Small business, big visibility. Step inside the world of NFL finance through the eyes of four senior financial leaders from the NFC North: Laura Anderson (Chicago Bears), Allison Maki (Detroit Lions), Kate Shibilski (Minnesota Vikings) and Maureen Smith (Green Bay Packers). Explore how financial executives operate in organizations where “success” is measured on the field as much as it is by the numbers and gain insights on how collaboration is vital even when rivalries are heated. Hear personal and professional insights from their experiences as women and working parents in senior leadership roles and walk away with practical guidance on what it takes to be an effective leader in your organization.
Meet the moderator:
Sam Smith, The Prouty Project
Sam is a managing director with The Prouty Project, where he works with executives to drive change, uncover insights and accelerate innovation. For nearly 20 years, he has designed and facilitated experiential leadership and strategy solutions.
Chief Financial Officer
Chicago Bears Football Club
Laura Anderson, senior vice president of administration and chief financial officer for the Chicago Bears, oversees the organization’s financial, accounting and information technology operations. She plays a key role in navigating an evolving financial environment and leveraging technology to support organizational strategy. Previously, Laura spent seven years with the Big Ten Conference, where she served as CFO to the office of the commissioner and treasurer to the board of directors, providing strategic guidance to university leadership and athletic governance bodies. Her background also includes senior financial consulting as well as audit, and she has advised numerous clients, including multinational and publicly traded companies.
Chief Financial Officer
Detroit Lions, Ltd.
Allison Maki, senior vice president of administration and chief financial officer for the Detroit Lions, leads the organization’s finance, accounting, information technology and facility operations. She supports long-term facility planning, oversees and manages the Lions’ key business partnerships, and serves as treasurer for Detroit Lions Charities. Allison contributes to league-wide initiatives as a member of the NFL’s Club Technology Advisory Board
and is one of only nine female CFOs within the NFL. Prior to joining the Lions in 2004, she spent seven years at Ernst & Young, LLP, working in public accounting.
Chief Financial Officer
Minnesota Vikings Football LLC
Kate Shibilski, executive vice president and chief financial officer for the Minnesota Vikings, provides continued leadership of the accounting and finance functions of the team. She plays a critical leadership role in the organization’s budgeting and financial planning as well as league reporting. Kate also oversees the financial relationship with U.S. Bank Stadium and works in partnership with the Viking Lakes campus. Prior to joining the Vikings, Kate spent several years at Deloitte as well as Best Buy, where she held various accounting and finance roles.
Chief Financial Officer
Green Bay Packers, Inc.
Accounting, finance and business professionals interested in leadership and strategic decision‑making within high‑profile organizations (or just fans of football, of course).