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Sara Orr
Growth CFO - Financial and Operational Leadership - Digital Innovation
Professional Background
Sara Baxter Orr is a distinguished finance professional with an impressive track record of leadership across various high-stakes roles within the telecommunications industry and beyond. Currently, she serves as the Senior Vice President and Global Head of the CFO Practice at Anaplan, where she leverages her extensive experience to drive innovative solutions for finance leaders and their organizations. Sara’s career is marked by her strategic and analytical prowess, equipping her to manage the financial intricacies of large enterprises while guiding teams toward enhanced operational efficiencies.
Prior to her current role, Sara held a series of prominent leadership positions at Verizon, a leading telecommunications company. Within Verizon, she ascended through the ranks, initially starting as an Executive Director in Financial Reporting & Analysis and navigating her way to become the CFO and Senior Vice President for multiple divisions, including Verizon Business Group and Verizon Wireline. Her roles at Verizon showcased her profound ability to oversee large-scale finance operations, implement sustainable financial strategies, and champion cost transformation initiatives across the organization.
Education and Achievements
Sara’s academic qualifications reflect her commitment to excellence in accounting and economics. She earned her Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Accounting from National University, enriching her knowledge base and enhancing her expertise in financial management. Furthermore, she acquired a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Applied Economics from the prestigious University of California, San Diego. This solid educational foundation has contributed significantly to her analytical capabilities and her adeptness at navigating complex financial environments.
Throughout her career, Sara’s dedication and accomplishments have earned her recognition as a thought leader in finance. She has provided invaluable advisory services at Correlation One, where her insights contributed to the advancement of data analytics and its integration into financial practices. Additionally, her leadership roles at Verizon have allowed her to impact a variety of business areas including pricing strategies, revenue assurance, and cost transformation, demonstrating her versatility and ability to influence change within large organizations.
Sara's strategic approach to finance, combined with her rich background in economics, enables her to offer unique perspectives to business challenges, making her a vital asset in the finance community. Her ability to lead cross-functional teams and execute financial strategies has been pivotal in achieving substantial cost savings and revenue growth during her tenure at Verizon.
Notable Achievements
Sara Baxter Orr has made remarkable strides in her career, with numerous achievements to her credit:
- Leadership at Verizon: As CFO & Senior Vice President for Verizon Business Group, she was instrumental in steering the financial strategy of a key division within a Fortune 500 company, managing substantial budgets and pivotal financial operations.
- Innovation at Anaplan: In her current role at Anaplan, a cloud-based platform that transforms how finance teams operate, she drives thought leadership initiatives that empower CFOs to unlock new growth opportunities and streamline their financial processes.
- Finance Transformation: Sara has a proven history of overseeing transformation projects within Verizon, focusing on enhancing financial operations, driving efficiencies, and implementing strategic planning initiatives that align with corporate objectives.
- Mentorship and Advisory: Sara has not only excelled in roles of financial management but also contributed to the professional development of others in her field, offering mentorship and guidance to aspiring finance professionals and acting as an advisor to organizations seeking to enhance their financial strategies.
Her extensive expertise in financial operations and her passion for driving results make Sara Baxter Orr a respected figure among her peers and a sought-after leader in the accounting and finance sectors.
