As chief financial officer at Raft, Dawn Pinto is responsible for the company’s financial strategies, analysis, operations, business transformation and improving profitability.
Pinto joined the company in January, bringing over 20 years of finance experience in commercial business and government contractors.
“I’ve built my career within the government contracting industry, holding a variety of roles in finance and accounting at several large, publicly traded companies,” Pinto told WashingtonExec.
Each role helped deepen her expertise and broaden her understanding of how financial strategy supports mission success.
“What ultimately brought me to Raft was a desire to break out of the traditional mold and join a company at the forefront of innovation — where I could be part of a dynamic team, contribute to bold ideas, and grow in an environment that values agility, purpose, and culture,” Pinto said.
Below, she shares more about her career path, her connection to Raft’s philosophy, why mentorship matters in GovCon, preparing for the future and more.
Why was this the path you chose, and how influential was it to your career?
I chose this path to deepen my understanding of how founder-led companies evolve through growth. Being part of that journey — where strategy, agility, and culture intersect — has shaped how I approach problem-solving and leadership.
Do you have a personal connection to the current mission you support?
I truly resonate with Raft’s “New Prime” philosophy. I’ve always believed in challenging the status quo and finding better ways to do things. At Raft, change isn’t just embraced — it’s expected. That mindset aligns perfectly with how I work and what motivates me.
What are your current top priorities and responsibilities? How do these relate to your company’s overall mission/growth strategy?
Right now, my top priority is being a utility player — jumping in wherever I’m needed. Whether it’s building spend plans or supporting due diligence, I’m focused on driving smart decisions and enabling scale. That “roll up your sleeves” mentality is core to Raft’s culture and directly fuels our ability to grow fast while staying nimble.
Where do you and your team see growth opportunities in your current field or portfolio you support, or what do you anticipate to be your customers’ top pain points?
The biggest growth opportunity we see lies in unlocking the power of data and AI. Our customers are drowning in data but starving for insight. Their pain point isn’t access — it’s action. Helping them connect the dots and move faster with confidence is where we can have the most impact.
How are you and your team planning to address/prepare for these opportunities?
It starts with listening. Our job is to deeply understand the problems our customers face and respond with solutions that are as agile and forward-thinking as they are. We solve problems, and that means staying in tune with both our users and the mission.
How important is mentorship & networking in GovCon? Were they influential to your career?
Mentorship has been everything to me. From my first job out of college to where I am today, I’ve had people take the time to teach, challenge, and support me. That kind of guidance is what keeps you growing. In GovCon especially, where relationships and trust matter, mentorship and networking are key.
What is something most people don’t know about you personally?
I’m usually pretty open, but one thing folks might not know is that I was a cheerleader and dancer all through middle and high school. It taught me the power of discipline, energy, and bringing people together—skills that still show up in how I work today!