Leadership Built On Trust: An Evergreen CEO Story

The Tugboat Institute’s latest Evergreen Journal article, “An Unscripted Path to Leadership”, shares Deanna Walker’s leadership journey at Venturity and the partnership she built with founder Chris McKee along the way. The feature highlights how trust and opportunity supported her growth as a leader and helped shape the culture and leadership approach that continue to define Venturity today. More than a leadership story, the article reflects the principles that guide Venturity: investing in people and creating an environment where leaders can grow alongside the business.

“My leadership philosophy remains grounded in the earliest lessons of my time at the company….Be willing to stray from the standard path.”

-Deanna Walker

Subscribe to Evergreen Journal Plus to read the full article.

More News from Venturity

AI in Accounting & Advisory: Why the Foundation Matters More Than the Tools

There’s no shortage of conversation around AI right now: new tools, new promises, and plenty of opinions about what all of it means for the accounting and advisory space. What’s more difficult to find is a clear sense of what works once the noise settles. Many approaches tend to move quickly, layering in automation wherever...

Podcast: Holding Yourself Accountable in BD

Business development success is often attributed to strategy, technology, or market conditions. Venturity’s Abby Fuqua recently joined Neil Barrow‘s podcast, I Hope This Email Finds You Well, to discuss how sustainable growth is actually built on a fundamental foundation of consistency, meaningful relationships, and accountability to the process. In this episode, Abby shares her perspective...

Inside Venturity’s Healthy Company Transformation

In 2025, Venturity was honored to be named a Healthy Company All Star by The Great Game of Business– a distinction that reflects our commitment to practicing open book management, fostering strong financial performance, and building a people-first culture. Today, we’re proud to further highlight this recognition by sharing the case study featuring our journey,...

Podcast: Employee Ownership, Open-Book Management, and Culture Change With Deanna Walker

Venturity CEO Deanna Walker recently joined Jean Moncrieff on The Freedom Experience Podcast for an insightful conversation about leadership, transparency, and what it truly means to build a company where people feel empowered to contribute. They discuss: Many thanks to Jean and The Freedom Experience team for the opportunity to share our experience. Tune in...

Podcast: How Chris McKee Built One Connected Global Team

Nearly two decades ago, Venturity took a pivotal leap that shaped our culture: building a partnership in India that redefined what teamwork, trust, and connection could look like across continents. What began as a strategic business decision soon evolved into something far more meaningful- a lasting cultural exchange that strengthened both organizations and helped shape...

The ROI Of A Fractional CFO vs. Full-Time Hire

Smart Financial Decisions Start With Flexible Leadership Whether you’re leading a fast-growing company, managing a mature enterprise, or overseeing a private equity portfolio, financial clarity is the cornerstone of confident decision-making. When cash flow tightens, growth decisions feel uncertain, or investors demand greater visibility, the question arises: Do we need a full-time CFO? Or would...

How Fractional CFOs Make A Difference in Private Equity and M&A

Financial Leadership That Accelerates & Protects Value For private equity sponsors and family offices, success depends on more than the right deal- it depends on disciplined, and data-backed financial leadership that drives results before, during, and after a transaction. As high-stakes deals become more complex and time-sensitive, financial stewardship is no longer about counting costs-...

From Crisis To Confidence: Transformative Partnership For Every Stage

Issues Challenges Driving Change What began as a short-term need evolved into a 5-year partnership during periods of recovery, transition, and growth. As a middle-market fresh food distributor serving schools and workplaces, occupancy limits and closures during the pandemic disrupted demand and created operational and financial challenges. These COVID-related obstacles, as well as recent downsizing...

Venturity Ranked #1 On Accounting Today’s 2025 Best Firms For Women

Venturity is honored to be featured and earn the top spot on Accounting Today’s 2025 Best Firms for Women list. The recognition shines a light on our ongoing commitment to creating a workplace where all team members can thrive both personally and professionally. This honor also comes on the heels of Venturity being named one...

7 Signs It’s Time to Hire a Fractional CFO

Growth doesn’t just hinge on products or marketing- it rises or falls on financial strategy. In today’s market, rapid expansion, cash flow hurdles, and capital events demand more than reactive financial management. Business owners, founders, and sponsors don’t need another stack of financials- they need financial leadership that transforms numbers into outcomes and strategy into...

Joint Venture Marks New Chapter For Venturity and Pierian Services

We’re proud to announce the official formation of a joint venture between Venturity and Pierian Services– solidifying a strategic partnership over 18 years in the making. This next chapter is a natural evolution of a trusted and long-standing relationship. Together, we’re better positioned than ever to deliver scalable, high-impact solutions to clients worldwide, while unlocking...

Venturity Named to 2025 Longhorn 100 List

Venturity is proud to announce its recognition on the prestigious 2025 Longhorn 100 List. This program celebrates the entrepreneurial achievements of University of Texas alumni and the fastest-growing Longhorn-led businesses. This honor highlights Venturity’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and growth in the financial services industry. “As a proud University of Texas alum, this recognition holds...

Deanna Walker Featured On D CEO 2025 Dallas 500

Venturity is pleased to announce the inclusion of Venturity CEO Deanna Walker in the D CEO 2025 Dallas 500. The signature publication, in its tenth edition, features profiles of the most influential North Texas executives and leaders across 50 industries. Readers can look forward to learning everything from insightful business advice to personal anecdotes from...

