In this episode of CFO Weekly, Alex Jimenez, Lead Principal Consultant at Backbase, joins Megan Weis to break down why traditional digital transformation approaches need rethinking, what digital transformation really means for banks, and why we should drop the word "digital" altogether.


Alex brings over 36 years of financial services expertise to the intersection of banking and technology transformation. As a respected thought leader in digital banking innovation, he has held strategic positions across major institutions including Bank of America and Zions Bank Corporation, and served as Chief Strategy Officer at both Extractable and Finalytics AI.Alex's distinguished career spans roles in strategic planning, digital banking, operations, and customer experience, complemented by his influential work as chairman of the Consumer Bankers Association's Digital Channel Committee and founding member of the American Bankers Association's fintech committee.


In this episode, we discuss:

• Why digital transformation should be viewed as a business model transformation rather than just a technology upgrade
• How C-suite alignment and CEO commitment are essential for meaningful organizational change
• What is progressive modernization
• The impact of AI and machine learning on banking's future

Learn more about Alex:

• Alex Jimenez on LinkedIn
• Backbase Website
• Finovate Website
  
  

Episode resources:

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

If you enjoyed this episode, then please either:

• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
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Instructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.

CFO Weekly is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Previous guests include: Carl Seidman, CSP, CPA , CFO Advisor at Seidman Financial, Beatty D'Alessandro, Managing Partner at BCDN Advisors, Stephen Newland, CMA, Owner of MoneyPath FP&A, Emmanuel Daniel, Founder of The Asian Banker, Official Member at Forbes Business Council


Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Transforming the Four FP&A Key Pillars for Business Success with Carl Seidman
• Top Skills and Strategies for Standing Out in Finance with Stephen Newland
• The Future of Finance with Emmanuel Daniel 

If you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guest

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Jim Benson, Chief Financial Officer at Dynatrace, joins Megan Weis to share insights about modernizing the finance function, developing succession strategies, and what CFOs should focus on as we enter 2025.


Jim brings over three decades of leadership experience in market-leading technology companies. Before joining Dynatrace, he served as Executive Vice President and CFO at Akamai Technologies and spent over 20 years in various leadership roles at Hewlett Packard.


In this episode, we discuss:

• The evolution of the CFO role from traditional financial steward to strategic business partner
• What are the critical components of modernizing finance functions
• How CFOs can leverage data analytics and storytelling to drive better decision-making
• CFO's expanding role in driving company-wide alignment and growth

Learn more about Jim:

• Jim Benson on LinkedIn
• Dynatrace Website
  
  

Episode resources:

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

If you enjoyed this episode, then please either:

• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
• Follow on Spotify
  
  

Instructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.


CFO Weekly is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Previous guests include: Carl Seidman, CSP, CPA , CFO Advisor at Seidman Financial, Beatty D'Alessandro, Managing Partner at BCDN Advisors, Stephen Newland, CMA, Owner of MoneyPath FP&A, Emmanuel Daniel, Founder of The Asian Banker, Official Member at Forbes Business Council


Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Transforming the Four FP&A Key Pillars for Business Success with Carl Seidman
• Top Skills and Strategies for Standing Out in Finance with Stephen Newland
• The Future of Finance with Emmanuel Daniel 

If you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guest

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Luigi Testa, Chief Financial Officer at LinkSquares, joins Megan Weis to dive into the intricacies of growth stage software, the challenges of raising capital, and operating these types of businesses. Luigi also shares insights on the importance of storytelling in finance and how AI is revolutionizing legal tech.


With a robust background in venture capital and private equity-backed tech companies, Luigi has sharpened his expertise in scaling businesses and navigating the complexities of financial management. His leadership was recognized when he was named one of Boston Business Journal's 2023 CFO of the Year honorees. Before LinkSquares, he held significant roles at companies such as Building Engines, Rapid7, Nanigans, Rapid7, and Acquia.


In this episode, we discuss:

• Luigi's journey in the tech and finance sectors
• How understanding the narrative behind the numbers is crucial for effective communication within a company
• Insights on transitioning from a variable revenue model to a SaaS model
• Fundraising strategies for growth-stage companies

Learn more about Luigi:

• Luigi Testa on LinkedIn
• LinkSquares Website
• The F Suite Website
  
  

Episode resources:

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

If you enjoyed this episode, then please either:

• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
• Follow on Spotify

Instructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.


