Chris Sohn Named Dayton CFO of the Year Honoree
Chris Sohn, Cedarville University's vice president for business and chief financial officer, has been named a 2026 Dayton Business Journal CFO of the Year honoree for his financial leadership, strategic stewardship, and commitment to advancing the University's mission.
Chris Sohn, vice president for business and chief financial officer at Cedarville University, has been named one of the Dayton Business Journal's 2026 CFO of the Year honorees, recognizing financial leaders whose vision, leadership and stewardship are strengthening organizations and contributing to the economic vitality of the Dayton region.
Sohn is among 15 financial executives selected through an independent editorial review based on their professional achievements, organizational impact and service to the local community. The honorees will be recognized at the Dayton Business Journal's CFO of the Year awards banquet on Sept. 24 at Sinclair Community College.
"It is an honor to see Chris recognized among the Dayton region's most respected financial leaders," said Dr. Thomas White, president of Cedarville University. "His unwavering commitment to biblical stewardship, financial excellence and strategic leadership has helped position Cedarville University for continued strength and stability while advancing our mission of transforming lives through excellent education and intentional discipleship."
Since joining Cedarville University in 2017, Sohn has provided strategic oversight of the University's financial operations, budgeting, investments, facilities, auxiliary services and long-range planning. During his tenure, Cedarville has experienced sustained enrollment growth, expanded academic programs, completed significant campus construction projects and maintained a strong financial position while continuing to make a Christ-centered education accessible to students through generous institutional aid and careful fiscal management.
Prior to joining Cedarville, Sohn served for 16 years with General Electric, where he served as finance manager for global technology and growth of GE licensing. In that role, he worked alongside four business units and managed a collective budget of $200 million. Sohn is known for emphasizing responsible stewardship, transparency and long-term sustainability in support of Cedarville University's mission.
Dayton Business Journal 2026 CFO of the Year Honorees
The Dayton Business Journal's 2026 CFO of the Year honorees are:
Todd Bollenbacher, CFO, Dayton/Miami Valley Entrepreneurs Center Inc.
Debra Briganti, Director of Finance, Clothes That Work
Nicole Burkett, CFO, Danis Construction
Julie Davis, CFO, AMG Inc.
Deborah Donnelly, Vice President and CFO, Miami Valley Community Action Partnership
Craig Ganger, Executive Vice President and CFO, Premier Health
Francis Harris, Vice President and CFO, PSC Crane and Rigging
Mike Heinold, CFO, Hawthorn Aero Inc.
Craig Mayrer, Director of Finance, Bullen Ultrasonics
Natasha Mumford, COO and CFO, Coolidge Wall
Tara Roesch, CFO, Five Rivers Health Centers
Christina Sanders, CFO and Director of Business Operations, Montgomery County ADAMHS
Doug Schantz, Executive Vice President for Finance, Clark State College
Chris Sohn, Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Cedarville University
Jonathan Williams Sr., CFO, Omega CDC
CFO of the Year Award Recognizes Financial Excellence and Stewardship
The annual CFO of the Year awards recognize financial executives who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation and stewardship while helping drive organizational success and economic growth throughout the Dayton region.
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across the arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation's top five evangelical universities in The Wall Street Journal's 2026 Best Colleges rankings. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. More information is available at cedarville.edu.