Kelly Gutierrez
Stillwater,MN
Summary
Charter school founder and senior financial and operations executive with 20+ years of experience supporting mission-driven schools through hands-on finance, operations, and strategic leadership. Deep expertise in managing day-to-day school finance while serving as a charter school finance consultant—partnering closely with school leaders and boards to ensure fiscal health, compliance, and long-term sustainability.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder & Executive Director of Finance
St. Croix Preparatory Academy
Stillwater, USA
01.2004 - Current
- Founded and lead finance and operations for a nationally recognized K-12 charter school organization with a $15M+ annual budget.
- Oversee budgeting, cash flow, audit readiness, capital planning, compliance reporting, and board financial reporting.
- Led facilities financing strategy, including lease revenue bond issuances, to support campus development and sustainable growth.
- Built and direct multiple operational departments and advise leadership on long-term financial strategy.
- St. Croix Prep is a nationally recognized K-12 charter school, 1200+ students, 125,000 square feet facility, 58 acres campus.
Treasurer
Friends of St. Croix Preparatory Academy
Stillwater, USA
01.2005 - Current
- Serve as primary liaison with bond brokers, trustees, and accounting service providers for multiple lease revenue bond issuances, including investor communications, annual bond rating reviews, and continuing disclosure compliance.
- Oversee long-term facilities lifecycle planning and quarterly financial reporting to the Board.
Independent Financial Consultant
Independent Contractor
Stillwater, MN
01.2022 - Current
- Provide portfolio-based financial management and outsourced CFO support to charter schools under project-specific Statements of Work.
- Partner with executive leaders, boards, and finance committees to deliver budgeting, forecasting, compliance oversight, long-term sustainability planning, and facilities financing guidance, including lease revenue bond considerations.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration -
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Skills
- Charter school financial operations
- Budget development and monitoring
- Monthly close processes
- Cash flow management
- Reconciliations and reporting
- Board and finance committee reporting
- UFARS and MARSS compliance
- STARS system expertise
- Title compliance oversight
- audit preparation coordination
- External auditor collaboration
- Internal controls assessment
- Process improvement initiatives
- Financial systems implementation
- Vendor and contract management
- Invoice processing and management
- Facilities planning support
- Capital planning assistance
- Lease revenue bond issuance expertise
- Long-term debt financing
Timeline
Independent Financial Consultant
Independent Contractor
01.2022 - Current
Treasurer
Friends of St. Croix Preparatory Academy
01.2005 - Current
Founder & Executive Director of Finance
St. Croix Preparatory Academy
01.2004 - Current
Bachelor of Business Administration -
University of Wisconsin–Madison