Building a 25-Year Legacy: A Passion for People, a Commitment to Service Excellence

March 2026

Elsie Owen is a financial assistant within the Basic Science Administration (BSA) Financial Administration Team at Feinberg, supporting the financial operations that keep research moving forward. From procurement and purchasing to processing memberships and conference registrations, her work ensures that investigators and labs have the resources they need to advance scientific discovery. 

Owen’s Feinberg journey began in 2001 as a temporary accounting assistant. Her talent and commitment quickly distinguished her, leading to a transition into an accounting specialist role in the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology and, in 2005, a promotion to financial assistant within BSA.  

"For over two decades, Elsie has been the backbone of BSA finance operations," said Alice Camacho, associate director for Financial Administration in BSA. "Her expertise has streamlined procurement processes, and in 2025 alone, she managed over 4,000 orders — a testament to her efficiency and reliability."

In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Owen was named one of 10 Feinberg staff members honored on the 2023 Service Excellence Honor Roll, part of Feinberg’s Service Excellence Awards program celebrating employees who consistently go above and beyond in support of our research community.  

"Elsie’s initiative, collaborative spirit and unwavering professionalism have made her an indispensable partner to labs and colleagues across Feinberg," Camacho said. "This milestone is not just a celebration of years — it’s a recognition of the profound impact Elsie has had on our community. We are deeply grateful for her contributions and proud to honor her incredible legacy."

Read a Q&A to learn more about Owen’s 25-year journey at Northwestern and the impact she continues to make at Feinberg. 

Where is your hometown?

Chicago  

What brought you to Northwestern?

I was looking to leverage my in-depth accounting experience in a setting that offered greater opportunity for growth — shifting from transactional, repetitive tasks toward work focused on analysis, strategy and compliance.  

When did you join BSA?

I joined BSA in 2005.

Can you tell us about a recent project or initiative you’ve worked on that you’re particularly proud of?

There isn’t one specific project, but I’m most proud of working together with my team on various initiatives and achieving positive outcomes.

How does your work contribute to the research enterprise at Feinberg?

I support the research enterprise by placing orders for the labs, so that they keep the research going in all fields, as well as processing memberships and registrations for PIs to attend different conferences related to their research.  

Why do you enjoy working at Northwestern?

I enjoy working at Northwestern because I have a passion for working with different people and helping wherever support is needed.  

What do you do enjoy outside of work? 

Oustide of work, I'm in a book club called Dedicated Sistahs Book Club and I'm a proud new grandmother.