Cristina Manabat

Office Manager

• MASTERS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO
  
• Graduate Certificate, University of Asia and the Pacific, Financial Management
  
• BS, La Consolacion College, Business Administration

Tina is a seasoned finance professional with over 30 years of experience in financial management, budget oversight, and executive administration. Her career spans multiple multinational industries, including higher education, commercial real estate, manufacturing, and banking, with a consistent focus on financial operations and strategic budget leadership - a strategist and a problem-solver.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, major in Marketing, from La Consolacion College Manila, an all-girls private Catholic university in the Philippines. She further advanced her financial expertise by completing a graduate certificate in Financial Management at the University of Asia and the Pacific, an international school in Manila. Tina is currently pursuing her MBA at the Knauss School of Business at the University of San Diego (USD), reinforcing her commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in finance.

At USD, Tina serves as the Office and Budget Manager for University Events and Partnerships (UE&P) under the University Advancement division. In this role, she provides executive-level support to the Associate Vice President and oversees a complex portfolio of operating and restricted budgets exceeding $1.5 million. She leads the strategic management of departmental finances, collaborates with directors on budget planning and financial reporting, and plays a key role in revenue generation through event and sponsorship funding. Tina provides training, guidance and direction to the department team about policies and procedures, best practices, process improvements, and budget management. Tina is also responsible for training and managing staff and student workers, while coordinating financial operations through platforms such as SAP Concur, Workday Financials, and CRM systems.

Before joining UE&P, Tina spent nearly a decade as the executive assistant to the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at USD, where she managed 16 budget accounts, including department funds, grants, and endowments, while also supervising over 50 student employees each semester, mentoring newly-hired executive assistants and supporting faculty operations.

Earlier in her career, Tina served as Finance and Marketing Manager for a Los Angeles-based real estate firm, where she led investment strategies, property acquisitions and dispositions, and overall financial management. She also held the position of Finance and Operations Manager at Barefoot Ergonomic Flooring in Pasadena, CA, overseeing the company’s fiscal operations. In the Philippines, Tina spent 10 years as a bank loan officer at LandBank of the Philippines, managing corporate lending for the nation’s top 1,000 corporations. She was part of the bank’s Special Remedial Management Team, handling complex syndicated loans, restructurings, and foreclosures.

In addition to her financial leadership, Tina contributes to the USD community as a member of the University Advancement DEI Council and as a Steering Committee Member for USD’s 75th Anniversary. Tina also currently serves as the Associate Director of Growth and Resources at Project Bluewater Racing, a non-profit organization where she plays a vital leadership role focused on helping Project Bluewater Racing grow its visibility, revenue, and community engagement. 

Awards