The Diary of a CFO
The Diary of a CFO takes listeners behind the scenes of modern finance leadership through honest conversations about how real finance leaders build their careers, make tough decisions, and carry the weight of the CFO role. Hosted by award-winning CFO Wassia Kamon, each episode covers what it takes to lead finance teams, work with CEOs and boards, navigate capital decisions, and grow without burning out. The show is aimed at current and aspiring CFOs who want practical, behind-the-scenes insights into finance leadership.
Episodes
Former McKinsey's Top M&A Advisor on What CFOs Get Wrong About Deals
David Fubini spent 35 years as a senior partner at McKinsey & Company, where he co-founded the firm's global merger integration practice. He has advised on dozens of major transactions, including the deal that brought IBM's PC business to Lenovo. He started his career at Johnson & Johnson, where he was part of the team that launched Tylenol as a consumer brand. He now teaches at Harvard Bu
The Difference Between Getting the CFO Job and Keeping It (My 2-Year Check-In)
In this solo episode of The Diary of a CFO, I sit down halfway through the year to reflect on what I’ve learned during my first two years in the CFO seat, as well as the lessons I’ve gathered from speaking with more than 40 CFOs on this podcast.I talk about the difference between strategic thinking and strategic leadership, and why most companies test for the first when the second is what ultimate
5 Reasons ERP Implementations Fail and How To Get Yours Right, with Sharon Barboza
Most ERP implementations do not fail because of the technology. They fail because of what happens before the system is even turned on.In this episode, I sit down with Sharon Barboza, Manager of Digital Services at Citrin Cooperman Advisors. Sharon is a licensed CPA who has worked on every side of finance, from public accounting to controller to senior NetSuite consultant. She has seen hundreds of
From CAO to EVP Supply Chain: How to Make a Big Career Pivot at the Executive Level
She spent 19 years at Southwire. She started in treasury, moved through business unit finance, became Chief Accounting Officer, and then made a move nobody saw coming. She left finance to run supply chain at a $9 billion company that provides cable for and electrical transmission throughout the US.In this episode, I sit down in person with Christy Wright, Executive Vice President of Supply Chain a
How Operations Experience Makes You a Better CFO, with Donna Cohen, CFO of CarMax Auto Finance (Live in Atlanta)
She spent her entire career in accounting and finance. Public accounting, FP&A, financial reporting, corporate accounting. Then she made a move nobody expected. She went into operations. And when she came back to finance as a CFO, everything was different.In this episode, I sit down in person with Donna Cohen, Chief Financial Officer at CarMax Auto Finance. Donna has been at CarMax for almost
How to Evaluate a CFO Role in Private Equity Before You Say Yes - Chris Voudouris, 3x PE CFO
Most finance leaders think about making the jump to a private equity backed company at some point. Very few know what they are actually walking into.In this episode, I sit down with Chris Voudouris, a 3x PE CFO who has been on every side of the table. He started at KPMG in audit, moved into transaction services analyzing deals on both the buy side and sell side, then made the leap into private equ
From Big 4 Auditor to CFO: How to Make People Want to Work With You in Finance - James White (Live in Atlanta)
He spent over 20 years at Ernst & Young. He did a secondment to Berlin, Germany by himself. He went back to Alabama to take over the CPA firm his father started 50 years ago. And then he made the leap to CFO of a Nasdaq-listed AI company.In this episode, I sit down in person with James White, CFO of ScanTech AI Systems. James is a multi-state CPA, an AICPA board member, and the son of one of t
From 6x National Champion to Fortune 500 Chief Audit Officer - Lori Kaczynski on Leadership and Resilience
She won six Canadian national championships in speed skating and was training for the Olympics. Then, had a car accident at 18. Four knee surgeries. Three years of rehabilitation.Today Lori Kaczynski is the Senior Vice President and Chief Audit, Risk, and Compliance Officer at Graphic Packaging International, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Atlanta. She leads global internal audit, complian
How Finance Teams Should Be Using AI Right Now, with Chad Gold, CFO of Fullstory
He started at Ernst & Young, moved to Home Depot where he had a front row seat to one of the most operational CFOs in the country, then jumped into high-growth startups and never looked back.In this episode, I sit down in person with Chad Gold, 2022 CFO of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle and current CFO of Fullstory. Chad drove 10x growth in enterprise value at SalesLoft to over $2.
