CFO Weekly
How New Finance Leaders Navigate Transition and Build Confidence with Kevin Appleby, Head of Partnerships at GrowCFO
CFO Weekly
•January 20, 2026•30 min
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CFO Weekly•Jan 20, 2026
Why It Matters
The transition to CFO is a high‑stakes career move that can determine an organization’s strategic direction, making effective onboarding essential for both the leader and the business. By addressing common challenges like imposter syndrome and isolation, the episode equips finance professionals with actionable strategies to succeed in an increasingly strategic and visible role, a topic especially relevant as more companies elevate finance to a core leadership function.
Key Takeaways
- •New CFOs must define team culture from day one.
- •Imposter syndrome tops challenges for first-time CFOs.
- •First 100 days require rapid organization learning and strategic planning.
- •Peer networks and mentorship accelerate confidence and decision-making.
- •Diverse backgrounds, not just accounting, increasingly enter CFO roles.
Pulse Analysis
In this episode, Kevin Appleby of GrowCFO unpacks the steep learning curve new CFOs face when they move from spreadsheet‑centric roles to the strategic, external face of finance. He highlights how the sudden shift to board‑level conversations, investor relations, and cross‑functional leadership can trigger imposter syndrome, making cultural clarity and personal confidence essential from day one. The discussion underscores that modern CFOs must deliberately shape team culture, define their leadership style, and balance tactical responsibilities with long‑term strategic thinking.
Appleby outlines a practical 180‑day roadmap that begins before the first paycheck. Prospective CFOs are urged to conduct deep industry research, perform SWOT and Porter analyses, and start networking with future colleagues. Once onboard, the first ten days focus on meet‑and‑greet sessions, while the next 60 days break into three 30‑day blocks: fact‑finding with the finance team, building a diagnostic blueprint, and presenting a finance transformation plan to the board. The GrowCFO Future CFO program embeds these steps into its modules, pairing new leaders with seasoned mentors to accelerate learning and reduce overwhelm.
The conversation matters because today’s finance leaders increasingly come from varied backgrounds—investment banking, technology, even marketing—bringing broader perspectives to the CFO seat. As companies scale and seek capital, the demand for strategic finance expertise grows, making the first hundred days a critical window for establishing credibility and driving growth. Leveraging peer networks, mentorship, and a structured onboarding plan helps new CFOs overcome self‑doubt, make informed decisions, and align finance with overall business strategy, ultimately delivering stronger financial performance and stakeholder confidence.
Episode Description
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Kevin Appleby, Head of Partnerships at GrowCFO and host of the GrowCFO Show podcast, joins Megan Weis to explore how new CFOs can successfully navigate their critical first hundred days, drawing from his extensive experience mentoring finance leaders through the challenging transition from technical finance roles to strategic enterprise leadership.
Show Notes
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Kevin Appleby, Head of Partnerships at GrowCFO and host of the GrowCFO Show podcast, joins Megan Weis to explore how new CFOs can successfully navigate their critical first hundred days in the role. Kevin brings extensive experience mentoring finance leaders through one of the most challenging career transitions, drawing from his years supporting aspiring and newly appointed CFOs as they shift from technical finance roles to strategic enterprise leadership.
With his deep background in management consulting and finance education, Kevin shares how new CFOs can overcome imposter syndrome, build effective peer networks, and establish credibility while managing the overwhelming demands of business-as-usual operations. Currently serving as Head of Partnerships at GrowCFO, Kevin oversees programs that help finance professionals develop the strategic thinking, leadership presence, and operational expertise needed to thrive in the CFO seat.
What You'll Learn:
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Why the transition from finance director to CFO represents such a significant cultural shift
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How to structure your first hundred days for maximum impact and credibility
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Strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome and building genuine confidence
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The importance of peer networks and mentorship for isolated finance leaders
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How to balance strategic planning with immediate operational demands
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Why filling the "blank sheet of paper" on team culture matters from day one
**
Learn more about Evan:**
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Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn
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GrowCFO [Website
](https://growcfo.net/)
Episode resources:
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Personiv's Website
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Personiv on LinkedIn
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Personiv on Facebook
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Personiv on [Twitter
](https://twitter.com/personiv)
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Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzie
Check out some of our most recent episodes:
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Why CFOs Are the Chief Everything Officers with Claire Bramley
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Why Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris Miles
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NGO Finance Secrets: CARE’s $900M Strategy with Ranil DeSilva
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Become a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William Washington
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