Episoder
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In this episode of CFO Weekly, Connor Augustyn, Director at West Monroe, joins Megan Weis to lay out a comprehensive guide for private equity-backed CFOs to create and implement a finance transformation roadmap that will elevate company value through both data-driven strategies and effective financial management.
Connor's role as Director at West Monroe is the result of his diverse experience at both West Monroe and Clerestory Consulting, as well as Conagra Brands. He holds a degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and brings a strong skill set in finance, financial reporting, accounting, sales, and cash flow management.
In this episode, we discuss:
Key strategies for successful financial transformation
How PE-backed CFOs prioritize for success
The importance of aligning long-term strategy with short-term PE goals
Maintaining stakeholder engagement throughout the transformation process
How stakeholder buy-in and smart tech choices drive success -
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Madhu Jagannathan, Chief Financial Officer at Lob, joins Megan Weis to share his lessons from Lob, INRIX, and ChefSteps and the evolving skill sets required for CFOs to successfully navigate financial leadership across different industries. He discusses building and managing diverse teams, collaboration between finance and other departments, lessons from outsourcing and offshoring, and the evolving role of the CFO.
Madhu is an experienced professional with over 20 years of success in strategic planning, financial management, and investor relations. His impressive background includes roles as CFO at INRIX and ChefSteps, Director of Finance at Qumulo, Revenue FP&A Lead at Dropbox, and Group Finance Manager at Microsoft. Known for his strong leadership skills, Madhu excels at building and guiding diverse teams to achieve outstanding results.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How to adapt your leadership style to different industries
- The role of technology in driving financial performance and operational efficiency
- Balancing growth with maintaining financial discipline and long-term sustainability
- Key tips for seamless outsourcing and offshoring success
- Emerging trends that will impact the CFO role in the next five years -
Manglende episoder?
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The financial industry is experiencing a significant change with the rise of digitization and cryptocurrencies. As technology advances, traditional assets are becoming more digital, allowing for smoother transactions and greater accessibility. At the same time, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are gaining traction as alternatives to traditional financial systems. The main question is, “What implications do these changes have for traditional financial institutions?” Emmanuel Daniel has some curious insights to share.
Emmanuel is an entrepreneur and corporate strategist, acknowledged among the top 10 global influencers in the FinTech Power 50 list for both 2021 and 2022. He is the founder of TAB Global and author of "The Great Transition." Drawing on his travels to over 110 countries, Emmanuel actively shares his insights through his blog and is currently working on his second book, "The Winning Civilization," set for release in 2024.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Challenges and opportunities in modern finance
- Blockchain and the evolution of financial institutions
- Balance sheets and digital assets
- The impact of decentralized finance on traditional banks
- Security and stability of financial digital assets -
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Timothy Dunbar, Chief Financial Officer at the American Water Works Association, joins Megan Weis to discuss effective communication and its importance across different functions and stakeholders, particularly when handling difficult situations, as well as the evolving role of CFOs in nonprofits.
Timothy is an Executive Officer with 20 years of leadership experience, currently serving as CFO of a $50 million organization formed from the merger of two industry leaders. Previously, he was the Chief Financial Officer at Contexture and CORHIO. His expertise lies in leading growth-oriented operations, generating revenue, financial management, organizational governance, risk management, and strategic planning.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How communication drives financial performance across every role
- Effective communication tips between the finance and other departments
- How to manage financial communication during a crisis
- Secrets to simple, impactful communication -
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Niki Heim, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer at LogicSource, joins Megan Weis to share her journey to becoming an under-40 female CFO, the experiences she has gained, and the challenges she had to overcome along the way.
Before starting her career at LogicSource, Niki was a Controller at Title Nine and had experience working as a Public Accountant, Auditor, and Senior Analyst at Stevens Group and Umpqua Bank. After joining LogicSource as a Controller, she was promoted to the role of Executive Vice President of Finance within a year.
