James Sterling
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Professional Overview
James Sterling is an accomplished finance executive with over 20 years of experience in the investment banking, private equity, and biopharmaceutical industries. As the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of bluebird bio, he oversees the company's financial strategy, reporting, and operations, playing a crucial role in its continued growth and success. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors and as Chair of the Audit Committee at Star Mountain Lower Middle-Market Capital Corp., leveraging his extensive expertise in corporate governance and financial oversight.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the CFO of bluebird bio, a leading gene therapy company, James is responsible for aligning the company's financial strategy with its long-term business objectives. He oversees all aspects of the finance function, including financial planning and analysis, treasury management, tax compliance, and investor relations. Under his financial leadership, bluebird bio has navigated complex regulatory environments, secured crucial funding, and delivered on its clinical and commercial milestones.
Career Progression
Prior to joining bluebird bio, James served as the CFO of Renalytix, a pioneering diagnostic company, where he played a pivotal role in the company's successful initial public offering and subsequent growth. Before that, he was a Partner at Renwick Capital, LLC, a boutique investment firm, and held various leadership roles in investment banking at Brock Capital Group LLC and Aleutian Capital Group. Earlier in his career, James was a Management Consultant at Booz & Co. (formerly Booz Allen Hamilton), where he provided strategic advisory services to clients in the healthcare and life sciences sectors.
Academic Background
James holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he specialized in finance and strategy.
Areas of Expertise
- Financial strategy and planning
- Capital markets and fundraising
- Mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures
- Financial reporting and controls
- Corporate governance and risk management
- Strategic advisory for healthcare and life sciences companies
Professional Impact
Throughout his career, James has demonstrated a track record of driving financial and operational excellence. At Renalytix, he played a crucial role in the company's successful IPO, which raised significant capital to fund its growth initiatives. As a Board member and Audit Committee Chair at Star Mountain Lower Middle-Market Capital Corp., he has provided valuable financial oversight and strategic guidance to the firm's investment portfolio.
Conclusion
With his extensive experience in the investment banking, private equity, and biopharmaceutical sectors, James Sterling is a seasoned financial executive who brings a unique blend of strategic, operational, and governance expertise to his role as CFO of bluebird bio. His deep understanding of the healthcare and life sciences industries, coupled with his proven ability to navigate complex financial and regulatory environments, make him a valuable asset to the companies he serves.