Former Starbucks IR SVP: How a Homeless Teenager Ended Up Managing $130 Billion Market Cap on Wall Street
In this episode of The Diary of a CFO: Live in Atlanta, I sit down in person with Tiffany Willis. Tiffany is a global investor relations executive who recently served as Senior Vice President at Starbucks, where she managed nearly $130 billion in market capitalization. She is a Wharton graduate, an Adjunct Professor at Emory University's Goizueta Business School, a CPA, a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
The Unlikely Journey of a $3 Billion CFO, William Washington III
He dropped out of high school. He was a single father. He started his career at a cottonseed company. Now he oversees $3 billion in annual revenue across 76 offices in 45 countries as the Global CFO of Baker McKenzie, one of the largest law firms in the world.In this episode, I sit down with William Washington III. William brings a rare combination of financial acumen and operational expertise sha
How to Cut Your Board Reporting Process From Weeks to Days (with Fabian Ferrada)
Most finance teams spend two weeks building a board report that gets reviewed in ten minutes. The formatting alone could take days. And if one number changes, the entire approval cycle restarts.In this episode, I sit down with Fabian Ferrada, Senior Solutions Engineer at Insight Software. Before moving to tech, Fabian spent over a decade in financial and operational leadership for a publicly trade
Excel vs FP&A Software: When to Make the Switch (with Paul Barnhurst)
Most finance teams stay on Excel longer than they should. The hard part is knowing when it is actually time to switch.In this episode, I sit down with Paul Barnhurst, also known as The FP&A Guy. Paul has trained thousands of finance professionals, hosts three podcasts including FP&A Unlocked, and has tested almost every major FP&A tool on the market. He is known for his clear, independ
Mistakes founders make during fundraising (from a cfo who has done 50+ M&A and Exit deals)
Most founders make the same fundraising mistakes and do not realize it until the cash is gone.In this episode, I sit down with Julianne Averill, a healthcare AI CFO, board director, and fractional CFO with over 20 years of experience helping life science and digital health companies scale through fundraising, M&A, and IPOs. She has been through over 50 transactions on both the buy and sell sid
insightsoftware President Jennifer Warawa on How AI is Changing the Office of the CFO
In this episode of The Diary of a CFO Podcast, host Wassia Kamon sits down with Jennifer Warawa, President of insightsoftware and a seven-time honoree as one of the top 25 most powerful women in accounting, to explore what CFOs must fix before implementing AI.Drawing on over 25 years of experience at the intersection of finance, technology, and leadership, Jennifer shares :Why systems and talent h
Former Caterpillar Group CFO on The Leadership Skills Finance Professionals Must Master to Reach the Top
In this episode of The Diary of a CFO Podcast, host Wassia Kamon sits down with Dave DeFreitas, retired group CFO of Caterpillar Inc., to explore the unconventional career path that took him from staff accountant to the C-suite.Drawing on over 30 years of experience leading finance teams at one of the world's largest manufacturing companies, Dave shares why he had seven different jobs in his first
Building an AI-Ready Finance Team Without Losing the Human Side, with Tariq Munir
In this episode of The Diary of a CFO Podcast, host Wassia Kamon sits down with Tariq Munir, digital transformation advisor and author of Reimagine Finance, to explore what it actually takes to build an AI-ready finance team.Tariq shares why the biggest barriers to AI adoption are behavioral, not technological. He explains how to identify whether a team is truly data-driven, why streamlining workf
The First‑Time CFO Playbook: The First 90 Days, Imposter Syndrome and Leading the Business
Stepping into your first CFO role can feel overwhelming. In this episode, former divisional CFO and GrowCFO Mentor Kevin Appleby shares what really changes when you move from finance leader to CFO.Drawing on years of experience working with finance leaders across industries, Kevin shares why many CFOs feel unprepared when they step into the role and how the real work begins after the reporting is
Wassia Kamon’s 15-Year Journey from Staff Accountant to CFO
In this solo episode, Wassia Kamon shares how she went from staff accountant to CFO in 15 years, including the moments that didn’t look like progress at all.She talks about:Moments in her career that didn’t look like “progress” from the outside.Rethinking the value of credentials like the CPA, CMA, and MBA.Learning to lead under pressure and make decisions with incomplete information.What it was r
Beyond the Numbers: Leadership Lessons from Three-Time Nonprofit CFO, Teri Kozub
