Kim will provide the strategic, innovative, and sound vision necessary to help the Institute reach its milestones as a best-in-class university and research enterprise.”   

A proud Georgia Tech alumna, Toatley joined the Institute in 1989. She has served as the associate vice president of Financial and Research Administration for GTRI since 2018, responsible for sponsored project administration, business operations, accounting, finance, budgeting, and audits. In this role, Toatley has led the finance research and administration team in navigating GTRI’s momentous growth to $869 million in research awards — a significant contributor to the Institute’s $1.4 billion research enterprise. Toatley has more than 30 years of experience in finance and accounting, along with more than 34 years of experience in university operations. She graduated from Georgia Tech with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and received a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in strategic management from Georgia State University.

“It is a privilege to be selected as part of the Institute’s leadership team and contribute to Georgia Tech’s mission,” said Toatley. “I look forward to drawing upon my perspectives as a financial team leader as well as my commitment to fiscal responsibilities, people development, and best practices in financial administration to support the Institute’s growth.”   

Current interim leadership for Finance and Planning will remain in place until Toatley transitions into her new role at the start of the new year. Transitional plans for GTRI will be shared as they become available.