In this episode, we discuss:
- What it takes to become an effective CFO
- How organizations can better support emerging female leaders
- What unique perspectives do younger female CFOs bring to financial leadership
- How to master work-life balance -
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Sagar Khatri, Co-Founder and CEO of Multiplier, joins Megan Weis to talk about the workforce trends that CFOs are currently navigating and the nuanced challenges of integrating Gen Z into the workplace. They also touch on the importance of trust, transparency, diversity in leadership, the financial implications of remote work, and the future of work.
Inspired by his personal experiences with the challenges of international expansion and previous tenures, Sagar, alongside his co-founders, created Multiplier to transform the employment landscape. Before that, he held leadership roles at Hmlet, Nomura, and The Walt Disney Company. Sagar is also a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree for his work with Multiplier.
In this episode, we discuss:
- 2024 workforce trends CFOs can't ignore
- How CFOs can simplify international hiring with ease
- Attracting and retaining Gen Z in the workplace
- The role of DEI in attracting Gen Z and driving profitability -
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Susan Boles, Virtual CFO and Business Strategist at Beyond Margins, joins Megan Weis to share how to be a better business advisor to help business owners get clear on their numbers and truly understand their inner workings at a deeper level so that they can make decisions from a place of intention and purpose instead of panic.
Susan has spent over 20 years deeply immersed in productivity and achievement culture, serving as a CFO and COO for various organizations, including major universities, small retail shops, and marketing agencies. Susan is also the Creator & Show Host of the Beyond Margins Podcast, where she delves beyond the typical measures of success to help you establish a business where calm is the new KPI.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How rebranding transformed Susan's approach to business and life
- Building a community centered around the concept of calm
- How to become a better financial advisor
- The importance of staying calm in business decision-making
- The CALMER framework for business success -
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Melissa Howatson, CFO at Vena Solutions, joins Megan Weis to discuss why CFOs and finance teams should not reinvent the wheel with new tools and processes and why, at times, the best solution might be making current processes more efficient, particularly when it comes to navigating new trends such as AI.
Melissa is a finance leader with a strong operational focus and a proven track record of driving value through strategic execution and business insights. She has successfully guided organizations through the scaling-up phase during periods of rapid growth and is also the host of The CFO Show.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Why technology isn’t always the answer to solving your problems
- How to choose scalable tools for your growing business
- The role of AI in shaping the future of finance -
In this episode of CFO Weekly, David Kirshner, Managing Partner of Healthcare at LogicSource, joins Megan Weis to discuss the impact of non-clinical spending on financial health in healthcare organizations. They discuss strategies for optimizing vendor relationships, leveraging data and analytics, and navigating regulatory compliance. David also shares his insights on the evolving role of CFOs in healthcare.
David is the Managing Partner of Healthcare at LogicSource, where he builds and maintains relationships with the CFOs of healthcare clients, a critical group for LogicSource's solutions. He is also a Senior Executive Advisor at Janus Health and a Senior Executive Advisor at Waterstone Properties Group. Before that, David was an Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Lifespan.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How healthcare organizations can save money by optimizing non-clinical spending
- Why non-clinical spend management is critical for the financial health and sustainability of your healthcare system
- The importance of breaking healthcare silos to leverage non-clinical spending
- How to effectively manage change in healthcare spending -
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Gabriel Teixeira, Finance Director at Diageo, joins Megan Weis to explore the importance of broadening experiences to become a more well-rounded and complete finance professional. They share insights on the evolving role of finance leaders, key strategies for success, and the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Gabriel is an experienced business professional with a passion for leading high-performing teams. With over 15 years of experience in both in-market and corporate finance, he excels in financial planning and strategy, commercial finance, business partnering, supply finance, controlling, accounting, and treasury. Gabriel has spent over 7 years at Diageo in various roles and previously worked at RB.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The evolving role of finance leaders
- Key strategies for team success in fast-paced environments
- How finance professionals drive market expansion and revenue growth
- Challenges and opportunities for finance leaders in consumer goods -
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Katrina Nacci, a Self-Employed Cross-Border Accounting Advisor, joins Megan Weis to explore the topic of cross-border accounting between the U.S. and Europe or accounting conversion projects. They discuss the challenges and importance of understanding accounting standards, preparing for an IPO, and the shortage of accountants with US GAAP expertise in Europe.
