Since 1971, Catholic Charities of West Tennessee (CCWTN) has been rooted in its Catholic faith and mission to reach out to those in need. The organization focuses on serving people experiencing homelessness or those at risk of becoming homeless, providing food, clothing, shelter and a path toward stability. CCWTN’s work begins with a simple act, such as a daily meal, and often leads to deeper conversations and connections to other life-changing resources.
When CCWTN’s CFO left, the organization faced a leadership gap in its finance department. The person working under the former CFO had the potential to grow into the role but needed guidance and support to succeed. Without a seasoned leader in place, CCWTN needed expert financial coaching, strategic oversight and assistance with both day-to-day operations and future planning.
CFO Leverage stepped in with a clear mission: to coach the new finance lead over the course of a year, providing both hands-on guidance and strategic direction. Their role included:
George Nixon, executive director of CCWTN, appreciated CFO Leverage’s unique approach:
“They understood they were working themselves out of a job, which they didn’t have a problem with. In the end, it was mission accomplished. She learned what she needed to learn.”
By the end of the year-long engagement, the new finance leader had the skills and confidence to manage the organization’s financial operations independently. This smooth transition preserved CCWTN’s financial stability and allowed the organization to stay focused on its mission.
CFO Leverage’s character and mission-driven approach left a lasting impression.
