Overview
Kirthi Mani is the Chief People Officer of CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), one of the nation’s top 10 accounting and professional services firms. With nearly 9,000 professionals and $2 billion in revenue, CLA operates in more than 130 markets across the U.S. and extends its global reach through CLA Global. As CPO, Kirthi leads People Solutions, Internal Communications & PR, Learning and Development, and Connections, ensuring that talent, culture, and innovation remain at the center of CLA’s success.
Previously, Kirthi served as the Managing Principal of CLA’s New York offices, where she and her team drove significant growth and launched The Gateway, CLA’s cutting-edge Manhattan space designed as a hub for international businesses and entrepreneurs. The Gateway has hosted global dignitaries, as well as high-profile delegations for NY Climate Week and international trade missions.
Kirthi is also a member of CLA’s Board of Directors, where she plays a key role in shaping the firm’s long-term strategy and governance. In addition, she helped build and scale CLA’s Global Advisory Practice, which supports businesses of all sizes as they navigate international expansion, regulatory requirements, and cross-border growth. Her expertise spans industries from retail and technology to healthcare and aviation, making her a trusted advisor to organizations operating in complex global markets.
Before joining CLA, Kirthi spent more than a decade in private industry, holding leadership roles with organizations including General Electric, Levi Strauss, Carnegie Mellon University, and Kiewit Corporation. This diverse experience across Fortune 500 companies, higher education, and engineering has given her a broad perspective on business operations, talent strategy, and global expansion.
Beyond her professional achievements, Kirthi is passionate about talent development and community impact. She mentors female founders worldwide through the SelectUSA Women in Tech Cohort and serves on the board of BCT, an Indian trust dedicated to addressing hunger, illiteracy, and healthcare challenges. She is also a frequent speaker at global conferences, drawing on her extensive experience working with businesses across the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, Australia, and the Middle East.
A graduate of the Stanford LEAD program, Kirthi is recognized for her strategic vision, people-first leadership, and commitment to empowering individuals and organizations to thrive in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
Education
Stanford University Graduate School of Business LEAD graduate
Certified Public Accountant (US)
Chartered Accountant (India)
Bachelor of Commerce (University of Calicut, India)
In the community
Board member of BCT- a trust that works against hunger, illiteracy and ill health.
MassChallenge- Expert, Judge and Mentor. MassChallenge is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting innovation and entrepreneurship through collaboration and development. They have more than a decade of experience accelerating startups, industry, and innovation ecosystems.
SelectUSA- Mentor, Women in Tech Cohort. Select-USA is a US Government program established to facilitate business investment in the United States. The Women in Tech Mentorship helps female founders from across the globe to succeed in the United States.
SelectUSA Investment Guide Banking Chapter Author- As the U.S federal-level program dedicated to facilitating and promoting hgh-impact business investment into the United States, SelectUSA publishes the Investment Guide as a premier resource for business investments in the United States. Chapters in the guide are authored by competitively selected subject matter experts in their respective fields.
World Bank- Doing Business in the Unites States contributor.