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Sherri Huff

Owner, Huff Consulting, LLC

About

I am a Chief Financial Officer with deep experience in healthcare/insurance, non-profit and for-profit turnaround/Mergers and acquisitions.A former FBI forensic CPA, I am a strategist with the appropriate context for detail. As outlined in my 2018 CFO of the Year for the Milwaukee Business Journal article, my testimony before the State Senate to change regulations on non-profit surplus income resulted in law change, so that successful non-profits are no longer penalized for operations achievement, and can maintain reserves for rainy days.

Board Profile

I am a “strait shooter” and believe that successful collaboration at the Board level requires honesty, an open mind and a conscious focus towards future vision. Governance is about growth and continuous improvement as much as it is about issues management. My experience in diverse sectors, as well as diverse times in each organization’s life cycle, has served my clients well. My strategic operations work in the trucking industry directly increased net income 20%, while my cash management protocols reduced outstanding receivables by 75%. I negotiated claims related to bankruptcy acquisition from $40M to less than $4M in the printing industry. My relationships, and experience, within the banking and private equity sector has resulted in life-saving lines of credit that has strengthened non-profit and healthcare organizations on the brink of collapse.

Board Experience

As Vice President of the Board of Directors at Lad Lake, Inc., I have been a constant in securing that their important work continues, despite the tenuous nature of their funding sources. Lad Lake is a non-profit residential facility for children, many of whom have experienced unimaginable family pain, mental illness, and substance abuse, to include 24-hour treatment, education and counseling.

For Community Health Charities of Wisconsin, as Board member and Treasurer, I collaborated with a national Board of Directors to include representatives of Comcast, Walmart, Kimberly-Clark, the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA team and United Healthcare to help over 2,000 non-profits work with the private sector to improve community health.

Professional Summary

As a CFO with multiple organizations – both for and non-profit – my focus is beyond simple best practices to helping organizations leverage opportunity, whether that opportunity is internal, projected by external trends or regulation, or, delivered via a black swan. My ability to “turnaround” companies in need of financial governance is exceptional, in that it aligns with both operations efficiency and an organization’s long-term vision. I am growth-oriented, am skilled in making the case for investment, and in securing the appropriate capital to succeed.

Recognition & Awards

CFO the year Milwaukee Business Journal 2019

Personal

My two children have left the nest, so my CPA/tax specialist husband and I have turned to golf. I am politically astute, and with my FBI experience, know enough not to bring my views into the workplace. If you look back on my career choices, you’ll see a deference to helping people who help people, and/or being able to “hang” with interesting and intelligent collaborators.

Additional Info

Skills : Corporate Governance, Financial Expert, Human Resources, Risk & Compliance, Technology/Digital/Cybersecurity

Leadership on Board : Director, Advisor, Board Chair, Committee Chair, Committee Member

Level of Experience : Cxo/President

Industry : Healthcare/Pharma/Med Devices, Media/Telecommunications, Non-for-Profit/Education, Private Equity, Professional Services, Real Estate, Technology/Digital

Committees : Audit, Executive, Finance, Risk

Board Experience : Private, Private Equity, Non-for-Profit, Advisory, Family-Owned