People of McMaster is a series celebrating the incredible people who help make McMaster a great place to work, learn, teach and conduct research. This is the seventh instalment of this series. Click here for the previous one. 

For Paola Morrone, numbers are more than just figures on a spreadsheet – they’re an opportunity to understand people’s stories and empower them to do their most impactful work.  

Morrone is the strategic projects manager in Budgeting Services at McMaster. Her role includes leading administrative staff as they prepare budgets and interpret their area’s financial performance, as well as ensuring accuracy and streamlining budget processes.  

She takes pride in her team’s technical expertise, but even more so in their shared commitment to supporting innovation and driving continuous improvement at Mac.  

Over her 11 years at McMaster, Morrone has become a trusted partner to colleagues across campus, known for not just her ability to simplify complex budget processes, but also for building relationships grounded in transparency.  

She’s passionate about data analytics and collaboration – and brings the two together to show how financial data can inform decision making and result in better outcomes across the university. 

What brought you to McMaster initially? 

Career growth was my initial motivation. But once here, I quickly discovered an environment deeply aligned with my personal values — one that genuinely supports innovation, continuous improvement, and provides ample opportunities for professional and personal development.  

The culture here felt immediately welcoming and has continued to reinforce my decision to join McMaster. 

 What do you enjoy most about working at McMaster? 

Definitely the people and the culture. The openness, integrity, and collaborative spirit at McMaster are genuinely admirable. I’ve never encountered anyone unwilling to lend support or share knowledge.  

This type of community is vital in my role, where successful outcomes depend heavily on cooperation and transparent communication across various teams. 

What motivates you, professionally or personally? 

I love bringing joy to others and continuously learning new things myself.  

Professionally, I’m particularly motivated by those “aha!” moments — seeing someone grasp a complex concept or gain clarity is immensely rewarding.  

On a personal level, I thrive on challenges and puzzles. Problem-solving isn’t just part of my job; it’s something I deeply enjoy and take pride in. 

Is there something people might not know about Budgeting Services? 

Yes! We’re not just the “budget police” — far from it. Our team acts as consultants, guiding faculties, operations, and ancillary areas through complex budgeting processes.  

Each member of our small but dedicated team brings a unique expertise, allowing us to collaboratively offer comprehensive financial guidance and support to the entire university.  

It’s about helping everyone understand their financial positions and making informed decisions. 

If you could swap roles with anyone at McMaster for a day, who would it be and why? 

I would choose Terri from La Piazza. Her role is inspiring because she positively impacts countless people daily with just a warm coffee, a cheerful greeting, and an infectious smile.  

Terri embodies how small, consistent gestures of kindness and positivity can significantly brighten someone’s day.