Daniela M. Curmei
New York,USA
Summary
Accomplished leader with extensive experience at NEW YORK POWER AUTHORITY, specializing in Business Transformation Strategy and Team Leadership. Successfully spearheaded finance transformation initiatives that optimized processes for enhanced efficiency and compliance. Demonstrated exceptional governance oversight and stakeholder engagement, resulting in a notable increase in operational efficiency. Committed to driving strategic initiatives that foster cross-functional collaboration and deliver measurable outcomes.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Value Services
NEW YORK POWER AUTHORITY (NYPA)
New York, USA
11.2021 - Current
- Company Overview: The New York Power Authority (NYPA) is the largest state public power organization in the United States, providing low-cost electricity to customers across New York State
- Lead finance transformation initiatives and oversee core cash management operations
- Actively partner with decision makers across enterprise to identify, evaluate and recommend data and technology solutions
- Directly manage Accounts Payable, Billing, Finance Transformation & Project Management Teams and multiple vendors
- Oversee Controller’s portfolio management processes, including project selection, value frameworks, performance tracking, and benefits management
- Maintain core portfolio and project management governance frameworks, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with internal and external regulations and standards
- Identify and mitigate risks associated with portfolio management and business technology operations, proactively managing potential issues
- Project Lead for Blackline Implementation including integration of this account reconciliation software with SAP ERP and with KYRIBA, Treasury’s SaaS Treasury management software
- Oversaw Economic Development Program to help customers affected by COVID-19 and Single Use Account (SUA) project, an alternative method of payment for vendors that allows vendors access to payment within 1 day and NYPA receives reward points from vendors using this bank facility
- Directed enterprise-wide transition to electronic Time & Attendance/Payroll system with biometrics, integrated with mobile, and capable of tracking 2000 regular employees plus contingent workers, and multiple consultants
- Created and built out the finance transformation unit within the Controller's office at NYPA
- Executed Finance & IT strategy for an integrated data system, aligning with organizational goals to enhance efficiency and deliver top-tier financial services
- Nominated to lead the NextGen ERP Implementation team from the Controller's side, comprised of finance transformation experts and SMEs in all financial operations functions like accounting, cash management and financial reporting ($100mm project)
- Actively involved in the procurement process, overseeing RFP issuance, vendor selection and management, and ensuring successful project delivery (contracts varying from $500K-$10mm)
- Built expert, accountable, and collaborative teams for Accounts Payable and Billing, taking steps to transform culture and ensure the teams serve as resources to the whole enterprise
- Optimize processes and procedures for Accounts Payable, Billing and SAP, including automating functions using robotic process automation (RPA)
- The New York Power Authority (NYPA) is the largest state public power organization in the United States, providing low-cost electricity to customers across New York State
Senior Director for Strategic Initiatives
MONTEFIORE HEALTH SYSTEM
New York, USA
02.2019 - 12.2019
- Company Overview: Montefiore Health System is a premier academic medical center comprising 10 hospitals, 36,000 employees, and a $30 billion budget
- Serve as Chief of Staff to Chief Strategy Officer of premier academic medical center comprising 10 hospitals, 36,000 employees, and a $30 billion budget
- Support Chief Strategy Officer in day-to-day operations, including management of a leadership team of 9
- Participate in strategic initiatives including joint ventures and mergers & acquisitions
- Strengthened workflow and collaboration among leadership team members, by implementing a framework that emphasized purpose/values, competency, and accountability
- Collaborated with the Finance Department to assess the financial impact of different strategic initiatives
- Spearheaded design and implementation of 3 key cross-functional initiatives related to increasing flu vaccination and reducing use of the Emergency Department
- Worked as member of the team that analyzed and recommended a joint venture with a data analytics firm related to building a tool that would use claims data to identify areas for business improvement
- Montefiore Health System is a premier academic medical center comprising 10 hospitals, 36,000 employees, and a $30 billion budget
Executive Director for Finance and Administration, School Operations
Department of Education
New York, USA
06.2018 - 02.2019
- Company Overview: The Department of Education oversees the public school system in New York City, managing a budget of $3 billion annually
