CFO Weekly

The past and present of the CFO role look significantly different. Once primarily considered as the steward of a company's financial well-being, the CFO today is instrumental in charting the organization's strategic course and leveraging technological advancements for growth. But what catalyzed this shift? Join us as we delve into the change of the CFO role, tracing its origins in accounting and understanding its present-day nexus with strategy and technology in a conversation with Beatty D'Alessandro.

Beatty is currently the Executive In Residence - Graduate Finance Program at Georgia State University. He also served as the Chief Financial Officer for three premier companies up until mid-2018. At Merchants Metals, an Atlanta-based spin-off from Oldcastle and North America's second-largest chain link fence manufacturer, he oversaw finance, accounting, technology, and manufacturing. In 2015, Beatty finished his tenure as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Univar, a global chemical distributor valued at $10 billion. Before this, he held the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Graybar, a company worth $5 billion.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The evolution of the CFO from accounting to strategic leadership
• The strategic path to CFO success
• How a CFO should evaluate and leverage risks and opportunities
• The CFO role in a large public organization versus smaller, non-public companies
• AI and Modern Finance

Learn more about Beatty:

• Beatty D'Alessandro on LinkedIn
• Georgia State University Website
• Univar 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

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, Howard Wilson, Chief Financial Officer at PagerDuty, joins Megan Weis to dive into his journey and the insights he has learned along the way regarding scaling finance in tech. Howard shares how financial leadership now drives strategic change and integrates with commercial strategy, the importance of a customer-centric mindset, and the role of technology and data analytics in decision-making.

Howard brings over 20 years of experience in software and operational management to his role as CFO at PagerDuty, where he leads the finance organization to support the company's growth and scaling initiatives. Before joining PagerDuty, Howard managed the SaaS business at Dynatrace and was Chief Operating Officer at Keynote Systems. He also served as Senior Vice President of Field Operations at Ventyx Biosciences and spent 14 years at Oracle in various senior leadership roles.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why CFOs are the new “Chief Everything Officers”
• The importance of aligning the commercial and financial strategies
• How technology and data analytics are shaping the future of finance
• Managing finance in a customer-centric environment
• Balancing strategic planning with operational execution
• Key strategies for scaling finance operations in tech
  
  

Learn more about Howard:

• Howard Wilson on LinkedIn
• PagerDuty 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, John Ferrari, VP of Finance and Administration (CFO) at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), joins Megan Weis to discuss the role of a CFO as a business leader or the strategic CFO in higher education and the importance of financial stewardship and data-driven decision-making in enhancing student outcomes.

John is a senior executive with expertise in business reengineering, data analytics implementation, and financial management. Besides his role at NOVA, he is also a Board Member of AAFMAA, a Non-Resident Senior Fellow for the American Enterprise Institute, and a Senior Strategy Mentor for Strategic Education International.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How John is driving student success with strategy and data
• Driving collaboration through transparency and team empowerment
• Change management strategies for CFOs
• How the role of a CFO is evolving to incorporate a more customer-focused approach
• Cultivating future leaders in finance

Learn more about John:

• John Ferrari on LinkedIn
• Northern Virginia Community College Website
• AAFMAA 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, Michelle DeBella, Chief Financial Officer at JumpCloud, joins Megan Weis to explore the CFO trifecta: finance, strategy, and leadership. Michelle also dives into the importance of balancing immediate financial responsibilities with long-term strategic planning, the role of AI in business, and the significance of clear communication and mentorship.

Michelle is a dynamic, results-oriented finance executive with over 15 years in public accounting, followed by 10+ years in VP/C-Suite roles in companies such as Knock, Lyft, Uber, Hewlett Packard, Ernst & Young, and Coram Healthcare. Michelle is also an Official Member and Finance Thought Leader for the Forbes Finance Council.
In this episode, we discuss:

• The key elements of successful finance transformation
• Critical qualities a CFO has to possess to manage diverse teams
• How to leverage finance data and AI for business growth
• Storytelling and mentorship in finance
  
  

Learn more about Michelle:

• Michelle DeBella on LinkedIn
• JumpCloud Website
• Forbes Finance Council 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, Carl Seidman, Interim CFO and Finance Director at Seidman Financial, joins Megan Weis to discuss the importance of integrating finance into the overall business and operations, how to transform your FP&A, and the four pillars of success for companies. He also shares his approach to helping companies develop financial professionals into more powerful performers and build FP&A functions so that financial intelligence drives organizational success.

Carl is a trusted business advisor specializing in FP&A, business strategy, and finance transformation. He advises Fortune 500 and middle market companies, helping establish effective FP&A practices, processes, and teams. At the same time, Carl supports financial professionals, positioning them for greater control over their careers by helping build their confidence while eliminating time-wasting activities and mistakes. He is also an Adjunct Faculty Member of the American Management Association and a Senior FP&A Instructor at Wall Street Prep.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What does transforming FP&A look like?
• What are the four key pillars of FP&A?
• What's the difference between the FP&A function in small versus large organizations?
• Why is there a need for FP&A professionals to be entrenched in other business functions' operations?
• How does technology make finance a seamless part of a company's operations?
• How can finance leaders promote financial responsibility and accountability cultures?

