Blake Ekelund
Finance Operator, Builder & Partner
I’m not just a spreadsheet guy — I build the financial backbone that startups scale on. From investor-grade models to CRM systems and revenue tools, I turn finance into infrastructure. Whether you’re raising capital, growing fast, or just trying to make sense of your runway, I help founders make smart, quick decisions with clarity — and a little Midwest calm.
8+
YEARS IN STRATEGIC FINANCE
20+
MODELS & INTERNAL TOOLS BUILT
100%
POWERED BY EXCEL, FP&A, AND WEB DEV
CAREER HISTORY
Experience
Origin AI
VP of Finance
Mar 2024 – Present
Hybrid
- Leading finance strategy at a pioneering Wi-Fi Sensing AI company
- Driving GTM, FP&A, and strategic decision support
Director of Finance
PROMOTEDMay 2023 – Mar 2024
Remote
Promoted to VP of Finance after leading finance transformation
- Built forecasting systems and investor dashboards
- Enabled scaling teams with strategic finance tools
ProAmpac
Senior Analyst, FP&A
May 2017 – May 2023
Remote
Left to join a high-growth tech company (Origin AI)
- Led budgeting, forecasting, and scenario planning for $1B Flexibles division
- Automated commission reporting, cutting process from weeks to one day
- Delivered financial insights that guided cross-functional decisions
- Partnered with CSR and IT to design internal CRM and inventory systems
Sr. Sales & Marketing Analyst
PROMOTEDOct 2018 – Jun 2021
Hybrid
Promoted after strong performance in reporting automation
- Led commercial insights and margin analysis
- Built dynamic pricing and promo dashboards
Sales & Marketing Analyst
PROMOTEDMay 2017 – Oct 2018
Hybrid
Promoted after strong performance in reporting automation
- Supported GTM planning and quarterly reporting
// CAPABILITIES
Capabilities
From dashboards to VBA automation, I build Excel systems that work like apps — fast, reliable, and actually enjoyable to use.
Dynamic Excel Dashboards
Problem: Teams were drowning in static reports and manually updated spreadsheets.
Solution: Built automated dashboards using Power Query and pivot logic with dynamic filters, clean layouts, and automated refresh cycles for clear, live insights.
VBA Workflow Automation
Problem: Operators were stuck copy-pasting data between sheets and systems daily.
Solution: Developed VBA macros that connect multiple files, automate repetitive tasks, and produce ready-to-send reports in seconds — saving hours each week.
Integrated Data Workbooks
Problem: Analysts needed unified views of data coming from multiple tools and CSV exports.
Solution: Created structured workbooks that automatically import, clean, and consolidate data — turning Excel into a lightweight operations hub.
TOOLKIT & EXPERTISE
Skills
I blend strategic finance, systems thinking, and technical execution. These are the tools I use to turn messy data and ideas into clear, working systems.
Strategic Finance & FP&A
Translating numbers into narratives that drive action. I specialize in building clarity around cash, growth, and risk — helping operators see what’s next, not just what happened.
Excel Engineering
Excel isn’t a spreadsheet — it’s a platform. I design fast, durable, and intuitive models with automation, dashboards, and structure that scale with your business.
Data, Systems & Automation
When off-the-shelf tools don’t cut it, I build my own. From live investor dashboards to workflow integrations, I connect data to decisions through code and design.
Leadership & Communication
Finance doesn’t matter if no one understands it. I focus on clear translation — aligning founders, investors, and operators through data, storytelling, and decision logic.
GET IN TOUCH
Contact
I’m always open to hearing from thoughtful people — whether you’re reaching out about a collaboration, opportunity, or something else entirely.
I don’t share my direct email or phone publicly, but you can use this form and I’ll follow up if it aligns.