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2026 Notable Chief Financial Officers

These 13 chief financial officers know how to drive organizational growth, manage financial complexity, and find opportunities for innovation, often while steering several arms of the enterprise.

Methodology: The individuals featured did not pay to be included. Their profiles were drawn from nomination materials. This list is not comprehensive; it includes only people who were nominated and accepted after editorial review. To qualify for this list, individuals must have at least five years of experience in their field and have shown the ability to effect change in their roles or areas of practice.

To nominate other best-in-class executives in their fields, click here.

2026 Notable Chief Financial Officers

Sam Amundson

Sam Amundson

Controller, MAHUBE-OTWA Community Action Partnership
In the nonprofit world, Sam Amundson exhibits exemplary CFO skills: As controller for the MAHUBE-OTWA Community Action Partnership, which manages 60-80 grants annually, she oversees a multimillion-dollar budget, plus funding
Jennifer Anderson

Jennifer Anderson

Chief financial and operations officer, CommonBond Communities
Jennifer Anderson joined CommonBond Communities in 2024, starting as interim CFO. “Jen’s ability to translate important financial information and its mission implications to staff, board, and outside stakeholders has been
Kevin Barry

Kevin Barry

Chief financial officer, Patterson Cos.
Kevin Barry has overseen multiple periods of growth and transformation in his nearly decade-long tenure with Patterson Cos. and recently has been key to modernizing the Mendota Heights-based company’s core
CJ Bernander

CJ Bernander

Chief financial officer, Park Dental Properties
CJ Bernander joined Park Dental Properties in 2022 and, as CFO, has set up the Roseville-based company for growth, including its transition from private to public ownership. Bernander was pivotal
Brian Considine

Brian Considine

Chief financial officer, Messerli Kramer
Joining Messerli Kramer as CFO in 2024, Brian Considine oversees the Minneapolis-based law firm’s three divisions, located in Minneapolis, Plymouth, and St. Paul. Meeting regularly with attorneys and creating forecast
Erik Fortier

Erik Fortier

Chief financial officer, Versique Executive, Professional & Interim Recruiting
Serving as CFO of Versique for the past seven years, Erik Fortier has led across finance, accounting, HR, IT, legal, compliance, and risk management, bringing more than 20 years’ experience
Steph Gale

Steph Gale

Chief financial officer, North Memorial Health
Steph Gale joined North Memorial Health in 2021 and, as CFO, has led enterprise transformation initiatives while playing a central role in the Robbinsdale-based healthcare system’s long-term capital strategy. She
Athena Mihas

Athena Mihas

Chief financial officer, Greater Twin Cities United Way
Athena Mihas joined Greater Twin Cities United Way in 2015, becoming CFO in 2019. In that role, she oversees the Minneapolis-based organization’s teams responsible for delivery of financial services, information
David Pappone

David Pappone

Assistant dean for operations and chief financial officer, University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering
In 18 years with the U of M’s College of Science and Engineering, David Pappone has come to manage a $580 million-plus annual budget and direct a team of 80.
Brad Reich

Brad Reich

Chief financial officer, Laketown Electric Corp.
Brad Reich has led Laketown Electric Corp. through significant operational and financial growth since he joined in 2022. Under Reich’s leadership, the Waconia-based company has grown its total assets by
Korwin Schmidt

Korwin Schmidt

Chief financial officer, Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities
Korwin Schmidt has served as CFO at Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities (UGMTC) since 2013, where he has overseen more than a decade of unmodified financial audits. Schmidt led reinvestment
Dan Schumacher

Dan Schumacher

Chief financial officer, Protolabs
Dan Schumacher has been CFO at Protolabs since 2022, where he has overseen legal, data, investor relations, facilities, and more, in addition to his financial responsibilities. He has influenced several
Doug Watson

Doug Watson

Chief financial officer, Allina Health
In his two and a half years as CFO of Allina Health, Doug Watson has transformed the Minneapolis-based organization’s financial performance amid industry turbulence, as costs have risen and reimbursement