SFBRN Updates

Management Personnel Plan (MPP) leaders identified for Phase 1 Network units were formally notified of their Network organizational alignments and reporting relationships. These alignments provide clarity and continuity as the Network moves toward implementation, with aligned leaders scheduled to begin in their Network roles effective January 1, 2026, in advance of the Phase 1 go-live.

As implementation planning advanced, the presidents approved detailed organizational charts for key Phase 1 Network units, including the Regional Network Transformation Office, Information Technology, and Procurement & Accounts Payable. This approval marked a significant milestone in establishing the foundational structure necessary to support the Network’s initial launch.

The presidents confirmed January 30, 2026, as the official go-live date for Phase 1 of the Network, marking a key transition from planning to execution. During this period, the presidents also affirmed the general direction of Network operating models and organizational structures, authorizing continued refinement in partnership with campus leadership while maintaining shared governance across the three universities.

Following the June kick-off, the three Network university presidents confirmed the initial functional scope for Phase 1 of the San Francisco Bay Region Network. Information Technology (IT) and Procurement & Accounts Payable (P2P) were identified as priority functions for implementation by January 2026. The presidents also affirmed a more intentional, phased approach to Human Resources operations, recognizing dependencies on broader CSU initiatives, including the implementation of a single CHRS instance.

Since the formal approval from the Board of Trustees of the California State University System, President Emily Cutrer of Sonoma State University, President Lynn Mahoney of San Francisco State University, and President Cathy Sandeen of California State University, East Bay met in June 2025. This official kick-off meeting brought together leaders from the three universities to set the Network vision and guiding principles, discuss implementation priorities, finalize governance, and map out project timeline. As more updates become available, we will prepare to share them through the Network website and will continue to keep all stakeholders informed of progress and new developments.

Following the initial Network proposal from the three university presidents in March 2025 to Chancellor García, the Network was officially presented to the Board of Trustees of the California State University System in May 2025. At this meeting, the Network received formal approval to move forward. The Network item, beginning on page 27, outlines the rationale for creating a single effective and cost-efficient organization of administration and finance functions and describes a timeline for the first four functional operations (human resources, procurement, financial aid, and IT help desk, IT project management, and IT applications support) to be completed by January 2026. In addition, it names all three presidents as equal executive sponsors and SFSU Chief Financial Officer, Jeff Wilson, as the Network project lead. In the coming months, Jeff Wilson will convene a communications team to develop a website and share continuous updates so stakeholders across the three universities will have synchronous access to information. 

The San Francisco Bay Region Network comprises of Sonoma State University, San Francisco State University, and California State University, East Bay. The Network was initially shared by the three Network university presidents in March 2025 as a written commitment to the Chancellor García to create single administrative network integrating a range of transaction operations. The Network represents a creative and innovative collective response to the current landscape where urgent budget conditions and persistent demographic declines similarly and negatively impact the three campuses.

Dear Colleagues,

This message continues our series of brief weekly updates, highlighting what is most relevant as we approach the San Francisco Bay Region Network (SFBRN) January 30 go-live. Our next communication will occur on our go-live day.

Countdown to Go-Live: 4 Days to Go

This week’s focus is on readiness and support:

• Preparing campus communities for day-one changes
• Launching Procure-to-Pay (CSUBuy) with training and daily office hours
• Ensuring clear access to support through the Network Support Center

Procure-to-Pay (P2P): CSUBuy is Now Live

Cal State East Bay and San Francisco State University are now live with Procure-to-Pay (P2P) in CSUBuy.

Faculty and staff whose work involves purchasing, approvals, travel, or reimbursements are encouraged to review the full P2P memo to:

• Attend virtual daily office hours to support a smooth transition
• Attend in-person, virtual, or recorded training
• Become familiar with key timelines and how legacy processes are changing

These resources are intended to provide clear guidance and support as teams begin using the new system.

What’s Changing on Day One: Top 5 Highlights

Beginning January 30, the following changes will be most visible to the campus community:

• One front door for IT support through the Network Support Center
• A single phone number, email, and ticketing system for IT requests
• Network IT teams working collaboratively across the three universities behind the scenes
• Procure-to-Pay transactions routed through CSUBuy (New for CSUEB and SFSU)
• Expanded support options, including office hours and virtual information sessions

While some changes are visible, much of the Network’s work happens behind the scenes to ensure continuity and consistency of service.

