Beth Huntley-Fenner ’88 

Overview

• BA, Mathematics, Vassar College
• MS, Applied Math, Brown University

Beth Huntley-Fenner (she/her) is the co-founder of Huntley-Fenner Advisors, a 12-year-old human factors consulting firm. As CFO and Principal Consultant, Beth manages everything relating to finance, operations, and HR, in addition to consulting. Truly, she does a little bit of everything—such is the life of a small-business owner!

Beth has consistently had one foot in business strategy and the other in technology. Her wide-ranging career has included positions in a variety of business sectors, including VP of Medical Analytics at Apria (healthcare), Special Bid Desk Manager at Toshiba (technology), and Product Manager at Marcam (manufacturing software). She has held positions in IT, finance, sales operations, managed care, and marketing. Flexibility, getting up to speed quickly, establishing high-achieving teams, and implementing organizational change have been hallmarks of her professional career.

On the personal side, Beth is passionate about politics, women’s health justice, disability rights, and travel. She has served as treasurer of a PAC, been the campaign manager for a local school board candidate, served on the Special Education Community Advisory Committee Board for her school district, and is working hard to cram in as many adventures as possible (anyone up for hiking in the Guyanese rainforest, skydiving in the Hudson Valley, or wine tasting in Bordeaux by bicycle?).

Advice to Students:

1. Worry less about your major and more about excelling at whatever you do. Many people I know ended up in careers that had nothing to do with their college majors. High-quality work, creativity, and an excellent work ethic will get you noticed and create opportunities for you.
2. Believe it or not, you already have a network! Every relationship you establish—at Vassar, at work, and in your community—broadens your network and can serve you well. Even random connections can change your life.