Katrina started her career at PwC in Boston and later moved to Germany to gain deeper insights into global businesses. Her focus has been on helping European companies go public in the US and assisting US companies with acquisitions in Europe. Katrina also advises European tech and biotech CFOs on US GAAP, IFRS, and US transactions such as fundraising, IPOs, and acquisitions.
In this episode, we discuss:
- US GAAP vs. IFRS
- How to prepare for an IPO
- The role of fractional chief accounting officers in accounting conversion projects
- The future of cross-border accounting -
When it comes to the evolving responsibilities of the CFO, the need to be a skilled storyteller has become a hot topic as of late. In this episode of CFO Weekly, Ben Cutting, CFO at Lithko Contracting, joins Megan Weis to explore the evolving role of CFOs as Chief Storyteller Officers and the importance of effective communication in financial leadership.
Ben has over 15 years of expertise in corporate finance, financial planning and analysis, accounting, pricing, and corporate restructuring. He has a proven record of managing finances successfully during significant growth and complex transitions. Previously, Ben served as the CFO of Taylor Corporation and the Treasurer and Vice President of Finance at WorkflowOne.
In this episode, we discuss:
- What makes a great Chief Storyteller
- The art of transparent financial storytelling
- Crafting narratives that inspire confidence in financial partners
- Authentic financial reporting -
Siqi Chen, the CEO at Runway, joins Megan Weis to discuss the challenges and benefits of adopting AI technologies, the importance of accessibility and collaboration within the finance team and organization, and how AI will democratize finance and shift the role of the CFO.
Siqi Chen is the CEO of Runway, a startup that enables operators to understand their business without needing a degree in finance. He is a private angel investor and has also worked for Sandbox VR for over six years. Siqi designed and developed 3D visualization and simulation systems for the Mars pinpoint landing project, and was the recipient of the US Congressional Space Act Board Award.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How Runway's platform simplifies financial analysis
- The role of AI in revolutionizing the CFO's role
- The importance of accessibility and collaboration within the finance team
- The challenges and benefits of adopting AI technologies, including cybersecurity and market trend identification -
Vandana Agarwal, a Finance Analyst at Merkley+Partners, joins Megan Weis to explore the key challenges when optimizing financial efficiency, the challenges and opportunities for women in finance, and the role of technology in the industry's future.
Vandana Agarwal has worked in finance for over eight years, having started in India and then moved to the United States. She is currently a Finance Analyst at Merkley+Partners, has served an internship at Colgate-Palmolive, and worked at Recro and Deloitte India. Vandana also pursued an MS degree in Business Analytics at Fordham University.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How the basics of finance are the same globally
- The importance of staying up-to-date with changing regulations
- The similarities in financial practices and leadership styles among multinational companies
- The challenges and opportunities for women in the finance industry
- AI’s role in finance -
In the 200th episode of CFO Weekly, Corey Noyek, Vice President of Finance and Operations at Cardata, joins Megan Weis to discuss cost management for finance leaders. They analyze the impact of the rising production costs of everything due to inflation and the importance of collaboration across multiple departments, including finance, HR, and ops.
Corey is a CPA, CA, with a solid background in finance and operations. Before joining Cardata, he held various finance leadership roles at companies such as Cardata, Thriver, Deloitte Canada, and Norman, Goldberg & Co., gaining expertise in financial management, accounting, and tax filing.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How to thrive despite economic turbulence
- Why cross-department collaboration is essential for business success
- Strategies for identifying cost savings and operational improvement opportunities
- How to maintain employee morale while tightening the belt -
While many companies treat business owners as simple customers, Hurley Fox sees them as partners. Therefore, their problems become his problems, and he's keen to solve them. Hurley is passionate about making finance easy to understand and helping businesses enhance their financial management. Today, he joined us to share his unique approach.