New: Network Support Center “How to Get Help” Video

To help faculty and staff get familiar with the Network Support Center experience, we’ve created a short tutorial video that walks through the different ways to request support, including submitting a ticket online, getting help virtually, by phone, by email, or in person.

The video provides a clear, step-by-step overview of how to access support and is a helpful resource for anyone who wants a quick preview before go-live.

Network Information Sessions: Open to All

Network leadership will continue hosting SFBRN and Network Support Center information sessions, open to all faculty and staff across Cal State East Bay, San Francisco State University, and Sonoma State University.

These sessions will:

• Walk through the Network Support Center
• Review how to access IT and Procure-to-Pay support after go-live
• Provide an opportunity for questions and answers

Sessions are held virtually via Zoom. Register for a session below:

Thursday, January 29

2:15pm to 3:00pm

Register here to attend

Tuesday, February 3 

1:15pm to 2:00pm

Register here to attend

Thank you for your continued engagement and partnership as we move into go-live week. Your collaboration is essential as we take this important step forward together.

With appreciation,

Jeff Wilson and Karen Moranski

San Francisco Bay Region Network

Dear Colleagues,

This message continues our series of brief weekly updates, highlighting what is most relevant as we approach the San Francisco Bay Region Network (SFBRN) January 30 go-live. 

As we enter the final days before launch, these updates are intended to provide clarity on what to expect and where to find support as the Network transitions into shared operations for select services.

Countdown to Go-Live

10 days to go

In the days and weeks ahead, our focus remains on:

• Preparing for the launch of the Network Support Center on January 30
• Supporting Procure-to-Pay go-lives and other ongoing initiatives across the Network universities
• Ensuring university communities and Network teams are prepared for go-live

Network Support Center: What to Expect

Beginning January 30, the Network Support Center (NSC) will serve as the shared front door for IT support across Cal State East Bay, San Francisco State University, and Sonoma State University.

As a reminder from last week’s Network Support Center announcement, the NSC is designed to make accessing support simpler and more consistent across the universities. At go-live:

• There will be one phone number, one email, and one ticketing system for IT support
• Requests will generate a ticket and be handled by Network staff working collaboratively across the three universities
• The primary change is behind the scenes, as teams coordinate work across the universities to provide consistent service

The goal of the NSC is straightforward: to support employees in doing their jobs effectively, while system and application consolidation continue over time.

A screenshot preview of the NSC experience is available here to help familiarize you with what submitting a request will look like.

Procure-to-Pay (P2P): Reminder and Resources

As a reminder, Cal State East Bay and San Francisco State University will go live with Procure-to-Pay (P2P) on January 26, shortly ahead of the Network’s January 30 launch.

Faculty and staff whose roles involve purchasing, approvals, travel, or reimbursements are encouraged to review the full P2P memo and take advantage of available training sessions and office hours. These resources provide detailed guidance on timelines, system changes, and where to get help during the transition.

Network Teams and Service Model

To support transparency and collaboration, we have published organizational charts for Network IT and Procurement and Accounts Payable teams. These charts are intended to help university partners understand how teams are structured and how shared services are organized across the three universities.

Network Information Sessions — Open to All

Network leadership will host SFBRN and Network Support Center information sessions, open to all faculty and staff across Cal State East Bay, San Francisco State University, and Sonoma State University.

These sessions will:

• Walk through the Network Support Center
• Explain how to access IT and Procure-to-Pay support after go-live
• Provide an opportunity for questions and discussion

Sessions will be held virtually via Zoom once a week for the next three weeks. The first session will take place this week:

Thursday, January 22
 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
 

Thank you for your continued focus and collaboration as we prepare for January 30.

With appreciation,

Jeff Wilson and Karen Moranski

Dear Colleagues,

As shared in last week’s January Monthly Update, we are now entering the final weeks leading up to the Network’s January 30 go-live. This message is the first in a series of brief weekly updates focused on what’s most relevant right now as we move closer to day one.

Countdown to Go-Live

16 days to go

In the weeks ahead, our focus is on:

• Finalizing staff team assignments
• Preparing for the launch of the Network Support Center
• Supporting Procure-to-Pay go-lives and other ongoing initiatives across the Network universities

We’ll continue using these weekly updates to highlight what to expect as we approach January 30.

Staff Team Assignments: Timing Reminder

We remain on track to finalize staff team assignments by January 16. At that time:

• Network staff will be notified of the team they are part of, and
• Network staff’s new MPP managers will reach out directly to connect and welcome them.

Prior to these notifications, Network leadership will host virtual information sessions to answer questions, share what to expect at go-live, and welcome staff to the Network. Details and registration information will be shared shortly.

