Jessica Robinson, CFO of Yardstik
As Chief Financial Officer of Yardstik, Jessica Robinson brings thoughtful financial leadership to a growing technology company focused on modernizing background screening. With a career rooted in finance and operational leadership, Jessica has supported organizations through periods of growth by building strong financial foundations and partnering closely with executive teams to inform decision making. She is known for her ability to translate complex financial data into clear business insight while maintaining discipline, transparency, and long-term focus. In recognition of her leadership and impact, Jessica was honored at the 2025 Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal CFO of the Year Awards. Her steady approach, strategic mindset, and commitment to building durable organizations made Scouts Talent curious to learn more…
If you could try a different job for a day, what would you choose?
A florist – Flowers are always sent to bring delight, encouragement, celebration, joy or comfort. The very fact that they are short lived encourages us to stop in the moment and enjoy the beauty. And as a finance person, hello recurring revenue.
What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry?
Say yes even if you think you aren’t sure you can do it. Some of the accomplishments I am most proud of, were the result of opportunities I wasn’t certain I was ready for. Someone trusted, believed in and invested in my growth before I fully believed in myself. So, if someone asks, put your trust back in that person and say yes!
What is your mantra?
It’s figure-out-able. I always ask, “What would have to be true to take something that feels insurmountable and make it neutral at worst or to bend the curve to make it a positive outcome?” Once you know what has to be true you can work backwards to the game plan.
How do you get yourself out of a slump?
All slumps are not equal so there is no one thing to solve it all, but: coffee, yoga, flowers, laugh, moments of gratitude or great human kindness in the face of adversity and puppies….these things have never let me down!
What companies or leaders do you admire?
I admire leaders and companies that are evolving the space they are operating in for the better, shifting the paradigm of what the best companies are doing, and pushing their products/technology to add more value than the customer knew they needed. The common denominator across the companies I have picked in my career is that all have a drive to disrupt their industry’s status quo and for me, that’s a remarkably fun place to be!
What has been the biggest shift you’ve noticed in your industry in the last decade?
In accounting/finance and in the background check space – checking the compliance box and doing the bare minimum is not enough. AI is rapidly changing the risk profile for employers, leaders and investors. Waiting for updated compliance requirements and regulations to tell you the next thing to do to keep your business, customers, employees, data, etc. safe will leave you vulnerable. As leaders we need to be pushing ourselves, our products and our vendors to be skating to where the puck is headed, not where it is right now.
Who has been most instrumental in your career?
My husband and my peers—without question. While my résumé includes several well-known companies, my true passion has always been startups, and my husband has been an unwavering supporter of that path. He consistently chose stability when I chose risk, keeping our lives grounded during the inherent chaos of startup life. His belief in what I can accomplish has never wavered, and that steady confidence has been foundational to my career.
I have also had the privilege of working alongside extraordinary peers. I’ve learned immensely from their deep industry and functional expertise, their passion, creative vision, and the distinct perspectives they bring to their work. Being surrounded by such talent and generosity has been both inspiring and humbling, and they have had a profound role in shaping my career.
