Luana Ma
Results-driven operations professional with proven track record in optimizing business processes, enhancing productivity and driving operational excellence. Adept at strategic planning and resource management in dynamic environments. Strong focus on collaboration and adaptability, leveraging leadership skills to align teams with organizational goals and deliver tangible outcomes. Known for reliability and a forward thinking mindset that fosters a culture of continuous improvement and success.
Work History
Finance and Operations Director
3 Years 3 Months- Acts as a critical thought partner to the Executive Director, leveraging data-driven insights to optimize operations, increase revenue, and streamline costs.
- Led migration from legacy system to two integrated CRM's on time and on budget, resulting in 40% cost savings in software expenses.
- Maintained department expenses 6% under budget year-over-year, contributing to improved operational efficiency and cost savings.
- Administers fundraising database for 7000+ donor records.
- Manages $2M annual operating budgeting process, ensuring alignment with strategic business objectives.
- Identifies opportunities for cost reduction and process improvement, implementing changes that resulted in significant savings.
- Manages accounts payable and receivable processes, ensuring accurate and timely transactions.
- Streamlines bookkeeping workflows, enhancing efficiency in data entry and record-keeping.
- Primary liaison and contact for the annual audit process with auditors and contract accountant.
- Handles human resources responsibilities such as hiring, onboarding, payroll management, benefits administration and employee relations issues resolution.
- Developed standard and customized Financial and Fundraising reports to address specific organization needs and support decision making processes.
- Streamlined financial reporting processes, enhancing accuracy and timeliness of monthly statements for management review, facilitating informed decision making.
- Developed reconciliation procedures tracking and managing $700,000+ Star Scholar Program.
- Established strong partnerships with vendors, suppliers, and key stakeholders to improve collaboration and ensure alignment with business requirements.
Associate, Grants Administrator
1 Year 7 Months- Handled all aspects of grant compliance, including conducting due diligence on grantees and administering the Foundation's non-discretionary grant programs.
- Managed the non-discretionary grants process life cycle with high attention to detail.
- Modernized due diligence process for monitoring and updating 10K+ organization records in database, resulting in reduction of manual review by 30%+.
- Partnered with Philanthropic Services and Community Programs team to deliver exceptional customer service and compliance support for clients, donors, and grant award recipients.
- Innovated and modernized organizational processes to streamline operations and enhance overall effectiveness.
- Database Management (RE, GE, FE) - updating/creating constituent records, correcting duplications, global adds/changes, Query audits, etc.
- Onboard and train new development staff with grant cycle and database navigation.
- Developed global tracking process for newly established Anti-Hate Policy in primary CRM.
- Generate a variety of scheduled or ad-hoc reporting for leadership, external donors and grant recipients.
Assistant Director for ADV SVCS – Gift Processing
6 Years 11 Months- Managed gift processing operations and supervised personnel for all donations made to the organization. Worked closely with Finance and the Controller’s office for reconciliation and accounting processes and supported all fundraising divisions and initiatives at the University.
- Integral to the largest capital campaign that ended in 2021, resulting in raising $302M.
- Fostered strong relationships with donors to enhance stewardship and support for the organization.
- Managed database integrity with a focus on gift records and updates to constituent biographical information.
- Ensure timely and accurate tax receipting.
- Excelled in building trust and rapport with front line fundraisers and campus colleagues.
- Acted as a transformational leader by reducing workload, driving process improvements, and developing a highly effective team.
- Produced quarterly, annual, and ad-hoc reports for Finance and Controller's office to support informed decision-making.
- Performed monthly reconciliation of 500+ gift funds.
- Assist with fiscal year end annual audit.
- Led migration of University's historic donor records from paper to digital format, improving accessibility and record-keeping efficiency.
Education
BS - Psychology, Criminal Justice
BS - Sociology, Law & Social Control
- Minor - Criminal Justice
Skills
Accomplishments
- Successfully transitioned organization to a fully remote model for a five person team.
- Led migration from legacy system to two integrated CRM's with increased functionality and tools, while cutting software costs by 40%.
- Consistently maintained departmental expenses at an average of 6% under budget year-over-year, contributing to improved operational efficiency and cost savings.
Certification
- Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP), The Nonprofit CPA's Alliance - June 2026
Timeline
Finance and Operations Director
Associate, Grants Administrator
Assistant Director for ADV SVCS – Gift Processing
Washington State University
Washington State University
SYSTEMS
QBO, Bloomerang CRM, Bloomerang Fundraising, GiveSmart, Netsuite/Oracle, RE, NXT, GE, FE, JIRA, Confluence, Google, Microsoft, Paychex, LexisNexis, Ellucian
Endorsements
"She is methodical and thorough, keeping forward motion on so many different significant projects. Luana excels not only at systems change but also at developing and integrating processes that will anchor the organization in the future." - Current Executive Director
“Luana is an exceptional employee in every way. In her first year of employment, she has become very adept at using our current systems and brought much needed improvements to our processes... these include automating our tracking of passive acceptance of the Foundation's new anti-discrimination/anti-hate grant making policy as well as streamlined due diligence processes. Luana is a valued thought partner for me in thinking about ways to continually improve our processes and service level in Grants Administration.” - Former People Manager
EARLY CAREER
- Senior Manager - Fulfillment Payroll and HR | Public Outreach Fundraising, USA - Seattle, WA.
- Tri-Brand Administrative Supervisor | Enterprise Holdings - SeaTac, WA.
- Asst. Branch Manager | Enterprise Holdings - SeaTac, WA.
- Management Trainee | Enterprise Holdings - Renton, WA.