Brian Kates

Brian Kates has a diverse work experience spanning multiple industries. Brian started their career as a Business Analyst at Wells Fargo Business Credit, where they analyzed financial statements and ensured proper financial reporting. Brian then joined the Charter School Growth Fund as an Analyst, where they developed tools for assessing the financial health and academic quality of charter operators. Brian later became a Senior Investment Associate at the Charter School Growth Fund, managing relationships and providing support to expanding charter school operators.

After that, Brian worked as the Director of Budget & Finance at the Achievement School District. Brian then moved on to become the Director of Finance & Operations at Intrinsic Schools, a network of charter schools in Chicago. In this role, they played a key role in developing the organization's strategy, managing financial projections, overseeing school operations, and handling accounting and human resources functions.

Following their time at Intrinsic Schools, Brian founded ZATA Consulting, which provides strategic consulting services to education, non-profit, and mission-driven organizations. Brian focused on tailored approaches, data analysis, and ensuring the success of their clients. One of their current clients at ZATA Consulting is the Equitable Facilities Fund.

Brian then took on the role of VP of Finance at Equitable Facilities Fund, where they developed financial systems, monitored business plan results, and oversaw finance, accounting, compliance, reporting, IT, and human resource functions.

Most recently, Brian has joined GrowCFO as a Member. GrowCFO is a global community that offers exclusive access to peer group development programs, training resources, executive mentoring, and collaborative events to ambitious finance leaders.

Brian Kates holds a Master of Science degree in Finance from the University of Denver - Daniels College of Business, which they obtained in 2005. Prior to that, they received their Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a focus on Finance from the same institution in 2004. In addition to their formal education, Brian has obtained certifications as a Certified Wim Hof Method Instructor from Wim Hof Method (Innerfire BV) in March 2022 and as a TACFIT Field Instructor from TACFIT. The specific month and year of their TACFIT certification are not provided.