Piero Stillitano

Chief Financial Officer
Pacific Standard Time (GMT-8)

Work History

Piero Stillitano is the Chief Financial Officer of CALSTART, where he oversees the Finance, Accounting, and Information Technology functions. He is a seasoned finance and business development executive with more than 25 years of international experience leading financial management, administration, strategic operations, and business development for large corporations and nonprofit organizations across the United States and Europe.

Over the course of his career, Piero has served as CFO for two Los Angeles–based organizations that provide specialized educational, health, and behavioral services to children and adults with special needs. He also served as CFO of Alter Technology TÜV Nord, a Madrid-based multinational company recognized as a global leader in the engineering and procurement of electrical, electronic, and electromechanical components for the aerospace and defense industry.

In addition to his financial leadership, Piero brings extensive experience in corporate restructuring, process improvement, organizational re-engineering, contracting, negotiation, M&A, strategic planning, and governance. His work has included leading finance and administrative functions, supporting boards and executive teams, improving internal controls, and helping organizations align financial strategy with long-term mission and operational goals.

Piero is deeply committed to supporting the Italian community in California. He serves on the Leadership Board of Directors of the Ferrucci Institute for Italian Experience and Research at Chapman University and is the Treasurer of COMITES, the representative body of Italians abroad in their relations with diplomatic and consular missions.

Education & Certifications

• Master of Business Administration in International Business, California State University, Dominguez Hills
• Master of Arts in Behavioral Science, with a concentration in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, California State University, Dominguez Hills
• Bachelor of Science in Business and Accounting, University of Messina, Italy
• Certificate in Securities Law, Cornell Law School
• Certificate in Negotiation & Leadership, Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School
• Certificate in Negotiation Master Class, Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School
• Certified Federal Acquisition Regulation professional
• Certified Merger & Acquisition Advisor (CM&AA)

Work Approach

Piero’s work approach is grounded in strategic financial leadership, accountability, operational discipline, and cross-functional collaboration. He believes finance should not function only as a reporting or compliance function, but as a strategic partner that helps the organization make better decisions, manage risk, and pursue growth in a financially sustainable way.

He emphasizes transparency, ethical governance, practical problem-solving, and clear communication with executive teams, boards, funders, and internal stakeholders. His leadership style combines analytical rigor with a collaborative approach, ensuring that financial strategy, operational execution, internal controls, and mission impact remain aligned.

Piero also brings a negotiation and conflict-resolution lens to leadership, focusing on understanding interests, clarifying expectations, and building solutions that are practical, balanced, and sustainable.