Financial Leadership Without the Overhead

Andrea brings over 30 years of financial leadership experience in Vermont’s nonprofit sector. She has served as CFO for Vermont Public Television, the Flynn Center, and Shelburne Museum, guiding each through periods of financial evolution and organizational growth. Andrea's cross-functional experience - spanning human resources, IT, and general administration - gives her a deep understanding of how to strengthen the full operational backbone of a nonprofit.

With a career spanning over 35 years, Cheryl brings a unique blend of public accounting expertise and hands-on experience in government, education, and nonprofit sectors. From auditing mom-and-pop shops to working with agricultural clients in Iowa cornfields, she’s seen it all. Cheryl’s love of accounting is matched only by her passion for learning and building relationships. She now calls Vermont home, where she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and granddaughter.

Deb is a Vermont-licensed CPA with more than 30 years of accounting experience. She’s held controller roles in fast-growing eCommerce firms and provided accounting and property management support across multiple entities. With a background that includes a decade in public accounting, Deb excels at improving accounting systems, leading software conversions, and supporting clients with clear, accurate financial reporting.

Ethan has experience in financial reporting, audit preparation, and compliance for clients in manufacturing, construction, financial services, government, and nonprofit sectors. He supports clients with timely, accurate reporting that meets regulatory standards and strengthens internal controls. Known for his precision and commitment to service, Ethan helps organizations stay aligned, compliant, and ready for what’s next. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Northern Michigan University.

Jess Damon is a CPA with over 13 years of experience leading accounting teams across a wide range of industries including SaaS, manufacturing, investment, and nonprofit. A former auditor, Jess is deeply familiar with GAAP, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. She specializes in improving month-end close processes and helping clients gain visibility into their financials so they can plan for the future with confidence.

Joyce brings more than 25 years of nonprofit finance experience to Ascend. Having served as both Accounting Manager and Business Administrator, she understands the critical importance of internal controls and efficient processes - especially in small teams. Joyce thrives on the detail-oriented work of bookkeeping and producing clean, reliable reports for boards and leadership teams.

Justin brings over a decade of accounting experience supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses with financial systems and reporting. He holds a Certificate in Accounting from Champlain College and has worked with clients across industries including software, real estate, retail, and manufacturing. Known for his thoughtful, systems-driven approach, Justin builds tools that support better decisions. Outside of work, he enjoys Morris dancing and playing traditional folk music on his melodeon.

Ki brings decades of experience in office management, administration, project coordination and bookkeeping. Most recently, she spent 13 years supporting attorneys as the office manager and bookkeeper at a busy Burlington law firm. Ki is known for her sharp organizational skills and deep love of bookkeeping. She excels at juggling priorities and solving operational challenges with both creativity and precision.

Description goeLaura transitioned into accounting after 15 years in operations and general management, primarily in the music industry. That experience gave her a strong foundation in financial oversight and business leadership. During the pandemic, she pivoted to pursue an accounting degree and has since supported several Vermont businesses with day-to-day accounting and financial operations.

Mike brings more than 35 years of experience in corporate finance, accounting, and operations. He has held executive leadership roles at Burton Snowboards, Peregrine Outfitters, SUSS MicroTec, and WageWorks. Mike specializes in applying best practices that drive efficiency and growth, favoring proven, practical solutions over reinvention for reinvention's sake. His leadership style is rooted in delivering value with clarity.

Missy has nearly 20 years of accounting experience across a variety of industries, with deep expertise in manufacturing. She has served in full-time roles ranging from Staff Accountant to Controller, and since 2007, she has also operated her own accounting and bookkeeping business. Missy brings a hands-on, full-cycle accounting perspective that’s grounded in both operational detail and strategic insight.

Peter offers over 30 years of finance leadership as a CFO and Controller in industries including manufacturing, retail, distribution, and e-commerce. He’s known for building strong finance teams and aligning operations with organizational goals. Peter has deep experience with ERP system implementations, M&A, corporate financing, and strategic planning. He holds CPA, CMA, CGMA, and CITP certifications.

Svetlana is a CPA with a decade of experience spanning manufacturing, retail, and e-commerce industries. As a former auditor and operations controller, she has led ERP implementations, optimized inventory systems, and improved cash forecasting processes. She’s passionate about applying GAAP principles to create meaningful financial reports and improving operational workflows across departments.

Ryan brings a mix of financial leadership, data analytics, and operational strategy to Ascend. He has led finance teams in both construction and manufacturing, and he excels at building systems to support rapid growth. Ryan earned his undergraduate degree in Finance from UVM and holds an MBA in Accounting and Data Analytics from Castleton. He’s known for his attention to detail, organizational discipline, and people-first leadership style.

Samantha brings over seven years of accounting experience spanning corporate, retail, and consumer goods sectors. She has supported accounts receivable, reconciliations, and financial operations, with a focus on process improvement. She plays a key role in system transitions and platform integrations, including Oracle NetSuite, Shopify, and QuickBooks. With a focused, systems-driven approach, Samantha helps organizations improve reporting and customer account management through timely data and streamlined workflows.

Will brings a decade of experience in finance and accounting, with a focus on supporting micro-businesses and early-stage companies. As a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor, he often helps clients set up their books from scratch, offering training and education to boost their financial literacy. Will has worked across industries including real estate, food & beverage, and nonprofit, and he enjoys making accounting approachable for every client.