Our Team
Kaolee Yang
Kaolee Yang is an accomplished CFO with extensive experience in nonprofit financial management, financial statement audits, Single Audits, and strategic financial leadership. With a deep understanding of both the technical and mission-driven aspects of nonprofit finance, Kaolee partners closely with clients to provide strategic insights that drive growth and scalability. She takes pride in helping organizations navigate complex financial landscapes, empowering them to achieve their missions with sound financial foundations and clear, actionable data. Passionate about client success, Kaolee is committed to being a trusted advisor, guiding her clients toward sustainable and impactful growth.
Jeremy Barker
Jeremy is a seasoned financial leader with more than 20 years of experience guiding organizations toward strong fiscal performance, sustainable growth, and mission alignment. He earned his MBA from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management and holds a Finance degree from Miami University.
Over the course of his career, Jeremy has supported organizations at every stage, from scaling businesses from $10M to $50M to contributing to financial and operational strategy for enterprises exceeding $220B. His background spans startups, growing companies, nonprofits, and large public organizations, equipping him with a balanced approach that blends strategic thinking with practical execution.
In his work with SmartGrowth CFO, Jeremy collaborates closely with nonprofit and small to mid sized organizations to build stronger financial systems, improve reporting visibility, and guide leadership through key strategic decisions. He is particularly driven by helping mission focused organizations develop sustainable financial frameworks that support long term success.
Based in Minnesota, Jeremy is passionate about mentorship and team development and is known for being a thoughtful and trusted partner to both clients and colleagues.
Jwala Vijayan
Jwala is a seasoned finance professional at SmartGrowth CFO with over 15 years of experience in public and corporate accounting. She holds an MBA in Accounting and brings expertise in US GAAP, technical accounting, and financial reporting. Jwala helps organizations strengthen controls, improve reporting, and gain clarity, enabling leadership teams to make confident, data-driven decisions.
Leon Chen
Leon is an automation and transformation leader with 15 years of experience across finance, operations, and technology. He holds an MBA and a Master of Science in Management Information Systems. Leon specializes in process optimization, data analytics, and intelligent automation, helping organizations streamline workflows and scale efficiently.
Yer Wrate
Yer Wrate is the Business Operations Manager at SmartGrowth CFO, where she plays a key role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the team and its services. With a strong attention to detail and a commitment to organizational excellence, Yer streamlines processes to enhance the overall client experience. She holds a degree in Education from Arizona State University, bringing well-developed communication and problem-solving skills to her role. Yer is dedicated to supporting the team’s mission of delivering top-tier financial services.
Samara Walker
Samara serves as our Administrative Assistant, playing an essential role in keeping day-to-day operations running smoothly. She supports both our team and clients with strong organizational skills, clear communication, and a proactive approach to problem-solving, helping ensure an efficient and positive experience across all touchpoints.
She holds a degree in Communications and History from the University of Minnesota Morris, bringing a solid foundation in collaboration, coordination, and leadership support. Samara is dedicated to creating structure behind the scenes so our team can focus on delivering high-quality financial services to our clients.