In this episode of CFO Weekly, Derek Paulson, Vice President of FP&A at Pura Vida, joins Megan Weis to explore what it truly means to be a finance generalist in a world that often rewards specialization. Derek brings a grounded and practical perspective built across a diverse career that spans FP&A, strategy, supply planning, performance marketing, and even career coaching, with experience at companies including Honeywell, PepsiCo, and Rad Power Bikes.
With an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and a foundational start as a cost accountant walking the shop floor of a manufacturing plant, Derek shares how stepping outside of traditional finance roles early in his career shaped the way he sees business, builds partnerships, and drives impact. Currently serving as Vice President of FP&A at Pura Vida, a purpose-driven lifestyle brand and certified B Corp, Derek discusses how finance leaders can thrive as generalists inside highly specialized organizations, and why connecting the dots across teams is fast becoming one of the most valuable skills in the function.

What You’ll Learn:

• How early shop floor experience shaped Derek’s finance generalist mindset
• Why an MBA from Kellogg broadened his perspective beyond traditional finance
• What being a finance generalist actually looks like in day-to-day work
• How finance leaders can earn credibility to influence decisions across the business
• The “co-pilot” role of finance in guiding the organizational strategy
• The precision vs. accuracy lesson and how it applies to demand planning and forecasting
• Why AI is both the most exciting and most concerning development in finance today
• How to leverage AI without outsourcing critical thinking

Learn More About Derek:

• Derek Paulson on LinkedIn
• Pura Vida Website

Episode resources:

• Personiv's Website
• Personiv on LinkedIn
• Personiv on Facebook
• Personiv on Twitter
  
  

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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

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• What Lights You Up? with Jordan Grumet
• Become a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William Washington
  
  

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