CFO Weekly is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Previous guests include: Carl Seidman, CSP, CPA , CFO Advisor at Seidman Financial, Beatty D'Alessandro, Managing Partner at BCDN Advisors, Stephen Newland, CMA, Owner of MoneyPath FP&A, Emmanuel Daniel, Founder of The Asian Banker, Official Member at Forbes Business Council


Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Transforming the Four FP&A Key Pillars for Business Success with Carl Seidman
• Top Skills and Strategies for Standing Out in Finance with Stephen Newland
• The Future of Finance with Emmanuel Daniel 

If you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guest

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Keith Causey, SVP of Cloud ERP Transformation at Oracle, joins Megan Weis to discuss the transformative impact of AI on finance, how AI-driven tools are enabling touchless operations, and the role of CFOs as change agents and offers actionable advice for overcoming resistance to innovation.


Keith is a strategic and highly accomplished senior executive specializing in cloud technologies and digital transformation within the finance sector. With a career spanning over 35 years, Keith has held pivotal roles in various industries, including his tenure as Chief Accounting Officer at Caesars Entertainment, where he led a groundbreaking transition to cloud ERP systems, becoming the first in the industry to do so.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The significant role of cloud technology in modern finance
• How AI is revolutionizing traditional finance functions
• Cultural challenges that organizations face when implementing AI
• The future of finance and exciting trends in AI

Learn more about Keith:

• Keith Causey on LinkedIn
• Oracle Website
  
  

Episode resources:

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

If you enjoyed this episode, then please either:

• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
• Follow on Spotify
  
  

Instructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.


CFO Weekly is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Previous guests include: Carl Seidman, CSP, CPA , CFO Advisor at Seidman Financial, Beatty D'Alessandro, Managing Partner at BCDN Advisors, Stephen Newland, CMA, Owner of MoneyPath FP&A, Emmanuel Daniel, Founder of The Asian Banker, Official Member at Forbes Business Council


Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Transforming the Four FP&A Key Pillars for Business Success with Carl Seidman
• Top Skills and Strategies for Standing Out in Finance with Stephen Newland
• The Future of Finance with Emmanuel Daniel 

If you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guest

In this episode of CFO Weekly, CJ Gustafson, Chief Financial Officer at PartsTech, joins Megan Weis to discuss the annual planning process and the metrics that go into building a good budget. CJ also discusses the importance of storytelling in finance, how to foster a people-centric approach to budgeting, and the role of AI and analytics in transforming budgeting in the years ahead.


CJ is a seasoned CFO with vast experience in the tech industry, particularly in scaling software companies through strategic financial management. With a background that includes consulting at PwC and working in private equity, CJ has developed a keen understanding of business models and the complexities of revenue growth. He has played key roles in hyper-growth environments, focusing on financial planning and analysis, sales operations, and overall corporate strategy.


In this episode, we discuss:

• The role of storytelling in finance
• Key financial metrics to prioritize during the budgeting process
• Common pitfalls companies face during budgeting and how to overcome them
• The integration of data analytics and AI into budgeting
  
  

Learn more about CJ:

• CJ Gustafson on LinkedIn
• PartsTech Website
  
  

Episode resources:

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

If you enjoyed this episode, then please either:

• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
• Follow on Spotify
  
  

Instructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.

CFO Weekly is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Previous guests include: Carl Seidman, CSP, CPA , CFO Advisor at Seidman Financial, Beatty D'Alessandro, Managing Partner at BCDN Advisors, Stephen Newland, CMA, Owner of MoneyPath FP&A, Emmanuel Daniel, Founder of The Asian Banker, Official Member at Forbes Business Council


Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Transforming the Four FP&A Key Pillars for Business Success with Carl Seidman
• Top Skills and Strategies for Standing Out in Finance with Stephen Newland
• The Future of Finance with Emmanuel Daniel 

If you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guest

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Aaron Levine, Chief Financial Officer at Prophix, joins Megan Weis to discuss the challenges and opportunities of being a CFO at a company whose technology is made for CFOs. Aaron shares insights on the evolving role of the CFO in today's tech-driven landscape, the importance of data stewardship, and how innovative financial solutions can enhance collaboration across teams.


