Top CFOs is pleased to announce The Top 25 CFOs of Los Angeles for 2024. Los Angeles County boasts a population size larger than 41 individual states in the U.S. and is most commonly associated with the entertainment and digital media industries. However, beneath the glitz and glamor, Los Angeles is home to more than 244,000 businesses, with accomplished professionals guiding their financial departments and strategy. These awardees have set themselves apart by using their expertise and invaluable management prowess to drive growth for this impressive list of companies.
Among this year's awardees, we have Arnold Hackett, who uses his extensive financial experience as the CFO for Metrolink, a commuter rail system in six counties and reducing over 130,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions every year. Next we have April Houlehan who guides the internationally acclaimed Murad Corporation in its clinically tested research for lasting dermatology well-being. Lastly, we have Rupinderjit Catuna who has been serving NEOTech–a globally respected supplier of electronic manufacturing services– in critical accounting roles since 2006 and has been instrumental in the company’s growth.
The CFOs on this list have set themselves apart in a fast-paced environment, while remaining committed to strategic decision-making, executive leadership, and financial growth for the institutions they serve. Please join us in recognizing the accomplishments of The Top 25 CFOs of Los Angeles for 2024.
1. Joanne Rosal
Chief Financial Officer, Celerion
Joanne Rosal joined Celerion, Inc. as Chief Financial Officer in 2010 and is responsible for accounting and finance, legal and contracts, human resources, IT, global project management, and supply chain. Celerion, Inc. is a leading global provider of outsourced early drug development services operating in North America, Europe, and Asia. Celerion, a leader in early clinical research, delivers Applied Translational Medicine. The company applies its expertise and experience to translating information gained in research discoveries, to knowledge of drug action and effect in humans to support early drug development decisions and the clinical pharmacology labeling of new medicines.
Among her accomplishments, Rosal led a finance team of seventy professionals worldwide in the consolidation of dispersed operations across twenty-two countries into a harmonized global business. Rosal has twenty-five years of financial and business management experience and has held senior management positions at Constructive Technologies Group (CTG), BioVerum Partners, and MDS Pharma Services. Rosal holds a bachelor’s in business economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is also a Certified Public Accountant with membership in the American Institute of CPAs, and the California Society of CPAs.
2. Michael Kaplan
EVP and Chief Financial Officer, Confie
Michael Kaplan is the EVP and Chief Financial Officer of Confie. Established in 2008, Confie is the leading national personal lines insurance distributor serving the standard and non-standard markets. Confie has over 950 retail locations in 23 states and telephone and online shared service centers servicing all fifty states. Personal lines insurance includes auto, motorcycle, homeowners, renters, life, and health among others.
Kaplan is a CPA with thirty years of finance, operations, and strategy leadership experience. After Kaplan took on divisional CFO roles at Gap Inc. he then served as CFO for Harbor Freight Tools. Most recently, Kaplan was CFO at Pacific Sunwear. Kaplan received a bachelor’s from the University of California, Los Angeles.
3. Jim Jackson
Chief Financial Officer, Saviynt
Jim Jackson joined Saviynt as Chief Financial Officer in August 2021. Saviynt empowers enterprises to secure their digital transformation, safeguard critical assets, and meet regulatory compliance. With a vision to provide a secure and compliant future for all enterprises, Saviynt’s solutions have been recognized as industry leaders. As CFO, Jackson’s responsibilities include Saviynt's global finance, accounting, treasury, and contracting teams. He is also responsible for Saviynt's banking, investor, auditor, and analyst relationships.
He was most recently CFO of Tanium, Inc., a privately held endpoint management and security company. Jackson was also CFO of both Breitburn Energy Partners and Pacific Coast Energy. Jackson holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a bachelor’s from Georgetown University.
4. David Day
Chief Financial Officer, Magnite
As Magnite’s Chief Financial Officer, David Day oversees the planning, reporting, accounting, tax, treasury, financial systems, and investor relations functions for Magnite. Magnite Inc. is an American online advertising technology firm based in Los Angeles, California. The company was formed following a merger between Rubicon Project and Telaria in 2020.
