Meet Chris Dunning (BS ’02), Chief Financial Officer at Energy Trust of Oregon and the latest alum featured in our video series, Alumni Insights: Career Advice from Ducks in the Wild.
Chris began his career in public accounting, but his path ultimately led him to the energy and utilities industry—a sector he hadn’t even considered as a student. In this episode, he shares how curiosity, mentorship, and workplace culture shaped his journey from accounting graduate to CFO.
Why Staying Curious Can Shape Your Career
When Chris graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in accounting, he didn’t have a long-term plan to work in energy. In fact, it wasn’t on his radar at all.
Public accounting gave him exposure to a wide range of industries from tech to food manufacturing to utilities. That exposure sparked something unexpected. Through client work with Bonneville Power Administration, Chris discovered a connection between financial leadership and issues he personally cared about: climate change, natural resources, and energy affordability.
His advice to students?
“Stay curious and open to different experiences.”
You may not end up where you originally imagined. And that’s often where growth happens.
Accounting as a Launchpad
Chris describes accounting as the “language of business.” For students considering an accounting degree, he emphasizes how versatile it can be.
A foundation in accounting gave him financial fluency from understanding core financial statements to building skills in financial planning, treasury, and broader strategic leadership. That technical grounding allowed him to pivot and grow into executive roles over time.
For students wondering how to keep their options open, accounting can be a powerful starting point.
The Power of Mentorship (Say “Yes” to the Coffee)
One pivotal moment early in Chris’s career came when a senior partner invited him to grab coffee. It would have been easy to let intimidation win out. Instead, he said “yes”.
That decision sparked a mentoring relationship that has lasted more than 20 years.
Chris credits that relationship with helping him navigate major career decisions—not because his mentor gave him easy answers, but because he offered thoughtful, sometimes challenging perspective.
The takeaway? Put yourself out there. Small moments can have long-term impact.
Workplace Culture Matters
While impact-driven work is important to Chris, he believes workplace culture is just as critical.
“Culture is determined by how people behave every day,” he explains.
For students preparing to enter the workforce, he encourages looking beyond job descriptions and mission statements. Talk to people. Ask questions. Pay attention to how teams interact. The environment you work in will shape your daily experience more than you might expect.
There Is No Perfect Path
As Chris reflects on his career, he emphasizes that many decisions didn’t come with a clear “right” answer. Careers are filled with forks in the road and, often, you won’t know immediately which direction is best.
He affirms that what matters is learning, building relationships, and remaining open to the unexpected opportunities that come up.