DONNA IWANSKI
Finance
Chicago,IL
Summary
Results-oriented finance executive with 30+ years of finance experience serving diverse pubic, private and non-profit organizations. Strong technical accounting, financial planning and cash management skills. A respected business partner with the ability to execute on strategy to achieve financial and non-financial goals. Keen strategic problem-solver experienced at building, transforming and revitalizing finance teams to achieve efficiency and standardization.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Chief Financial Officer
Start Early
01.2017 - Current
- Lead the finance, compliance and risk management functions through nearly 100% revenue growth between 2017 and present.
- Ensure finance alignment with the operational needs of the agency; transformed the team from a compliance driven support function to a business partner;
- Provide ongoing process improvement. Designed the future state roadmap for all key finance activities; implemented process changes for operational efficiency and access to critical financial data on timely basis.
- Oversee grants management for a 70/30 split of public and private grants, including highly regulated Head Start and Early Head Start funding. Passed all funder monitoring without exceptions.
- Partner with Development and Programs to deliver on funding and strategic initiatives.
- Provide financial direction for execution on the organization’s strategic plan. Developed 3-year financial planning models to support the strategy vision.
- Mitigate balance sheet risk. Built cash reserves and served on the investment committee for the endowment fund.
- Lead support to the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors. Oversee agenda and content of quarterly meetings.
- Member of the Executive Team.
Vice President, Corporate Controller
EVRAZ, Inc., North America
01.2011 - 10.2016
- Built and managed a financial infrastructure including 50+ finance, accounting and tax professional staff
- Held full accountability for the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of financial information for delivery to internal and external stakeholders. Shortened monthly close process by 5 business days for timely reporting.
- Led regulatory compliance to mitigate operating risk and ensure adherence to established guidelines.
- Responsible for all aspects of the controller’s function including monthly close, financial reporting, SEC financial filings, AP/ AR, and internal controls compliance; assessed accounting standards impact and adherence to US GAAP and IFRS guidelines.
- Led due diligence and preparation of the SEC registration filing for the IPO of the North American operations; supported the related capital markets funding strategy for the new entity.
- Held responsibility for tax initiatives benefitting the global organization in addition to oversight of all North American tax operations. Established a global tax structure that generated $20MM savings over 5 years.
- Improved operating performance and captured annual cost savings by centralizing the AP/AR functions, standardizing processes, recognizing $3MM annual savings.
- Managed corporate budgets, generated expense savings through effective management of internal and external resources. Reduced corporate expenses by 3%.
- Managed operating and financial risk by defining systems, controls, and infrastructure to support global business initiatives; implemented best practices to optimize effectiveness.
- Cultivated and fostered strong working relationships with internal and external business partners including vendors, auditors and regulatory officials to promote long term success.
Vice President, Taxes
John Bean Technologies Corporation
01.2008 - 01.2011
- Recruited as lead tax executive to leverage expertise in global tax operations to the build a tax department following the Company’s tax-free spinoff
- Reported to the CFO
- Led a team of internal and external tax professionals charged with all aspects of the global tax function; ASC 740 reporting, income tax compliance, global tax strategy, tax policies and procedures, SOX 404 controls
- Optimized the post-spinoff legal structure to reduce taxes, pushdown acquisition debt to allow for tax efficient repatriations over $100MM.
- Minimized overall tax exposure by implementing a global transfer pricing strategy.
- Advised on tax structuring, supported M&A transactions and post-acquisition integration activities in Latin America, Europe and Asia.
Vice President/Director, Global Taxes
Ingredion, Inc.
01.1998 - 10.2007
- Lead tax executive reporting to the CFO
- Responsible for all aspects of the Company’s tax operations, driving results by implementing global tax strategies aimed at reducing the effective tax rate, managing cash taxes, planning for tax-efficient repatriation, and global tax controversy management.
- Provided tax guidance and advice to C-level executives; Reported on the Company’s tax position to the Audit and Finance Committees of the Board of Directors
- Built a department of tax professionals from the bottom-up after the Company’s tax-free spinoff
- Led internal and external tax activities in support of M&A activities -due diligence, entity structuring and post-acquisition integration in South America and Asia
- Secured income tax incentives for capital projects at the company’s largest manufacturing facility
- Improved the company’s cash tax position by restructuring the company’s debt for tax-efficient repatriation of $50MM.
Education
MST -
DePaul University
Chicago, ILBSC, Accounting -
DePaul University
Chicago, ILSkills
- Strategic financial planning
- Financial Reporting
- Financial Management
- Financial policy creation
- Performance metrics analysis
- Mergers and Acquisitions Experience
- Reporting expertise
- Audit Coordination
- Budget Development
Affiliations
- Certified Public Accountant, State of Illinois
- Financial Executives International
- Chicago Finance Exchange
Certification
Certified Public Accountant, State of Illinois
Timeline
Chief Financial Officer
Start Early
01.2017 - Current
Vice President, Corporate Controller
EVRAZ, Inc., North America
01.2011 - 10.2016
Vice President, Taxes
John Bean Technologies Corporation
01.2008 - 01.2011
Vice President/Director, Global Taxes
Ingredion, Inc.
01.1998 - 10.2007
MST -
DePaul University
BSC, Accounting -
DePaul University