Dawna R. Miller

MBA, CPA, CHFP, BCC

Finance. Leadership. Impact.

I am a finance executive with experience leading organizations from mid-tier enterprises to multi-billion-dollar systems. My work brings clarity to complexity, aligning strategy, capital, and operational performance to build resilient, high-performing organizations. I lead with purpose and accountability, strengthening culture and enabling people and performance to thrive.

Multiple people placing their hands together in a show of unity and teamwork.

Leadership Philosophy

How I Lead

Leadership, to me, is steady, grounded, and rooted in clarity. I believe people do their best work when expectations are understood, communication is direct, and the environment supports both accountability and trust. My role is to reduce noise, create alignment, and make it easier for people to focus on what matters. I lead with steady clarity, clear priorities, and respect for the people who carry the work.

I have learned that organizations move with confidence when leaders communicate honestly, act with intention, and create the conditions where teams can operate with purpose. My approach is simple. See the reality clearly. Name what needs to be addressed. Support people in moving forward.

People, Performance, and Purpose

Strong organizations are built on three essentials.

People. People are the center of every meaningful outcome. I believe in creating environments where individuals feel respected, informed, and supported. Trust is earned through steadiness and transparency, not slogans or pressure.

Performance. High performance comes from clarity. I focus on defining what matters, removing barriers, and ensuring teams have the systems, tools, and structure to execute well. Performance is not about intensity. It is about direction and discipline.

Purpose. Purpose stabilizes organizations. It connects people to the mission and keeps decision making honest and aligned. Purpose reduces confusion and provides a reliable anchor when conditions shift.

When these elements move together, organizations become stronger, more resilient, and more capable of sustained progress.

Ready, Willing, Able

I use Ready, Willing, Able as a practical guide for leadership alignment.

Ready. Readiness requires situational awareness. Leaders must see the environment clearly, understand what is true, and confront what needs to change. Readiness creates honesty.

Willing. Willingness is commitment in action. It is the courage to adapt, the discipline to follow through, and the ability to stay engaged when the work is hard. Willingness creates momentum.

Able. Ability is capability, structure, and support. Teams need the right people, the right tools, the right technology, and the right operating rhythm to execute with confidence. Ability turns intention into results.

When an organization is ready, willing, and able, progress is steady and sustainable.

What I Believe

Organizations succeed when people know the work, trust one another, and move together with intention. Value is created when individuals are respected, equipped, and aligned.

I believe in honest communication, disciplined execution, and leadership that strengthens rather than disrupts. My goal in every role is to support people, clarify the work, and build organizations that perform with integrity and purpose.

Testimonials

  • “Dawna is a phenomenal executive who combines strategic vision and operational rigor with integrity and courage.”

    Judy Andronowitz,
    VP & COO, Mercy Iowa City

  • “Her leadership brought clarity, transparency, and measurable improvement across every function.”

    Jim Nielsen, M.D., Chief Medical Informatics Officer, Mercy Iowa City

  • “Under her leadership, UCBC achieved 37% growth and a 50% reduction in bad debt.”

    Richard Robertson, Founding Partner, RPM Healthcare

  • “Even in high-pressure scenarios, Dawna maintained focus, optimism, and discipline.”

    Terry Blessing, Interim VP of Revenue Cycle, Mercy Iowa City

  • “Dawna is a relational leader who builds cultures of trust and accountability.”

    Katie Taylor, Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis, Mayo Clinic

  • “Dawna demonstrates exceptional leadership, strategic insight, and the ability to inspire those around her.”

    Ryan Arnold, Executive Director of Finance and Accounting, University Caner & Blood Center

  • “Dawna exemplifies what it means to lead with both head and heart."

    Scott Alderman,
    Chief Information Officer, Mercy Iowa City

  • “Dawna transforms vision into measurable results through strategy, collaboration, and accountability."

    Stuart Elkin, CPA,
    VP Finance & Accounting, Mercy Iowa City

  • “Dawna provided excellent expert consultant services related to the financial services industry."

    Stephen Wiman, Business Trial Lawyer

  • “Dawna far exceeded my high expectations and proved to be a true business leader, not just an accountant.”

    Patrick Leddy, Primary Care and Extended Care Accounting Operations Director

  • "Dawna’s professionalism is unwavering and her knowledge of technical accounting, problem solving, collaboration and systems is top notch."

    Jay Turner,
    Senior Manager Corporate McKesson International Accounting, McKesson

  • "Dawna is an amazing executive leader as evidenced by her broad knowledge base, and her ability to collaboratively lead."

    Andres Alers-Alers, CPA,
    Director of Accounting, Specialty Businesses, McKesson