Network Support Center: What’s Coming

The Network Support Center (NSC) will officially begin operations on January 30, serving ultimately as the shared front door for IT and Procurement & Accounts Payable support across Cal State East Bay, San Francisco State, and Sonoma State.

The NSC is designed to provide:

• Clear entry points for support
• Consistent service and routing
• Faster resolution by directing requests to the right teams

A full NSC announcement, including hours of operation and contact methods, is available for reference.

Important note: Existing campus IT and service desk websites will remain available during the transition. There is no immediate cutover away from current sites, allowing time for communities to acclimate to the Network support model. Current sites will route support requests to the NSC.

Network leaders will also host information sessions for campus community members to walk through the NSC, answer questions, and discuss what to expect at go-live.

Procure-to-Pay (P2P) Updates

As Cal State East Bay and San Francisco State prepare for their Procure-to-Pay (P2P) go-lives on January 26, just days ahead of the Network’s January 30 launch, the Network is coordinating closely with Procurement and Accounts Payable teams to ensure staff have clear guidance and access to support during this transition.

If your role involves purchasing, approvals, travel, or reimbursements, please review this memo carefully. It includes information on go-live timelines, training opportunities, and regular support sessions where employees can receive individualized assistance with CSUBuy and Concur processes.

The memo from Procurement and Accounts Payable outlines:

• CSUBuy P2P go-live timing
• Training sessions and office hours
• Legacy system cutover plans
• Travel and expense system updates, including Concur

Supporting Ongoing Campus Initiatives

We recognize that many teams are supporting multiple initiatives at once, including Procure-to-Pay transitions and major enterprise efforts such as Cal State East Bay’s transition from Google to Microsoft 365. These efforts continue to be fully supported, and staff remain dedicated to ensuring their success alongside the Network go-live.

Thank you for your continued focus and collaboration. We’ll continue to share concise weekly updates as we count down to January 30.

With appreciation,

Jeff Wilson and Karen Moranski

San Francisco Bay Region Network

 

January 14, 2026

From: Jeff Wilson, Project Lead, SF Bay Region Network

and Vice President, Administration & Finance & Chief Financial Officer

San Francisco State University | Sonoma State University

To: Employees at California State University East Bay, San Francisco State University, and Sonoma State University

Dear Colleagues:

I am pleased to share two important leadership appointments that strengthen the San Francisco Bay Region Network’s foundation as we move into the next phase of implementation.

Appointment of David Crozier

We are pleased to announce the appointment of David Crozier as the Network’s Chief Financial Services Officer, effective January 1, 2026.

David joins the Network with extensive leadership experience in financial services, operational management, process improvement, and strategic resource management. For the past eight years, he has served as Associate Vice President for Financial Services at Sonoma State University, providing senior oversight of financial operations, enhancing service delivery, and advancing strategic institutional priorities through collaborative, data-informed decision making.

Throughout his career, David has demonstrated a strong commitment to operational excellence, customer service, and continuous improvement. His expertise in financial policy, organizational leadership, and technology-enabled solutions positions him well to lead the development of a unified financial services model for the region.

In this new role, David will guide the evolution of shared financial services across the three Network universities, strengthening stewardship, streamlining processes, and promoting innovation and service excellence.

Please join me in congratulating David on this important appointment.

Appointment of Lanaya Gaberel

We are also pleased to announce that Lanaya Gaberel has been appointed as the Network’s Senior Director of Learning and Professional Development, effective January 12, 2026.

Lanaya brings extensive experience in learning strategy, organizational development, leadership development, and culture transformation. For the past eleven years, she has supported organization development efforts at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, most recently serving as Senior Director of Employee Experience & Organization Development. In this role, she leads high-impact professional development initiatives, advances organizational effectiveness, and designs learning ecosystems that enable people to thrive through change. Her portfolio includes providing strategic planning, change management and leadership support for the Cal Poly–Cal Maritime integration, as well as developing a career-planning and upskilling pilot for university staff.

Her background includes deep expertise in adult learning theory, instructional design, leadership programs, and organization-wide change management. She is known for building inclusive learning cultures, leveraging data to enhance outcomes, and fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups.

In this new role, Lanaya will lead the Network’s workforce learning strategy, guiding the upskilling, readiness, and cultural integration efforts that prepare staff across all three Network universities for the work of the future. Her leadership will be foundational in developing regional professional development pathways and ensuring our teams are supported during the Network implementation and beyond.

