Since 2022, Holly Clark Blanchard, CPA, MBA, has excelled as the chief executive officer of Clark Strategic and Financial Consulting in Annandale, Virginia. As a proven leader in finance and strategy, she acts as a contracted executive for companies undergoing significant business transformations, providing them with strategic business advice and leveraging her financial expertise.
Before founding Clark Strategic and Financial Consulting, Ms. Clark Blanchard garnered experience as the executive director of the Strategic Investment Fund for La Raza Inc. She also was the chief financial officer of UnidosUS Properties LLC (formerly the National Council of La Raza) for 12 years. In these roles, she maintained an impressive staff retention rate of 95% for more than a decade. Notably, she achieved the strongest financial performance in the latter company’s history, leading the firm to achieve a positive net income for 11 consecutive years.
Earlier, Ms. Clark Blanchard was the chief executive officer of Clark Consulting from 2004 to 2006. After previously working as a finance consultant and MBA intern with American Management Systems from 1998 to 2001, she spent a year as the principal and group chief with the same organization from 2003 to 2004. At Advanced Biosystems, Ms. Clark Blanchard was the vice president and general manager from 2001 to 2003 after a stint as a senior internal auditor with the Foster Wheeler International Corporation in 1997. She began her career as a senior auditor at Ernst & Young Global Limited in 1993. After working in this position for several years, she transitioned to ITT Goulds Pumps and worked as a senior accountant for a year.
Highly credentialed with multiple degrees, Ms. Clark Blanchard holds a Master of Business Administration in finance, competitive and organizational strategy, and entrepreneurship from the Simon Business School at the University of Rochester, graduating summa cum laude in 1999. Prior to this achievement, she graduated summa cum laude with Bachelor of Science in accounting from Le Moyne College in 1993. Further, Ms. Clark Blanchard is a certified public accountant (CPA) in New York State and holds a certificate in nonprofit leadership from Boston College as well as a nonprofit certificate from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
Adjacent to her primary professional roles, Ms. Clark Blanchard is committed to serving her local community. She volunteers with the Rivanna Conservation Alliance, is a board member of the Strategic Investment Fund at La Raza, and is a technical volunteer with the Humane Society of Fairfax County. From 2006 to 2010, Ms. Clark Blanchard was the chief financial officer for the United Way of the National Capital Area in Vienna, Virginia. Her contributions led her to be named Chief Financial Officer of the Year by the Washington Business Journal for two years straight, in 2007 and 2008.
To stay involved in her professional community, Ms. Clark Blanchard maintains membership in the AICPA. Known for her passion and operational excellence, she approaches each endeavor with genuine passion and a sincere interest in those around her, finding fulfillment in understanding individuals on a deeper level and uncovering what drives them. Ms. Clark Blanchard views tasks as intricate puzzles to solve, applying her strong problem-solving abilities and thriving on tackling challenges.
Moving forward, Ms. Clark Blanchard is deeply invested in the growth and success of Clark Strategic and Financial Consulting, driven by her desire to assist clients in achieving their goals. She is committed to continuing to guide clients through challenging situations and providing strategic advice. Recalling one particularly rewarding experience, she assisted clients undergoing a major leadership transition and helped the organization secure the largest grant in its history. When she is not working, Ms. Clark Blanchard enjoys caring for her dog and hiking.
