1185: Scaling Smarter in the AI Era | Sarah Riley, CFO, Dbt Labs
In this episode, CFO Sarah Riley discusses how modern software companies, especially data infrastructure firms like dbt Labs, are scaling in the AI era by leveraging trusted enterprise data and rapid, data‑driven decision making. She shares insights from her finance leadership roles at Salesforce, Okta, and Zoom, emphasizing the shift from traditional forecasting to actionable, partnership‑focused FP&A, and the importance of speed and iteration. Riley also explains dbt Labs' open‑source data platform, its recent merger with Fivetran to become the third‑largest data platform company, and how a strong data‑literacy culture drives performance and growth.
1183: Enter the Blockchain CFO: Reshaping Capital Markets | Macrina Kgil, CFO, Future
In this episode, CFO Macrina Gill discusses her journey from engineering and PwC advisory work to leading finance at Figure, where blockchain is being used to modernize lending and capital markets. She explains how blockchain can provide real‑time loan ownership...
1181: What AI Means for the Future of Finance Leadership | Yuval Atsmon, CFO & Sr Partner, McKinsey & Company
In this episode, senior partner and new CFO Yuval Atsmon discusses how AI and shifting client expectations are reshaping finance leadership at McKinsey, a firm that advises the rest of the business world. He explains the need for real‑time visibility,...
Automotive CFO-To-Go Kathi Kruse Talks Dealership Finance, Accounting in ‘Lightning Round’
In this lightning‑round episode, automotive finance expert Kathy Kruse (Automotive CFO‑To‑Go) discusses why every dealership needs a CFO, even part‑time, and shares practical tactics for expense control, internal controls, and spotting operational weaknesses. She emphasizes using NADA benchmark data to...
1179: Why Trust Can Outperform Price | Thomas Baumgartner, CFO, Voestalpine Metsec
In this episode, CFO Thomas Baumgartner of voestalpine Metsec (UK) discusses how trust and certification outweigh price competition in the steel‑section market, and how he leverages data, AI, and a controller‑mindset to drive strategic transformation. He shares insights from his 20‑year journey—from...
1177: Navigating an Acquisition at the Edge of Change | Tom DiDesidero, CFO, SmartRecruiters
In this episode, CFO Tom DiDesidero discusses SmartRecruiters' acquisition by SAP amid a rapidly evolving AI-driven SaaS landscape, highlighting the challenges of fast integration, cultural alignment, and shifting business assumptions. He shares his unconventional career path—from early roles in small...
IPO Readiness for CFOs: Processes, Controls & Strategy for Going Public
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Ignacio "Nacho" Redondo, SVP of Finance at NextPower (formerly NextTracker), shares how he prepared the solar‑tech company for an IPO by building robust financial processes, internal controls, and operational discipline. He recounts his unconventional...
1174: When Finance Must Reset the Narrative | Aidan Viggiano, CFO Twilio
In this episode, Twilio CFO Aidan Viggiano discusses how the company pivoted from rapid growth to re‑establishing financial discipline amid slowing revenue, tighter cost structures, and the need to rebuild investor confidence. Drawing on her two‑decade GE background, she explains...
Greatest Hits: Building Learning Cultures in Finance with Jessica McClain, CFO at American Staffing Association
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Jessica McClain, CFO of Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital, discusses the importance of lifelong learning for financial leaders, especially as AI and automation reshape accounting work. She shares how her background in public accounting and...
#276 Why Information Security Is Now a CFO Responsibility, Howard Francioni, Lead Auditor, Akton Boundrie Group
In this episode, host Kevin Appleby talks with Howard Francioni, a lead auditor at Akton Boundrie Group, about why information security is now a core responsibility for CFOs. They discuss the real‑world impact of cyber incidents—such as the Jaguar Land...
1171: How CFOs Rise by Learning Sideways First | Marc Mehlman, CFO, Ascensus
In this episode, CFO Marc Mehlman of Ascensus shares how a non‑linear career—filled with lateral moves, operational roles, and a stint in investor relations—prepared him for the CFO office. He emphasizes that deep business exposure, pattern recognition, and credibility often...
AI-Powered Vendor Management and How CFOs Streamline Operations with Sara Wyman, CEO & Founder at Stackpack
In this episode of CFO Weekly, host Megan Weiss talks with Sara Wyman, CEO and founder of StackPak, about the evolving role of CFOs in vendor management and how AI can automate and streamline the process. Wyman explains that traditional...
Special Episode: Rethinking the ERP Upgrade Path
In this special episode, Intuit’s Executive Vice President and General Manager of Mid‑Market, Ashley Still, challenges the traditional belief that fast‑growing companies must abandon QuickBooks for a heavyweight ERP. She introduces Intuit Enterprise Suite, an ERP that retains QuickBooks‑like usability...
1167: CFO Leadership at Venture Inflection Points | Intekhab Nazeer, CFO, Lineaje
In this episode, CFO Indikab Nazir discusses how finance leaders can become strategic partners by immersing themselves in go‑to‑market operations and pipeline dynamics, especially during venture‑backed inflection points. He shares lessons from early mentorship, interim CFO roles, and scaling companies...
What Two PE Exits Taught James About Winning as a CFO
In this episode, James Carver, a CFO with two private‑equity‑backed exits, walks through his career—from trading desks and investment banking to leading finance functions in mid‑market companies—and shares the operational and strategic levers that drove value in each sale. He...