PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
As organizations pursue growth while managing cost, complexity, and changing financial demands, fractional CFO leadership is becoming an increasingly valuable option. This program explores the model from both sides: what it takes to succeed as a fractional CFO and how organizations can determine whether, when, and how fractional finance leadership is the right fit. We will examine how to define scope, authority, outcomes, and performance measures; strengthen forecasting, cash flow, and strategic decision-making; and establish the trust and operating rhythm needed to create measurable value.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Understand how a fractional CFO differs from a consultant, interim executive, controller, or full-time CFO.
- Identify business situations where fractional CFO leadership offers the right balance of expertise, flexibility, and cost.
- Evaluate the skills, mindset, and operating approach required to succeed as a fractional CFO.
- Define scope, authority, outcomes, timelines, and performance measures for a productive fractional CFO engagement.
- Align financial strategy, forecasting, cash flow, reporting, and decision-making with the organization’s growth priorities.
SPEAKERS
Moderator: Bekah Carlson | Founder | Carlson Integrated, LLC
With 20+ years of experience marketing investments and professional services, Bekah Carlson has cultivated an award-winning WBE firm, Carlson Integrated, to achieve marketing objectives for compliance-oriented companies nationwide. With deep roots in the commercial real estate industry, the CI client portfolio contains firms which have completed hundreds of billions of dollars of real estate transactions. Bekah serves as a member of the Illinois Marketplace Committee for ICSC, Committee Chair and Past President of the Northern Illinois Commercial Association of Realtors®️, and as a co-host of the CRECo.ai Real Estate Roundtable podcast, ranked in the top 10% in the world by number of downloads.
Amber Powers | Fractional Chief Operating Officer (COO) | Founder, Powers Peak Consulting
Amber Powers is the CEO of Powers Peak Consulting. She provides fractional COO-level services for companies who want a better solution than hiring more people to fix a team or put up with manual processes that increase risk. Amber turns strategic goals into actionable processes, structured workflows, and improves cross-functional teams. She has spent 20 years solving operational bottlenecks like manual workarounds, dirty data, and stalled projects. Executives call Amber when they are burnt out and are tired of trying to manage the day-to-day operations.
Julianne Prizant | Fractional Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) | Founder, OptiPeople Resources
Juli Prizant is the President & founder of OptiPeople Resources, a fractional HR and people-strategy firm. As a fractional CHRO, she provides small and growing businesses with senior HR leadership across a variety of industries. She focuses on people strategy, HR structure, and compliance, as well as compensation and performance frameworks. She also helps with culture-building and leadership development to keep the workforce aligned with business goals. Juli works closely with owners and finance leaders so people decisions support the numbers. Juli is a HeartProfit Certified Trailblazer Leader, serves on the HeartProfit board, and is a founding member of the W.Edge Collective.
Annette Welsh-Kastner | Fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | Kastner Accounting & Consulting Services Inc.
Annette is a principal and co-founder of Kastner Accounting & Consulting Services Inc. She and her team provide fractional CFO and Controller level leadership to real estate investment funds, Financial Services organizations, and service-based companies (Trades, Entertainment and Property Management), drawing on decades of executive experience to strengthen financial reporting, controls, and strategic decision-making. Annette is committed to giving back and serving. She sits on the Advisory Board for the Chicago Chapter of CFO Leadership Council, is the Treasurer and a board member for KidsToo.org, a charity focused on child protection. She is also a founding board member for W.I.S.E. (Wisetribe.net), focused on empowerment and mental health for female executives. Annette has her B.S. in Commerce & Accountancy from DePaul University and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).
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SPONSOR PARTNERS
Thank you to our valued Sponsor Partners. This event is open to members, sponsors, and special guests.
