8 | Global CFO Excellence Awards 2025 Sports & Leisure CFO of the Year 2025 (USA): Linda Cozzi The Philadelphia Cricket Club (PCC) is a Top 50 Platinum Club of America, a Top 150 Platinum Club of the World, and an Iconic Distinguished Club of America. With two campuses, six dining venues, three clubhouses, plus banquet operations, PCC is one of the largest operations in both the mid-Atlantic and the Northeast. Contact: Linda Cozzi Company: Philadelphia Cricket Club Web Address: www.philacricket.com Founded in 1854, PCC is the oldest country club in America. Today, at the St Martins location, the Club provides facilities for tennis, squash, swimming, fitness, pickleball, paddle tennis, and padel. At Flourtown, in addition to golf, a private shooting preserve is maintained and comprehensive programmes in all sports is provided. Members range from multigenerational families whose lineage at the Club can be traced back to the 19th century to those who’ve recently located to the area and seek an environment to foster lifelong connections through athletic and social programming. Linda Cozzi is the CFO at PCC - responsible for strategy, operations, financial reporting, budget management, capital forecasting, treasury management, and engaging staff numbering 500. During her tenure, PCC has more than doubled its top-line revenue and planned, funded, and completed two transformational capital projects, while achieving record high employee satisfaction and retention. As a leader, Linda remains focused on innovation and creative thinking to help the Club remain relevant in a fast-changing society. With the support of member leadership, Linda approaches strategic financial planning and debt structuring through a lens of financial stewardship. Since its beginning, it has been the Club’s priority to position PCC to achieve these milestones and lay the foundation for future growth. In contrast to many clubs that rely on significant member assessments to fund capital projects or sustain operations, PCC fosters a financial model that embodies both prudence and foresight by keeping operations at break-even and raising capital dues over time to a point where the model is sustainable. This approach enables the Club to plan with confidence that regular “repair & replace” maintenance will never suffer. The Club can undertake transformative capital projects on a regular 5–7-year cycle without assessments, ensuring that members enjoy world-class facilities without unexpected financial burdens. Through this unparalleled stewardship, PCC not only secures its enduring financial strength but also reaffirms its commitment to innovation, growth, and excellence – positioning the Club as a leader in the industry and a cherished destination for generations to come. Linda has over 30 years of experience in strategic planning, operations, finance, and accounting – providing her with a wellrounded business perspective. She is a highly accomplished CFO and GM with a talent for clarifying financial decisions through compelling storytelling. She is frequently sought out for her creative approach to strategy, shaped by leading in diverse industries such as hospitality, sports, and travel. Linda’s career has included positions with Interstate Hotels Corporation, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Sara Lee Coffee & Tea, and Cherokee Town & Country Club, prior to joining PCC. Linda has an exceptional track record of board service, actively contributing to the success of organisations through strategic oversight and financial acumen. She has been reporting to boards for over 15 years and has extensive corporate governance experience including preparation of by-laws, policies, and rule reviews and updates. Being born, raised, and educated in the south has also contributed to Linda’s leadership values of hospitality and connection. Her experience supporting relationships through finance has made her particularly soughtafter outside of the hospitality industry, where her experience provides a unique opportunity for businesses to better connect with their customers and employees. In an increasingly automated and impersonal world, Linda’s perspective brings the personal back to the forefront. Linda and her fellow leaders at PCC believe that happy employees yield happy members. Therefore, management is committed to making PCC an ideal place to work, implementing countless measures to improve the lives of employees, from pay increases, enhanced benefits and opportunities for advancement to transparent communication and handwritten thank you notes for a job well done. The Club has always been on the forefront of elevating standards in all areas of the private club industry. In this spirit, Linda and her colleagues on the Club’s Employee Executive Committee have raised the bar for employee experience, paying attention to the finest details through surveys and an open-door policy. Through this ongoing trust culture, employee satisfaction is the key factor in identifying the Club’s highest priority Employer Goals. This employeecentric approach manifests itself in a firstclass member experience and therefore an engaged, growing membership. For those seeking success in their own industries, Linda emphasises the importance of active listening and curiosity. “Seek to understand before being understood,” she advises. “By taking the time to listen and learn, you position yourself as a true business partner. This approach allows you to identify pain points and contribute to growth, rather than focusing solely on reporting or auditing.” She explains that the role of the CFO has evolved beyond simply presenting financial data. “Just reporting the numbers without understanding the business will not lead to success,” Linda notes. “Today’s most effective CFOs pair financial acumen with a deep grasp of the organisation’s operations, enabling them to drive strategy and support growth outcomes.”
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