Martha L. Sullivan, CPA, Partner

Martha is a partner and the Chief Operating Officer with Smith & Gesteland, LLP. Martha has extensive experience in both industry and as a consultant in public accounting. Industry experience includes controller and chief financial officer roles in various organizations. Key contributions to these organizations include leadership of significant systems projects, strategic planning, human resources management, and leadership of a significant corporate turnaround.

Martha began her career as a systems consultant with a regional CPA firm. Throughout her nine-year term with this firm, she performed numerous operational/process improvement reviews, systems selection projects, and policy/procedure review engagements. Additionally, she facilitated strategic planning initiatives and played a key role in developing the firm's own inaugural strategic plan.

Martha leveraged her consulting experience by then moving into industry into the controller and CFO roles. After 13 years in industry, Martha returned to the CPA firm roots joining Grant Thornton. As a senior manager, she enjoyed the energetic pace of mergers and acquisitions due diligence which demands the identification and communication of key business issues that impact the buyers' return on investment. The depth of her understanding of her clients' businesses facilitates timely answers to inquiries and prompt completion of these time-pressured engagements.

This unique combination of experience allows Martha to readily serve her clients. Having sat on both sides of the desk, she identifies with the issues and realities her clients face. Now, as COO at Smith & Gesteland, she enjoys the best of both worlds by helping both the firm and its clients meet their strategic needs.

Martha is delighted to be able to contribute to the mission of A Fund For Women and serve on its Executive Committtee. Having grown up on the east side of Madison, graduating from Madison East and then the University of Wisconsin–Madison, she is grateful to the women and men that have mentored her along the way. AFFW a fabulous way to "pay it forward" to the women—young and old—of Dane County.