Last week, Levi Strauss & Co.’s Chief Financial and Growth Officer Harmit Singh was presented with the Larkin Street 2023 Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award at the organization’s 17th annual Bay Area CFO of the Year Awards. The coveted award is given to CFOs whose contributions have significantly and uniquely impacted the San Francisco Bay Area business community.
Founded in 1984, Larkin Street is an internationally recognized nonprofit leader in providing effective housing, education, employment and health services to at-risk, homeless and runaway youth in San Francisco. In 2006, the organization partnered with the San Francisco Business Times to launch the awards event to acknowledge and honor local companies and CFOs transforming the city of San Francisco.
Heidi Manes, LS&Co.’s chief transformation officer, presented the award to Harmit. “From the start, I could see how much Harmit invested in his team’s success and on his team’s individual careers,” she said. “He often says, ‘no one on his team is doing the same job as when they first started,’ a saying that reflects how committed he is to build the next generation of leaders.”
“I never imagined I’d be here tonight,” said Harmit after thanking the organization. “I grew up in India among a family of engineers and lawyers. While those were considered the gold standard careers at the time, I didn’t see myself pursuing them. The only thing I knew is that, as cheesy as it might sound, I loved numbers. And, I had a belief that those in finance get the privilege of being exposed to everything going on in the business, and therefore, also have the ability to impact everything. Essentially, all I really knew is that I wanted a role where I could have a significant impact.”
From positioning the company for a sustained, profitable future, to leading the company’s IPO in 2019 and completing the company’s first major acquisition in 2021, Harmit has had a tremendous impact. And as Heidi said, “Throughout his career, Harmit has embodied the characteristics of a strong leader, and we’re grateful for his steadfast passion at LS&Co.”
Congratulations Harmit on a very much deserved recognition. For more on Harmit’s background and impact on the local and broader business community, read his profile in The San Francisco Business Times.
