Experience

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  Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois

  • Chief Financial Officer

    • Jul 2022 - Present

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  The Family Institute at Northwestern University

  • Chief Financial Officer

    • Dec 2021 - Jul 2022

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  Pillars Community Health

  • La Grange Park

  • CFO

    • Aug 2018 - Nov 2021
    • La Grange Park

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  CHICAGO COMMONS ASSOCIATION

  • CFO

    • Dec 2010 - Sep 2018

    • Implemented the outsourcing of accounting services for a seamless transition. • Streamlined billing process and recovered more than $400,000 in In-home care billing that was lost due to billing errors.• Negotiated line of credit from a new bank at significant reduced interest rate and four times the credit limit.• Built a significant operating reserve of over $4 million in last seven years.• Implemented a new HRIS/Payroll system with seamless transition. • Navigated the turbulent financial times for the non-profit sector during the state budget crises and refinanced debt in this time period.

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  Dhiren Shah and Associates, Inc.

  • Management Consultant

    • Mar 2001 - Dec 2010

    Consultant for nine organizations that offered a permanent position following the consulting assignment.· Quickly assessed how to effect major changes, provided strategic direction, and helped bring structure out of chaos at a newly formed private boarding school in Wisconsin· Hired new staff, established processes and procedures and brought integrity to the financial reports and systems.· Performed various financial management roles, at a record pace, including audit preparation, establishing policies and procedures, and budgeting.· Vital resource to the board, CEO and staff. Acted collaboratively.· Adapted to needs of the organization, applied creativity, offered solutions and implemented change.· Provided strategic and financial direction at a critical juncture at the at the Access Health Care Network, Conserve School, Leadership Council of Metropolitan Chicago, Independent School Association of Central States, Friend Family Health Center, and Bethel New Life, Inc.

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  Chicago Area Project

  • Consultant CFO

    • May 2007 - Mar 2008

    Interim CFO

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  Mercy Housing Lakefront

  • Financial Management Consultant

    • May 2006 - Oct 2006

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  Conserve School

  • Consultant CFO

    • 2003 - 2004

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  Francis W. Parker School

  • Chief Financial Officer

    • Jan 1998 - Jan 2001

    Francis W. Parker School is a private independent school in Chicago. Managed all non-faculty operations functions of the school e.g. finance, human resources, building andmaintenance, legal, insurance and cafeteria.· Suggested, negotiated and closed a $23.7 Million tax-exempt bond to finance construction.· Led the employment contract negotiation team with the Faculty Association.· Restructured the operating business to take advantage of the internal strengths, while outsourcing weaknesses.· Reshaped the operations culture to support cross-fertilization and broader understanding of the organization and bring team orientation.· Upgraded the use of technology to gain greater efficiency and productivity.· Created a service and collaborative environment in the business office, which led to better relationship between faculty, staff and the business office.· Designed and managed a new labor management program which included an employee cafeteria plan and the engagement of labor law firm on a retainer basis.· Oversaw a significant growth in enrollment, personnel, net surplus.

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  BETHEL NEW LIFE, INC

  • Chief Financial Officer

    • Jan 1991 - Jan 1997

    Bethel is a highly committed community development corporation with an operating budget of over $10 million and 350 employees. It is involved in housing, economic development and industrial development, employment assistance and social services.· Oversaw the growth of budget from $ 6MM to $ 10MM and managed the challenge of meeting a $ 400,000 monthly payroll.· Structured debt, designed creative financing packages and sold bankers on the structure.· Educated the board and staff on financial issues thereby reducing fears and restoring integrity to the finance department.· Initiated and directed a smooth conversion of the accounting from an outside provider to a fully integrated fund accounting program on a local area network.· Negotiated major contracts for health insurance, property insurance, major purchases and legal services and unions.

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  Lawndale Community School (currently LEARN Charter School)

  • Treasurer

    • 1994 - 1995

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  CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO

  • Vice President and Controller

    • Jan 1990 - Jan 1991

    · Hired to help reverse downward spiral of financial condition of this $ 22 million bank, which was under a federal, cease and desist order.

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  AFFILIATED BANK GROUP

  • Accountant

    • Jan 1987 - Jan 1990

    · Organized and integrated the loan operations of seven affiliate banks with assets of one billion.