Derek Paulson
Unlock Your Career Potential with a Kellogg MBA Alum and Finance Leader
2,785 min coached
46 followers
Studied at Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern)
Hiring Manager at Nani
Successful clients at
Available tomorrow at 2:30 AM UTC
Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.
Derek's Offerings
Custom hourly · $99/hr
Get help with Career Planning, General Exploration, and .
Derek’s Career Coaching Qualifications
Experience level: Executive
Derek has helped clients get into these companies:
With a robust background in finance and strategy, I bring expertise from nearly 10 years of experience from Fortune 100 companies and growth-stage startups. Throughout my own professional and educational pursuits, I have gleaned insights which I leverage to help clients navigate their own career paths and achieve their professional goals. My journey navigating the career recruiting process as an MBA student and my experience through various leadership roles in hiring others has equipped me with the insights needed to guide you in making impactful career decisions. Whether you're looking to break into leadership roles or explore a new career path, I'm here to provide tailored advice and support. Let's connect and chart a course for your career success!
Derek can help with:
Career Planning
General Exploration
Interview Prep
Job Search Strategies
Networking Strategy
Professional Networking
Resume Review
Skill Building
About Derek
FP&A is my dream career - it's like a choose-your-own-adventure story with so many different flavors of work. Like analytics? FP&A is a great way to apply those skills! Are you a strategic thinker? FP&A gives you opportunities to influence the strategic direction of a company. Love automation and technology systems? You'll stand out in the finance org with those skills! I love what I do and want to help others find their dream job. I graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Finance and later received my MBA from Kellogg at Northwestern University. I built a strong early foundation in my FP&A career at Fortune 500 companies in Honeywell and PepsiCo. After my MBA I have continued progressing in finance at growth-stage companies like Rad Power Bikes and now as CFO at Nani Swimwear. My favorite thing about the work I do that I get to strategize. I get to solve new problems every day. There is no set playbook on how to win...I am helping write the winning playbook every day.
Why do I coach?
I have been fortunate to have had incredible mentors in my career. I'm a better person and professional because of the people who have helped me along the way. I want to pay it forward by providing guidance and inspiration to others on their own journey.
Work Experience
CFO
Nani
May 2026 - Present
Hiring Manager
As CFO for a growing swimwear and apparel brand, I lead the finance team and am a key executive leader in scaling and improving operations. I am responsible for the fiscal health of the company with particular emphasis on cashflow and liquidity to support our growth.
Vice President of FP&A
Pura Vida Bracelets
October 2025 - May 2026
Lead the company's FP&A function including the annual planning, forecast, and reporting processes. Key strategic partner to the executive leadership team. Drive profitable topline growth and ensure prudent cash management.
Director of Finance
Rad Power Bikes
November 2023 - October 2025
As Director of FP&A and Supply Planning, I managed the demand planning and procurement for electric bikes, accessories, and spare parts as well as leading forecasting and analysis of net revenue and gross margin. I also led strategic projects related to distribution strategy, pricing optimization, and marketing effectiveness.
Finance and Strategy Manager
Rad Power Bikes
October 2022 - November 2023
As Senior Manager of Finance and Strategy I led the FP&A function, advised on pricing and promotion strategy, owned the demand planning process, advanced channel strategy and profitability initiatives, and supported financial and strategic updates to the board of directors and investors.
Strategic Finance Manager
PepsiCo
July 2021 - October 2022
As Associate Finance Manager in PepsiCo's Frito-Lay North America division, I provided financial planning and analysis support for the Field Sales organization, including development of annual plan and quarterly sales targets and analysis of key market share trends.
Finance Leadership Development Intern
PepsiCo
June 2020 - August 2020
As a summer intern, I built growth plans for PepsiCo strategic initiatives (growing SodaStream sales within a previously untapped demographic) and developed a unit economics improvement plan for a new direct-to-consumer channel.
Senior Financial Analyst
Honeywell International
February 2018 - August 2019
As Senior Financial Analyst in Honeywell's Aerospace division, I provided financial analysis and strategic planning support to Airlines Aftermarket sales team, including developing revenue budgets and targets, enhancing repair and service program profitability, and updating sales forecasts.
FP&A Analyst
Honeywell International
August 2016 - February 2018
As Financial Analyst in Honeywell's Performance Materials and Technologies division, I developed cost budget proposals, performed variance analysis on global indirect and people costs, and analyzed various financial and operational metrics.I partnered with my Corporate FP&A team to deliver forecasts and financial analysis to divisional CFO and support Honeywell earnings release process.
Financial Analyst
Honeywell International
May 2015 - August 2016
As Financial Analyst at a Honeywell molecular sieve and catalyst plant, I analyzed plant operations and financial variances, reviewed capital expenditure projects to validate financial impact, and partnered with production engineers and quality team to improve site financial performance.
Education
Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern)
Master of Business Administration - MBA, Marketing
2019 - 2021
Activities and societies: Co-President - Public Policy Club, Co-President - Latter-day Saints Student Association
Brigham Young University
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Finance - Corporate Finance
2008 - 2015
Grade: 3.89 GPA Activities and societies: Vice President - Business Strategy Club, Marriott School Student Council, Finance Society Political Science Minor
11 Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
Knowledge
5.0
Value
5.0
Responsiveness
5.0
Supportiveness
5.0
Derek has helped clients get into these companies: