In the second feature of our Leadership Spotlight Series, we’re highlighting someone who has played a critical role behind the scenes and in our growth story: Ally Mead, VP of Finance & Administration. From building a finance team that supports our company’s growth and leading a major ERP rollout, to strengthening the systems behind IT and Admin, Ally has helped shape how we scale, spend, and succeed.
What Finance Really Looks Like
What drew Ally to Spring was the energy of a growing company with the right structure to scale effectively. “Spring offered the excitement of a startup with big dreams paired with the support via Diakonia to make them happen,” Ally shares. “I was the first finance hire and haven’t looked back!”
While administrative functions might not always be visible, they are crucial to the business. Ally explains, “There’s no ‘easy’ button (trust me, we checked!)—just smart systems and driven people making finance, IT, and admin look effortless. If things seem quiet, that’s us doing our job.” Ally and her team keep operations grounded, so teams across Spring Automation can plan, execute, and deliver with confidence. She stays motivated by crossing things off her list and following the 5-minute rule—if a task takes five minutes or less, she tackles it immediately. The goal is to address the small issues before they become tomorrow’s big problems.
Defining Leadership
Ally’s leadership style is rooted in authenticity and intention. “Leading for me means being direct, staying connected, and invested in the team.” She also brings that mindset into team collaboration. One of the biggest ongoing challenges in her role is navigating fluid project schedules and ensuring they align with the financial reporting requirements. Her solution? Communication. Ally manages this by staying in sync with other departments and key players to help her tell the whole financial story upstream. Customers may never see the details of the finance function, but its impact is massive—as Ally explains, “Customers don’t see the financial minutia—revenue recognition, cash flow, forecasting—but that foundation keeps projects funded, teams paid, and timelines realistic.” Her team’s alignment with customer goals hinges on synchronizing reporting, forecasting, and milestones. When customers meet their objectives, Spring wins too.
What Sets Spring Automation Apart
Her favorite part of the job? The people. Ally explains, “Watching my team and this company grow over the past five years has been something I’ve really valued. We’ve shared big milestones—weddings, new degrees, babies, and new roles—and all the everyday highs and lows in between. Along the way, I’ve laughed, learned, been challenged, and supported in ways I’ll always be grateful for. It’s those relationships, and the trust we’ve built through real life and real work, that make Spring so special to me.” The controls world is small, and our reputation is everything—ours is built by our people.” That culture of support and connection is something Ally both experiences and actively cultivates.
That authenticity, focus on relationships, and drive for excellence continue to shape the culture and trajectory of Spring Automation, and Ally is a huge part of that. “It’s been a true team effort. I am proud of my team, and there’s still so much ahead.”
Her advice for anyone starting in the field is simple: be kind, work hard, and bring solutions—because when you're positive, respectful, and committed to growth, people take notice. And in case you’re wondering—yes, Ally’s golden retriever, Fonzie, is turning 10 this summer and still hasn’t made an appearance at the Spring office. Despite dogs being welcome (and frequent inquiries about his existence), he remains a mystery. Maybe he’ll make an appearance before the decade’s out… or at least before his next one begins.
Want to hear more from the people behind the scenes at Spring Automation? Stay tuned for the next feature in our Leadership Spotlight Series, highlighting Alex Smith, Director of Sales & Marketing. Join the conversation on LinkedIn or reach out to us at sales@springautomation.com.