In this episode of The Diary of a CFO Podcast, host Wassia Kamon sits down with Teri Kozub, a three-time CFO with more than 33 years of experience in nonprofit finance and current CFO at Community Legal Services of Mid Florida.Teri shares how her non-linear career shaped her leadership style, why nonprofit finance is far more complex than many assume, and how CFOs can lead effectively through unce
Executive Presence Explained: Why Top Performers Still Get Overlooked, with Executive Coach, Jill Avey
Executive presence is often cited as the reason leaders don’t get promoted, but rarely explained.In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, Wassia Kamon sits down with executive coach Jill Avey to unpack what executive presence actually means, why high performers get stuck at the Director or VP level, and how promotions really happen at senior levels.00:00:00 – Welcome back!01:16:00 – What is executiv
Real Fraud Stories and Legal Protection for Your Fractional CFO Firm with Attorney Natalia Greene
Attorney and risk-management expert Natalia Greene reveals the real stories behind major fraud cases, including those featured on American Greed that she personally worked on.She also shares exactly how accountants, fractional CFOs, and boutique finance firms accidentally expose themselves to lawsuits, even when they’ve done nothing wrong.We cover: The wildest embezzlement schemes she’s seen in 20
What CEOs Want from Today’s CFO, with Executive Recruiter, Mark Johnson
In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, executive recruiter Mark Johnson shares insider perspectives on what CEOs are really looking for in today's CFOs. Discover how the expectations of finance leadership are evolving, what separates top candidates in interviews, and the essential qualities that define success in the modern C-suite. Whether you’re an aspiring finance leader or a seasoned executive
Agentic AI for CFOs, with Vivienne Wei, COO of Salesforce Unified Agentforce Platform
Join Vivienne Wei, COO of Unified Agent Force Platform at Salesforce and a leading thinker in financial technology, as she shares her journey from Wall Street to orchestrating enterprise-wide AI transformations.In this episode, Vivienne breaks down the realities and myths of AI in the finance function, from predictive models to generative AI, and reveals how agentic AI is creating a new category o
Building a Finance Function That Drives Growth: Lessons from Liberty Bank’s CFO, Paul Young
What does it take to turn a traditional finance team into a true strategic business partner?In this episode, Paul Young, CFO of Liberty Bank, shares how he connected strategy, budgeting, and talent development to create a finance function built for impact.Paul brings over 25 years of experience leading finance, strategy, business transformation, and digital innovation across major institutions suc
Why Every CFO Feels Stretched and What to Do About It, with Tom Hood
CFOs are expected to drive transformation, lead strategy, and still deliver flawless numbers every month. In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, I sit down with Tom Hood, one of the most influential voices in finance leadership, to unpack what’s really behind the growing pressure on today’s CFOs.We talk about:✅ How the CFO role has evolved from finance expert to strategic co-pilot✅ Why upskilling
Getting the most out of your tech stack, with Anna Sagan
Brought to you by insightsoftware. Register for our upcoming webinar:https://insightsoftware.com/resources/get-out-of-the-reporting-rut-how-finance-leaders-drive-strategic-impact/In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, I sit down with Anna Sagan, Senior Principal Solutions Engineer, who brings over two decades of experience in financial software and strategic reporting.We talked about:The evolving
Leading Through Market Cycles, with Real Estate and Construction CFO, Bona Allen
Brought to you by insightsoftware. Register for our upcoming webinar:https://insightsoftware.com/resources/get-out-of-the-reporting-rut-how-finance-leaders-drive-strategic-impact/What does it take to lead finance through real estate booms, construction slowdowns, and global crises?In this episode of The Diary of a CFO Podcast, I sit down with Bona Allen, a CFO with three decades of experience acro
Non-Traditional Pathways to the CFO Seat, with Axile Talout
Not every CFO starts as a controller or FP&A lead. Axel Talout shares how banking and private equity shaped his journey, why your “different” background can be your edge, and how to intentionally build a team that fills your blind spots.Brought to you by insightsoftware. Register for our upcoming webinar:https://insightsoftware.com/resources/get-out-of-the-reporting-rut-how-finance-leaders-dri
The CFO Playbook for Handling Crises and Building FP&A Functions, with Mike High
