Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, also known as “Charm City,” Ava’s commitment to community, people and service was sparked early on. Profoundly affected by the clear divide among ethnic and racial groups in her city, Ava quickly realized the power and necessity of using her voice to speak up for those who have been intentionally and systematically pushed to the margins. As the youngest of four, her early experiences nurtured a boldness, bravery and conviction about the need for inclusion, diversity and access, which continue to guide her personal and professional paths.
A first-generation college graduate, Ava earned her BA and MBA from Loyola University. With more than three decades of experience, she cut her teeth at Ernst & Young, a Big Four accounting firm. Managing a diverse portfolio, Ava gained hands-on experience in forensic accounting, tax and audit -- all of which she leveraged in subsequent roles in manufacturing, construction, healthcare and not-for-profit organizations. As a senior leader in roles ranging from controller to chief financial officer, Ava has a distinct and varied understanding of what is required to manage finances across industries. Stewarding budgets between $35M to $400M, Ava has built a skillset across numerous areas of financial management to include debt restructuring, corporate freeze transactions, OMBA-133 audits and information technology restructures. Throughout the course of her career, Ava has developed a track record of leading through organizational change.
Often sought out for her thoroughness, quality and business acumen, Ava regularly provides guidance to executive colleagues, staff and the Board – a demonstration of the integrity of her work. A natural collaborator, Ava is strategic and data-driven, with an eye on program viability and financial sustainability across revenue streams. Ava centers her work on clear and achievable KPIs that help guide organizational decisions.
As the current director of finance and administration for the Student Conservation Association (SCA), Ava leads financial operations, supervises three department managers and oversees an annual budget of more than $41 million. As a servant leader, Ava’s main objective is to facilitate a learning environment through which her team feels empowered in their day-to-day work and its foundational connection to the well-being of SCA and the communities it serves.
Personally and professionally, Ava continues to seek out opportunities to serve her community and support those around her. Co-founder of Speak on It, Act on It, a Maryland-based non-profit with the explicit goal of raising cultural awareness through education and outreach to improve access and encourage diversity, Ava lives her values daily.
When she is away from her desk, Ava enjoys cooking, performing and hanging out with her dogs, Roman and Ruby. She loves the adventure of travel and is passionate about design. So much so that HGTV just might be her “Achilles” heel. As the choir director at her local church, Ava uses her positive attitude to encourage and inspire the congregation. She finds the parallels between being a choir director and financial director to be uncannily similar. Both require innovative, progressive and proactive leadership, all of which keep her sharp and ready for the next challenge.