Before becoming CFO at Magnite in 2020, Day served as Rubicon Project’s CFO, and previously as chief accounting officer. Prior to joining Rubicon Project, Day held various financial executive roles in technology-based advertising companies, including chief accounting officer at ReachLocal, which focused on helping local businesses solve online marketing needs. He was also V.P. of finance at Spot Runner, a company that helped simplify the buying and selling of television media. After Overture’s acquisition by Yahoo, Day served as senior vice president of finance for Yahoo Search Marketing. He has a bachelor's from Brigham Young University.
5. Lubi Kutua
Chief Financial Officer, Beyond Meat
Lubi Kutua has served as Beyond Meat's Chief Financial Officer since October 2022. Before serving as CFO, Kutua served as vice president, financial planning and analysis, and investor relations from January 2019 to October 2022. Beyond Meat, Inc. is a Los Angeles–based producer of plant-based meat substitutes founded in 2009 by Ethan Brown. The company's initial products were launched in the United States in 2012. The company went public in 2019, becoming the first plant-based meat analog company to go public.
Before joining Beyond Meat, Kutua served as vice president of equity research, with a focus on the packaged foods and agribusiness sectors, at Jefferies, LLC from August 2015 to January 2019. Prior to that, Kutua served as an equity research associate analyst, covering twenty publicly traded companies within the packaged food and beverages industries at KeyBanc Capital Markets. Kutua received his bachelor’s in mathematics and physics from Hamilton College and his MBA from The New York University Leonard N. Stern School of Business.
6. Rupinderjit Catuna
Chief Financial Officer, NEOTech
Rupinderjit Catuna is the Chief Financial Officer of NEOTech, a global supplier of electronic manufacturing services. NEOTech combines the strengths of three leading contract manufacturers: NATEL, EPIC, and OnCore. With over forty years of electronic manufacturing services, NEOTech focuses on high complexity in low to medium-volume, high-mix products in the aerospace and defense, high-tech industrial, and medical device design and manufacturing fields. In this role, Catuna is responsible for the company’s corporate and financial strategies along with its financial operations and processes.
Catuna joined the company in 2006 and has served in various roles within accounting and finance, most recently as a V.P. of finance and corporate controller. During her tenure at NEOTech, she has been an instrumental part of the company’s growth where she took critical roles in the M&A activities of Epic, OnCore, and Stellar acquisitions. Catuna is a Certified Public Accountant in California and holds a bachelor’s in accounting from California State University, Northridge.
7. Jennifer Loo
Chief Financial Officer, Tala
Jennifer Loo has served as CFO of Tala since 2018. Tala is the world’s leading money app for the underbanked. Available in three continents, Tala’s platform offers instant access to bill pay, credit, and remittance services, processing nearly $200 million in transactions each month for almost nine million customers in Kenya, the Philippines, Mexico, and India. The company has raised equity and debt funding from investors that include GGV, IVP, Upstart, Revolution Growth, Lowercase Capital and PayPal Ventures.
Loo began her career in finance as a summer associate at Morrison & Foerster LLP in May 2008. From there, she went on to work as an associate at L.E.K. Consulting from August 2005 to June 2006. In September 2009, she joined LegalZoom as its vice president of finance, business strategy, and analytics and held that position until leaving for Mitú in 2015. Loo has an MBA for Executives from the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, a J.D. from New York University School of Law, and a bachelor’s in business administration and economics from the University of California, Berkeley. Loo also has certification from the State Bar of California.
8. Michael Martinson
Chief Financial Officer, Ambry Genetics
Mike Martinson is the Chief Financial Officer of Ambry Genetics Corporation, where he manages the company’s finances and accounting. Ambry Genetics, a subsidiary of REALM IDx, Inc., translates scientific research into clinically actionable test results based on a deep understanding of the human genome and the biology behind genetic disease. It is a leader in genetic testing that aims to improve health by understanding the relationship between genetics and disease.
Martinson previously held a role as the financial controller at Ambry Genetics. Prior to joining Ambry Genetics, he worked at Squar Milner LLP as a senior auditor with a focus on life sciences. Martinson received his bachelor's in business administration accounting from California State University Fullerton College of Business and Economics.
