Lisa Donahue is not your usual CFO. Although her career includes finance chief positions at sportswear manufacturer Umbro, energy producer Calpine and battery maker Exide Technologies, none of these companies paid Donahue's salary. Rather, her compensation came from AlixPartners, a firm that helps companies through operational reorganizations and corporate turnarounds. Donahue is an interim CFO at the companies she serves, a role she is presently filling at Boston-based Atlantic Power, a publicly traded power producer.

In June, the company announced the acquisition of Capital Power Income for $1.1 billion, effectively doubling its size. "They needed help with public filings, integrating the businesses and negotiating credit facilities for the working capital needs of both organizations," says Donahue, managing director and co-head of AlixPartners' turnaround and restructuring services practice. "The CFO they had for five years moved on, so I came in to fill the void in July."

Although the position is temporary, there is no endgame stipulated in the contract. Donahue could be interim CFO for a couple more weeks, or a couple of years. "Lisa has stepped in and owned the job as if she were a permanent hire," says Barry Welch, CEO of Atlantic Power. "She has provided invaluable advice … during a time when we are growing and transitioning into a larger, more diverse organization."