Learn more about Carl:

• Carl Seidman on LinkedIn
• Seidman Financial’s 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, Tonya Johnson-Simmons, Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Director of Financial Management for the U.S. Department of the Interior, joins Megan Weis to discuss the evolving role of the CFO in government and beyond. Tonya shares how she's leveraging AI, enhancing cybersecurity, and fostering inclusion in leadership while tackling significant financial challenges.

With over 30 years of experience in the federal government, Tonya is currently overseeing a  $159 billion portfolio at the Department of the Interior. Her expertise spans financial reporting and analysis, cost accounting, internal controls, financial policy, audits, and the Agency's Financial Report (AFR). Tonya previously worked for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and was the Director of the Financial Operations Division for the USDA.
In this episode, we discuss:

• The evolution of the government CFO
• Strategies for managing a $159 billion portfolio
• Harnessing AI and awareness to combat cybersecurity threats
• How to cultivate trust in financial accountability
• Empowering finance teams for tomorrow’s challenges

Learn more about Tonya:

• Tonya Johnson-Simmons on LinkedIn
• U.S. Department of the Interior 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, Chad Gold, Chief Financial Officer at G2, joins Megan Weis to discuss strategic financial engineering. Chad dives into mastering valuation and investment strategies for high-growth tech companies, financial modeling, and building strong investor relationships.

With over 20 years of experience in corporate finance, including CFO roles at both pre-IPO and post-IPO tech companies, Chad joined G2 after serving as CFO at Salesloft. Before that, he was CFO at Rubicon, overseeing financial operations and reporting, and held CFO and finance leadership roles at SAP Ariba and The Home Depot.In this episode, we discuss:

• How finance drives business impact
• What goes into building dynamic financial models
• The power of growth, storytelling, and investor relationships
• How revolving credit can boost flexibility in high-growth companies

Learn more about Chad:

• Chad Gold on LinkedIn
• G2 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, Luke Boyenger, Chief Financial Officer at Cruzumi CFO & Advisory, joins Megan Weis to share insights on building a finance team around a fractional CFO. Luke also discusses his inspiring journey from witnessing his family's business close to helping others succeed in finance and the importance of a strong finance team and effective cash flow forecasting.

Luke's journey began with the tough experience of seeing his family business close during high school, sparking his passion for mastering business management. This led him to earn a degree in accounting, become a CPA, and learn from global leaders. With roles at EY as an auditor, data analytics coach, and director of accounting, he gained a deep understanding of what makes businesses thrive, building a skill set that helps bridge the gap between finance and effective operations.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why every small business needs a finance expert for long-term success
• How to choose the right CFO depending on your growth strategy
• When is the right time to bring in a fractional CFO
• Strategies for sustainable business growth while maintaining financial health

Learn more about Luke:

• Luke Boyenger on LinkedIn
• Cruzumi CFO & Advisory 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, Alyssa Shadinger, Chief Financial Officer at Sisense, joins Megan Weis to share how to transform data into actionable insights. Alyssa also discusses her passion for data-driven decision-making, the importance of fostering a culture of data literacy, and the role of AI in finance.

Alyssa brings a strong skill set in leadership, auditing, social media, CPA, and SAP. Before Sisense, she held roles such as Director of Finance at Akamai Technologies and Linode, Board Member for the United Women in Business Foundation, Manager at Deloitte, and Senior Manager at the Pine Hill Group.
In this episode, we discuss:

• How to focus on data that drives action
• 3 proven strategies to empower faster, smarter decision
• How AI and ML have impacted business decision-making
• Leveraging insights without compromising data security

Learn more about Alyssa:

• Alyssa Shadinger on LinkedIn
• Sisense 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, Connor Augustyn, Director at West Monroe, joins Megan Weis to lay out a comprehensive guide for private equity-backed CFOs to create and implement a finance transformation roadmap that will elevate company value through both data-driven strategies and effective financial management.

Connor's role as Director at West Monroe is the result of his diverse experience at both West Monroe and Clerestory Consulting, as well as Conagra Brands. He holds a degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and brings a strong skill set in finance, financial reporting, accounting, sales, and cash flow management.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Key strategies for successful financial transformation
• How PE-backed CFOs prioritize for success
• The importance of aligning long-term strategy with short-term PE goals
• Maintaining stakeholder engagement throughout the transformation process
• How stakeholder buy-in and smart tech choices drive success

Learn more about Connor:

• Connor Augustyn on LinkedIn
• West Monroe 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