Episodes
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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 -
Missing episodes?
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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 -
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 - Show more