Mike High (CFO, NAIT; ex-Shell Deep Water CFO) shares leadership lessons from the Army to corporate finance: why the “platinum rule” beats one-size-fits-all leadership, what truly changes when you move from FP&A to the CFO seat, and how to carry a portfolio of crises without burning out.We discussed:practical playbooks to lead through a portfolio of crisis,how to keep long-term work moving dur
Moving From Big 4 Auditor to Controller to CFO, with Andrea Hecht
Andrea Hecht, EVP & CFO at CSAA Insurance Group, walks through the real shifts at each step of her career — from auditor at Big 4 accounting firm, EY, to Controller, and ultimately CFO. She explains how the focus moves from technical detail to culture, strategy, and leadership. We cover:Why the first move from public accounting to industry didn’t work, and why the second one did.How interviews
Accounting vs FP&A: Which Path Gets You to CFO Faster?
Controller vs FP&A : which path gives you a better shot at the CFO seat? Wassia Kamon has done both. In this solo episode, she reveals why neither route guarantees success on its own and what truly sets future CFOs apart. Drawing on her first year as a CFO, Wassia introduces her Executive Readiness Framework and explains how to develop the executive substance, influence, and presence boards an
Sheryl Shaw on Scaling Finance Teams and Embracing Technology
This week on The Diary of a CFO, host Wassia Kamon is joined by Sheryl Shaw, Senior Manager at Bridgepoint Consulting and a former CFO with three decades of experience leading finance teams through transformation.Sheryl shares her remarkable journey, from starting as an accounting clerk in the 1980s to becoming a CFO 3 times, and now a trusted consultant for companies implementing NetSuite. She op
Inside FP&A: Christian Wattig’s Guide to Smarter Forecasting and Strategic Impact
Christian Wattig is the program director of Wharton’s FP&A Certificate and the founder of InsideFP&A. In this episode, he shares his path from Procter & Gamble to becoming a leader in finance education, along with the pivotal lessons he learned along the way.You’ll learn:Why forecasting accuracy remains a major challenge for finance teamsHow to apply multiple forecasting methods for be
The Role of Treasury in M&A and Business Strategy, with , AVP of Treasury at Victoria’s Secret & Co, Summa Simmons
In this episode, Summa Simmons, Associate VP of Treasury at Victoria’s Secret & Co., shares what most people get wrong about treasury and why it's a strategic powerhouse. She explains how treasury helps companies manage cash, risk, and financial readiness during major business decisions like mergers and divestitures.Summa also opens up about her own journey from accounting to treasury, and wha
Why Culture Is Your Biggest Cybersecurity Risk, with Dutch Schwartz
Most companies think cybersecurity is about firewalls and IT policies. But the real risk often starts with culture.In this episode, Dutch Schwartz, VP of Cloud Services at SideChannel and former security leader at AWS and Raytheon, shares why companies with poor culture are three times more likely to face a breach. We talk about how leadership, disengaged employees, and outdated mindsets quietly o
How the Best Finance Leaders Operate, Plan, and Forecast, with Christina Ross
Christina Ross, serial CFO turned CEO of Cube, explains why spreadsheets aren’t the problem and what finance leaders should focus on instead. She shares multiple frameworks for moving from manual chaos to strategic clarity. This episode is packed with insights on real-time planning, clean data, and leading high-impact finance teams.In this episode, we cover:The four layers of strategic financeHow
The Art of Becoming a Strategic CFO, with Dr. Tamer Alsayed
In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, Wassia Kamon speaks with Dr. Tamer Alsayed, CFO at the Future Investment Initiative and author of The Art of Becoming a Strategic CFO. With over two decades of experience across industries and regions, Dr. Tamer offers a clear-eyed view of what today’s finance leaders need to succeed.The discussion covers:How the CFO role has evolved beyond reporting and comp
The #1 Mistake Keeping Controllers from Becoming CFOs
Welcome to Season 2 of The Diary of a CFO. In this kickoff solo episode, Wassia Kamon shares behind-the-scenes highlights from Season 1, why some careers stall at the executive door, and what actually opens it.You’ll hear:The real reason technical skills alone won’t get you promotedThe 3-digit P.I.N. code to executive leadershipWhat separates great CFOs from the restWhy work-life harmony beats bal
What I Wish Finance Professionals Knew Sooner, with Syed Nadeem
In this episode, Syed Nadeem shares the lessons he wishes more finance professionals learned early on. He talks about why certifications alone won’t get you promoted, and why your mindset, human skills, and personal brand matter just as much as your technical skills.Syed also shares how losing his job became a turning point. He built a global brand and started helping others grow in their careers.
