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Stephanie T. Ford

Director

Stephanie Ford is a Director of Warren Whitney and consults directly with clients to deliver solutions in the area of strategic planning, succession planning, and board governance. Stephanie has more than 25 years of diverse client experience, including manufacturers, financial services, distributors, professional services, real estate, and nonprofits. She helps to spearhead discussions with company owners and executive management to understand the unique challenges of their business. She collaborates with Warren Whitney’s professionals to offer practical solutions that produce results for organizations going through different stages in their business life cycle.

Roles & Areas of Expertise:

  • Strategic Planning
  • Growth Strategy
  • Succession Planning
  • Board Governance
  • Financing Alternatives
  • Facilitation & Coaching

Education & Certifications:

  • MBA in Finance, University of Richmond
  • BBA in Marketing, James Madison University
  • International Facilitators Organization, 2023
  • LEAD VA, Class 2021
  • Graduate, Leadership Metro Richmond, Class 2005
  • Six Sigma Green Belt, 2000

Professional & Volunteer Associations:

  • University of Richmond Robins School of Business, Executive Advisory Council
  • James Madison University College of Business, Board of Advisors
  • Virginia Council of CEOs, Advisory Board Member
  • Trinity UMC, Finance Committee
  • James Madison University Honors College,  Prior Advisory Council
  • Henrico County Economic Development Authority, Prior Chair
  • Richmond Montessori School, Prior Capital Campaign Chair & Board Member
  • Greater Richmond Chamber, Prior Business Roundtable Member
  • Richmond Ballet, Prior Board Member
  • Risk Management Association Richmond Chapter, Prior Board Member
  • Trinity UMC, Prior Campaign Chair, Trustee & Church Council Member

A Richmond native, Stephanie came to Warren Whitney in 2004 and works with company CEOs and CFOs across Virginia to analyze their organizations and achieve their most important objectives. Stephanie is adept at understanding the big picture and recognizing companies’ needs to find appropriate, effective, value-added solutions.

After learning about the needs of an organization, she determines the most cost-effective approach to match the right Warren Whitney talent level to the task. Because of her background, Stephanie is able to provide insight into strategic issues and perspective on a variety of business situations.

Prior to joining Warren Whitney, Stephanie was a commercial lending officer for Bank of America and BB&T. In a high-service, client-focused environment, she worked with companies with $5-$500 million in revenues with capital markets, insurance, leasing, cash management, private client, and asset management services. Senior management recognized her ability to work through complex situations, asking her to intercede in several crisis situations to save key accounts. In relationship reviews, clients frequently cited Stephanie’s skills in financial analysis, deal structuring, and credit approval, as well as her ability to listen to their most important needs and get to the heart of the matter.

She also knows what it takes to work inside organizations going through dynamic change, having worked with Genworth during a period of rapid acquisition and integration. As a financial analyst in their insurance division, her experience included improving processes, enhancing internal efficiencies, product line forecasting, and profitability analysis.

Stephanie is the consumate professional. She represents Warren Whitney well. After talking with Stephanie, we hired her firm to help us with a sales & marketing issue. Everything worked out well and she and her company will always be our ace in the hole for issues beyond our scope of expertise.

Jeff JohnstoneOwner, Party Perfect