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Cheryl Farrar currently serves as NASBA’s chief information officer (CIO). She is responsible for managing and positioning the services required of an IT outsourcing managed services agreement to align with NASBA’s evolving business needs as the CPA profession changes. While working closely with the business units, Farrar develops strategic plans and an IT roadmap to optimize services delivered while prioritizing within a highly complex technical environment. She is also a key member of NASBA’s Enterprise Risk Management Committee.

As NASBA’s former chief sourcing and strategy officer, Farrar managed global sourcing efforts and played a vital role in managing NASBA’s largest information technology outsourcing agreement with CGI and other IT related contracts. Farrar also oversaw the strategic planning process for NASBA at the organizational and operational levels, and assisted state boards, as requested.

Previously, for six years, Farrar served as NASBA’s chief information officer (CIO). During her time as CIO, the Association achieved tremendous progress in the assessment and stabilization of its information technology organization and systems landscape while improving NASBA’s cybersecurity posture. Under Farrar’s leadership, NASBA completed modernizing a major system to support NASBA’s CPA Examination Services division.

Prior to her role at NASBA, Farrar served as senior vice president for strategic sourcing with Universal Music Group’s global IT organization. As senior vice president, Farrar was responsible for establishing the overall service provider and IT sourcing direction and management for the organization, and for providing leadership in the vision, planning, designing, implementation and maintenance of various critical information systems.

For the last three years, Farrar has served as a board member for TechBridge Tennessee, which is a non-profit that works to break the cycle of generational poverty through the innovative use of technology to transform non-profit and community impact.

Farrar is also the founder of the Spirit Oaks Ranch Equine Therapeutic Center (north of Los Angeles, CA) and White Fawn Farm Equine Therapeutic Center (south of Nashville, TN). Both centers specialize in providing equine related services to children, youth and adults with special-needs and other life challenges.

Her education includes graduating from Pierce College with a liberal arts associate degree and The University of Phoenix with a bachelor’s degree in business management and administration.