Financial Leadership for People Who Make Decisions
If you lead a business, a team, or a professional practice, your numbers shouldn’t intimidate you or slow you down.
I help CEOs, business owners, and senior leaders understand what their financials are actually telling them, so they can make confident decisions, reduce risk, and lead without second-guessing.
This isn’t about accounting.
It’s about leadership.
CPA • Author • Forbes Contributor • Financial Leadership Consultant
Smart leaders shouldn’t feel this uncertain about money - yet many do.
You’re capable. Experienced. Respected.
But when financial conversations come up, things get uncomfortable.
You review reports but don’t fully trust your interpretation
You delay decisions because the numbers feel unclear
You rely on advisors but feel disconnected from the data
You sense risk but can’t always name it in time
This isn’t a personal failure.
It’s a missing leadership skill.
Most professionals were trained to practice, not to lead financially.
WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY
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"Melissa, I can’t thank you enough not only for your constant support but also for always being willing to share your knowledge with other entrepreneurs in such an inspiring fashion. I love that you can take a traditionally “dry” topic like business finances and money and turn it into something easy to understand, and at times funny and exciting. You kept us engaged form minute one with true stories and relatable experiences. I’m looking forward to continuing to work together to help more women entrepreneurs break down those barriers on the road to financial success."
Chris McMartin
National Small Business Lead, The Scotiabank Women Initiative -
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"Melissa has been working inside of my programs to offer training and workshops to our students. Her engaging and thoughtful teaching style has helped my creative community grasp the important numbers in their business (which they often ignore) and use them strategically for growth. I’d highly recommend Melissa as a speaker - She delivers complex material in a concise manner that keeps her audience engaged."
Tracy Matthews
Chief Visionary Officer, Flourish & Thrive Academy -
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"Melissa is a globally recognized thought leader in financial growth strategy, management and profitability with a proven track record of impact. Deeply committed to helping clients achieve their goals, she possesses exceptional expertise and experience that individuals, teams and organizations can put to work to drive personal and professional growth and success. She translates this knowledge into powerful inspiration and actionable insight as a speaker who captures the heart and mind of any audience. It has been a great pleasure to collaborate with her on our Women Founders and Owners strategy, and many related entrepreneurship events that economically equip and empower leaders from every walk of life. I look forward to many more opportunities to drive progress on our shared goals. I highly recommend Melissa as a keynote speaker, consultant and financial strategy expert."
Sonya Shorey
Vice President, Strategy, Marketing and Communications Invest Ottawa, Bayview Yards and Area X.O
How strong is your financial leadership, really?
Before leaders work with me, I often ask them one question:
Do you actually know where you stand financially, or are you guessing with confidence?
The difference matters.
I created The Financial Leadership Assessment to help leaders assess how they currently:
• See what matters in their numbers
• Interpret financial information
• Make decisions under uncertainty
• Act without over-analysis
• Review results without emotion
This is not a budgeting tool. It’s a leadership diagnostic.
(5 minutes. Immediate insight. No fluff.)
Financial literacy explains numbers.
Financial leadership uses them.
You don’t need to become a CFO.
You need the ability to see what matters, interpret it clearly, and decide with confidence.
That’s financial leadership.
It’s the difference between:
• Reviewing numbers vs leading with them
• Waiting for certainty vs acting with intention
• Outsourcing decisions vs owning them
The Align Financial Leadership Method
AWARE – Focus on the numbers that actually matter
LEARN – Understand what the data is telling you
INTEND – Choose without waiting for perfect information
GO – Move forward decisively
NAVIGATE – Learn without emotion, then repeat
This loop builds confidence, not complexity.
A practical decision loop leaders use to move forward with clarity:
I’ve spent decades watching capable leaders struggle in silence.
I’m a CPA, author, speaker, and financial leadership consultant who has worked with business owners and executives across industries.
I’ve seen smart professionals:
• Avoid financial conversations they should be leading
• Hand over decisions they should own
• Feel embarrassed asking questions they were never taught to ask
My work exists to change that.
Financial clarity changes how people lead.
How We Can Work Together
Financial Leadership Consulting
Strategic advisory for leaders who want clarity, confidence, and stronger decision-making.
Speaking & Keynotes
Direct, practical talks on financial leadership and decision-making under pressure.
This isn’t about knowing more.
It’s about leading better.
I don’t replace your accountant, CFO, or advisors.
I make you stronger in the room.
When leaders understand their numbers:
Decisions get faster
Risk becomes visible
Confidence replaces avoidance
Stop outsourcing confidence.
Start leading financially.
Begin with clarity, or move straight into consulting or speaking.