I help pre-seed and seed founders build the financial model, unit economics, and investor materials that hold up in real diligence — typically in the 3–6 months before a raise, then through the round and beyond.
I work with a small number of clients at a time so each one gets a senior operator's attention. Most of my engagements fall into one of two profiles.
Pre-seed and seed-stage CEOs preparing to raise, usually 3–6 months out, who need a senior finance partner — not just a model.
Seed and Series A funds who need a reliable, founder-friendly CFO to drop into portfolio companies that have outgrown their bookkeeper.
truly.care · Hiring & coordination infrastructure for care at home
"Cristina has been a real partner in shaping both the financial strategy and investor narrative for Truly Care. She moves quickly, asks thoughtful questions, and operates like an extension of the founding team."
Truly Care is building the hiring and coordination infrastructure for care at home — across childcare, support for loved ones with disabilities, and aging. Families today piece the process together across texts, spreadsheets, and memory; Truly brings it into one system, with the tools to evaluate candidates, coordinate schedules, and retain knowledge over time.
Working alongside the founding team on financial strategy through a category shift and into the company's first institutional raise — building the operating model, shaping the unit economics for a subscription business with strong retention characteristics, and helping translate the product vision into a financial story investors can underwrite.
Most engagements start with a Fundraise Sprint or an Advisor retainer and grow from there. Pricing below is a starting point — actual scope is set after we talk.
From $3,000 / month
A senior CFO you can call before every important decision — for founders who aren't ready for a full fractional CFO but want a thinking partner on speed dial.
From $6,500 / month
Embedded finance leadership through your raise and into the next stage of the company. I own the model, the metrics, and the investor narrative.
From $18,000 · project
A defined project to get you investor-ready: model, metrics, materials, and rehearsal. Often continues as a fractional CFO retainer after the round closes.
Working with a portfolio company on behalf of a fund? Custom engagements available — get in touch.
I spent 20 years in executive finance roles before starting Aligned Bridge Partners. I've sat in the seat across from founders, boards, and investors at every stage — and I started this firm because the founders I most wanted to work with weren't getting that level of partnership from the fractional CFOs available to them.
My background is across media, SaaS, and consumer technology — sectors where the financial story is often the difference between a great pitch and a closed round. I'm especially energized by founders building in categories that matter: care infrastructure, education, mental wellness, and the parts of the economy where the unit economics deserve more thought than most generalist finance leaders give them.
I work with a small number of clients at a time on purpose. If we work together, you'll have my number, my judgment, and my full attention — not a templated deliverable from a junior on a team I'm overseeing.
At pre-seed and seed, what you actually need from a CFO is senior judgment in the moments that matter — fundraising, pricing, hiring, the model that holds up in diligence. You don't yet need someone in the seat full-time. A fractional CFO gives you the same caliber of judgment at the level of commitment your stage justifies. When the company is ready for a full-time CFO, we'll know it together — and I'll help you find the right one.
No — I work alongside them. Your bookkeeper handles the books. Your accountant handles tax. I handle strategy, the model, board reporting, and fundraising. If you don't have a bookkeeper or accountant yet, I'll introduce you to ones I trust.
In most cases, I work on a cash retainer basis. For a small number of mission-aligned companies, I may consider a modest equity component alongside cash, particularly at the earliest stages. My goal is to build long-term partnerships with founders while ensuring the engagement is set up sustainably for both sides.
Week 1: deep dive on your business, model, metrics, and goals. Week 2: priority list and a 90-day plan. Weeks 3–4: I start delivering — usually a rebuilt model, a clean KPI view, and clarity on the next milestone. By month-end you'll know whether this partnership is working, and so will I.
I take on a small number of new engagements at a time to protect quality. The best way to find out is a 30-minute consultation — even if I'm not the right fit, I'll usually know someone who is.
Free 30-minute consultation. No deck required — just an honest conversation about where you are and what you need next.
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