Episodit
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In this episode of CFO Weekly, Carlos Vega, Co-Founder and CEO of Tesorio, joins Megan Weis to explore how AI is transforming the invoicing and payment collection process, the importance of real-time data in cash flow management, and the emerging role of financial operations in organizations.
With a strong background in finance, including roles at Lazard and Elemento Factoring, Carlos has dedicated nearly a decade to developing Tesorio's AI-powered platform. His expertise in financial operations and machine learning positions him as a thought leader in the evolving landscape of AI in finance. Under his leadership, Tesorio has helped clients like Slack and UiPath achieve remarkable efficiency and growth.
In this episode, we discuss:
The transformative role of AI in the invoicing and payment collection process
How "connected financial operations" integrate various financial processes to provide a real-time view of cash flow
The role of real-time data in improving cash flow management
What the future of invoicing and payment collection will look like -
In the past year, AI has taken center stage, leaving a profound impact on most industries, and finance is no exception. By integrating AI tools, financial institutions have completely transformed their operations, increasing their efficiency and growth… but at what cost? To explore the role and impact of AI in finance, we discussed with Ashwath Bhat.
Ashwath Bhat serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Fractal. With over twenty years of experience in global finance across multiple markets, he has a proven track record of collaborating with industry leaders to enhance financial outcomes. His expertise lies in FP&A, strategic planning, M&As, commercial finance, pricing strategies, treasury management, and in-depth financial analysis. Before Fractal, he served in various leadership roles at Nielsen, IBM, and GE.
In this episode, we discuss:
The role of AI in finance
Leveraging AI for efficient decision-making
The evolving role of CFOs in the age of AI
Data privacy and cybersecurity -
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Winning at the finance game requires a specific set of skills. It's not just about financial literacy or accounting; soft skills are equally important. You might wonder what these skills are and how to learn them, but don't worry. Stephen Newland, Director of FP&A at GrowthLab Finance-as-a-Service, got you covered.Stephen has worked in a finance role at various organizations, including startups, early-stage companies, nonprofits, and Fortune 500s. He earned the Certified Management Accountant designation in July 2022 and has an Honors Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance and Accounting from the University of Cincinnati. Before GrowthLab, Stephen held finance roles in organizations like Gravy, Qoins, North Point Community Church, Buckhead Church, Delta Air Lines, and GE.In this episode, we discuss:How does GrowthLab help businesses optimize their finances for growth?The importance of learning from mistakesWhat skills are essential in helping finance professionals stand out and advance more quickly within their organizations?How can finance professionals develop soft skills early on?How can you build relationships and win over the trust of leadership?Creating a plan for personal growth
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In this episode of CFO Weekly, Sam Wehbe, Chief Financial Officer at Medical Teams International, joins Megan Weis to dive into the vital balance between financial health and social impact in the nonprofit sector. Sam shares insights on navigating financial challenges, the importance of sound fiscal management, and innovative revenue strategies that support humanitarian efforts.
Sam is an experienced financial management and compliance executive with 20 years of experience in international development and the non-profit sector. Over their career, Sam has successfully managed over $2 billion in donor funds and held key financial roles both in the US and internationally at organizations like Social Impact, Nexant, and Creative Associates International.
In this episode, we discuss:
The unique financial landscape of nonprofits
How sound financial management drives positive change
Adapting financial structures to navigate funding shortfalls
Transparency and accountability in managing donor funds
Emerging trends in nonprofit financial management -
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Karl Maier, founder of Abunden, joins Megan Weis to share insights on building value through financial analysis. Karl discusses his extensive experience helping businesses protect cash flow, secure funding, and boost profits, particularly in challenging economic conditions. As an experienced fractional CFO and business advisor, Karl has played a key role in doubling sales at five companies in just two years by expanding credit lines, leading acquisitions, and enhancing profitability.
Karl brings over three decades of experience in financial leadership and consulting. He founded Abunden to help private companies enhance their financial strategies through innovative pricing, systems implementation, and cash flow management. Before founding Abunden, Karl worked in corporate finance and helped grow his family's business 5x in three years.
In this episode, we discuss:
How to effectively communicate financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders
The importance of cash flow management in growing businesses
Strategies for developing effective pricing models
Managing financial transitions including M&A and turnarounds
Building Resilient Finance Teams -
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Monica Proothi, Partner and Global Finance Transformation Lead for IBM, joins Megan Weis to explore the latest trends and challenges facing finance leaders, particularly around generative AI. Monica discusses how generative AI is reshaping finance, the need for CFOs to collaborate with CTOs early in IT planning, and the ethical considerations of AI.