Solving Revenue Recognition Nightmares for SaaS Companies, with Apurv Bansal
If you’ve ever lost sleep over complex contracts, usage-based pricing, or revenue schedules that live in hundreds spreadsheet tabs, this episode is for you.I’m joined by Apurv Bansal, co-founder and CEO of Zenskar, to talk about how AI is helping SaaS companies automate billing and revenue recognition end-to-end. We unpack why legacy tools can’t keep up with modern pricing models, what finance tea
Beyond Compliance: Kendra LaFleur on Becoming a Trusted Advisor
Audit Director at FORVIS Mazars and board treasurer for Girls on the Run Georgia, Kendra LaFleur opens up about her journey from intern to partner, how she grew into strategic leadership, and how she navigates the evolving role of finance in mission-driven organizations.
From Combat Zones to Corporate Finance: Stephen McLain on Leading in High-Stakes Environments
Stephen McLain led 250 soldiers as an Army Commander. He built internal controls in Iraq to fight fraud and misuse of funds. And, he defended military budgets in front of NATO.Now, he helps corporate finance and accounting teams fix problems with their internal processes, financial modeling, and strategy development.In this episode, he shares what finance professionals can learn from leading in hi
Why Treasury is More Than Managing Cash, with Matthew Harlan
Treasury often works behind the scenes, but Matthew Harlan shows why it should be a key player at the table. We cover what treasury leaders bring to IPO readiness, how to rethink working capital, and how finance teams can collaborate better across functions.
Leading Finance with Curiosity and Cultural Intelligence, with Jenny Fuss
Jenny Fuss has led finance teams in Germany, China, and the United States. Each move meant learning a new way of working. In this episode, she shares how working and living in three different countries shaped her leadership style and helped her lead major transformations with clarity and confidence.
From School Teacher to CFO, with Atlanta Food Bank CFO, Tamica Williams
Tamica Williams went from relying on food pantries as a kid to leading the largest food bank in Georgia as CFO. She shares how she made the jump from teaching to accounting, built her career and why leadership is about showing up 100% no matter where you start.
Secrets of Rockstar CFOs: Jack McCullough on Developing the Next Generation of CFOs
Jack McCullough has spent decades in the CFO seat, but his biggest impact may be what he’s done for the next generation of CFOs.He’s the founder of the CFO Leadership Council, a global community of over 2,500 senior finance leaders, and the author of three books including Secrets of Rockstar CFOs and MBA for Lunch.In this conversation, Jack opens up about:What companies really look for in a CFO,Wh
Meet The CFO Who Went Viral on TikTok: Professor Bee Nance
What do you get when a CFO, CPA, and accounting professor starts teaching on TikTok?42,000 followers and a new way to make accounting finally click.In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, I sit down with Professor Bee Nance to talk about her multi-hyphenate career, from leading a multimillion-dollar nonprofit to becoming a viral content creator and author of Sunny Gets Money, a financial literacy b
Is the Climb to CFO Worth It?
In this solo episode, I answer 4 questions from my newsletter subscribers:Is the climb and reach to CFO worth it?Do you enjoy the work and people?Do you have work-life balance?What helped you get there?If you’ve got questions about leadership, your team, or growing in your role, the best way to ask is through my newsletter. Subscribe at thediaryofacfo.com.
