It’s no surprise that Brenda Moore loves diving into numbers and spreadsheets, but what’s just as exciting to her is when team members ask questions or would like to learn more.
As chief financial officer at TSP, Inc., Moore brings strong analytical insight and risk management skills that are instrumental in driving the firm’s ongoing success.
She is also known for approachability, kindness, and the importance she places on building strong relationships.
Moore graduated from Augustana University with a bachelor’s degree in economics, professional accountancy, and business administration.
She explains more about her role and how it helps the 95-year-old architecture, engineering, and planning firm remain true to its core values.
What keeps you at TSP after 18 years?
In my time here, my role and the company have continually evolved to add new challenges that keep me engaged and motivated to grow. The team I work with is another major factor. I really enjoy the people I work with. Beyond the work itself, the flexibility TSP offers is so appreciated. It enables me to be present for important moments with my family and actively contribute to my community through volunteering. Having a workplace that supports both professional and personal priorities makes all the difference and continues to reinforce why I stay.
You recently were promoted to TSP’s chief financial officer. What do you hope to accomplish in this role?
My goal is to continue building on the solid financial foundation we already have. I see this role as an opportunity to lead with a broader perspective — supporting strategic decisions, mentoring others in financial literacy across the firm, and ensuring that our financial practices continue to align with and support our long-term goals. It’s less about making sweeping changes and more about refining what’s already working with an eye toward continuous improvement.
TSP is a 100 percent employee-owned company, and you were a key leader in the efforts to make that milestone possible. What are your takeaways from that experience?
The employee stock ownership plan – or ESOP – is an exciting and meaningful benefit, and it has been incredibly rewarding to be part of the team shaping its direction. There are many ways an ESOP can be structured, and it’s been both challenging and fun to determine what’s best for TSP and our employee-owners. One of my biggest takeaways is that creating an ESOP isn’t just a financial decision – it’s also a cultural one. Becoming a 100 percent employee-owned company in 2022 was a huge milestone and helped reinforce to our team that their contributions directly impact the company’s success and their own future. But the work doesn’t stop at the transaction. We’re constantly learning, evolving, and looking for better ways to structure and communicate so that the ESOP is not just a benefit on paper but something employees really understand and feel connected to. The more our team understands what it means to be an owner, the more engaged and empowered they become.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of your role?
I value working with different teams across the company to make financial information accessible, relevant, and easy to understand. Finance can sometimes feel like a mystery, but I believe that when we explain it, we empower our employee-owners to make better decisions and engage more deeply in the business. Whether it’s through one-on-one conversations, monthly financial infographics, or educational sessions like our Finance 101 and 201 classes, I love creating those “aha” moments when the numbers start to click for people.
I’ve always had a passion for problem solving, and this role gives me the chance to do that every day — whether it’s optimizing a process, solving a financial challenge, or simply answering a teammate’s question. The mix of analytical work and meaningful team collaboration make this role so fulfilling.
What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
My husband, Gary, and I have two kids who are involved in a lot of activities, so they keep us busy. I also enjoy taking our yellow lab for walks and playing games/cards with friends and family. We also enjoy traveling and try to get away at least once a year with our family.
