Kelley Pruetz

Kelley Pruetz researches how organizations manage and optimize financial operations across the enterprise, producing original insights that help finance professionals operate more strategically and with greater confidence. She brings a strong financial background and a genuine interest in empowering others to connect the dots between strategy, data, and day-to-day decision making. One of the most rewarding parts of her work is engaging directly with APQC members to understand the challenges they face, the goals they are striving toward, and the solutions they’re pursuing. 

With a bachelor’s degree in finance from Texas Tech, Kelley’s research is grounded in deep operational experience but always focused on the future of finance. She studies how finance professionals are leveraging new technologies, adapting to evolving roles, and responding to shifting business priorities in a rapidly changing economic landscape. Her work often explores how leaders can balance innovation with sound fundamentals, ensuring that financial teams remain resilient through uncertainty. 

Before joining APQC, Kelley built a successful 30+ year career in treasury and cash management. She held senior roles at Endeavor International and El Paso Corporation, where she managed financial operations through periods of intense change, including mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. In addition to her financial expertise, she was known for her leadership in process improvement, cross-functional collaboration, and building strong relationships across finance teams and with external partners. 

What drives Kelley is the ability to keep learning and to help others grow at the same time. She believes a strong financial foundation starts with understanding the fundamentals, and she is always looking for ways to make complex topics more accessible and relevant. Outside of her research work, she’s active in community service and helps support internship and employee development programs. Whether she’s mentoring a young professional or working through a tough financial question, Kelley brings curiosity, calm, and a problem-solving mindset to everything she does.