Maria N. Thornton

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT MARIA N. THORNTON

I am a strategic finance executive and CPA with 25+ years of senior leadership experience across private, public, and not‑for‑profit sectors. My career has centered on strengthening financial operations, elevating governance, and building resilient organizations that can grow with confidence. I specialize in multi‑entity financial management, M&A execution, treasury and cash strategy, budgeting and forecasting, and leading high‑performing teams. I’ve guided financial transformations across industries including electrical contracting, automation, manufacturing, chemical distribution, environmental services, and corporate travel; always with a focus on clarity, accountability, and long‑term value creation. My leadership approach blends financial discipline with operational insight. I believe the strongest finance leaders understand the business from the ground up, partner deeply with operations, and create systems that support both performance and people. I’m at my best when I’m helping organizations modernize their financial infrastructure, strengthen decision‑making, and build the governance needed for sustainable growth. Selected accomplishments include- Leading ERP and budgeting system implementations that replaced hundreds of manual spreadsheets and modernized financial planning- Delivering significant annual margin improvements and enhancing asset utilization across multi‑division operations- Supporting the launch and growth of regional and national organizations through strong financial stewardship and long‑range planning- Building reserves, strengthening financial controls, and supporting multi‑year strategic plans for not‑for‑profit organizations Beyond my corporate work, I have spent over 20 years in the food insecurity sector. I currently serve as Board Chair for Feed Halton and previously served as Board Chair for Burlington Food Bank and Halton Food for Thought. I am passionate about governance, community impact, and building organizations that serve with integrity and purpose.At my core, I am both a financial strategist and an operational leader. My accounting background makes me a stronger operator; my operational experience makes me a more effective financial partner. I thrive in environments where financial stewardship directly supports organizational growth, stability, and long‑term sustainability.