The best financial leaders do far more than manage budgets and balance spreadsheets. They help shape strategy, inspire innovation, strengthen organizations and create the foundation for long-term success.
That is why Coolidge Wall is proud to announce that Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer Natasha Mumford has been named a 2026 Dayton Business Journal CFO of the Year honoree.
The Dayton Business Journal’s annual CFO of the Year Awards recognizes financial visionaries who are driving business growth and helping shape the economic future of the Dayton region. Honorees are selected through an independent editorial review based on their professional achievements, leadership and contributions to their organizations and the community. Natasha will be recognized alongside this year’s honorees at the CFO of the Year Awards on September 24 at Sinclair Community College.
Natasha exemplifies the qualities the award is designed to recognize. As CFO and COO, she provides financial, strategic and operational leadership for one of Ohio’s oldest and most respected law firms. What distinguishes Natasha is her understanding that an organization’s financial strength is inseparable from its people, operations, technology and long-term vision. Rather than viewing finance as an isolated function, she brings an interdisciplinary approach to leadership that strengthens every aspect of the firm.
Since joining Coolidge Wall, Natasha has led initiatives that have modernized operations while preserving the firm’s nearly 175-year legacy. She has strengthened financial reporting and budgeting, improved billing and collections, guided the firm’s transition toward a largely paperless environment and championed a culture of continuous improvement that encourages innovation while respecting the traditions that have defined Coolidge Wall for generations.
Her leadership has also delivered measurable results. Through disciplined financial stewardship and strategic operational improvements, merchant processing fees were reduced by 34% year over year, contract service expenses by 16% and software expenses by 6%. At the same time, improved billing and collection practices strengthened cash flow while positioning the firm for continued, sustainable growth.
Perhaps even more impressive than the numbers is Natasha’s leadership style. She is known for listening first, building consensus and empowering others to succeed. She challenges long-held assumptions, encourages thoughtful, data-driven decision-making and continually asks how the firm can operate more effectively for the benefit of its attorneys, staff and clients. That collaborative approach has earned the respect and confidence of colleagues throughout the organization.
Beyond the firm, Natasha is an active member of the Dayton business community and is deeply committed to mentoring emerging professionals and developing future leaders. Her belief that organizations are strongest when people are empowered to grow reflects both her leadership philosophy and her commitment to making a lasting impact beyond the workplace.
For nearly 175 years, Coolidge Wall has evolved to meet the changing needs of its clients while remaining true to its values. Leaders like Natasha Mumford ensure that tradition continues. Her recognition as a Dayton Business Journal CFO of the Year honoree celebrates not only an exceptional financial executive, but a visionary leader helping shape the future of one of the region’s most respected law firms.
