About me
From Combat to Corporate: A Journey of Resilience and Leadership
I’m Omar Ritter. My path has been anything but straight. I started at West Point, went on to serve in combat where I earned the Bronze Star with Valor and the Combat Action Badge, and then stepped into the high-pressure world of Wall Street finance.
I earned my MBA from Columbia Business School and earned several professional designations, including Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). I later held leadership roles with Wells Fargo and JP Morgan Chase. I’ve been a Chief Financial Officer at a billion-dollar firm, and today I serve as Area President with FOCUSCFO, where I link business owners with fractional CFO services that help them strengthen their companies and plan for long-term growth.
Mental health is just as much a part of my story as finance. I wrote West Point to Wall Street: My Journey to Mental Wellness to speak honestly about the challenges I faced. I use my platform as a motivational speaker and advocate to open conversations in places where silence often wins through corporate mental health workshops, community talks, and supporting PTSD resources for veterans.
Now I live in Charlotte, NC, with my family, and I split my work between motivational speaking and mental health advocacy, while also guiding business owners through fractional CFO services that drive steady growth.
MY SERVICES
Empowering individuals and organizations through purpose-driven speaking engagements and strategic financial leadership.
How I Help
Empowering individuals and organizations through speaking, advocacy, and financial leadership.
Mental Health Advocacy
When I speak about mental wellness, it isn’t theory. It’s a lived experience. I’ve stood in combat zones and later in corporate boardrooms, fighting battles both external and internal. My focus now is on:
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Advocacy and mental health through storytelling and education
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Corporate mental health workshops for leaders and teams
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PTSD support for veterans who are trying to find their footing after service
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Opening doors to independent mental health advocacy where silence used to dominate
I’m not a clinician. I’m a peer who’s walked the road and isn’t afraid to talk about it.
Speaking Engagements
Whether it’s a room of veterans, a business leadership team, or a university audience, I bring stories that connect. Topics include:
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Resilience and leadership under pressure
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Mental wellness in high-stress professions
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Strategy and discipline in finance and business growth
Lessons learned as a veteran motivational speaker and mental health advocate speaker
I also work with those just starting out in motivational speaking classes, sharing what it really means to speak with authenticity.
Business Finance Work
At FOCUSCFO, I help owners strengthen their companies without having to hire a full-time executive. My work includes:
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Fractional CFO services – clarity on cash flow, planning, and operations
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Fractional CFO for small business – practical solutions scaled to fit tighter budgets
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Business growth services – long-term strategies for sustainable expansion
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Financial controller services – getting the details right so leaders can focus on running the company
This work balances my advocacy where numbers meet people, and strategy meets care.
West Point to Wall Street: My Journey to Mental Wellness is a deeply personal and transformative memoir that chronicles my life’s journey through resilience, adversity, and triumph. ​ From my challenging childhood in South Carolina to the rigorous training at West Point, the harrowing realities of war in Iraq, and the high-stakes world of Wall Street, I’ve faced obstacles that tested my limits and reshaped my understanding of strength and vulnerability. ​
This book is not just my story—it’s a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of mental wellness. ​ I share the lessons I’ve learned from navigating the complexities of leadership, the weight of responsibility, and the emotional toll of trauma. ​ Readers will gain insight into the realities of military service, the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, and the pressures of corporate success—all while battling the invisible wounds of PTSD and mental-health struggles.
Through my experiences, I hope to inspire others to confront their own challenges, break the stigma surrounding mental health, and embrace the transformative power of vulnerability. ​ This memoir is a call to action for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed, lost, or unsure of their path. ​ It’s a reminder that resilience is not about facing life’s challenges alone—it’s about finding the courage to seek help, lean on others, and grow stronger through adversity. ​
Join me on this journey of self-discovery, healing, and hope. ​ Together, we can create a world where mental health is prioritized, and every individual has the opportunity to thrive. ​
West Point to Wall Street: My Journey to Mental Wellness
Leadership, Resilience, and the Power of Asking
I go by several roles: motivational speaker, mental health advocate, and fractional CFO. Different work, same thread. It always comes back to people listening, asking for help when needed, and stepping up when it’s time to lead.
Testimonials
Words from those I've had the honor to serve and support.
May 10, 2025
THE IMPORTANCE OF COST MANAGEMENT AND COST SYSTEMS,..
Cost management is essential for organizations striving for long-term success and sustainability. By effectively
May 10, 2025
LESSONS LEARNED AS A CFO: THE POWER OF STRATEGI......
Cost management is essential for organizations striving for long-term success and sustainability. By effectively
