Meet the Team
Lori DeLuca
I am the founder and owner of DeLuca Financial Services (DFS), established in 2018. DFS offers part-time CFO/Controller services to managers of fund of funds, venture capital funds, and private equity funds, which includes managing accounting, human resources, finance and treasury functions. In this role, DFS serves as a strategic business partner to the fund management team.
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My career spans over 20 years with experience in public accounting as well as accounting for private companies in the venture capital and renewable energy space.
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Prior to DFS, I spent almost 10 years at Invenergy, a renewable energy company located in Chicago. My most recent role was the Controller and VP of Accounting, where I was responsible for the accounting, financial reporting and settlements departments. In this capacity, I specialized in technical accounting and reporting the company’s financial results in accordance with US GAAP. I was responsible for managing over 40 people and overseeing the accounting for 500+ legal entities domiciled in the US and internationally, and 65+ annual financial statement audits.
Prior to Invenergy, I was a Senior Manager in the audit practice at Deloitte, where I began my career. I am a Certified Public Accountant and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting and a Master of Science degree in Accounting from Texas A&M University. Gig ’em, Aggies!
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I am originally from Texas and moved to Chicago in 2002, where I met my husband, and I am now a busy mother of 3 children (Andrew, Anthony & Ella). I spend most of my weekends on a baseball, football, soccer or lacrosse field supporting my kids in what they enjoy. I love to cook, entertain, and spend time with my family and friends.
Jen Nalli
I worked with Lori on a mutual client for about 5 years prior to joining DFS in 2023. I am a Certified Public Accountant and a graduate from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Master of Science in Accountancy. After graduate school, I spent 13 years at Ultimus LeverPoint Private Fund Solutions. In my first 6 years, I was promoted from a Fund Accountant to Senior Fund Accounting Manager where I focused on managing a team of 4 people and preparing and reviewing fund of funds, private equity, venture capital, and hedge fund financials. This involved responsibilities such as staying current with technical accounting standards, implementing policies and procedures, reviewing fund organizational documents, assisting the audit team, preparing GAAP financials, and calculating calls/distributions/carry allocations/performance metrics. I was also involved in various special projects including new client implementations, system migrations, interim CFO engagements, annual and quarterly SEC filings (10q and 10k), and SPAC reporting.
In 2018, my family started to grow, and I decided to take on a more flexible role at Ultimus as Financial Reporting Manager. I managed the process to ensure deadlines were met for over 150 audited financial statements of fund of funds, private equity, venture capital, and hedge funds. In addition, I was involved in either the preparation or review of each of these entities’ annual GAAP financial statements.
I was born and raised in Chicago. My husband and I have 4 daughters who keep us very busy when we are not working! I love spending time with my family and friends, exploring downtown Chicago, and escaping on getaway weekends to Wisconsin and Michigan.
Beth Luken
I joined DeLuca Financial Services (DFS) in April 2024, where I enjoy providing fractional CFO services to emerging investment managers/funds.
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Prior to joining DFS, I spent 18 years at Plante Moran in the financial services group providing audit and consulting services to various types of private investment managers/funds and portfolio companies. During my time at Plante, I developed expertise and advised clients regarding US GAAP technical accounting and financial reporting matters, including investment transactions, fund equity structures, fee provisions, and investment valuations. I value taking a hands-on approach to project execution and challenge resolution through collaboration with client teams, colleagues, and external service providers/specialists. I am a Certified Public Accountant and graduated from University of Wisconsin–Madison with BBAs in Accounting and Finance.
I live in Chicago with my husband and (very energetic) goldendoodle and enjoy spending time with friends and family, including frequent weekend trips to Wisconsin where I grew up. I also love planning adventurous trips but appreciate a relaxing beach vacation too!
Laurie Zink
I joined DFS in October 2024 as an Accounting Manager. Throughout my career, I always enjoyed using my knowledge of accounting and internal controls to help clients and organizations be successful. Prior to DFS, I spent several years as a full-time mom and a volunteer accountant and treasurer, serving local nonprofits.
I am a Certified Public Accountant and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting and a Master of Science degree in Accounting from Texas A&M University. I began my career as a staff accountant in the audit practice at Ernst & Young, where I gained experience in financial services, technology, retail, transportation, and employee benefit plan audits. After my time at EY, I worked as a Senior Accountant at Temple-Inland, Inc., where I was responsible for the preparation of consolidated bank financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and performed accounting duties, including financial statement preparation for nine bank subsidiaries and two Real Estate Investment Trusts. While my husband was in graduate school at Texas A&M University, I had the privilege of working at a local CPA firm, Ingram, Wallis & Co. There, I gained experiences ranging from auditing non-profit, governmental, and small business entities to preparing individual income tax returns and exempt organization returns.
I live in Austin, Texas, with my husband Matt, our 3 children (Jordyn, Penelope, and Carson), and our adorable dachshund, Sadie. I’m actively involved at our church and our children’s schools. I enjoy spending time with family, being outdoors, and cheering on our kids at games and band performances.