Please join me in welcoming Lanaya to this vital leadership role.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership as we continue strengthening the SF Bay Region Network. I’m excited for all the opportunities the new year will bring to our Network universities.

December 22, 2025

From: Jeff Wilson, Project Lead, San Francisco Bay Region Network, California State University

To: Employees at California State University, East Bay, San Francisco State University, and Sonoma State University

Dear Colleagues:

I am pleased to announce that Jenifer Barnett has been appointed Senior Director of Procurement and Accounts Payable for the San Francisco Bay Region Network (SFBRN), effective immediately.

Jenifer brings to this position more than two decades of leadership experience at Sonoma State University, where she has overseen procurement, contracts, and accounts payable operations with a strong focus on efficiency, compliance, and collaboration across the California State University (CSU) system.

Jenifer has played a key role in several systemwide initiatives, including the implementation of CSUBuy and Concur Single Instance. She has also helped shape the future of procurement across the system through her contributions to the CSU Multi-U Initiative. Most recently, she conducted an assessment for the Network on integrating Procurement and Accounts Payable operations. Her proven ability to lead teams, optimize operations, provide CSUBuy and Concur training to employees, and foster partnerships across campuses makes her exceptionally well-suited for this new regional leadership role.

Jenifer will report directly to Dr. Karen Moranski, Vice President of Regional Network Transformation, until the search for the Network Chief Financial Services Officer has been completed with the assistance of the CSU Chancellor’s Office.

Please join us in congratulating Jenifer and welcoming her to this expanded position within the SFBRN. We look forward to her continued leadership in advancing procurement and accounts payable through operational excellence and service to the SFBRN campuses.November 5, 2025

Interim Head of Network IT Appointment for the SF Bay Region Network - Nish Malik

From: Jeff Wilson, Project Lead, San Francisco Bay Region Network

To: Employees at California State University, East Bay, San Francisco State University, and Sonoma State University

Dear Colleagues:

After a competitive search process, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Nish Malik as the new Interim Head of Network Information Technology for the San Francisco Bay Region Network (SFBRN), effective immediately.

Nish brings over two decades of leadership experience across higher education, state government, and the private sector. Most recently, he served as Senior Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer at San Francisco State University, where he led major digital transformation initiatives that strengthened institutional resilience, improved user experience, and advanced cybersecurity and responsible AI integration.

Throughout his tenure at San Francisco State, Nish successfully consolidated distributed IT units into a unified organization, built high performing teams, implemented enterprise-wide modernization efforts, delivered resilient IT infrastructure, and championed cloud-first strategies and generative AI adoption. His leadership earned multiple California Public Higher Education Innovation Focus on Efficiency and Cal State Tech Awards for efficiency, organizational growth, and technology leadership.

A collaborative leader and community builder, Nish has served on systemwide CSU technology governance committees and on the board of the California Technology Council. He holds a master’s degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of San Francisco and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Johnson & Wales University.

Please join us in welcoming Nish Malik to his new role serving all three campuses in the Network. We look forward to his continued leadership in advancing technology innovation, operational excellence, and service to the SFBRN campuses.

October 21, 2025

Introducing the SF Bay Region Network Website – Our Next Step Forward

On behalf of the Presidents of Sonoma State, San Francisco State, and Cal State East Bay, we are pleased to announce the launch of the official San Francisco Bay Region Network (SFBRN) website. 

Appointed by the Presidents to lead this important regional initiative, we are honored to share this next step forward with you. This announcement is being shared jointly across all three campuses today, underscoring our shared commitment to collaboration and unified progress.

This site represents our shared commitment to transparency, engagement, and progress. It offers a central hub where faculty, staff, and administrators across the three campuses can explore updates, project milestones, FAQs, and ways to get involved. Whether you are closely involved or are just beginning to learn about the Network, you’ll find valuable insight into where we are—and where we’re headed. 

We’re also committing to monthly updates on the website to ensure you remain informed every step of the way. We invite you to explore the site regularly as new information becomes available. Your voice matters—please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts through the SFBRN Pulse Survey or by emailing info@sfbrn.calstate.edu, both linked directly on the homepage. 

Thank you, as always, for your continued commitment, curiosity, and collaboration as we build something new—together. 

In partnership,

Jeff Wilson

Project Lead, San Francisco Bay Region Network

Vice President, Administration and Finance and CFO

San Francisco State University | Sonoma State University

Karen Moranski

Vice President of Regional Network Transformation

San Francisco Bay Region Network

July 25, 2025