9. Kari Keese
Chief Financial Officer, Axonics
Kari Keese is the Chief Financial Officer at Axonics, Inc., a role she has held since October 2023. Prior to this, she served as the V.P. of finance & accounting at Axonics and as the director of finance and controller. Axonics is a global medical technology company that is developing and commercializing novel products for adults with bladder and bowel dysfunction. Its sacral neuromodulation systems provide adults with overactive bladder and/or fecal incontinence safe, clinically effective therapy.
Keese has held various finance and accounting roles throughout her career. She started as an Audit Supervisor at CBIZ MHM, LLC in 2006. Keese then joined Vessix Vascular, Inc. as a controller in 2012, the company was acquired by Boston Scientific Corporation in 2012. Keese completed a bachelor’s in business and managerial economics at UC Santa Barbara. She also attended UCLA Anderson School of Management for an Executive Program and Management Certification.
10. Razzak Jallow
Chief Financial Officer, FloQast
Razzak Jallow is the Chief Financial Officer at FloQast. FloQast is the industry-leading accounting workflow automation solution powered by an AI-enabled platform designed by accountants for accountants. FloQast is trusted by more than 2,600 accounting teams. Teams can utilize the latest advancements in AI technology to manage every aspect of the month-end close, reduce their compliance burden, stay audit-ready, and improve accuracy, visibility, and collaboration throughout the financial function.
Prior to this, Jallow was with Google for two years, serving as workspace, looker, security, and maps. Before Google, he spent three years as V.P. and head of finance at Looker, which was acquired by Google in 2020. Jallow then spent a year researching at Equilar before joining FloQast in 2021. Jallow has a bachelor’s in international business from the University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business, and a CAAP in Accounting from Santa Clara University. Jallow also has a certification from Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business in Certificate of Advanced Accounting Proficiency.
11. Lucy Lai
Chief Financial Officer, Wetzel's Pretzels
Lucy Lai serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Wetzel's Pretzels, where she is responsible for financial strategy and controls. Wetzel’s Pretzels is an American chain of fast-food restaurants, specializing in pretzels and hot dogs. The chain has more than 370 locations across the United States, Canada, and Central America, mostly located in shopping malls, airports, theme parks, stadiums, and as of recently, food trucks. The company is headquartered in Pasadena, California.
Before that, Lai worked at DineEquity Inc. for eight years as V.P. of finance. From 2006 to 2011, Lai was the director of FP&A at j2 Global, Inc. Before that, she worked at Warner Home Video for eight years as the executive director of financial planning. Lai completed her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from The University of British Columbia. Following this, she pursued an MBA degree with a specialization in Finance, General.
12. April Houlehan
Chief Financial Officer, Murad
April Houlehan is the Chief Financial Officer of Murad. Since 1989, Murad has been crafting clinically proven products backed by Dr. Murad’s pioneering research as a board-certified dermatologist and pharmacist. Their formulations focus on overall skin health, incorporating proprietary active ingredients and cutting-edge clinical-grade technologies for proven results.
Houlehan first got her start in 2005 as a management rotation specialist/financial analyst II at UMB Bank. From there, she went on to Russell Stover Candies, before eventually rising to executive director, west coast finance, strategy & PMO at The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., her most recent position prior to joining Murad. Houlehan graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with an M.B.A. in Finance and from the University of Oklahoma with an undergraduate degree in finance and management.
13. Arnold Hackett
Chief Financial Officer, Metrolink
Arnold Hackett is Chief Financial Officer of Metrolink, having been named to the position in December 2021. Metrolink is a commuter rail system in Southern California, serving Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties, as well as Oceanside in San Diego County. The system consists of eight lines and sixty-nine stations operating on 545.6 miles of track. Hackett is responsible for overseeing the controller/treasurer, budgets and financial analysis, general accounting and payroll, grants finance, and fiscal management, along with accounts receivable and payable. Hackett also has responsibilities for contracts, procurement, and materials management.
Prior to being named CFO, he held several interim executive positions in Metrolink: interim chief executive officer, interim CFO, and interim chief strategy officer. Hackett joined Metrolink in May 2019. He has served as vice president and general manager of alliance and partnership management. Hackett holds a bachelor’s from UCLA, a master’s from CSULB, and an MBA from USC.
14. Steven Binder
Chief Financial Officer, MannKind
Steven Binder is the Chief Financial Officer of MannKind. MannKind Corporation focuses on the development and commercialization of innovative therapeutic products and devices to address serious unmet medical needs for those living with endocrine and orphan lung diseases. The company is committed to using its formulation capabilities and device engineering prowess to lessen the burden of diseases such as diabetes, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease.
