Leslie Pesante

About Leslie Pesante

Mission-driven finance executive with 15+ years of experience partnering with CEOs, boards, and executive teams to build resilient, high-impact organizations across both venture-backed and nonprofit environments.I specialize in leading full-stack finance functions—including FP & A, accounting, investor relations, and strategic planning—during periods of growth, transformation, and transition. My work has spanned Series C fundraising, IPO readiness, M&A diligence and integration, and complex restructuring, as well as nonprofit financial stewardship and board governance. Across contexts, my focus remains consistent: aligning capital, strategy, and operations in service of long-term sustainability and mission impact.I thrive at the intersection of strategy and execution, partnering cross-functionally with product, sales, engineering, programs, and operations to translate complex data into clear, decision-ready insights. Known for both financial rigor and collaborative leadership, I build scalable systems, modernize reporting frameworks, and strengthen governance structures that enable organizations to grow responsibly and with integrity.My experience spans SaaS, fintech, ecommerce, edtech, and nonprofit sectors, including scaling revenue from $20M to $300M+ and leading global teams of up to 50. At this stage in my career, I am particularly energized by working with organizations, both for-profit and nonprofit, whose business models and missions are tightly aligned with expanding opportunity, access, and impact.

Experience

1. Founding Member

   Chief

   May 2019 — Present · New York, NY, US

Education

• University of Kassel

  Master of Science (M.S.), International Economics

  2007 — 2007

• Universidad del Sagrado Corazón

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Journalism

  2001 — 2005

• Rutgers University–Newark

  Master of Science (M.S.), International Economics

  2006 — 2008

Skills

• Financial Statements
• Program Management
• Erp Implementations
• Project Management
• Budgets
• Internal Controls
• Start-Ups
• Financial Accounting
• Sarbanes-Oxley Act
• Process Improvement
• Account Reconciliation
• G/L Reconciliations
• Accounts Payable
• Us Gaap
• Spanish
• Financial Analysis
• Payroll
• Ifrs
• Technical Accounting Research
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Fixed Asset Management
• Research
• Staff Supervision
• Employee Training
• Internal Control Implementation
• Financial Close Process
• Sox 404
• Revenue Recognition
• Lease Financing
• S-1
• Budgeting
• Planning Budgeting & Forecasting