Influential Woman · Finance

Sarah Smith

Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Resolute Industrial

Apopka, FL

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's degree in Accounting Degree University of Central Florida Degree 2015-2016 Degree Master's degree Degree Florida Atlantic University Degree August 2024 Cert CPA (in progress)

Her Story

About Sarah

I serve as the VP of Financial Planning and Analysis at Resolute Industry, also known as Mobile Air and Power Rentals, where I'll be celebrating 5 years this October. In my role, I oversee the manager of FP&A and our senior regional controller over the Gulf major projects, and together they manage 6 regional controllers. My responsibilities include leading budgeting and forecasting cycles, providing ad hoc reporting for our CFO and CEO, participating in monthly operating reviews to analyze how we're performing and look forward, and working on special projects to drive process improvements. I'm fortunate to work with a fabulous team and have wonderful mentors in our CFO and CEO who challenge me with new projects and help expand my thinking. I graduated from the University of Central Florida with my bachelor's degree in accounting in 2015-2016, and more recently completed my master's degree at Florida Atlantic University in August 2024. I'm currently sitting for the CPA exam. As a single mother of 4 children, I balance my career with family life, and my greatest joy is helping the people around me grow and watching them excel and flourish, which I believe is the best reflection of how well I'm doing as a manager.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Sarah

01What do you attribute your success to?

I believe some of my greatest success is from surrounding myself with good mentors. I have fantastic mentors - our CFO and CEO especially are wonderful to work for. They help explain things and give me new projects so I can expand my way of thinking. I'm definitely fortunate to work in a wonderful place. Even though I face challenges with imposter syndrome, being fairly young in the world of VPs, I try to remind myself why I'm at the table and not second-guess myself. My mentors have been instrumental in helping me continue learning and growing in my role.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would just tell them to always believe in themselves and to make sure that they surround themselves with a great support system. I believe some of my greatest success is from surrounding myself with good mentors, and the hard work does pay off. I know there are times when it can seem like the end is not in sight, but to really just keep pushing forward and that it will absolutely all be worth it. And to pay it forward also - once you have reached a certain point in your career where you've gained more knowledge, make sure you become a mentor and help people. My greatest joy is helping the people around me grow and watching them excel and exceed and flourish. I feel like that is the best reflection of how well I'm doing as a manager or an employee.

03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I think my biggest challenge is probably imposter syndrome. I'm only in my early 30s, so I'm fairly young in the world of VPs, and most of the people that I work with that are in the senior management team have been in their fields much longer than I have. So I think it's just trying to remind myself why I'm at the table sometimes and not second-guessing myself. I try to continue learning, and I have fantastic mentors - our CFO and CEO especially are wonderful to work for. They help explain things and give me projects that are new so that I can expand my way of thinking.

04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

My greatest joy is helping the people around me grow and watching them excel and exceed and flourish. I feel like that is the best reflection of how well I'm doing as a manager or an employee. I believe in paying it forward - once you've reached a certain point in your career where you've gained more knowledge, you should become a mentor and help people. I also value surrounding myself with a great support system and good mentors, which has been key to my success. Hard work is important to me, and I believe in pushing forward even when the end is not in sight, knowing it will all be worth it.

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