HONORED RECENTLY AS ONE OF THE TAMPA BAY’S TOP CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERS, HER CAN-DO SPIRIT PROVIDES AN EXAMPLE FOR ALL
TAMPA, Fla. – Whatever Karen Gittens trains her attention toward, there are no half-measures.
That’s as true for the things she’s passionate about away from her work as it is for the leadership she brings as the Chief Financial Officer for the United Soccer League.
Like, for example, Ironman Triathlons.
Considered the most arduous test of physical and mental fortitude in the sporting realm – made up of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bicycle ride and a full 26.2-mile marathon run – Gittens saw it as a challenge to be conquered.
“I prepared for my first Ironman for well over a year,” she said recently. “I hired a coach and embarked on a very challenging training program all while juggling my responsibilities as a CFO and my personal family life.
“Crossing the finish line was exhausting, emotional and empowering, and it taught me when things get tough – in a race, professionally, or personally – stay the course.”
Approaching her fifth anniversary as the CFO at the USL later this year, Gittens’ remarkable professional accomplishments were recognized earlier this month when she was among the honorees for Chief Financial Officer of the Year by the Tampa Bay Business Journal at its annual luncheon in downtown Tampa. Having worked in the financial sector for more than three decades, including 15 years as a CFO for multiple organizations, Gittens has played an important role in the financial management of the USL since her arrival.
She also provides the same mentorship she received early in her career to those who work alongside her both at the USL and elsewhere in the Tampa Bay business community.
“I was fortunate to work with a fantastic mentor early on in my career,” said Gittens. “I worked up through the ranks as a staff accountant, accounting manager, Controller, VP of Finance, and eventually to CFO positions. I feel compelled to provide the same type of mentorship to our up-and-coming professionals. The CFO position is not just about producing financial statements. The CFO has a major role in being part of a Company’s success.”
The success the USL is achieving on its business side – including league expansion in new markets and the establishment of new partnerships – is being more broadly noticed in the Tampa Bay region, with Gittens playing a notable role in spreading that message. The recognition of her accomplishments with the company added to other plaudits received by the USL organizationally, including being named among Front Office Sports’ Best Employers in Sports each of the past two years.
It’s a source of pride for Gittens, whose enthusiastic personality reflects the passion she has for the work and people she interacts with day by day around the office.
“USL has become more recognizable and active in the Tampa business community,” she said. “I belong to a variety of networking groups. I continue to eagerly educate all I encounter. People seem to be surprised that the USL is headquartered right here in Tampa Bay and are more amazed at the number of professional and elite amateur and youth clubs we represent across the United States.”