Aaron is a seasoned financial executive with vast experience in high-growth venture capital and private equity-backed technology companies. With a career that began in public accounting and transitioned through various roles, he has developed a robust skill set in business analysis, investor relations, budgeting, and P&L management. Before Prophix, Aaron held financial leadership roles at companies such as ChurnZero, EveryAction, BluVector, Fishbowl, and more.


In this episode, we discuss:

• The importance of technology integration to improve decision-making
• How Prophix's technology impacts decision-making and collaboration within finance teams
• The growing demand for tech-savvy finance professionals
• What skills future financial leaders must possess to succeed

Learn more about Aaron:

• Aaron Levine on LinkedIn
• Prophix Website
  
  

Episode resources:

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

If you enjoyed this episode, then please either:

• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
• Follow on Spotify
  
  

Instructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.

CFO Weekly is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Previous guests include: Carl Seidman, CSP, CPA , CFO Advisor at Seidman Financial, Beatty D'Alessandro, Managing Partner at BCDN Advisors, Stephen Newland, CMA, Owner of MoneyPath FP&A, Emmanuel Daniel, Founder of The Asian Banker, Official Member at Forbes Business Council


Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Transforming the Four FP&A Key Pillars for Business Success with Carl Seidman
• Top Skills and Strategies for Standing Out in Finance with Stephen Newland
• The Future of Finance with Emmanuel Daniel 

If you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guest

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Carlos Vega, Co-Founder and CEO of Tesorio, joins Megan Weis to explore how AI is transforming the invoicing and payment collection process, the importance of real-time data in cash flow management, and the emerging role of financial operations in organizations.


With a strong background in finance, including roles at Lazard and Elemento Factoring, Carlos has dedicated nearly a decade to developing Tesorio's AI-powered platform. His expertise in financial operations and machine learning positions him as a thought leader in the evolving landscape of AI in finance. Under his leadership, Tesorio has helped clients like Slack and UiPath achieve remarkable efficiency and growth.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The transformative role of AI in the invoicing and payment collection process
• How "connected financial operations" integrate various financial processes to provide a real-time view of cash flow
• The role of real-time data in improving cash flow management
• What the future of invoicing and payment collection will look like
  
  

Learn more about Carlos:

• Carlos Vega on LinkedIn
• Tesorio Website
  
  

Episode resources:

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

If you enjoyed this episode, then please either:

• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
• Follow on Spotify
  
  

Instructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.


CFO Weekly is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Previous guests include: Carl Seidman, CSP, CPA , CFO Advisor at Seidman Financial, Beatty D'Alessandro, Managing Partner at BCDN Advisors, Stephen Newland, CMA, Owner of MoneyPath FP&A, Emmanuel Daniel, Founder of The Asian Banker, Official Member at Forbes Business Council


Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Transforming the Four FP&A Key Pillars for Business Success with Carl Seidman
• Top Skills and Strategies for Standing Out in Finance with Stephen Newland
• The Future of Finance with Emmanuel Daniel 

If you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guest

In the past year, AI has taken center stage, leaving a profound impact on most industries, and finance is no exception. By integrating AI tools, financial institutions have completely transformed their operations, increasing their efficiency and growth… but at what cost? To explore the role and impact of AI in finance, we discussed with Ashwath Bhat.
Ashwath Bhat serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Fractal. With over twenty years of experience in global finance across multiple markets, he has a proven track record of collaborating with industry leaders to enhance financial outcomes. His expertise lies in FP&A, strategic planning, M&As, commercial finance, pricing strategies, treasury management, and in-depth financial analysis. Before Fractal, he served in various leadership roles at Nielsen, IBM, and GE.


In this episode, we discuss:

• The role of AI in finance
• Leveraging AI for efficient decision-making
• The evolving role of CFOs in the age of AI
• Data privacy and cybersecurity

Learn more about Ashwath:

• Ashwath Bhat on LinkedIn
• Fractal Website
  
  

Episode resources:

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

If you enjoyed this episode, then please either:

• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
• Follow on Spotify
  
  

Instructions on how to follow, rate, and review CFO Weekly are here.

