Clarity in the numbers.
Confidence in the decisions.
A Trusted Finance Partner for Founders & Executives — Grounded in Real-World Financial Leadership
What Strategic Finance Leadership Delivers
Develop a clear understanding of revenue drivers, cost structure, unit economics, and financial levers — so decisions are grounded in reality, not assumptions.
Strategic Financial Clarity
Forward-Looking Cash & Forecasting
Create practical forecasting and cash planning models that help anticipate needs, evaluate options, and make proactive decisions — not reactive adjustments.
Operational & Financial Alignment
Align financial priorities with operational workflow, roles, and execution so that everyone knows what matters, what drives progress, and what success looks like.
Translate financial outcomes into clear, compelling narratives that build trust with boards, investors, and leadership stakeholders.
Board-Ready Communication
Services
A collaborative, strategic finance partnership designed to strengthen decision-making, forecasting, and operational alignment at the executive level.
Fractional CFO | Strategic Finance Partner
Clarity. Focus. Financial leadership that moves your organization forward.
I partner with founders and executive teams to provide the strategic finance function—without the cost or commitment of a full-time CFO.
Core areas of focus include:
Financial strategy and KPI design that aligns teams around what truly drives performance
Budgeting and forecasting with practical scenarios and decision-ready insight
Cash flow strategy and runway forecasting to support confident planning
Unit economics and pricing strategy that strengthens margin and growth
Board, lender, and investor reporting that is clear, credible, and actionable
Operational process improvement to strengthen financial discipline across the organization
My approach is hands-on, collaborative, and grounded in real-world leadership experience — designed to help leaders make decisions with confidence.
Engagement formats: Monthly Advisory | Project-Based | Interim Leadership Support
Executive Financial Training and Coaching
Numbers don’t need to be overwhelming — they need to be understood.
I help executives and leadership teams translate financial concepts into clear, practical decision-making tools, enabling them to lead with confidence and make informed, timely decisions.
This isn’t spreadsheet or technical accounting training — it is leadership clarity training.
Core focus areas include:
Understanding financial statements in a clear, non-technical way
Identifying the KPIs that truly reflect performance — and eliminating noise
Revenue and margin drivers and how day-to-day decisions impact results
Budget ownership and accountability across departments
Forecasting and scenario planning that support strategic choices
Data-informed decision-making at the leadership and board level
Engagement formats: One-on-One Executive Coaching | Leadership Team Workshops | Stakeholder Education Sessions
Book Coming Soon!
A practical guide to financial clarity for leaders.
My upcoming book, Numbers That Lead, is written for leaders who are accountable for results — but don’t have a finance background.
It is not technical, and it is not about mastering spreadsheets.
It is about clarity, confidence, and strategic decision-making.
In the book, you’ll learn how to:
Read and understand financial statements without overwhelm or jargon
Use budgets, forecasts, and cash flow as practical tools for planning and growth
Lead conversations about performance and results with confidence and authority
Build a culture of financial clarity, where every leader understands how their decisions impact the bottom line
You’ll stop feeling intimidated by the numbers — and start leading with them.
Stop guessing. Start deciding.
Real Leaders . Real Results .
Real Leaders . Real Results .
"I highly recommend Optimal Impact consulting. Cindy Johnson is able to look at a business and see what needs to be strengthened, reinforced or discarded. She gives you easy to do tasks that supercharge your business. Her counsel helps in all phases: operations, marketing, and even administration. Hiring this firm will be worth every cent and more. It will definitely be one of the best investments in your company that you have ever made."
Kim Dartez
Owner of Compass-Dartez Construction
“I have had the privilege to work with Cindy Johnson, and a host of other highly talented and skilled leaders on a significant workforce development project in recent months. I personally come away from each planning session consistently impressed with Cindy and her comprehensive collection of skill sets that have been so instrumental to the group’s body of work. Cindy has demonstrated a special ability to clearly grasp and articulate our organization’s vision and help our group think through the development of actionable processes to achieve our goals. I am confident that Optimal Impact, led by Cindy Johnson, could help any company optimize their business performance, achieve their goals, and positively impact their bottom line."
Raymond Burden
Owner of LinRay Legacy Enterprises
"If you just need someone who can crunch numbers, don’t ask Cindy. If you just need someone to think through strategy, pass on Cindy as well. Yet if you need one person to demonstrate transformative leadership, while balancing the needs of the business, with its strategic direction, core capabilities, and values creation processes in place, all while making data-driven decisions made by models she herself develops, that is when you call upon Cindy so she may demonstrate her myriad strengths to successfully usher an organization’s intended future."
Dr, Justin Barclay
Senior Vice President of Tivity Health
Strategic Finance Leadership with Clarity, Alignment, and Momentum
You have built something real — a business with purpose, people, and potential. But growth brings complexity. Decisions become more layered. The numbers start telling stories that are harder to interpret. And the cost of uncertainty increases.
My work is about bringing calm clarity to that moment — so leaders can move forward with confidence, alignment, and focus.
Who I Am
My name is Cindy Johnson, MBA. I’m a finance leader, advisor, and thought partner to founders and executive teams. Through Optimal Impact LLC, I support organizations in periods of growth, change, and strategic decision-making.
Over the past 25+ years, I have led finance, operations, analytics, and organizational strategy across diverse sectors—including manufacturing, airlines, travel, healthcare, nonprofit, and SaaS. My experience spans both Fortune 500 companies and high-growth startups, including Motorola, Honeywell, US Airways, Kodak, WellPoint, Tivity Health, FitOn, and others. I’ve consistently navigated complex operational and financial landscapes with clarity, precision, and strategic impact.
I don’t just look at the numbers — I look at what they mean for the organization, its people, and its momentum.
I work alongside leadership to translate financial information into:
Clear priorities
Actionable decisions
And sustainable growth paths
My role isn’t to deliver reports.
It’s to help you understand what’s happening, what matters, and what’s next.
My Approach
Working with me feels steady, supportive, and structured. We move with intention.
We establish:
Financial clarity that everyone can understand
Rhythm and planning that reduce stress and reactivity
Scenario models that help you evaluate real-world options
Alignment between your financial reality and your strategic direction
Board-ready communication that builds trust and credibility
The goal isn’t just to manage the numbers —
It’s to equip you to lead with them.
Why Clarity Matters
I’ve seen organizations thrive when:
Leaders have clear visibility
Teams share the same priorities
Decisions are grounded in real data
The financial story is honest and aligned
And I’ve seen organizations struggle when that clarity is missing.
Clarity changes everything.
It creates stability.
It creates trust.
It creates momentum.
A Personal Note
I worked my way through my MBA while climbing the corporate ladder and raising a family — late nights, early mornings, and a lot of persistence. It taught me that progress is rarely loud. It’s a series of small, intentional steps taken over time.
Outside of work, I stay grounded by family, meaningful conversation, and humor. I value time to think and reflect — because good decisions come from clarity, not urgency.
I lead with both the numbers and the people behind them — because business is always personal.
