A finance partner. A curious builder.
I’m Julia Sukumaran, a strategic finance leader based in Ventura, California. I’ve built my career across public accounting, large-scale media, high-growth SaaS and digital publishing, experiences that shaped how I approach finance: get close to the business, understand what drives performance, ask good questions and bring a point of view.
I care about how teams work as much as the analysis they produce. I’ve managed and developed analysts, introduced more scalable ways of working, and shared tools and approaches that help teams focus on higher-impact work. I try to bring curiosity, judgment and structure to messy problems, while leaving the team and the process stronger than I found them.
Strong fundamentals. Genuine thought partners.
I value curious, low-ego, accountable people who share context and welcome thoughtful challenge. I do my best work with leaders who explain what they want to accomplish, bring Finance into decisions early and want a thought partner rather than someone to execute a request. Getting the fundamentals right gives that partnership room to focus on the choices that matter.
HOW I THINK
Context first. A point of view. A better system.
01
Build context and trust first.
I lead with curiosity and empathy, learning how the business works, what matters to my partners and how they define success. I learn each team’s language so I can be useful on their terms—not only through a finance lens.
02
Surface insight and bring a point of view.
With context, I identify patterns, challenge assumptions and surface risks or opportunities that might otherwise be missed. I want to give leaders more than numbers: a clear view of what is happening, why it matters and the choices available.
03
Improve the system, not just the symptom.
I notice recurring friction in hiring, invoice approvals, reporting, planning and handoffs. Rather than keep fixing the same problem, I ask why it breaks and what it costs. Then I rethink the tool, process or information flow—saving meaningful time or giving teams visibility into the metrics that matter.
WHAT INTERESTS ME NEXT
Closer to the business. Broader in scope.
The role
I’m looking for a strategic finance leadership role where I can be a close partner to business and executive leaders, own meaningful financial and operating questions, and help turn them into decisions. I want to build on my experience in planning, resource allocation, scenario analysis and performance management, while broadening my exposure to revenue, pricing, monetization, growth and broader P&L decisions.
The company
I’m drawn to businesses with real scale and complexity that are still evolving. I do my best work when there’s a product, service or mission worth understanding deeply, strong people to learn from and partner with, and room to build, improve and shape how the business operates.
Based in Ventura, California. Open to remote opportunities, as well as roles in Ventura, Oahu, Vancouver, Washington and the Portland area.
BEYOND THE WORK
Making the pieces work together
Spaces, playlists and the details that bring people together.
I love designing spaces and experiences for people I care about, whether that’s curating a playlist, planning a themed gathering or helping friends and family think through décor and renovations. I start with how we want it to feel, then bring together colors, objects, music and references until the pieces work as a whole.
That instinct carries into my work. I naturally think in systems and connections, and I tend to notice when something feels off, whether it’s a process that doesn’t quite fit together, a number that doesn’t match the story or a workflow with too many moving pieces. I enjoy finding the details that matter and designing a simpler, more cohesive way forward.