Hurley founded Fox & Partners to offer superior professional services to business owners. He is passionate about helping small business owners understand their finances and create reports and goals to achieve their ambitions. Beyond Fox & Partners, Hurley serves on the boards of several non-profits and holds equity stakes in other small businesses.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Helping entrepreneurs understand complex financial concepts
- How Fox & Partners turns client challenges into solutions
- The importance of understanding your cash flow
- What common financial pitfalls small business owners must avoid
- Fostering client trust and collaboration -
Sharon Barber-Lui, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President at Teva Pharmaceuticals US, joins Megan Weis to unveil the multifaceted role of the CFO, the need for the CFO to connect with all aspects of the business, as well as the importance of diversity, inclusion, and innovation.
Sharon has over 20 years of executive experience in BioPharma, biotech, and public accounting, focusing on commercialization, finance, and operations. Before joining Teva Pharmaceuticals, she was the Senior Vice President of Global Finance at EQRx. Sharon also spent over 22 years at Merck.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Why CFOs must connect with all aspects of the business
- Key traits for successful CFOs
- Driving innovation through diversity and inclusion
- The integration of technology and data analytics in finance -
Everyone thinks the main job of a CFO is to maintain the financial health of an organization. While true, Stacey Ryan-Cornelius believes that being a CFO has transcended beyond keeping books to becoming a strategic business partner, working closely with all business leaders to ensure organizational success. To learn more about the topic, Stacey joined us in the latest episode of CFO Weekly.
Stacey is the Global Chief Financial Officer at Ogilvy, bringing over 30 years of experience in the entertainment, media, and communications industry. As an innovative and strategic business partner, she is dedicated to driving growth. Stacey is also an NYS Licensed CPA, a Certified Management Accountant, a member of Chief, and serves as a Trustee Board member of Marymount Manhattan College.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How CFOs drive strategic organizational success
- The creative mindset of a CFO
- Aligning financial leadership with organizational goals
- Leading transformational initiatives
- The role of diversity and inclusion in the workplace -
Traditionally, CFOs have been associated with established corporations. However, we've been noticing their growing presence in startups, including early-stage businesses. We were wondering: what are the primary challenges faced by CFOs in early-stage startups? To answer the question, we have Felix Beccar.
With more than 15 years of experience in management consulting and technology, Felix serves as the CFO at Mural, a top visual collaboration platform, where he leads the global finance team. Felix is also an Advisor for Brevity and Funnel IQ, an Investor at Mapo Tapo, as well as an Entrepreneur In Residence at INSEAD.
In this episode, we discuss:
- What role do CFOs play in early-stage startups?
- The CFO-COO combination and its impact on startups
- How to stay ahead in hiring and technology implementation
- The importance of aligning financial goals with operational objectives
- How to maintain financial discipline during rapid scaling -
Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business, and for small businesses, it is even more vital. Accurate cash flow forecasting allows business owners to better manage their finances, make informed decisions, and plan for the future. To help us better leverage cash flow forecasting for financial leadership and strategic decision-making, we discuss it with Colin Hewitt.
Colin is the CEO and Co-founder of Float Cash Flow Forecasting. He has spent more than twenty years in the software industry, focusing on helping small businesses understand their finances. Colin co-founded Flow to offer simple, precise tools for scenario planning and budgeting that work with well-known accounting platforms. Previously, he served as the Director at IfLooksCouldKill.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How accurate cash flow forecasting empowers CFOs
- How Float's scenario planning allows CFOs to navigate market uncertainties
- Integrating advanced tech in cash flow management
- Best practices for CFOs to master cash flow in uncertain times - Vis mere
