HEATHER CLARK
Ashland,MA
Summary
Results-driven leader with two decades of experience, specializing in guiding financial and operational functions for both nonprofit and private enterprises to achieve organizational growth. Proven track record of constructing and overseeing financial structures, implementing efficient accounting processes, and instituting robust controls to enhance reporting accuracy and consistently drive cost savings. Possess exceptional analytical acumen, enabling a deep understanding of business needs and the delivery of comprehensive solutions to optimize budget management and align with overarching business objectives. Recognized as a key contributor and trusted advisor to executive leadership and Board of Directors, offering strategic recommendations to propel organizational success. Demonstrates a consistent ability to build, mentor, and lead high-performance teams, fostering a collaborative culture that values individual skills, instills confidence, and empowers teams to consistently deliver exceptional results.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Financial Officer
Vivo Performing Arts
Boston, MA
12.2019 - Current
- Play a key strategic leadership role serving as a member of the executive team for this arts and culture organization, delivering strategic advice, guidance, and insight, managing a budget of $11M and assets of $20M+.
- Steer all financial functions, accounting operations, and investment, along with holding accountability for information technology, facilities management, and human resources.
- Lead multiple teams overseeing finance, accounting, billing, HR, office management, and IT operations and support.
- Defined and steered implementation and management of structures, processes, tools to optimize financial reporting and accounting process management and control.
- Apply astute leadership to translate organizational vision and objectives into robust strategies that support business goals.
- Analyzed processes, operations, and procedures to identify continuous improvements, securing $100K in cost savings within first year of tenure.
- Revamped company health insurance offerings, securing $70K annually and delivering $30K through IT systems upgrades.
- Overhauled benefits including supplementing with an HSA program.
- Steered the successful application for federal funding from the CARES Act, capturing $4M+ for the company post-Covid-19.
Chief of Staff & Operations
Boston Children's Chorus
Boston, MA
01.2017 - 12.2019
- Defined and developed robust and comprehensive fundraising strategies driving significant increases in funding from foundations, corporations, and individual donors, securing $2M annually.
- Managed core functions in finance, administration, communication, and development, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
- Collaborated across teams to create and execute strategic vision, strengthening administrative structures and operational functions to support organizational growth and achieve objectives.
- Teamed with conductor to develop new summer program, generating additional revenue and expanding community reach.
Director of Finance & Administration
Boston Children's Chorus
Boston, MA
01.2009 - 01.2017
- Joined organization to lead diverse teams in finance, accounting, facilities management, IT, database management, and human resources, enhancing cross-departmental collaboration.
- Oversaw cash management, AR/AP, budget analysis, forecasting, variance reporting for development, bank reconciliation, and complex financial reporting.
- Leveraged astute analytical skills to evaluate a broad range of financial data and information, such as revenues, expenditures, cost projections, and insurance, to determine strategies, provide direction and formulate recommendations to optimize fund utilization and ensure operation adhered to established budgets.
- Implemented structures and processes to enable effective monitoring and tracking of budget allocations, expenditures, fund balances, related financial activities to ensure alignment with objectives and regulatory compliance.
- Built and led a team that fostered collaboration and proactive support, resulting in a high-performance culture aligned with organizational objectives.
- Coordinate functions and activities with the Board of Trustees to evaluate, measure, and assess organizational performance against annual budget and long-term strategy.
- Managed all annual external audits and internal audits of grant awards for on-budget completion.
- Drove continuous improvement in operating model by identifying trends and opportunities, contributing to enhanced operational efficiency.
Managing Partner
MASSACHUSETTS NON-PROFIT SUPPORT SERVICES
Boston, MA
01.2008 - 01.2011
- Steered startup of nonprofit professional services firm, establishing structures, processes, and policies while creating strategies for operational growth, fundraising, public relations, and marketing.
- Managed client relations, strengthening relationships and enhancing organization's reputation by consistently meeting quality standards and customer expectations.
- Directed new business development efforts, cultivating strategic partnerships and expanding networks.
- Built and directed accounting processes and structures and steered all reporting, budgeting, and financial controls/compliance.
Director of Finance & Administration/Business Manager
From The Top
Education
Master of Science - Finance
Suffolk University
Bachelor of Arts - French Literature/International Affairs (Dual Degree)
University of New Hampshire
Timeline
Chief Financial Officer
Vivo Performing Arts
12.2019 - Current
Chief of Staff & Operations
Boston Children's Chorus
01.2017 - 12.2019
Director of Finance & Administration
Boston Children's Chorus
01.2009 - 01.2017
Managing Partner
MASSACHUSETTS NON-PROFIT SUPPORT SERVICES
01.2008 - 01.2011
Director of Finance & Administration/Business Manager
From The Top
Master of Science - Finance
Suffolk University
Bachelor of Arts - French Literature/International Affairs (Dual Degree)
University of New Hampshire