Experience

SHERPA Institute

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Research Director, Corporate Secretary

  • Dec 2018 - Present

  UNSDG Corporate Guidebook Series Meta-Project. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), launched by the United Nations in 2015, represent an action plan for the planet and society to thrive by 2030 – addressing poverty, hunger and climate change, among other issues central to human progress and sustainable development, such as gender equality, clean water and sanitation, and responsible consumption and production. This series will consist of 17 hardbound books published by CRC Press, offering clear guidance, real-world project-oriented case studies, practical resources, and realistic calls to action. I am working pro-bono as leader of the Research Team, recruiting team members, training contributors, and gathering and evaluating examples and case studies for inclusion. Contact me at carlaholder@sherpainstitute.org Show less



Academy for Learning and Character Development

• Huntsville, Alabama

• Financial Wizard (volunteer)

  • Mar 2016 - Present

  In emergency situation, I stepped in and worked with software providers to get IDs and passwords in place, then set payroll process back up and ensured that staff continued to be paid. >Provided school director with assessment of improvement needs of GL, record keeping, and procedures. Upgraded GL software. >Caught up withholding and tax forms (federal and state), and generated workers comp audit forms. >Initiated filing of Alabama New Hire Notification forms >Provided training to director, other staff, and other volunteers. >Modernized employee handbook, records retention, and other policies. Show less



Mosaica Education, Inc.

• United States
• Education Administration Programs
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Manager, Finance and Purchasing

  • Jan 2009 - Oct 2014

  Besides handling procurement for corporate and the 38 domestic schools, I purchased for the British, Near-East and Indian schools; wrote, conducted, analyzed, and awarded RFPs; and handled vendor relations. Also handled charter application budgets, charter RFP responses, and cost savings initiatives.> Purchased $4 Million annual requirements, tracking grant availability versus low cost leasing options> Developed and sustained vendor relationships in cash constraints as vendor liaison > Managed users as systems administrator for Staples, FedEx, eFax, Aetna eBilling.> Converted paper supplies orders to online sites, maintaining control by reviewing all supplies orders> Converted email approvals to DocuSign and faxed POs to email to streamline purchasing and improve documentation> Coordinated rollout of Aetna implementation to 2000 employees given only 1 month lead-timeContact me at carlaedithh@gmail.com. Show less

• Manager, Financial Planning & Analysis

  • Jan 2004 - Dec 2008

  I supported the CFO and the executive team with budgeting, strategic planning, analysis, monthly financials reporting, and special project work. The CFO added purchasing responsibilities, coordinating with school budgets and advising the schools on what to order. In handling vendor relations, I liaised between not just corporate and the vendor base, but all the schools, the school accountants and the vendors.>Developed strategic & annual plan and analyzed monthly performance of business and cost centers>Reprojected cash flows and helped assisted CFO in collection / debt decisions>Prepared and presented history for and assisted in negotiations with finance company for $11.8M sale-leaseback.>Performed impairment testing of goodwill and conducted valuation analysis of business for equity infusion>Counseled schools on financially advantageous actions to maximize learning tools within financial constraints>Used Rev Proc interpretation and State Revenue calculation interpretation to refine proper projections.>Handled relationship with D&B; worked with D&B to eliminate incorrect data, improved Paydex. Show less



Columbia University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Interim Director, Capital Planning & Accounting

  • Nov 2002 - Jun 2003

  I managed $165 Million annual capital & capital renewal budget and staff of 5 while the permanent director was on maternity leave. >Proved the need for significant cost recovery increase through the first bottoms-up, skilled-trades, billing rate analysis in 6 years, allowing VP to request bill back to consuming departments. I managed $165 Million annual capital & capital renewal budget and staff of 5 while the permanent director was on maternity leave. >Proved the need for significant cost recovery increase through the first bottoms-up, skilled-trades, billing rate analysis in 6 years, allowing VP to request bill back to consuming departments.



