April Russo

April Russo is a seasoned finance and accounting executive with over 25 years of experience in global business operations, financial and managerial accounting, and finance transformation. As Vice President of Compliance and Transformation for the Accounting, Shared Services & Treasury organization at USA TODAY Co., April is a driving force behind the company’s continuous improvement and change agenda.

In her current role, April leads the proactive monitoring and evaluation of the control environment, identifying and rectifying control deficiencies, and spearheading internal control rationalization efforts. She is instrumental in designing and implementing controls that align with USA TODAY Co.’s evolving operating model, ensuring robust governance and risk mitigation as the company adapts to new business realities.

April is recognized for her ability to champion and execute strategic change initiatives that deliver measurable improvements in operational efficiency, process standardization, and cost optimization. She collaborates across functions to identify opportunities for transformation, develops compelling business cases for change, and mobilizes cross-functional teams to achieve targeted outcomes. Her leadership has resulted in streamlined workflows, enhanced automation, and improved compliance across the organization.

A key aspect of April’s impact at USA TODAY Co. is her commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement. She empowers teams to embrace new technologies, adopt best practices, and drive innovation in financial operations. April’s efforts have contributed to significant advancements in the company’s shared services model, including the integration of digital solutions and the optimization of end-to-end processes in Order-to-Cash, Procure-to-Pay, and Record-to-Report functions.

Prior to joining USA TODAY Co., April provided management advisory services to Fortune 500 and mid-sized global clients as an independent consultant and served as Vice President and Assistant Controller of Global Shared Services at AOL. At AOL, she built a global shared services organization, standardized accounting and treasury processes, and managed M&A integration and divestitures, as well as business process outsourcing relationships.

April is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Virginia and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from The College of William & Mary.