The Critical Role of Accounting in Business Success, with Edwine Alphonse
In this episode of the Diary of a CFO podcast, Edwine Alphonse shares her journey from a work-study student in Canada to a senior controller at Ramp, discussing her experiences in startups, the importance of accounting, and how to build a high-performing finance team. She emphasizes the critical role of accounting in business operations and the necessity for finance leaders to advocate for adequa
What Technology Can (and Can’t) Fix for Finance Teams, with Campfire CEO, John Glasgow
Finance leaders are under pressure to move faster, stay accurate, and be more strategic. But not every challenge can be solved with technology. In this episode, John Glasgow, Founder and CEO of Campfire, shares issues technology can help solve, like improving audit trails and enforcing controls, and the ones that require stronger business partnerships, like getting finance involved in the right co
How to Get on High-Impact Projects and Lead Major Change, with Sindy Wilson
Sindy Wilson didn’t plan to be in finance. She was headed for med school until dissecting a rat and a cat made her rethink everything. That switch led her to a career in finance, where she’s led transformation at Kickstarter, Lyft, and AutoTrader. In this episode, she breaks down how to stand out, get on big projects, and lead major change in any organisation.
What I’ve Realized After Six Months as CFO
Six months as a CFO has taught me a lot about leadership, decision-making, and what it really takes to succeed in this role. In this solo episode, I share my biggest takeaways so far: why managing a board is nothing like just presenting to one, how to lead when there’s no playbook, and why staying plugged into the right circles is non-negotiable.
Nonprofit Finance Isn’t as Simple as You Think, with Stephen Newland
Most people assume nonprofits just need to balance donations with expenses. But in reality, nonprofit finance comes with its own set of complexities. In this episode, Stephen Newland shares what leaders need to understand about nonprofit financial management, and how to make better long-term financial decisions.
Leadership Lessons from a CFO-Turned-Coach, Jeremy Earnshaw
After 25 years as a CFO, Jeremy Earnshaw transitioned from managing numbers to mentoring leaders. He shares what he wishes he knew earlier, the common leadership mistakes CFOs make, and how coaching can accelerate career growth. We also talk about the shift from technical expertise to strategic influence, the importance of self-awareness in leadership, and the mindset changes that separate good C
Aligning Strategy and Execution, with Beverly Davis
What if the problem isn’t the numbers, but everything around them?
Beverly Davis has spent years helping businesses fix their financial blind spots. From misaligned strategies to communication breakdowns, she knows why execution often fails before it even starts. In this episode, we dive into what really makes or breaks a company’s financial success and how to spot the non-financial issues slowin
Balancing strategy, risk, and leadership decisions as a CFO (with Scott Meyers)
Scott Meyers, CFO of Plurilock, talks about what it takes to lead in a fast-changing environment.We discuss how he approaches strategic decisions, manages risk, and communicates with the board while keeping the team aligned.He also shares lessons from handling unexpected situations, like bankruptcy, and how those experiences shaped his approach to the role.
Taking on bigger roles before you feel ready and how it shapes your path to CFO (with Janice Stucke)
Janice Stucke shares how her career evolved without a clear roadmap and how stepping into roles before feeling fully ready shaped her path to the CFO seat.We talk about career pivots, taking on new challenges, and how those decisions influenced her growth over time.She also reflects on how that mindset carried into her work leading teams and navigating change.
Reducing month-end close time and leading finance transformation as a CFO (with Basem Waheed)
Basem Waheed, CFO of Golden Chicken Farms Co., shares his path into finance leadership and the work behind improving finance operations.We talk about how his team reduced month-end close to one day, what had to change to make that possible, and how he approached digital transformation inside a large organization.He also shares how communication, trust across teams, and continuous learning play a r
The day-to-day of managing a finance team as a CFO (with Jessica McClain)
Jessica McClain, CFO of Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital, talks about her move from public accounting into a CFO role and what changed once she started leading a team.We get into what managing a finance team actually involves day to day, how leadership responsibilities shift over time, and how to build strong working relationships across the organization.She also shares what she learned navigating dif
What kind of experience builds a strong finance career (with Bryan Lapidus)
In this episode, Bryan Lapidus, Director of FP&A Practice at AFP, shares invaluable insights from his unique career journey, from starting as a history major to leading in finance. He talks about the value of building breadth early on. We discuss rotations, stepping outside finance, and how different experiences shape long-term growth.
