Experience

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  The National Math and Science Initiative

  • United States
  • Education Administration Programs
  • 200 - 300 Employee

  • Vice President Finance

    • Dec 2018 - Mar 2021

  • Finance Strategist

    • Jan 2018 - Dec 2018

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  TNTP

  • Vice President of Finance

    • 2012 - 2017

    Returning to work after a family hiatus, I looked for an opportunity that would fulfill both personal and professional passions. And I found it!Among the interesting challenges at TNTP:► The opportunity to work remotely and lead a virtual team. RESULTS: Hiring the right people, trusting them to do their jobs, and sharing my vision for how we could make a difference—these were the keys to building an incredibly motivated, productive, talented, and hard-working team. ► The need to quickly learn the intricacies of complex multi-dimensional accounting and the compliance and audit requirements of government and foundation funding.RESULTS: Listening and learning before attempting a solution helped me build trust with my team, better understand the unique expense allocations and funding environments, and develop “fixes” and new processes that solved real problems and delivered real benefits. ► The organization’s need and desire to grow in new directions, beyond the initial mission of improving public education through teaching fellowships.RESULTS: Supporting this objective meant developing an entirely new financial reporting system that now provides the executive team with an instant snapshot of financial performance—so that progress can be monitored, problems avoided, and decisions made before crisis sets in. Before being promoted to VP in 2014, I served as head of Financial Planning & Analysis (2013–2014), Acting Controller (2014), and head of Revenue Management (2012–2013).CORE SKILLS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Accounting & Finance, Financial Planning & Analysis, GAAP Compliance, Process Improvement, Financial Systems and Technologies, Strategic Leadership

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  Paine Webber

  • Senior Vice President

    • 1992 - 1997

    I was hired to help build a new REIT investment group within Paine Webber’s Investment Banking division. At the time we were overshadowed by prominent names and had to scratch and scramble to find the deals and build the business.How I approached the challenge:► Find untapped markets—looking beyond the obvious (office buildings, malls) to find other real estate holdings in markets that were being overlooked by the big players. I did my homework, cultivated relationships, and pursued the opportunities I found.RESULTS: The largest equity REIT IPO at that time—a a$300M debt offering/$423M IPO named “Deal of the Year” by Institutional Investor. And the largest IPO in Kidder Peabody’s history—a $420M common share offering.► Get creative—conceiving new ways to structure financing deals (e.g., cross -collateralizing tax-exempt bonds) to include more investors and generate more capital.RESULTS: More than $800M in revenue to the firm through these creative financing structures.CORE SKILLS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: New Business Development, Deal Leadership, Deal Structuring, Transaction Execution, Client and Prospect Relationship Building, IPO, REIT

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  Jungle Jim's Playland

  • Vice President Operations

    • 1991 - 1992

    Through a prior Goldman Sachs relationship, I was approached by a VC firm that had invested in Jungle Jim’s Playlands—a San Antonio-based startup in the children’s amusement/restaurant industry. Asked to solve operational problems and accelerate revenue growth for the struggling business, I was ready for a new challenge so quickly said yes!What I learned:► Even in a startup environment, a solid foundation of clear strategy, operational best practices, and strong financial controls will create the environment for growth.RESULTS: Within just a few months, we multiplied revenue 5X and were on the path to continued profitable growth.Prior Positions:► Associate, Goldman, Sachs & Company: Conceived 2 innovative financing structures that generated huge benefits to clients and produced millions in fees to Goldman Sachs. ► Management Associate, General Mills Restaurant Group: Part of the startup team responsible for launch and operation of the most successful restaurant chain ever created (Olive Garden).► Audit Associate, Ernst & Whinney: Successfully completed all CPA examinations and participated on audit engagements for clients in diverse industries. CORE SKILLS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Business Strategy, Accounting & Finance, Operations, Revenue Management, Audit, Turnaround, Process Improvement, Deal Structure, Transaction Execution, Completed CPA Examination