Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Certification
Personal Information
Community Service
Timeline
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Kate O'Neill

CFO
Chicago

Summary

Strategic finance executive with diverse international experience directing global consultancies, start-ups, and enterprises in M&A, change management, revenue management, strategic investments, expense optimization, and board/investor relations. Trusted advisor to executive peers and key stakeholders, leading through organizational transformations and mission-critical M&A transactions. Global leader who thrives in ambiguity and supports people by building superior experiences that retain talent.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Chief Financial & People Officer

SilkRoad Technology, Inc.
Chicago
01.2015 - Current
  • Company Overview: Global private equity and venture capital backed SaaS company providing HR software solutions.
  • Promoted to lead a team of 20 finance and HR professionals in supporting this global private equity and venture capital backed SaaS company providing HR software solutions.
  • Supported 200+ employees while managing a $30M annual budget.
  • Directed the 12+ month M&A process from initial discussions with board members through buyer negotiations and business integration.
  • Served as a strategic partner to executive peers, board members, and banks.
  • Partnered with the PE buyer to craft and execute strategic plans, resulting in appointment as the Interim CEO.
  • Global private equity and venture capital backed SaaS company providing HR software solutions.
  • Appointed as Interim CEO, President & Director in 2022.
  • Partnered with the board and owners to remove the previous CEO and led the transition to recruit, appoint, and onboard the new CEO, CRO, CPO, and CTO.
  • Increased revenue 30% by leading M&A strategy, including target due diligence, stakeholder communication, deal negotiation, and bank relationships.
  • Transited the deal from a full purchase to asset acquisition, structuring an earn-out component built on revenue retention while increasing debt facility.
  • As CEO, launched $1M+ in new marketing and software development investments.
  • Guided the company through COVID-19, securing a $4M PPP loan with full forgiveness and additional international relief funding.
  • Achieved an 85% companywide staff retention rate by improving the culture and building highly competitive employee engagement and benefit programs, including parental leave and mental health benefits.
  • Engaged 100+ shareholders and board members, managing all aspects of the board meetings while serving as Corporate Secretary and Treasurer.

Vice President of Finance

SilkRoad Technology, Inc.
Chicago
01.2017 - 01.2019
  • Reported to the CEO, rebuilt the finance team from the ground up, and managed all accounting and finance functions, including global budgeting, forecasting, board reporting, investor communications, and corporate finance.
  • 400bp Interest Rate Reduction
  • Optimized International Operations
  • Rebuilt Finance Team
  • Collaborated with General Manager of International to improve cross-border collaborations.
  • Optimized global corporate structure resulting in reduced compliance costs for international entities.
  • Realized a 400-basis point reduction in the interest rate by leading the restructuring of the $17.5M debt facility, including financial due diligence and negotiation of terms and legal agreements.
  • Upskilled the finance team to provide deeper business support and increase the leadership team’s understanding of financial and operational results.
  • Restructured all processes and reporting.

Director of Finance

FTD (Florists' Transworld Delivery)
Greater Chicago
01.2013 - 01.2015
  • Directed a team of 6 in corporate accounting and finance, including due diligence, SEC compliance, and year-end audits and quarterly reviews with Big 4 accounting firm.
  • Reported to the CEO and guided company through special projects, acquisition, and subsequent business integration.
  • Led due diligence and internal/external communications for the $430M acquisition of Provide Commerce which doubled the size of the business.
  • Directed SEC filings and led post-acquisition finance integration while working cross-functionally to assist in operational integrations.

Chief Financial Officer (Finance Director)

Rangespan Limited
London
01.2012 - 01.2013
  • Company Overview: Acquired by Google in 2014, a VC-backed e-commerce software start-up.
  • Recruited to the executive team, reporting to the CEO as one of the first 25 employees in this VC-backed e-commerce software start-up.
  • Promoted from Financial Controller to CFO within 9 months to manage HR, legal, strategy, finance, accounting, and business analytics leading to 200% revenue growth.
  • Acquired by Google in 2014, a VC-backed e-commerce software start-up.

Education

Master of Business Administration - with honors

University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Bachelor of Science - Accountancy

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Skills

  • SaaS Solutions
  • E-Commerce
  • Venture Capital
  • Private Equity
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Finance & Accounting
  • Global Operations
  • Team Building and Leadership

Certification

Certified Public Accountant, AICPA

Personal Information

Title: Chief Financial Officer

Community Service

  • Board of Trustees and Finance Committee Member, Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School
  • Founding Member, Chief

Timeline

Vice President of Finance

SilkRoad Technology, Inc.
01.2017 - 01.2019

Chief Financial & People Officer

SilkRoad Technology, Inc.
01.2015 - Current

Director of Finance

FTD (Florists' Transworld Delivery)
01.2013 - 01.2015

Chief Financial Officer (Finance Director)

Rangespan Limited
01.2012 - 01.2013

Master of Business Administration - with honors

University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Bachelor of Science - Accountancy

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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