By Ayo Onikoyi

In today’s evolving financial landscape, professionals who bridge the gap between accounting, analytics, and strategic decision-making are increasingly in demand. Precious Okeke, a Nigerian-born and Texas-based business analyst, finance and accounting professional, is at the forefront of this transformation—leveraging her technical expertise and financial acumen to drive efficiency, improve decision-making, and foster business growth. With a robust background in accounting and a keen ability to leverage AI and advancing technologies, Okeke is transforming businesses and inspiring change across both the nonprofit sector, financial and healthcare industry.

In the nonprofit sector, financial management is not just about balancing budgets—it’s about ensuring that every resource is maximized to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Since November 2024, Precious Okeke has embraced this challenge as the Finance Coordinator for Children Striving Together (CST), a nonprofit organization based in California, that is committed to empowering underserved children and youth through mentorship and educational programs. In this role, she manages and updates financial records, prepares budgets, and provides insightful financial reports to guide the leadership team. Beyond maintaining the organization’s fiscal health, she ensures that grants and donations are allocated appropriately, monitoring their use to align with donor intentions and organizational goals. Her ability to connect financial data with strategic decision-making ensures the nonprofit remains compliant with regulations while staying mission focused.

One of Okeke’s key contributions at CST has been her involvement in supporting fundraising efforts. With her analytical skills and expertise, she provides data-driven insights that inform fundraising strategies, allowing the organization to target areas with the greatest potential for financial growth. Her ability to track and report on financial performance gives leadership the tools they need to make informed decisions, ensuring that all funds directly support CST’s impactful initiatives.

Okeke’s success in her current role stems from her robust academic background and years of professional experience. She earned her Master of Science in Business Analytics with an Accounting concentration from The University of Texas at Dallas, where she honed her skills in data analysis, process improvement, and financial modeling. Prior to this, she completed her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, earning multiple academic honors and awards, including yearly recognition from the Dean, scholarships and leadership role with the renowned Delta Mu Delta Honor Society.

Her journey from academia to the professional world has been marked by a series of impactful roles that have prepared her for success. As an Accounting Manager at Dorado Trade Group in Dallas, Texas, after her undergraduate studies, Okeke was involved in helping the company with budgets and forecasts, conducted variance analysis, and developed key performance indicators (KPIs) to guide senior management in decision-making. Her ability to implement process improvements and automate tasks enhanced operational efficiency, laying the foundation for her current work in the nonprofit sector.

Okeke’s career is also defined by her technical expertise. Proficient in tools such as Power BI, Salesforce, SQL, and R, she has the capability to leverage technology to analyze complex financial data, automate processes, and provide actionable insights. Her innovative use of automation while working on various collegiate projects during her master’s degree education at UT Dallas resulted in a 90% improvement in efficiency, showcasing her ability to blend technology with financial management.

What truly sets Okeke apart is her commitment to creating meaningful impact. Her work at Children Striving Together is not limited to financial oversight—it’s about ensuring that the organization can expand its reach and continue to provide critical programs to children in need in the United States. By optimizing financial processes and ensuring transparency, Okeke helps the nonprofit build trust with donors, stakeholders, and the community it serves.

Her role also underscores the importance of collaboration in the nonprofit sector. Okeke works closely with team members to identify areas for financial improvement and develop technical strategies that align with the organization’s mission. Her ability to bridge the gap between financial expertise and social impact ensures that Children Striving Together can continue to thrive in a competitive funding landscape.

As she continues to grow in her career, Precious Okeke exemplifies how finance professionals can play a pivotal role in driving change while leveraging AI and data analytics. Her journey is a powerful reminder that financial expertise, when combined with a commitment to service, can transform organizations and empower communities. At Children Striving Together, Okeke is not just managing numbers—she’s helping to build a brighter future for the next generation.