Before joining MannKind, Binder was a V.P. and CFO at Stryker, and before that a V.P. of finance at Bristol-Myers Squibb. Earlier in his career, he worked with Deloitte & Touche as an audit manager. Binder graduated from Muhlenberg College with an undergraduate degree in accounting and finance.
15. Juan Aguilar
Chief Financial Officer, Venbrook Companies
Juan Aguilar is the Chief Financial Officer of Venbrook Companies. Venbrook Group, LLC is a holding company that owns and operates a portfolio of privately held insurance organizations that are engaged in business with the four major platforms of the insurance marketplace. Venbrook caters to a national client base across myriad industries with divergent needs. Venbrook has offices in three states: California, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
Aguilar first got his start in 2004 as a senior financial analyst at Abbott. From there, he went on to Aon Corporation. Aguilar graduated from DePaul University with an undergraduate degree in accounting and finance.
16. Roseline Agboke
Chief Financial Officer, Honest Medical
Roseline Agboke is the Chief Financial Officer of Honest Medical. She first joined the company in 2023. Honest partners with leading physician organizations to provide enablement resources, real-time data insights, coordinated care delivery, and clinical support teams that physicians need to succeed in improving patient outcomes.
Previously, Agboke was a CFO at Somatus and before that an SVP & CFO plan services at Molina Healthcare. Earlier in her career she worked with Spectrum Financial Alliance LTD, LLC as an analyst. Agboke earned an MBA in Accounting and Finance from the University of Kentucky and a bachelor’s in economics from East Tennessee State University.
17. Randy Sims
Chief Financial Officer, Tri West
Sims has been working as the Chief Financial Officer at Tri West LTD since 2015. Tri-West, LTD founded in 1981 has grown into one of the nation's top floor covering wholesalers providing the widest selection of hard surface flooring throughout the western United States.
Sims began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1989, where he worked in Assurance and Advisory until 1995. Sims received his bachelor’s in economics-business from UCLA and then attended Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management where he received his MBA. Sims also obtained a certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from the California Department Of Consumers.
18. Kari Moore
Chief Financial Officer, JenaValve Technology
Kari Moore joined the JenaValve team as Chief Financial Officer in April of 2022. JenaValve is a medical device company developing the first transcatheter heart valve technology that is uniquely designed for the minimally invasive treatment of aortic regurgitation. JenaValve is headquartered in Irvine, California with offices in Leeds, U.K., and Munich, Germany.
Prior to joining JenaValve, Moore served as the chief accounting officer at Envista Holdings Corporation, a global dental products company. Prior to that, she was the chief accounting officer at Applied Medical Corporation. Moore began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Moore received a bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Southern California and is a licensed CPA in the state of California.
19. Danny Perales
Chief Financial Officer, Neurolens
Danny Perales is the Chief Financial Officer of Neurolens. Neurolens commercializes breakthrough technology to improve vision care. Neurolens provides the first and only prescription lenses that go beyond visual acuity to provide comfort for many adults who complain of headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and eyestrain in their daily lives.
From 2008 to 2012, he was employed by McGladrey, first as an audit associate and then as a senior audit associate. From 2012 to 2014, he was employed by Awarepoint, where he held the roles of financial analyst, director of finance, and director of finance, technical support, & implementation services. From 2014 to the present, Perales has worked for Neurolens, where he has served as both the COO and CFO and vice president of finance operations. Perales obtained his bachelor’s in accountancy from the University of San Diego, and a master’s in accountancy and financial management from the same institution. Perales also holds a CPA certification.
20. Belinda Dong
Chief Financial Officer, Zest AI
Belinda Dong is the Chief Financial Officer of Zest AI. Zest AI makes the power of machine learning safe to use in credit underwriting. Lenders using Zest make decisions to increase revenue, reduce risk, and automate compliance. Zest AI was founded in 2009 to make fair and transparent credit widely available. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.
Belinda Dong is a results-driven account executive with experience in all aspects of financial planning & analysis, analytical support, cross-team project management, accounting, and system implementation. She is familiar with advertising, marketplace, and SAAS business models. Dong previously served as the vice president of finance at OpenX and as vice president of Zest AI. Dong has a bachelor’s in commerce from The University of British Columbia.
