Ann Sardini is a visionary financial leader and boardroom strategist whose dynamic career spans more than three decades across a broad range of industries. From her roots in media finance to her impactful leadership in health and wellness, retail, food manufacturing, and private equity, Ann has continually guided organizations through transformative change. Her personal mantra, “Driving Growth Through Transformation and Strategic Financial Leadership,” is more than a tagline—it’s a philosophy that has shaped the trajectory of companies, influenced global markets, and empowered a new generation of leaders.
Ann’s journey began in the fast-paced world of media, where she held early leadership roles at QVC, NBC, and ABC. These formative experiences immersed her in the complexity of entertainment operations and equipped her with the financial acumen necessary to navigate dynamic environments. It was here that she developed her instinct for strategic alignment—understanding how to connect financial modeling with innovation, creativity, and organizational momentum. Her early career set the stage for the wide-ranging impact she would later have as a transformational executive.
Her tenure as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at the Children’s Television Workshop (now Sesame Workshop) marked a turning point. There, Ann brought financial discipline to a mission-driven nonprofit, engineering a groundbreaking joint venture with Nickelodeon that launched the educational cable channel Noggin’. Her leadership transformed Sesame Street’s reach from a broadcast entity into a global multimedia platform through licensing, partnerships, and strategic investments. Her work not only elevated the organization’s financial standing but also expanded its cultural relevance for a new generation of children and parents.
In the late 1990s, Ann moved into the emerging space of e-commerce, taking on the role of CFO for VitaminShoppe.com. Backed by private equity, the company was poised for growth, and Ann delivered. She built the financial infrastructure from the ground up, oversaw its IPO in 1999, and took on COO responsibilities to guide the company through the volatile dot-com era. Her agile leadership helped the company emerge as a benchmark for digital health retailing, solidifying her reputation as a forward-thinking executive capable of balancing risk and growth.
From 2002 to 2012, Ann held what would become one of the most influential roles of her career—Chief Financial Officer of Weight Watchers International. During this decade-long tenure, she reimagined the company’s financial strategy, integrated digital transformation through the acquisition of WeightWatchers.com, and transitioned the business model from franchising to a more profitable company-owned structure. Revenue and earnings soared by 250%, and the company’s market capitalization peaked at $6 billion. Her ability to align operational efficiency with consumer innovation redefined the weight management industry and left an indelible mark on the brand’s legacy.
Ann’s impact did not end with corporate leadership. After her tenure at Weight Watchers, she transitioned into governance and advisory roles, where her influence broadened even further. She served over a decade on the board of TreeHouse Foods (NYSE: THS), the leading private-label food manufacturer in North America, ultimately chairing the Board. Her leadership was instrumental in steering the company through a strategic review, supply chain optimization, and a transformative transaction that positioned TreeHouse for sustainable growth. She was also pivotal in engaging productively with activist investors and instituting a skills-based board refresh and succession plan.
Her board portfolio today reflects a wide range of industries and challenges. She currently serves on the boards of Oncourse Home Solutions, where she chairs the Audit and Risk Committees, and Civic News Company, where she leads the Finance and Treasury Committees. She is also a member of Grant Avenue Capital’s Advisory Board. These roles underscore her ability to assess risk, identify value creation opportunities, and ensure governance excellence across different business models and organizational life stages.
In 2013, Ann launched In Progress Advisors, her consulting and advisory practice. Focused on early- and mid-stage companies as well as private equity firms, the firm provides strategy-setting, M&A execution, capital restructuring, and exit planning services. Her clients include data-driven platforms like Target 100 and Everplans, mission-driven organizations like To The Market, and high-growth consumer tech companies in the pet wellness and personal finance sectors. Ann’s approach is highly collaborative—she partners closely with founders and C-suites to embed resilience and unlock innovation at scale.
Ann’s global perspective is informed by extensive international experience in markets including the UK, Germany, France, Switzerland, Mexico, China, and Australia. Her fluency in cross-border financial operations, governance, and cultural dynamics has made her a valued presence on international ventures and global boards. She understands not only the technical requirements of compliance and capital management but also the human dimensions of leadership in diverse business settings.
A dedicated advocate for women in finance and leadership, Ann actively supports organizations such as Women Corporate Directors and Women in Business. She frequently speaks at events, including engagements with PwC, and has been recognized by WomenInc. as one of the Most Influential Corporate Board Directors. She is passionate about mentorship and inclusion, believing that diverse perspectives and equitable opportunities are not only moral imperatives but also business imperatives that drive performance and innovation.
Today, Ann divides her time between New York City and Millbrook, NY, where she lives with her husband, Chris Shriver, an Art Director and Production Designer in film and television. Their partnership reflects Ann’s own ability to balance the analytical with the creative, the strategic with the intuitive. Whether she’s guiding a startup through a successful exit or chairing a public board through organizational transformation, Ann Sardini leads with integrity, wisdom, and purpose.
Character:
Ann Sardini’s integrity and commitment to collaboration have made her a respected leader known for empowering teams and navigating high-stakes environments with grace and determination. Her leadership is grounded in values that prioritize trust, long-term relationships, and purpose-driven impact.
Knowledge:
With more than 30 years of cross-sector experience, Ann brings an unparalleled depth of financial, operational, and strategic knowledge to every organization she touches. Her insights into M&A, restructuring, and corporate transformation are widely sought by both boards and private equity firms.
Strategic:
Ann’s career is defined by strategic foresight—whether acquiring digital assets, rethinking brand positioning, or reshaping capital structures, she sees opportunities where others see obstacles. She has a proven ability to translate vision into measurable value across diverse industries and markets.
Communication:
A gifted communicator, Ann’s clarity of thought and ability to articulate complex financial and strategic concepts make her an invaluable partner to boards, executives, and investors alike. Her experience in investor relations and public speaking enhances her ability to lead with influence and authority.
