United Way Suncoast welcomes Kelly Kavanaugh as its new Chief Financial and Investments Officer.
In this role, Kavanaugh will be responsible for the financial performance of the organization, oversight of community investments, and organizational data reporting. She will plan, implement, and direct all financially related activities. Kavanaugh brings more than 20 year of nonprofit CFO experience to the role as well as strong connections to the community. She says working for such an impactful organization aligns deeply with her personal and career goals.
“I could not be more thrilled to be joining UWS to further my long-standing commitment to supporting and helping sustain the non-profit and community-based organizations in the Tampa Bay region,” Kavanaugh said. “I’m also thrilled for the opportunity to work with UWS CEO Jessica Muroff and the amazing leadership team she has assembled.”
Kavanaugh recently served as BizOps Chief Financial Officer for CLA (CliftonLarsenAllen) serving the nonprofit industry sector. Kavanaugh maintained a portfolio of up to a dozen non-profit organizations where she served in the capacity of CFO. During her CLA tenure, Kavanaugh also served as the Florida and Tampa Market Leader for the Biz Ops service line.
“I’m so excited about adding Kelly to our team,” Muroff said. “Not only does she possess the experience to help sustain the momentum we’ve generated with our new strategic vision, but she also brings a passion for our work and care for the community.”
Prior to joining CliftonLarsonAllen, Kavanaugh served as Chief Financial Officer for the Tampa Bay Partnership and its Research & Education Foundation. In this role, she directed the financial affairs of the organization including financial plans, accounting policies, and financial reporting. Additionally, she oversaw investor development, strategic planning, human resource functions as well as the organization’s office and technology systems.
Prior to working at the Partnership, she served as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Administration for Visit Tampa Bay and simultaneously held the same position with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. Her list of civic involvement includes leadership positions with Tampa Bay Works, Tampa Bay Wave, Tampa Bay Technology Forum, American Association of Kidney Patients, Leadership Tampa, and Leadership Tampa Alumni.
Kavanaugh is ideally suited to serve United Way Suncoast’s five-county region. She was born in Sarasota Memorial, grew up in Pinellas County and now resides in Tampa.
“I have lived in Tampa Bay my whole life, other than 12 years in Houston postgraduate,” said Kavanaugh, who holds a BS in accounting from Florida State University. “I returned to Tampa Bay in 1995 to raise my two children who still live here along with my brother and sisters.”
Kavanaugh officially starts the week of Nov. 29.