Heidi Jaafar
Potomac,MD
Summary
Finance professional with extensive experience driving financial strategy and operations. Proven ability to manage large-scale budgets, streamline processes, and enhance financial performance. Known for fostering team collaboration and delivering consistent results. Skilled in financial planning, risk management, and strategic decision-making.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Vice President of Finance and Operations
Colorectal Cancer Alliance
03.2025 - Current
- Directed financial strategy, aligning departmental goals with organizational vision.
- Implemented cost control measures, enhancing operational efficiency and profitability.
- Led cross-functional teams in financial forecasting to support strategic decision-making.
- Developed financial policies and procedures, fostering transparency and accountability.
- Mentored finance team members, promoting professional development and skill enhancement.
- Collaborated with executive leadership on long-term financial planning initiatives.
- Managed relationships with external auditors to ensure timely completion of audits without significant findings or adjustments.
- Oversaw preparation of annual budgets, incorporating input from department heads to align resources with organizational priorities.
- Increased financial efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing cost-saving measures.
- Streamlined month-end closing process through automation, resulting in reduced processing time and increased accuracy of reports.
- Represented organization at industry conferences and events.
- Prepared and presented financial reports, business plans and forecasts to board of directors.
Senior Director of Finance
Colorectal Cancer Alliance
06.2023 - 03.2025
- Oversees all of the organization’s accounting and financial reporting.
- Sets clear departmental objectives and develops effective strategies to achieve targeted goals.
- Generates financial reports to assist with business strategy.
- Serves as a strategic partner to CEO, CDO, and CIO.
- Ensures compliance with GAAP regulations and donor policies.
- Presents all financial reports to the Finance Committee (monthly) and Board of Directors (quarterly).
Director of Accounting
Colorectal Cancer Alliance
03.2022 - 06.2023
- Enhanced internal controls and policies.
- Monitored and ensured accuracy and compliance of Accounts Payables and Accounts Receivables.
- Performed banking, business administration and financial tasks to ensure operational excellence.
- Prepared internal and regulatory financial reports, balance sheets and income statements.
Accountant
Colorectal Cancer Alliance
04.2018 - 03.2022
- Handled day-to-day accounting processes to drive financial accuracy.
- Completed daily cash functions like account tracking, payroll and wage allocations, budgeting, donating, and cash, and banking reconciliations.
- Documented cash, credit, fixed assets, accrued expenses, and line of credit transactions.
- Gathered financial information, prepared documents, and closed books.
Finance and Operations Lead
Development Seed
01.2014 - 02.2018
- Served as the lead on all Finance and Administrative aspects.
- Documented transactions, orders and expenditures to gather sales data and forecast financial needs.
- Tracked company equipment, tools and technology to manage inventory.
- Enforced regulatory and company policy compliance to improve workplace and employee safety and readiness.
Finance and Operations Lead
Rhize
11.2013 - 09.2015
Senior Finance and Subgrants Officer, North Africa
National Democratic Institute, NDI
11.2011 - 09.2012
Finance and Administrative Manager
National Democratic Institute
07.2010 - 11.2011
Resident Senior Finance and Administrative Officer
National Democratic Institute For International Affairs, NDI
06.2008 - 07.2010
Education
Masters Of Business Administration - Leadership And Strategic Planning
Lebanese American University
Beirut, Lebanon06.2005
Bachelor of Science - Banking And Finance
Lebanese American University
Beirut, Lebanon06.2003
Skills
- Finance and Accounting Oversight
- Employee Engagement and Training
- Business Negotiation
- Policy Development and Enforcement
- Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)
- Administrative Functions Oversight
- Financial Performance Analysis
- Budgeting, Forecasting, and Reporting
- Financial modeling and forecasting
- Executive Leadership
- Sage Intacct
- Cash flow management
- Stakeholder communication
- Financial policy development
Certification
- Finance & Quantitative Modeling for Analysts - University of Pennsylvania August 2025
- Financial Management - eCornell August 2021
- Financial Success for Nonprofits - eCornell July 2021
- Project Leadership - eCornell June 2011
Languages
Arabic
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Vice President of Finance and Operations
Colorectal Cancer Alliance
03.2025 - Current
Senior Director of Finance
Colorectal Cancer Alliance
06.2023 - 03.2025
Director of Accounting
Colorectal Cancer Alliance
03.2022 - 06.2023
Accountant
Colorectal Cancer Alliance
04.2018 - 03.2022
Finance and Operations Lead
Development Seed
01.2014 - 02.2018
Finance and Operations Lead
Rhize
11.2013 - 09.2015
Senior Finance and Subgrants Officer, North Africa
National Democratic Institute, NDI
11.2011 - 09.2012
Finance and Administrative Manager
National Democratic Institute
07.2010 - 11.2011
Resident Senior Finance and Administrative Officer
National Democratic Institute For International Affairs, NDI
06.2008 - 07.2010
Masters Of Business Administration - Leadership And Strategic Planning
Lebanese American University
Bachelor of Science - Banking And Finance
Lebanese American University