In this episode of CFO Weekly, Tom McDermott, Chief Financial Officer at Career Certified, joins Megan Weis to discuss business partnering and value drivers for private equity CFO, sharing insights from his diverse career spanning global technology companies, private equity, and education technology.
Tom is an experienced executive and financial leader with vast experience in global technology companies across the US and UK. His expertise in business partnering and value creation has been demonstrated through successful roles at Vista-backed companies, PSG, and Fortune 500 organizations like NCR. Tom is known for his strategic approach to transforming transactional revenue models into recurring revenue streams and his success in managing M&A integrations.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to transition from traditional finance roles to becoming a true business partner
• The importance of rapid M&A integration and having a clear integration playbook for driving value creation
• How to transform transactional revenue streams into recurring revenue through strategic storytelling and data support
• Why embracing VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) is essential for successful financial leadership
• The strategic approach to implementing AI across different business functions, from accounting to customer service

Learn more about Tom:

• Tom McDermott on LinkedIn
• Career Certified 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.
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
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In this episode of CFO Weekly, Jordan Grumet, a Wealth With Purpose Mastermind at Earn & Invest, joins Megan Weis to discuss the profound connection between purpose, legacy, and financial independence. Jordan shares powerful insights on aligning wealth-building with meaningful living, overcoming purpose anxiety, and using money as a tool rather than a goal.


Jordan is a hospice physician and financial independence expert. Combining his unique background in medicine and personal finance, he hosts the award-winning Earn and Invest podcast and is the author of "Taking Stock: A Hospice Doctor's Advice on Financial Independence, Building Wealth and Living a Regret-Free Life" and "The Purpose Code."

What You’ll Learn:

• How to define and discover your personal purpose anchors using childhood interests and regret reflection
• Why financial independence should be viewed as a tool rather than the ultimate goal
• The critical difference between meaning and purpose
• Time-hacking techniques to maximize productivity
• The connection between hospice care insights and building a regret-free financial life
• How to balance short-term spending with long-term legacy planning

Learn more about Jordan:

• Jordan Grumet on LinkedIn
• Jordan Grumet’s Website
• Earn & Invest Website
• 'The Purpose Code’ book
  
  

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.
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
CFO Weekly is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, joins Megan Weis to expose the myths behind conventional money advice and reveal smarter ways to generate passive income. Chris shares his journey from being a conventional financial advisor to achieving financial independence twice, including how he escaped $1 million in debt after the last recession.


Chris, the “Cash Flow Expert” and Anti-Financial Advisor, is a leading authority teaching entrepreneurs and professionals how to get their money working for them today. His expertise has been featured in US News, CNN Money, Entrepreneurs on Fire, and BiggerPockets. Through his company, Money Ripples, Chris has helped clients increase their cash flow by nearly $300 million over the past 12 years.


What You’ll Learn:

• Why most financial advisors aren't financially free themselves
• How Chris went from millionaire to millions of dollars in debt and back again
• The biggest lies about 401(k)s, the stock market, and "set-it-and-forget-it" investing
• The best passive income strategies that actually work today
• How alternative investments can provide better returns with lower risk

Learn more about Chris:

• Chris Miles on LinkedIn
• Money Ripples 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.
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
CFO Weekly is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Ranil DeSilva, Chief Financial and Operating Officer at CARE, joins Megan Weis to dive into financial sustainability, NGO finance, business partnering, supply chain, and digital transformation. Learn how modern financial leadership can transform humanitarian operations through innovative technology and strategic resource management.


With over 26 years of experience spanning public practice, funds management, and international NGOs, Ranil brings a unique perspective to humanitarian finance and operations. A Certified Practicing Accountant with executive education from Oxford University and MIT Sloan, he has held pivotal roles, including interim CFO at Save the Children Norway and Global Director of Financial Analysis.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How CARE manages a $900 million portfolio across 50 country offices
• The unique challenges of financial management in the NGO space
• How technological innovations are reshaping NGO operations
  
  

Learn more about Ranil:

• Ranil DeSilva on LinkedIn
• CARE 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.
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
CFO Weekly is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Claire Bramley, Chief Financial Officer at Teradata, joins Megan Weis to discuss the modern CFO, how technology and AI are reshaping the CFO's responsibility, and defining what a successful executive looks like. Claire also dives into career growth, leadership strategies, and the underestimated power of storytelling in finance.


With a vast background in corporate finance and technology, Claire brings over two decades of experience, including significant tenure at HP, where she served as Global Controller and led finance strategy for their $17 billion EMEA business. Claire's expertise spans financial controls, strategic planning, and digital transformation, particularly in leveraging AI and analytics for business growth.


In this episode, we discuss:

• The evolution of the CFO role beyond traditional financial operations
• How Teradata implements rotation programs and cross-functional collaboration to develop talent
• The impact of AI and analytics on financial decision-making
• How modern CFOs balance traditional responsibilities with expanding strategic duties

Learn more about Claire:

• Claire Bramley on LinkedIn
• Teradata 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.


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.
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
CFO Weekly is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Rick Yvanovich, CEO & Founder of TRG International, explores why traditional leadership is failing—and how emotionally intelligent, purpose-driven leadership is the future. He shares decades of insights on how businesses can adapt and thrive in an era of constant change.Rick is a Certified Chief Master Coach, serial entrepreneur, and the author of Business as Unusual. With over 40 years of leadership experience spanning multiple industries, he helps organizations unlock their potential through smarter leadership and cultural transformation.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The transformative role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership and strategic decision-making
• The reasons traditional business models are struggling and how organizations can adapt to thrive
• Key strategies for CFOs to maintain relevance and drive value in an era of digital transformation
• Why hiring for attitude and potential is more impactful than focusing solely on technical skills
• The essential elements of building a high-performance, purpose-driven company that fosters growth and innovation

Learn more about Rick:

• Rick Yvanovich on LinkedIn
• TRG International Website
• PJ’s Coffee Website
• Great People Inside Website
• Business as Unusual book
  
  

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.
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.
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
CFO Weekly is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of CFO Weekly, William Washington, Global CFO of Baker McKenzie, joins Megan Weis to share his experiences regarding financial leadership, process improvement, operational efficiency, and many more. William also dives into the Six Sigma methodologies in financial operations and preparing finance teams for the AI revolution.


As a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with an MBA and Master's in Law Firm Management, William combines deep financial understanding with operational excellence principles to drive organizational success. His career spans prominent roles at global organizations, including Accenture and Fannie Mae, before finding his true calling in legal finance leadership.


In this episode, we discuss:

• How the Six Sigma methodologies transform financial operations and process improvement
• The unique challenges of financial leadership in law firms
• The importance of authentic leadership and creating a culture where "trying is not a failure"
• What impact does AI have on financial operations

Learn more about William:

• William Washington on LinkedIn
• Baker McKenzie Website
• College of Law Practice Management 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.

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.
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
CFO Weekly is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so

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
• Follow on Spotify

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

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.
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
CFO Weekly is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so

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.


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.
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
CFO Weekly is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so

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.


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.
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
CFO Weekly is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so