How executive hiring decisions are made (with Amy Sulgrove)
Ever wondered what happens after you hit "submit" on a job application?In this episode, executive recruiter Amy Sulgrove takes you behind the scenes of the hiring process and shares her perspective as an executive recruiter. We discuss how candidates are evaluated, what stands out, and how leaders can approach the hiring process more effectively.
What it takes to move from strong performer to executive
In this episode, I talk about the shift from doing the work to influencing outcomes. I share what separates technical performance from executive readiness and the role of presence, influence, and networking.You’ll learn:Why traditional strategies like hard work and getting more credentials aren’t enough.How to develop executive presence that sets you apart.The importance of building influence and
Taking on roles where you are expected to fix things (with Brenda Hodo-Iddris)
Making bold moves is what defines Brenda Hodo-Iddris. With over 20 years of experience spanning public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Brenda has mastered the art of adaptability and strategic influence. In this episode, she shares:
How she carved out a niche as a "fixer" in nonprofit finance and operations.
The importance of building trust and relationships across all levels of an organizatio
My first 90 days as CFO and what I learned early on
Becoming a CFO is an exciting milestone, but those first 90 days can be a whirlwind of learning, decisions, and adjustments. In this episode of Diary of a CFO, I reflect on my journey through my first three months in the role—what I got right, what I wish I had done differently, and the lessons that will stay with me for a lifetime.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
The key advice from my mentor
Stepping into a new CFO role and getting up to speed (with 2x CFO Matt Ziegler)
In this episode of Diary of a CFO, I sit down with Matt Ziegler, CFO of GovExec, to unpack what it really takes to hit the ground running in a new CFO role.
Matt shares his experience moving from FP&A to CFO, managing multiple functions, and finding his footing in a company with complex business models.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
How to structure your first 90 days as CFO for maximum impact
The
How marketing and finance can work better together (with Elaine Benfield)
In this episode, Elaine Benfield, a seasoned marketing leader, shares her insights on how to bridge the gap between marketing and finance. We dive into the importance of aligning metrics, building collaborative relationships, and leveraging storytelling to drive business growth.
Whether you're in finance, marketing, or leadership, this conversation offers valuable strategies to break down silos an
Where and why CFOs have to say no
Welcome to the final part of What They Don’t Tell You About Becoming a CFO. In this episode, I explore why being able to say no is a critical skill for any CFO and leader. Here's what you'll learn:Why saying yes too often can damage your focus and leadership credibilityHow overcommitting can hurt your personal brand and mental healthThe importance of setting boundaries to protect your teamHow the
Working across the business as a CFO, not just inside finance
In Part 2 of the "What They Don’t Tell You About Becoming a CFO" series.This episode focuses on one of the biggest adjustments in the role. A large part of the job involves working with teams outside finance and communicating financial insights in a way that others can use. I walk through what that looks like in practice and how it affects decision-making.Learn why understanding their priorities w
What changes when you step into a CFO role for the first time
This episode kicks off the series on becoming a CFO. I talk about why the role is not about maintaining the status quo, what expectations shift immediately, and how to start building trust and understanding the business beyond the numbers.
How I became a CFO and why I started this podcast
In this introduction, I share my path as a finance and accounting executive, what led me to the CFO role, and why I decided to start this podcast. I also talk about what to expect as we explore the realities of working in the C-suite.
80/20 Rule for FP&A Experts to Transform Decision-Making Through Analytics with Andrew Hull
Note:This episode is a pod swap from FP&A Unlocked. We’re sharing it here to help you discover another excellent show in the finance leadership space. All content belongs to the original podcast and host Paul Barnhurst.Note: This episode is a pod swap from FP&A Unlocked. We’re sharing it here to help you discover another excellent show in the finance leadership space. All content belongs t
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