When Terri began searching for her next career step, she wasn’t just looking for a job. She wanted purpose. After years of commuting in finance and operations, she aimed to apply her skills locally, helping a nonprofit strengthen its business side and better serve the community.
That’s when she connected with Matern Staffing. Through our executive search services, we help organizations identify and attract leaders who can make a lasting impact. For Terri, this meant stepping into a Chief Financial Officer role at a local nonprofit, the exact leadership position she had envisioned.
“While working late at the office one night, I noticed Terri’s resume come through our system,” reflects Tiana Knewtson, Branch Manager. “She was so engaging over the phone and had the right skills and professionalism – I had a great feeling she was going to fit with our client.”
A Role that Fits
Since stepping into the CFO position, Terri quickly embraced the challenge of learning a new environment and improving processes.
“I really like the process orientation and the opportunity to make it better.” – Terri S., Nonprofit Chief Financial Officer
She mastered a new budget system and learned the nonprofit’s retail operations. One of her first major achievements was hiring an accounting manager through Matern Staffing, someone who already fits perfectly within the team. Together, they are strengthening the nonprofit’s financial health and long-term success.
Driving Impact From Day One
Since stepping into her role, Terri has driven meaningful improvements across finance and operations. She strengthened internal processes, automated key systems, and streamlined reporting, achieving results that had challenged her predecessors for years. She stabilized relationships with outsourced partners, built a high-performing finance team, and assessed strategic options for the organization’s financial operations.
Steve, Terri’s boss, sums it up: “We could not be happier with Terri. She’s the type of leader — executive, team member, and finance professional — that our organization needed.”
Growth at the Right Time
Terri’s role has been transformative. She has expanded her strategic thinking, strengthened her leadership presence, and gained confidence in making high-impact decisions.
By leading key initiatives — hiring the right team members, streamlining banking relationships, and completing financial audits — she has created measurable impact. She has grown her skills while making tangible contributions to the nonprofit. Every challenge she meets reinforces her development as a leader and positions the organization for sustainable success.
“Her engaging personality, upbeat spirit, and ‘can do’ attitude have gelled quickly with her colleagues. She’s approachable and instantly respected.” – Steve C., Nonprofit CEO
Advice For Others
“Know who you are and show who you are,” Terri advises. Leaders who understand and communicate their value can find the right opportunities and make a meaningful impact once they step in.
Her success also reflects the power of a strong executive search partner. As Steve, Terri’s boss, shares:
“My compliments to the Matern team on delivering such a top-quality candidate to our organization! We could not be happier with the support we’ve received from you and the Matern team – and could not be happier with Terri as our Chief Financial Officer. We look forward to continuing our relationship with you and the Matern team.”
Connect with Leaders Who Can Transform Your Organization
Through executive search services, Matern Staffing connects talented leaders with organizations where they can make real impact. Businesses gain stronger teams, sustainable growth, and greater capacity to serve their communities.
Ready to make informed hiring decisions? Let Matern Staffing help you build a strong team for 2025 and beyond. Schedule a no-obligation staffing strategy session, email our sales team, or submit a talent request.