Monica brings over 20 years of experience in finance transformation across both consulting and industry roles. Known for driving hyper-growth and productivity, she specializes in reshaping finance operating models through people-centered transformations, ERP modernization, intelligent operations, and data-driven technology solutions. Before IBM, Monica held various finance roles at Accenture, Morgan Stanley, and UBS.
In this episode, we discuss:
How to leverage generative AI for finance transformation
Upskilling finance professionals for an AI-driven future
The role of DEI in building stronger finance teams
Why CFOs must partner with CTOs
The ethical landscape of AI in finance -
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Eric Muhlheim, Chief Financial Officer at Mozilla, joins Megan Weis to share insights on mastering financial leadership in tech and advancing strategies that are shaping the reinvention of the two-decade-old technology pioneer, Mozilla. Eric also discusses how to build high-performing finance teams, the importance of transparency in leadership, and how AI is reshaping finance.
Eric is an experienced finance executive who combines a rigorous analytical mindset with operational expertise in developing and leading organizations. In addition to his role at Mozilla, Eric is the Owner of HLH Bizworks and HLH Yeastworks, a Founding Member of Journey CxO, and a Member Of The Board Of Advisors at Deep Knowledge Investing. Before that, he worked for companies such as Morgan Stanley, The Walt Disney Company, Helix Education, OpenX, and BuzzFeed.
In this episode, we discuss:
How Mozilla balances innovation with sustainability
Why transparency is key to thriving through change
The profit-by-product framework for better investment decision-making
Aligning teams and optimizing costs for growth -
The past and present of the CFO role look significantly different. Once primarily considered as the steward of a company's financial well-being, the CFO today is instrumental in charting the organization's strategic course and leveraging technological advancements for growth. But what catalyzed this shift? Join us as we delve into the change of the CFO role, tracing its origins in accounting and understanding its present-day nexus with strategy and technology in a conversation with Beatty D'Alessandro.
Beatty is currently the Executive In Residence - Graduate Finance Program at Georgia State University. He also served as the Chief Financial Officer for three premier companies up until mid-2018. At Merchants Metals, an Atlanta-based spin-off from Oldcastle and North America's second-largest chain link fence manufacturer, he oversaw finance, accounting, technology, and manufacturing. In 2015, Beatty finished his tenure as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Univar, a global chemical distributor valued at $10 billion. Before this, he held the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Graybar, a company worth $5 billion.
In this episode, we discuss:
The evolution of the CFO from accounting to strategic leadership
The strategic path to CFO success
How a CFO should evaluate and leverage risks and opportunities
The CFO role in a large public organization versus smaller, non-public companies
AI and Modern Finance -
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Howard Wilson, Chief Financial Officer at PagerDuty, joins Megan Weis to dive into his journey and the insights he has learned along the way regarding scaling finance in tech. Howard shares how financial leadership now drives strategic change and integrates with commercial strategy, the importance of a customer-centric mindset, and the role of technology and data analytics in decision-making.
Howard brings over 20 years of experience in software and operational management to his role as CFO at PagerDuty, where he leads the finance organization to support the company's growth and scaling initiatives. Before joining PagerDuty, Howard managed the SaaS business at Dynatrace and was Chief Operating Officer at Keynote Systems. He also served as Senior Vice President of Field Operations at Ventyx Biosciences and spent 14 years at Oracle in various senior leadership roles.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why CFOs are the new “Chief Everything Officers”
The importance of aligning the commercial and financial strategies
How technology and data analytics are shaping the future of finance
Managing finance in a customer-centric environment
Balancing strategic planning with operational execution
Key strategies for scaling finance operations in tech -
In this episode of CFO Weekly, John Ferrari, VP of Finance and Administration (CFO) at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), joins Megan Weis to discuss the role of a CFO as a business leader or the strategic CFO in higher education and the importance of financial stewardship and data-driven decision-making in enhancing student outcomes.
John is a senior executive with expertise in business reengineering, data analytics implementation, and financial management. Besides his role at NOVA, he is also a Board Member of AAFMAA, a Non-Resident Senior Fellow for the American Enterprise Institute, and a Senior Strategy Mentor for Strategic Education International.
In this episode, we discuss:
How John is driving student success with strategy and data
Driving collaboration through transparency and team empowerment
Change management strategies for CFOs
How the role of a CFO is evolving to incorporate a more customer-focused approach
Cultivating future leaders in finance -
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Michelle DeBella, Chief Financial Officer at JumpCloud, joins Megan Weis to explore the CFO trifecta: finance, strategy, and leadership. Michelle also dives into the importance of balancing immediate financial responsibilities with long-term strategic planning, the role of AI in business, and the significance of clear communication and mentorship.