CFO Weekly is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Previous guests include: Carl Seidman, CSP, CPA , CFO Advisor at Seidman Financial, Beatty D'Alessandro, Managing Partner at BCDN Advisors, Stephen Newland, CMA, Owner of MoneyPath FP&A, Emmanuel Daniel, Founder of The Asian Banker, Official Member at Forbes Business Council


Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Transforming the Four FP&A Key Pillars for Business Success with Carl Seidman
• Top Skills and Strategies for Standing Out in Finance with Stephen Newland
• The Future of Finance with Emmanuel Daniel 

If you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guest

Winning at the finance game requires a specific set of skills. It's not just about financial literacy or accounting; soft skills are equally important. You might wonder what these skills are and how to learn them, but don't worry. Stephen Newland, Director of FP&A at GrowthLab Finance-as-a-Service, got you covered.

Stephen has worked in a finance role at various organizations, including startups, early-stage companies, nonprofits, and Fortune 500s. He earned the Certified Management Accountant designation in July 2022 and has an Honors Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance and Accounting from the University of Cincinnati. Before GrowthLab, Stephen held finance roles in organizations like Gravy, Qoins, North Point Community Church, Buckhead Church, Delta Air Lines, and GE.
In this episode, we discuss:

• How does GrowthLab help businesses optimize their finances for growth?
• The importance of learning from mistakes
• What skills are essential in helping finance professionals stand out and advance more quickly within their organizations?
• How can finance professionals develop soft skills early on?
• How can you build relationships and win over the trust of leadership?
• Creating a plan for personal growth

Learn more about Stephen:

• Stephen Newland on LinkedIn
• GrowthLab Finance-as-a-Service Website
  
  

Episode resources:

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

If you enjoyed this episode, then please either:

• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
• Follow on Spotify

Instructions on how to follow, rate, and review CFO-Weekly are here.


CFO Weekly is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Previous guests include: Carl Seidman, CSP, CPA , CFO Advisor at Seidman Financial, Beatty D'Alessandro, Managing Partner at BCDN Advisors, Stephen Newland, CMA, Owner of MoneyPath FP&A, Emmanuel Daniel, Founder of The Asian Banker, Official Member at Forbes Business Council


Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Transforming the Four FP&A Key Pillars for Business Success with Carl Seidman
• Top Skills and Strategies for Standing Out in Finance with Stephen Newland
• The Future of Finance with Emmanuel Daniel 

If you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guest

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Sam Wehbe, Chief Financial Officer at Medical Teams International, joins Megan Weis to dive into the vital balance between financial health and social impact in the nonprofit sector. Sam shares insights on navigating financial challenges, the importance of sound fiscal management, and innovative revenue strategies that support humanitarian efforts.

Sam is an experienced financial management and compliance executive with 20 years of experience in international development and the non-profit sector. Over their career, Sam has successfully managed over $2 billion in donor funds and held key financial roles both in the US and internationally at organizations like Social Impact, Nexant, and Creative Associates International.
In this episode, we discuss:

• The unique financial landscape of nonprofits
• How sound financial management drives positive change
• Adapting financial structures to navigate funding shortfalls
• Transparency and accountability in managing donor funds
• Emerging trends in nonprofit financial management

Learn more about Sam:

• Sam Wehbe on LinkedIn
• Medical Teams International Website
  
  

Episode resources:

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

If you enjoyed this episode, then please either:

• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
• Follow on Spotify
  
  

Instructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.CFO Weekly is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Previous guests include: Carl Seidman, CSP, CPA , CFO Advisor at Seidman Financial, Beatty D'Alessandro, Managing Partner at BCDN Advisors, Stephen Newland, CMA, Owner of MoneyPath FP&A, Emmanuel Daniel, Founder of The Asian Banker, Official Member at Forbes Business Council


Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Transforming the Four FP&A Key Pillars for Business Success with Carl Seidman
• Top Skills and Strategies for Standing Out in Finance with Stephen Newland
• The Future of Finance with Emmanuel Daniel 

If you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guest