Dhaval Jani, MBA, MSA

Dhaval Jani, MBA, Chief Financial Officer at Whittier First Day, joined the senior team in 2024. Prior to 2024, all finance and accounting functions at Whittier First Day were outsourced, except for one in-house accounts payable clerk. Since his arrival, Dhaval has made a significant impact on the organization's financial position, reporting, and relationships with funders. With an in-house team of two other full-time staff, Dhaval has continued to strengthen the financial health of the agency.

Dhaval brings over 13 years of experience in finance and management, with expertise spanning private and public entities across various industries, including distribution, sales, construction, e-commerce, and clean energy. His background includes roles as a controller, director, planner, and analyst, with significant experience in private equity due diligence. Dhaval is known for his ability to drive business growth and optimize financial performance through continuous improvement and cross-functional partnerships.

As the Chief Financial Officer at Whittier First Day, Dhaval develops and implements financial strategies to support the organization’s mission and programs. He oversees the budgeting process, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and funding requirements, and ensures proper management of grants, including budgeting, reporting, and compliance with funder requirements. Dhaval monitors grant expenditures to ensure they align with approved budgets and donor restrictions, maintains transparency and accuracy in financial reporting, and manages cash flow to meet financial obligations. He also identifies and mitigates financial risks, manages financial forecasting and reporting, and supports decision-making by senior management and the board of directors.