From Financial Complexity to Strategic Clarity

Strategic Finance | Interim Leadership | Board Advisory

Why Clients Work With Us

We bring strategic clarity to moments that matter—offering a grounded, cross-functional perspective that helps leaders see the full picture and act with intention. Clients trust us for our calm presence, sharp insight, and ability to bridge finance, strategy, and communication with ease.

Impact by the Numbers

30+ Years

Leading High-Impact Teams

$2B+

Generated in New Business Revenue

$140M+

Oversaw in Annual Budgets

Cornflower Studio was founded to help organizations navigate growth, transition, and complexity with clarity and confidence. Our services are designed to meet you where you are and guide you toward what's next.

How We Can Work Together

  • Uncover what's misaligned in your strategy, roles, or operations—and walk away with a clear, shared path forward.

    The Challenge
    Your leadership team or board senses something's misaligned—financials, roles, or direction—but can't quite put a finger on it.

    How We Help
    We assess what's really happening across your operations, strategy, and decision-making rhythm. You walk away with a shared understanding and a roadmap forward.

    Perfect For
    Organizations in transition, preparing for growth, or feeling stuck.

  • Navigate high-stakes financial decisions with a seasoned partner who brings clarity, confidence, and calm to your planning.

    The Challenge
    You're making major financial decisions—around funding, sustainability, or strategic priorities—but lack the seasoned financial leadership to guide the way.

    How We Help
    We serve as strategic finance partners to founders, CEOs, and boards—offering insight on modeling, risk, reserves, and long-term planning. Whether we're reviewing your capital strategy, clarifying your runway, or aligning stakeholders, we bring calm, clear thinking to your most important financial questions.

    Perfect For
    Organizations seeking insight and confidence around financial decisions, but not ready (or needing) a full-time CFO.

  • Step through change with experienced leadership at the helm—whether you're scaling, restructuring, or filling a key seat.

    The Challenge
    You're in transition, scaling quickly, or facing a leadership gap—but don't have time to onboard, or capacity to hire.

    How We Help
    We step into C-suite roles on a fractional or interim basis—bringing stability, structure, and momentum. Whether as interim CFO, COO, or CEO, we lead your team, drive results, and keep operations aligned during high-stakes moments.

    Perfect For
    Organizations managing leadership turnover, scaling systems, or needing senior capacity fast.

  • Strengthen board alignment, decision-making, and oversight with strategic guidance that turns discussion into direction.

    The Challenge
    Your board is trying to interpret financials, align on strategy, or clarify roles—but conversation isn't translating into action.

    How We Help
    We bring clarity and facilitation to complex board dynamics—helping align financial narratives, set priorities, and strengthen governance processes.

    Perfect For
    Boards in transition, executive teams preparing for investment, or organizations building a stronger decision-making culture.

  • Elevate how your leadership team collaborates, presents, and makes decisions—so you can move with confidence and clarity.

    The Challenge
    Strong communication is a critical (and often overlooked) driver of strategy execution.

    How We Help
    We help teams improve how they collaborate, present ideas, and make decisions—so your leadership feels aligned, confident, and effective.

    Perfect For
    Organizations working through leadership transitions, cultural shifts, or decision-making bottlenecks.

Ardis E Kelley CPA Des Moines Iowa

Led by Ardis E. Kelley, CPA — bringing clarity and calm to pivotal moments.

I founded Cornflower Studio to help organizations move through transition, growth, and decision-making with clarity and confidence.

After more than 30 years as a finance executive and strategic advisor—serving as Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, Interim CEO, and Interim CFO—I've built a career helping leaders stabilize operations, realign strategy, and create lasting impact. I've led through inflection points, facilitated board alignment, and guided leadership teams through high-stakes moments. My experience spans banking, mission-driven nonprofits, venture-backed startups, and complex governance environments.

Today, I work directly with clients as a fractional executive, strategic advisor, or thought partner—offering not just expertise, but calm, curiosity, and momentum.

  • Where Judgment Meets Clarity

    My approach is grounded in the belief that most teams don't lack judgment—they lack clarity. I help you see what's really happening so you can move forward with confidence. Whether I'm serving as interim CFO, advising a board, or helping a founder see the path forward, I show up with strategic insight and a deep respect for the people and dynamics behind the numbers.

  • Both Sides of the Table

    I'm proud to serve on multiple boards including Des Moines Performing Arts (Chair, Executive Committee), Iowa Public Radio (Finance Committee), Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines (Audit Chair, Executive Committee), Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation (Treasurer, Executive Committee), and several other mission-driven organizations.

  • Deep Insights

    This extensive board experience gives me deep insight into governance dynamics from both sides of the table—understanding what boards need to govern effectively while bringing practical operational perspective to strategic decision-making. Whether I'm providing strategic finance guidance, stepping into interim leadership roles, or advising boards directly, I bridge the gap between executive operations and board oversight with clarity and confidence.

What You Can Expect

  • Clear, confident communication

  • An ability to bridge strategy, finance, and operations

  • Calm under pressure and clarity through complexity

  • Deep experience with both executive teams and boards

  • A trusted thought partner—not just a hired hand

Let’s Start with a Conversation

If you're navigating change, scaling for growth, or facing a pivotal moment, I'd love to hear more about your organization. Every engagement begins with a conversation—no pressure, just an open discussion about what's going on and how I might be able to help.