21. Julie Pham
Chief Financial Officer, Coast Sign
Julie Pham is the Chief Financial Officer of Coast Sign. Since 1964, Coast Sign has engineered placemaking, identity, and discovery on behalf of companies across all major industries. Through a mission founded on providing quality products, services, and customer service, the company has evolved to become a trusted industry leader and partner to the world’s biggest brands. Its industry-recognized success is a product of strong partners, supplier relationships, and a firm commitment to innovative, sustainable practices.
Pham is an experienced CFO with twenty-three years of work experience in the electrical, electronic, and biomedical manufacturing industries. Pham has held various positions such as CFO at Coast Sign Incorporated, Director at LifeWave, Controller at maury microwave corporation, and accounting manager at KOVA International and Compass Group USA. Pham holds a bachelor’s in accounting from Western Governors University.
22. Michael Collins
Chief Financial Officer, Newlight
Collins has been working as the Chief Financial Officer at Newlight Technologies, Inc. since May 2023. Prior to this, Collins served as the V.P. of Finance at the company from 2019 to June 2023. Newlight is a biotechnology company producing advanced sustainable materials. Over ten years of research and development, Newlight developed a biotechnological process to harness microorganisms found in the ocean to convert greenhouse gas into a meltable energy material found in all living things
Before joining Newlight Technologies, Inc., Collins worked as a partner at MULTIVARIATE from 2018 to 2019. Collins also served as the vice president at Disruptive Technology Advisers, LLC from January 2017 to February 2018. In addition, he worked as an associate at Trinity Capital LLC from November 2012 to October 2016. Collins' earlier experiences include being a managing director at Pacer Financial from 2008 to 2012 and an investment banking analyst at Houlihan Lokey from 2007 to 2008. Collins graduated from Harvard University in 2007 with a bachelor’s in economics.
23. Eleanor Schultz
Chief Financial Officer, Haskell & White
Eleanor Schultz is the Chief Financial Officer of Haskell & White. Haskell & White LLP is one of the largest independently owned accounting, auditing, and tax consulting firms in Southern California, specializing in servicing public and private middle-market companies. Haskell & White works with companies in a broad range of industries including Real Estate, Manufacturing, Distribution, Technology, and Retail. The firm provides solid expertise and services to its clients in the tax and audit disciplines.
Before joining Haskell & White, Schultz was a director of finance at Advantage Sales & Marketing and before that, manager of financial reporting at Turner Broadcasting. Earlier in her career she worked with Rosen Seymour Shapss Martin & Company LLP as a staff accountant. Schultz graduated from Binghamton University School of Management with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
24. Bryan Cotter
Chief Financial Officer, Human Touch
Bryan Cotter is the Chief Financial Officer of Human Touch. Human Touch® is the leading provider of innovative lifestyle products, massage chairs, and experiences that deliver life-changing benefits. For over 35 years, the company has focused on developing massage products containing patented massage systems that replicate techniques used by massage professionals.
Cotter first got his start in 2004 as a cost analyst at International EZ-Up. From there, he went on to Rip Curl, before eventually rising to CFO at MadaLuxe Group, his most recent position prior to joining Human Touch. Cotter graduated from Chapman University with an MBA and from California State University-San Bernardino-College of Business and Public Administration with an undergraduate degree in accounting and finance.
25. Patrick Burwell
Chief Financial Officer, Qmerit
Patrick Burwell is the Chief Financial Officer of Qmerit. He first joined the company in 2021 as controller. Qmerit is North America’s leading provider of distributed workforce management for EV charging and other energy transition technologies, simplifying electrification adoption for residential and C&I markets. Qmerit’s value-driven services are delivered through a network of company-owned contractors, independent Certified Solutions Partners, and Certified Installers skilled in system implementation, integration, and maintenance. Qmerit partners with top automakers from the U.S., Europe, and Asia. At Qmerit.
Prior to joining Qmerit, Burwell held various management positions at Enterprise Holdings—the largest car rental company in North America—for more than twenty years. Burwell has an undergraduate degree in managerial economics, accounting, finance, statistics, and management from the University of California, Davis.
