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Real Client Problems Solved

A finance manager wants to grow her career but needs to develop strategic business skills. Through 1-on-1 coaching and colleague assessment she becomes a proactive business partner to the CEO.
Result: the Board appoints her CFO.

A nonprofit loan fund needs more capital but lacks clear financial statements.  By designing clear reports and projections after identifying key variables, they present a compelling funding case to a large funder.
Result: they obtain five times their request.

A new executive director must focus on key priorities while balancing vocal demands from multiple stakeholders.  By developing a clear business plan through a collaborative process with board members, he aligns and energizes stakeholders around a common mission.
Result: he receives three years of funding from a foundation instead of one year.
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Susan has the somewhat rare combination of financial acumen and strategic thinking, an ability to engage and empower all different kinds of people and, most importantly — a willingness to do what it takes to get the job done to further the mission.

– Diana Wells,
President of Ashoka

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Strategic Financial Consulting

  • Business case for investment
  • Financial organizational assessment
  • Sustainability strategies including budgeting and long-term projections
  • Social Investment advising

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Teaching and Advising

  • Coaching: strategic financial counsel
  • Teaching: academic, community and business settings
  • For a list of workshops and publications, click here.

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Project Highlights

Ashoka:  Innovators for the Public, Arlington VA

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Interim CFO
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Guided $60 million global strategic planning and budget process
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Building the financial infrastructure to power a globally decentralized, strategically aligned movement
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Transforming finance team to match new global team of teams structure
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Family Housing Fund, Minneapolis, MN

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Management and Financial Consultant
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Assessed organizational financial effectiveness resulting in new funding
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Balanced financial risk with necessity of investing in hard hit communities
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Developed trust with senior leaders to build on strengths while recognizing challenges
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Citizens League, Minneapolis, MN

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Management and Financial Consultant
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Worked with leadership team to refine mission and clarify strategic focus
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New business plan helped gain new funding and almost triple in size
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Consulting Partners

Socentia, Brad Brown
Dorsey & Whitney, Claire Harkrider Topp
Capital Development Strategies, Marshall Ginn
Cinovations, Cino Adelson
Real Change Strategies, Martha Blue
Third Space Studio, Meredith Emmett