Camp Fire National Headquarters is the backbone of a 115-year-old youth development nonprofit, with programs in 24 states that help young people connect to the outdoors, to others, and to themselves. With more than a century of impact, their mission remains vital to supporting future generations.
Shawna Rosenzweig, Camp Fire's CEO, took on the organization’s leadership with a steadfast commitment to its enduring legacy. From fundraising and operational oversight to board relations and financial supervision, Shawna balances a diverse range of responsibilities to keep Camp Fire flourishing.
However, managing an organization with such a significant scope comes with unique challenges — especially when financial clarity and administration need expert oversight.
When Shawna transitioned into the CEO role after 12 years with Camp Fire, she stepped into a whirlwind of responsibilities.
“As CEO of a nonprofit, I wear many different hats. On any given day, I might be leading fundraising efforts, supporting our board, overseeing staff, and managing operational procedures — all while overseeing financial health.”
Her familiarity with Camp Fire’s financials was evident, but when she began leading the organization, Shawna realized how much clarity and understanding she needed to make decisive, strategic moves.
“It wasn’t really until I moved into the CEO role that I really asked myself, 'Do I fully understand what’s happening under the hood here? Where did financial projects need to be? Where are we at currently? How do we ensure we finish the year strong?'”
One specific obstacle was plotting a clear path for growth. Shawna wanted to ensure the organization’s team was properly staffed and could sustainably expand in key areas, but she needed some key financial clarity and strategy to make those decisions. Shawna recognized she couldn’t — and shouldn’t — do it all alone.
Fortunately, Shawna already had access to BELAY. The organization had previously partnered with Kelsey, a BELAY CFO, and as Shawna stepped into her new role, she began working more closely with Kelsey to tackle these challenges head-on.
Right from the start, Kelsey’s expertise stood out.
"This team really knows what they’re talking about and they really are experts in the field. That was something I was impressed by right away,” Shawna shared.
Their collaboration revolved around creating clarity and confidence in Camp Fire’s finances, analyzing current practices, and building a roadmap for sustainable growth. Kelsey’s role involved more than just balancing books. She became an invaluable thought partner and strategist, helping Shawna gain deep insights into the financial health of the organization.
“No question has been too big or too small for Kelsey, so we have spent a lot of time on a lot of different things. Without that, I wouldn't feel nearly as comfortable or confident as I’m feeling today,” Shawna explained.
Kelsey’s contributions spanned multiple areas to deliver a comprehensive, forward-thinking financial foundation for Camp Fire. Here’s how she helped transform Shawna’s challenges into opportunities for growth and success:
Kelsey worked with Shawna to dissect Camp Fire’s financial model, analyzing revenue streams and expenses from multiple perspectives. This provided Shawna with the clarity she needed to align financial realities to organizational goals.
To help Shawna plan for growth, Kelsey developed and evaluated detailed financial scenarios.
“I worked with Kelsey to play out a number of different scenarios like, ‘Okay, if we hired for this role, what does that do? If we looked at this role, what does the timing look like?’ It really allowed us to set up a roadmap for success,” Shawna explained.
A critical part of Kelsey’s role was providing Shawna with the tools and insights to make informed decisions. Whether it was helping ensure year-end financial goals were met or strategically planning team expansion, Kelsey’s guidance built a solid foundation.
Kelsey wasn’t just a numbers expert — she empowered Shawna to grow in financial understanding.
In Shawna's words, “It’s provided us a level of expertise we probably wouldn’t have had otherwise… And it really helped me grow my muscle and understanding in that area.”
Kelsey’s ability to provide strategic financial guidance enabled Shawna to make informed decisions with confidence.
“It’s provided us a level of expertise we probably wouldn’t have had otherwise," said Shawna. “And it really helped me grow my muscle and understanding in that area.”
From achieving year-end financial goals to planning a thoughtful team expansion, Kelsey’s insights laid a strong foundation for success. Beyond simply managing numbers, Kelsey empowered Shawna to deepen her financial understanding.
Through her work with Kelsey, Shawna gained relief and confidence knowing that financial decisions were backed by meticulous data and expert support.
“It's a relief that our books are accurate… To have someone who can help think through strategies is incredibly helpful. It really has created this space for me to both say, where will I be most impactful in this role as CEO? And also, how do I play to my strengths in this role?”
Kelsey also provided Shawna with a clear roadmap for growth by mapping out potential scenarios that prepared her for future expansions while aligning staffing and financial goals. Beyond strategy and numbers, the relationship Shawna built with Kelsey offered her peace of mind.
“I know there’s a person I can call. I know who they are, and to be able to have that gives you a lot of peace of mind,” she shared.
Thanks to Kelsey’s expertise and unwavering support, Shawna now leads Camp Fire with clarity, confidence, and the freedom to focus on strengthening and expanding the organization’s ecosystem.
With BELAY’s fractional financial solutions, leaders like Shawna don’t just manage their finances — they transform their organizations.
Get the financial clarity and support you need to lead with confidence. Get Matched with a BELAY Financial Expert today!