Janet Lawson
Senior Director, Finance | San Francisco, California, United States
Professional Overview
Janet Lawson is an accomplished finance executive with over 20 years of experience driving strategic financial leadership and operational excellence across high-growth technology companies. As the Senior Director of Finance at JustAnswer, she oversees all aspects of the company's financial operations, including financial planning and analysis, treasury management, and regulatory compliance. Janet's expertise spans financial management, mergers and acquisitions, and business transformation, making her a valuable asset in driving sustainable growth and profitability.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Senior Director of Finance at JustAnswer, Janet is responsible for leading the company's financial strategy and operations. She manages a team of finance professionals and collaborates closely with cross-functional leaders to ensure the organization maintains a strong financial position and achieves its strategic objectives. Under Janet's leadership, JustAnswer has streamlined its financial processes, improved cash flow management, and secured additional funding to support the company's ambitious growth initiatives.
Career Progression
Prior to joining JustAnswer, Janet served as the Chief Financial Officer at Aquabyte, a leading provider of aquaculture technology solutions. In this role, she played a pivotal part in the company's successful acquisition by a strategic buyer. Before Aquabyte, Janet held the position of Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance at OverOps (acquired by Harness), where she spearheaded the company's financial transformation and integration with the acquiring organization.
Earlier in her career, Janet co-founded and served as the CEO of aha!Chinese, Inc., a language education startup that she successfully led through its acquisition. She also gained valuable experience as an Associate at Goldman Sachs, where she honed her financial analysis and investment banking skills.
Academic Background
Janet holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of California, Berkeley, where she graduated with distinction and was recognized for her academic excellence.
Areas of Expertise
- Financial management and strategic planning
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Business transformation and operational optimization
- Fundraising and capital markets
- Financial modeling and data-driven decision-making
- Cross-functional collaboration and leadership
Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Janet has demonstrated a track record of driving significant financial and operational improvements for the companies she has served. At OverOps, she played a crucial role in optimizing the company's financial processes, which contributed to its successful acquisition. As the CFO of Aquabyte, Janet was instrumental in securing additional funding and strategic partnerships to support the company's growth and expansion.
Conclusion
With her exceptional financial expertise, strategic mindset, and proven ability to lead high-performing teams, Janet Lawson is well-positioned to continue making a meaningful impact in her role as Senior Director of Finance at JustAnswer. Her commitment to driving sustainable growth, optimizing financial operations, and delivering exceptional value to stakeholders makes her a valuable asset in the dynamic technology industry.