Scaling-up for Impact: Building Operational Strength in a Mission-Driven Enterprise

The Center for Rural Innovation (CORI) was growing rapidly. Within four years, its leadership had turned an idea into a multi-million-dollar enterprise with a nonprofit, for-profit, and seed fund, all aimed at advancing economic prosperity in rural America. The firm’s growth was exceptional, but operations had not kept pace. After a Director of Finance resigned, WhiteLabel was brought in to diagnose issues and implement remediations. Initially, WhiteLabel helped stabilize the finance department, operating as interim CFO and controller. First tasks: harmonizing revenue lines, legal structure and guiding the company through its first audit. Next: WhiteLabel successfully led the recruitment of a new Director of Finance. WhiteLabel continued to support CORI through its transition, including leading the selection and implementation of enterprise-wide systems. “Being able to harness WhiteLabel's insight and experience has proven invaluable to me,” said Robin Kilfeather-Mackey, CORI’s Director of Finance and Operations. “The WhiteLabel diagnostic report I was handed upon my arrival allowed me to immediately zero in on the organization's pain points and direct my attention squarely where it was needed most in those early days.”