Podcast: A Conversation With Chris McKee

Tune into the recently released Henry Harrison Podcast featuring Venturity founder and Board Chair Chris McKee. The conversation dives into Chris’ transition experience from CEO to Board Chair, his strategies for successful business management and his future aspirations. Many thanks to Henry Harrison for the feature and great conversation! Listen or watch the recording here....

Balancing the Board: Deanna Walker of Venturity On How To Get More Women on Your Board and Executive Leadership Team

Venturity CEO Deanna Walker recently sat down with Cynthia Corsetti of Authority Magazine and shared: Many thanks to Cynthia and Authority Magazine for the feature and excellent conversation! Click here to read the entire interview....

Podcast: Transitioning Your Business to ESOP with Chris McKee

Tune into the Schulz Wealth P&L: Priorities & Lifestyle Podcast Episode 60, featuring Venturity founder and Board Chair Chris McKee. Chris returned to the show to discuss Venturity’s journey with implementing an ESOP (employee stock ownership program) and the long-term value of offering employees an avenue for building wealth. Listen via: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible...

Venturity Welcomes Management Team Additions

Venturity welcomes three key members to the Management Team; Abby Fuqua, Adam Geiser and Rane Lallier. Deanna Walker, CEO and Tracey Huff, COO will round out the group of five. Collectively, the team brings more than 55 years of Venturity experience to the table, so rest assured our continued commitment to providing Great Accounting and...

Venturity Appoints Deanna Walker As CEO

We are pleased to announce effective December 1, Deanna Corbo Walker, a 20-year veteran of our firm, will assume the role of Venturity’s CEO. Deanna’s contributions as Chief Revenue Officer have been instrumental in our company’s growth and reputation as an industry pioneer. Chris McKee, founder and outgoing CEO, will serve as chairman and remain actively involved...

A Small Giants Company’s Story of Revamping Their Client Experience Practices

Special thanks to Annie Gough at Small Giants Community for authoring this post. When faced with an uncomfortable rate of client attrition that was impacting revenue and growth, the leadership team at Venturity knew they needed to make some changes. And being a Small Giants company, they didn’t simply try to slap bandages on the...

Venturity Wins Dallas Business Journal’s 2022 Best Places to Work Award

Venturity is excited to share that we have been selected as an Honoree for the Dallas Business Journal 2022 Best Places to Work award. Coming in at #21 in the Small Category, we are proud to be ranked among the best of the best in DFW. For 20 years, this program has recognized the top...

CFO Advisory Contributes Growth

Our CFO Advisory Team will go beyond your accounting department to deliver value-driven leadership that spans the operations and financing side of your business. Click here to learn more about how our Fractional CFO’s and COO’s can guide your business to long-term success....

Venturity Visits Offshore Partner Pierian Services

Last month, Venturity’s Chris McKee and Deanna Walker had the opportunity to visit our offshore partner Pierian Services and the key team members we work alongside every day. Since 2006, Pierian has been an integral extension of our existing domestic team. Initially, the Pierian team handled AP services for Venturity clients but has since developed...

Holly Mason of MasonBaronet on maintaining the brand through an ownership change and why she wears heels, even for a Zoom call

Venturity Welcomes Jens Mielke to Growing Fractional CFO Practice

We are pleased to introduce Jens Mielke as the latest addition to our growing team of Fractional CFO’s. Jens is a long-standing and valued member of the community with over 25 years of accounting experience and a successful career as a CFO, audit partner and consultant. Jens excels at analyzing how finance and accounting functions...

Venturity Named GGOB 2021 All-Star Champion

Last week, the Venturity team was honored to receive The Great Game of Business 2021 All-Star Champion Award. We are proud to be among the five All-Star Champions selected from the All-Star Team of twenty-three. The All-Star Champion Award is a subset of the All-Star Awards that recognizes companies that have been playing GGOB at...

Why We Became Certified Employee-Owned

In 2020, we implemented our Venturity Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and sold our first 20% of Venturity to the ESOP, becoming 20% employee-owned. It was a historic moment for our company and our team, but it was really just the beginning. ...

New Round of Relief

The SBA recently announced the PPP Second Draw Loan and made some additional clarifications that will come in handy to small business owners. This new relief package has three big bonuses- you may have heard about the second round of PPP Loans, but the other two might be news to you!...

Podcast: Mind Your Business

This Business Radio will give insight into what open-book management is, pros & cons, concerns about open-book management and how it should be implemented....

Safety In Numbers

What is GGOB? Great Game of Business is a book that promotes transparent management and collaborative problem-solving through “open book” sharing of financial information. It inspires business owners to treat employees like owners in order to increase profitability....

Business All-Stars Make Accounting Sexy

Looking for a great listen that gives you insight into Venturity’s journey and the Great Game of Business? Listen on as Chris McKee and Deanna Walker share their insight and learnings....

Venturity Wins Forbes 2019 Award!

Venturity has been named to the Forbes Small Giants 2019 list and is among 25 of the nation’s best privately-held small businesses....

The Foreign Idea That Transformed Venturity

Curious or have hesitations about establishing a foreign business partnership? Read on to learn about Venturity’s journey and success with Pierian....

Podcast: Growing with a Purpose

Paul Spiegelman’s Growing with a Purpose podcast featuring Chris McKee dives into career shifts, entrepreneurial advice and much more....