# NAME JUWON LEE # CONTACT Stamford, CT, USA Phone: (224) 500-9863 Email: ljw0716@gmail.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/juwonlee-finance # SUMMARY Senior finance and strategy leader with 15+ years of experience across FP&A, restructuring, investment banking, and cross-border corporate development between Korea and the U.S. Proven track record driving EBITDA turnarounds, liquidity management, and automation of financial operations for education, technology, and industrial businesses. Experienced in leading market entry for Korean companies into the U.S., executing complex M&A, and building AI-powered reporting and go-to-market systems for founder-led companies. # CORE_SKILLS FP&A and Financial Modeling (3-statement models, 13-week cash flow); Liquidity Management & Treasury; Chapter 11 & Turnaround Support; Budgeting, Forecasting & Variance Analysis; Pricing & Revenue Strategy; Cost Optimization & Zero-based Analysis; M&A Execution & Sell-side Preparation; Cross-border Integration (Korea–US); B2G and Education (K‑12, Test Prep, English Learners); AI-driven Automation (reporting, GTM, workflow); Investor Relations & Board Communication; Capital Raising & Banking Relationships # EXPERIENCE ## PINNACLE FIN AI / PURPLE MANAGEMENT Location: Stamford, CT Title: Founder, Principal Consultant & Strategic Advisor Dates: 2023–Present - Provide AI-powered financial strategy and execution for founder-led and growth-stage companies, combining automation, FP&A discipline, and lean go-to-market systems. - Developed and implemented “Purple CFO,” a productized fractional CFO service that automates reporting, forecasting, and cash visibility to free founder time and improve decision quality. - Built an AI-powered GTM system for Upgrade Tutors, integrating content generation, sales automation, and performance analytics to achieve early U.S. traction with minimal headcount. - Advised ColomboAI as fractional CFO, refining capital strategy, resetting operating plans, and aligning spend with validated growth opportunities in an AI-native startup. - Led U.S. launch strategy for StoryBox English, including B2G positioning, district sales playbooks, and curriculum validation with Johns Hopkins, while structuring a 10-year exclusive U.S. licensing agreement with a Korean EL content provider. ## THE PRINCETON REVIEW & TUTOR.COM Location: New York, NY Title: Chief Financial Officer & Head of Strategy Dates: 2019–2023 - Engineered a comprehensive turnaround, moving performance from approximately $7M EBITDA loss to $20M profit while growing revenue from roughly $100M to $130M. - Reset the cost base through centralized compensation control, zero-based review of physical locations, and vendor consolidation, improving margins and cash resilience. - Led the shift from in-person to online delivery, building an online-first economic model that enabled record profitability during and after COVID-19. - Established a New Business Development function, built a small team, and launched high-margin professional prep units (e.g., CFA and NCLEX) using an acquire-and-enhance strategy for curriculum content. - Designed and launched premium offerings such as the SAT 1500 Money-Back Guarantee product, using payout and pricing analytics to create attractive but profitable guarantees. - Implemented key operating systems including a new corporate card program with Divvy and upgraded HR/payroll infrastructure, improving spend control, data capture, and employee experience. - Led sell-side M&A for a ~$300M+ exit, managing due diligence materials, buyer presentations, and coordination between the Korean parent, Bain Capital, and the acquiring Chinese private equity fund; supported through CFIUS and FOCI compliance until transition to the new CFO. ## ALIXPARTNERS (Zolfo Cooper) Location: New York, NY Title: Vice President – Turnaround & Restructuring Services Dates: 2017–2018 - Provided liquidity and restructuring support for distressed companies, including Chapter 11 cases, acting as a bridge between operations, finance teams, and court-mandated reporting. - Built and maintained detailed cash flow projection and treasury management frameworks, improving visibility into daily liquidity and covenant headroom. - Supported development of restructuring business plans, interim treasury and accounts payable processes, and filings for court and creditors. ## JEFFERIES Location: New York, NY Title: Investment Banking Associate, Industrials Group Dates: 2015–2017 - Executed M&A and leveraged finance transactions across transportation, logistics, building products, and industrial services. - Led financial modeling (DCF, LBO, merger models), valuation, marketing materials, and process coordination for deals totaling over $4B in enterprise value. - Deal highlights: - $875M acquisition of Global Gateway South container terminal by EQT Partners. - $1.41B refinancing for TKC Holdings. - $1.328B sale of Hanjin’s equity stake in TTI to MSC. - $330M sale of a major building products distributor and $300M acquisition financing for a building service provider. ## SAMSUNG TECHWIN (now Hanwha Aerospace) Location: Pangyo / Seongnam, Korea Title: Manager / Assistant Manager – Investor Relations & Corporate Finance Dates: 2009–2013 - Managed relationships with 1,000+ institutional investors and rating agencies, communicating strategy and performance for aerospace, defense, and industrial businesses. - Analyzed strategic investment and portfolio decisions, including a ~$339M CCTV and defense acquisition and a ~$532M IPO of an aerospace subsidiary. - Built capital budgeting and cash flow models for major projects and divestitures; ranked 1st among a peer group of about 150 and promoted to manager one year ahead of schedule. ## MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE Location: Seoul, Korea Title: Air Force First Lieutenant – Interpreting Officer / Force & Resource Management Dates: 2006–2008 - Led and supported Korea–U.S. munitions transfer negotiations, contributing to an estimated $2.7B in defense cost savings and receiving a Meritorious Service Commendation from the Minister. - Managed military aid programs transferring retired Korean defense assets to developing countries, including a ~$400M jet trainer sale to the Indonesian Air Force. - Supported cross-border defense cooperation and ITAR-context export processes, helping shape protocols for UN peacekeeping operations. # EDUCATION ## KELLOGG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY Location: Evanston, IL Degree: MBA, Finance Dates: 2013–2015 ## THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, FISHER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Location: Columbus, OH Degree: BSBA, Finance & Real Estate, Cum Laude (GPA 3.6/4.0) Dates: 2001–2005 # ADDITIONAL Citizenship / Language: Native Korean; fluent English; extensive Korea–US cross-border experience in defense, industrials, and education sectors. Interests: Travel (25+ countries), golf, cooking, Muay Thai.