Hilda H. Polanco

Treasurer

Founder and CEO, FMA

As Founder and CEO, Hilda has led FMA to become the go-to capacity builder that foundation and nonprofit leaders seek to address nonprofit financial management issues.

A nationally recognized and sought-after leader in the field, Hilda serves the sector in many ways. She was a founding member of the selection committee of the New York Nonprofit Excellence Awards, established by the New York Times and the Nonprofit Coordinating Committee. She has served as an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s Department of Health Policy and Management and is on the faculty of Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation’s Board Leadership Training Series as well as Annenberg Foundation’s Alchemy+ Board Development Training Series, and Columbia Business School’s Executive Education program.

When not speaking publicly or leading FMA’s team, Hilda provides direct capacity building, training and coaching services to foundations and nonprofits throughout the country.

Hilda served on the NYC Human Services Council’s special commission to study the closure of high-profile human services organizations. She also serves on the Board (as Audit Committee Chair) for Acelero Learning, an organization that works with local communities to support high quality Head Start programs.

Additionally, she serves on the National Advisory Board of the Harvard Journal of Hispanic Policy and is a member of Hispanics in Philanthropy and the National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers.

Hilda’s other public service duties include being a frequent speaker at the New York State Society of CPA’s annual Nonprofit Conference. She has presented at the AICPA National Not-for-Profit Conference and Private Foundation Summit as well as the AICPA Not-for-Profit Financial Executives Forum in San Francisco.

In 2016, Hilda was recognized as a Leap of Reason Ambassador for being a nonprofit thought leader and practitioner. Her previous honors include SmartCEO magazine’s New York Brava! award for Top Female CEO, the Social Entrepreneur Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners-New York City, an award from WHEDCO for outstanding leadership in the field of nonprofit finance, and the Latina Excellence Award in Community Service from HISPANIC Magazine.

Hilda graduated from New York University with a B.A. in Accounting. She holds the Certification in Control Self-Assessment from the Institute of Internal Auditors awarded to practitioners who can provide guidance on risk, controls, and business objectives. In addition, Hilda holds the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) awarded by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). The CGMA demonstrates management accounting expertise, determination and commitment to achieving sustainable business success.