Michelle is a dynamic, results-oriented finance executive with over 15 years in public accounting, followed by 10+ years in VP/C-Suite roles in companies such as Knock, Lyft, Uber, Hewlett Packard, Ernst & Young, and Coram Healthcare. Michelle is also an Official Member and Finance Thought Leader for the Forbes Finance Council.
In this episode, we discuss:
The key elements of successful finance transformation
Critical qualities a CFO has to possess to manage diverse teams
How to leverage finance data and AI for business growth
Storytelling and mentorship in finance -
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Carl Seidman, Interim CFO and Finance Director at Seidman Financial, joins Megan Weis to discuss the importance of integrating finance into the overall business and operations, how to transform your FP&A, and the four pillars of success for companies. He also shares his approach to helping companies develop financial professionals into more powerful performers and build FP&A functions so that financial intelligence drives organizational success.
Carl is a trusted business advisor specializing in FP&A, business strategy, and finance transformation. He advises Fortune 500 and middle market companies, helping establish effective FP&A practices, processes, and teams. At the same time, Carl supports financial professionals, positioning them for greater control over their careers by helping build their confidence while eliminating time-wasting activities and mistakes. He is also an Adjunct Faculty Member of the American Management Association and a Senior FP&A Instructor at Wall Street Prep.
In this episode, we discuss:
What does transforming FP&A look like?
What are the four key pillars of FP&A?
What's the difference between the FP&A function in small versus large organizations?
Why is there a need for FP&A professionals to be entrenched in other business functions' operations?
How does technology make finance a seamless part of a company's operations?
How can finance leaders promote financial responsibility and accountability cultures? -
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Tonya Johnson-Simmons, Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Director of Financial Management for the U.S. Department of the Interior, joins Megan Weis to discuss the evolving role of the CFO in government and beyond. Tonya shares how she's leveraging AI, enhancing cybersecurity, and fostering inclusion in leadership while tackling significant financial challenges.
With over 30 years of experience in the federal government, Tonya is currently overseeing a $159 billion portfolio at the Department of the Interior. Her expertise spans financial reporting and analysis, cost accounting, internal controls, financial policy, audits, and the Agency's Financial Report (AFR). Tonya previously worked for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and was the Director of the Financial Operations Division for the USDA.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The evolution of the government CFO
- Strategies for managing a $159 billion portfolio
- Harnessing AI and awareness to combat cybersecurity threats
- How to cultivate trust in financial accountability
- Empowering finance teams for tomorrow’s challenges -
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Chad Gold, Chief Financial Officer at G2, joins Megan Weis to discuss strategic financial engineering. Chad dives into mastering valuation and investment strategies for high-growth tech companies, financial modeling, and building strong investor relationships.
With over 20 years of experience in corporate finance, including CFO roles at both pre-IPO and post-IPO tech companies, Chad joined G2 after serving as CFO at Salesloft. Before that, he was CFO at Rubicon, overseeing financial operations and reporting, and held CFO and finance leadership roles at SAP Ariba and The Home Depot.
In this episode, we discuss:
How finance drives business impact
What goes into building dynamic financial models
The power of growth, storytelling, and investor relationships
How revolving credit can boost flexibility in high-growth companies -
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Luke Boyenger, Chief Financial Officer at Cruzumi CFO & Advisory, joins Megan Weis to share insights on building a finance team around a fractional CFO. Luke also discusses his inspiring journey from witnessing his family's business close to helping others succeed in finance and the importance of a strong finance team and effective cash flow forecasting.
Luke's journey began with the tough experience of seeing his family business close during high school, sparking his passion for mastering business management. This led him to earn a degree in accounting, become a CPA, and learn from global leaders. With roles at EY as an auditor, data analytics coach, and director of accounting, he gained a deep understanding of what makes businesses thrive, building a skill set that helps bridge the gap between finance and effective operations.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why every small business needs a finance expert for long-term success
How to choose the right CFO depending on your growth strategy
When is the right time to bring in a fractional CFO
Strategies for sustainable business growth while maintaining financial health -
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Alyssa Shadinger, Chief Financial Officer at Sisense, joins Megan Weis to share how to transform data into actionable insights. Alyssa also discusses her passion for data-driven decision-making, the importance of fostering a culture of data literacy, and the role of AI in finance.
Alyssa brings a strong skill set in leadership, auditing, social media, CPA, and SAP. Before Sisense, she held roles such as Director of Finance at Akamai Technologies and Linode, Board Member for the United Women in Business Foundation, Manager at Deloitte, and Senior Manager at the Pine Hill Group.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How to focus on data that drives action
- 3 proven strategies to empower faster, smarter decision
- How AI and ML have impacted business decision-making
- Leveraging insights without compromising data security -
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 -
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 - Näytä enemmän