Unilever

• United Kingdom
• Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Financial Manager, Development

  • 2001 - Nov 2002

  I managed a $86 Million annual product & process development budget, implemented best practices across 3 merged sites, 4 VPs. > Successfully advocated for realistic funding and reasonable reporting for new product Global Technology Centres. >Implemented new structure, put together new team, and gained support for new roles from 4 VPs. >Translated R&D tax credit “legalese” into presentation for Development management and Tax Department. >Designed prototype models of Volume/Rate/Mix and Gross Margin analyses within Hyperion Essbase system. >Coordinated on-site finance learning opportunities; developed annual Joint Day Away with Unilever Foods. Show less



Unilever

• United Kingdom
• Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Commercial Manager, Reporting & Analysis

  • 1999 - 2000

  >Managed $70 Million annual consumer promotions budget’s accounting and balance sheet position. >Regained control and corrected process and programming on promotional purchasing system. >Shepherded business unit planning & reporting processes through Y2K issues, NT conversion, systems changes. >Managed $70 Million annual consumer promotions budget’s accounting and balance sheet position. >Regained control and corrected process and programming on promotional purchasing system. >Shepherded business unit planning & reporting processes through Y2K issues, NT conversion, systems changes.



Unilever

• United Kingdom
• Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Commercial Manager, Capital Planning

  • 1998 - 1998

  >Provided capital/lease support for merger of 3 businesses, developing warehouse network & IT needs. >Developed new integrated capital and lease authorization process with consistent accounting treatments. >Negotiated, structured, evaluated lease deals for $46 Million racking, material handling, and warehouses. >Led Legal & Distribution team keeping equipment/site acquisitions and contract approvals on track. >Provided capital/lease support for merger of 3 businesses, developing warehouse network & IT needs. >Developed new integrated capital and lease authorization process with consistent accounting treatments. >Negotiated, structured, evaluated lease deals for $46 Million racking, material handling, and warehouses. >Led Legal & Distribution team keeping equipment/site acquisitions and contract approvals on track.



eHR Recruitment

• Bangladesh
• Staffing and Recruiting
• 700 & Above Employee

• Commercial Manager, Capital Planning

  • 1994 - 1997

  >$93 Million annual savings from financial analyses for corporate restructuring, resiting, and plant closure.>Implemented 50% cuts in capital budget, leading multi-site team to prioritize opportunities as one “virtual site”.>Led capital/fixed assets Work Simplification team, streamlining and rebuilding process in restructured business.>Defined and executed $60 Million asset write-off to streamline asset base by 7%.>Uncovered $4+ Million annual savings opportunity in raw materials & packaging and sold it to the business.>Facilitated North American Manufacturing Capital Strategy (US/Canadian businesses), gained consensus and action.>Developed Basic Finance & Asset Management training seminar and presented at all sites with enthusiastic results; improved capital proposals and increased writeoffs as a result. Show less

• Associate Manager, Commercial Technical

  • 1991 - 1994

  >$10 Million annual savings proven in analysis of feasibility of plant rationalization by tradeoff of inventory and reserve capacity to meet demand volatility.>Determined benefit and risk of Every Day Low Pricing strategy.>$49 Million annual savings by benchmarking products and monitoring implementation process to accelerate savings.>Evaluated commercialization potential of new technologies, using cost models vs. new product pricing models.>Developed low cost sourcing strategies for North American hard surface cleaner and fragrances. Show less

• Assistant Commercial Manager, Marketing

  • 1989 - 1991

  >Produced short and long-term category P&Ls to meet profit and activity goals.>Evaluated NPV investment scenarios and breakeven analyses category and company to manage risk profile.>Provided financial and strategic evaluations brand opportunities, launches (Wisk Powder), repositionings, and pricing strategies.>Recommended promotion and SKU changes for improved brand/pack profitability.>Analyzed competitors' profitability and probable actions/reactions.



General Motors

• United States
• Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Manufacturing Systems Analyst

  • Jan 1984 - Aug 1986

  I helped develop the interface between the Project Management System and the Purchasing System, conducted testing and trained users on the system.>Managed Project Control System used to commit, control, track $1 Billion authorized funds.>Conducted training, supported 500 users, wrote manuals and documentation, and guided programmers.>Reduced $23 Million error file 83% thru research and recommended action.>Wrote and edited successful proposals for $2 Million in system development funds. Show less

• Manufacturing Chemist

  • 1978 - 1984

  >Conducted analyses for EPA and Michigan DNR permits, for product development, and for production.>Set up, validated, and ran GC/MS, IR, AA, UV, calorimeter, microscope, wet methods.>Wrote manual to evaluate supplier labs and presented test requirements to suppliers to support JIT delivery, including proper statistical process controls.



MassMutual

• United States
• Financial Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Actuarial Technician

  • 1977 - 1977

  >Documented individual programs and function of Fortran-based Rates and Values package. >Revised programs with new actuarial formulas and produced master Rates and Values for all policyholders. >Documented individual programs and function of Fortran-based Rates and Values package. >Revised programs with new actuarial formulas and produced master Rates and Values for all policyholders.