- Worked closely with Finance and Operations Directors in the Division of Operations to develop consistent and reliable financial and operational reports for Deputy Chancellor, to ensure appropriate allocation of $3 billion annual budget
- With the interim Director of School Food, ensured smooth functioning of $500 million school food operations during a time of significant changes in personnel, an audit, and external scrutiny
- Redesigned and reorganized the Breakfast in the Classroom project, a 2016 mayoral initiative, aiming to increase by 10% in SY2020 and by 20% in SY2021 the participation of children eating school breakfast
- Led development of organizational strategy, oversaw human resources, and ensured effectiveness of financial and procurement operations
- The Department of Education oversees the public school system in New York City, managing a budget of $3 billion annually
Director of Analytical Services for Treasury & Payment Services
Department of Finance
New York, USA
07.2015 - 06.2018
- Company Overview: The Department of Finance is responsible for collecting tax revenue for New York City and managing the flow of money across all city agencies
- Functioned as Chief of Staff to Deputy Commissioner of the Treasury and Payment Services, the division responsible for collecting the $80 billion tax revenue for NYC and managing flow of money across all NYC city agencies
- Oversaw administrative, procurement, financial, and budgetary matters for operating divisions, ensuring governance, compliance, and effective implementation of initiatives
- Played a key role on multiple cross-functional initiatives to reengineer the overall financial processes, including requirements gathering phase of designing Oracle-based ERP system
- Ensured development and implementation of Division’s long-term strategic plan, and integrated evaluation metrics into program plans
- Oversaw FY17 Amnesty Program that generated $42 million revenue, a 66% increase over 2009
- The Department of Finance is responsible for collecting tax revenue for New York City and managing the flow of money across all city agencies
Financial Analyst
Department of Education
New York, USA
01.2014 - 07.2015
- Company Overview: The Department of Education oversees the public school system in New York City, managing a budget of $23 billion
- Developed multi-year financial forecasts for a $23 billion budget for New York City public schools, leveraging advanced financial models
- Conducted in-depth analyses of both financial and non-financial data, including Key Performance Indicators, for 1,580 public schools
- The Department of Education oversees the public school system in New York City, managing a budget of $23 billion
Associate
MORGAN STANLEY WEALTH MANAGEMENT
New York, USA
09.2011 - 12.2013
- Company Overview: Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a range of financial services to individuals, businesses, and institutions
- Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a range of financial services to individuals, businesses, and institutions
Education
Masters - Finance and Economic Policy
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - School of International and Public Affairs
New York, NYBSc - Psychology & Economics, Business Administration
MERCY COLLEGE
Dobbs Ferry, NYStudies - Philosophy
ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA UNIVERSITY
Iasi, RomaniaSkills
- Business Transformation Strategy
- Team Leadership
- Project & Program Management
- Process Optimization
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Financial Modeling Expertise
- Data Science
- Strategic Planning
- Governance Oversight
Phone
mobile, (01) 914-374-0767
Certifications And Achievements
- PMP Certification, 2025, pending
- NYPA Lead Blue, 2023, Nominated and selected for the year-long NYPA's Leadership Development Program
- ITIL training, 2022
- Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, 2019
- Certified Coach on Building a Resilient Team, 2018
- Certified Change Management Practitioner, 2017
Core Capabilities
- Business Transformation Strategy
- Team Leadership & Development
- Project & Program Management
- Process Improvement & Efficiency
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Financial modeling and Resource Allocation
- Data Science
- Planning & Execution
- Governance & Compliance
Timeline
Director of Value Services
NEW YORK POWER AUTHORITY (NYPA)
11.2021 - Current
Senior Director for Strategic Initiatives
MONTEFIORE HEALTH SYSTEM
02.2019 - 12.2019
Executive Director for Finance and Administration, School Operations
Department of Education
06.2018 - 02.2019
Director of Analytical Services for Treasury & Payment Services
Department of Finance
07.2015 - 06.2018
Financial Analyst
Department of Education
01.2014 - 07.2015
Associate
MORGAN STANLEY WEALTH MANAGEMENT
09.2011 - 12.2013
Masters - Finance and Economic Policy
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - School of International and Public Affairs
BSc - Psychology & Economics, Business Administration
MERCY COLLEGE
Studies - Philosophy
ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA UNIVERSITY