Marti Ross

THE FOUNDATION

Martha “Marti” Ross grew up in southeast Missouri before moving to Springfield during her high school years—a move that shaped her independence and adaptability. As one of five children, Marti learned early to find her voice, develop self-reliance, and think differently from the crowd.

Initially drawn to teaching, Marti discovered in her first student-teaching assignment that her talents lay elsewhere. With a natural aptitude for math and problem-solving, she pivoted to business and accounting—earning degrees in accounting and business administration and a minor in mathematics. That combination became the foundation of a career defined by analytical depth and practical judgment.

THE OPERATOR

Marti began her career in public accounting, gaining exposure to a wide range of mid-sized businesses through audit work. While the experience sharpened her technical skills, it also sparked entrepreneurial curiosity: she wanted to understand how businesses made money—and how decisions showed up in the numbers over time. That curiosity led her into industry roles spanning manufacturing, food production, retail, and logistics. Over the years, Marti held senior financial leadership positions—including Controller, CFO, and ultimately Vice President of Treasury—guiding organizations through growth, acquisitions, and operational complexity.

Her defining chapter came during her eighteen years at an international freight logistics company founded by former UPS executives. Marti joined the company early and helped scale it from a single-location startup into a global operation that was ultimately acquired for $67 million. She later guided the organization through the challenges of public-company ownership, regulatory scrutiny, restructuring, and a private equity transition—remaining with the company until her retirement in 2022. Throughout her career, Marti earned a reputation for steady leadership in volatile environments—bringing discipline, realism, and clarity when the stakes were highest.

THE TEACHER

Long before she formally began her role as a professional trainer, Marti was already teaching. Whether working with general managers to interpret income statements or helping teams forecast performance, she consistently translated financial reports into meaningful, actionable insights. Marti encountered The Great Game of Business® early in her career and believed in its principles long before formally joining the organization. What frustrated her over time was not the idea of transparency, but how often organizations retreated from it. Again and again, she saw leaders pull back information just when people needed it most.

After retiring, a conversation with a colleague opened the door for Marti to fully bring her beliefs to life. She joined the Great Game of Business community as a trainer, and her impact quickly became evident. Drawing on decades of real-world experience, Marti helped redesign and deliver advanced financial workshops—most notably shaping the Intermediate Financial Literacy curriculum. Her sessions connect the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement, then tie them directly to everyday business decisions. Participants value Marti’s ability to make complex material approachable without oversimplifying it. Her work consistently sparks “aha” moments, giving people the confidence to engage with numbers they once found intimidating.

OFF THE CLOCK

Marti lives in Springfield, Missouri, where she balances her professional work with an active personal life. To longtime friends, Marti is often known simply as “T,” the first initial of her middle name, Therese. The nickname arose to avoid confusion at home, since her husband’s name was Marty. After caring for her husband through a long illness, she has intentionally reclaimed time and energy for herself—especially through pickleball, which she plays several times a week. Whether on the court or in the classroom, she brings the same discipline, curiosity, and quiet determination that have defined her career.