The path to becoming a CFO today is rarely a straight line. Finance leaders are increasingly coming from diverse backgrounds, bringing a broad range of skills to the role. After all, the best CFOs don’t just manage numbers; they shape strategy, foster talent, and drive innovation across an organization.

In this episode of The Growth-Minded CFO, hosts Lauren and Alex sit down with Kate Gulliver, CFO and CAO of Wayfair.

It's an insightful conversation about leadership, adaptability, and impact. Kate shares her journey from investor relations to overseeing finance, legal, talent, and corporate communication—offering a rare look at the evolution of a top executive.

She reflects on the challenges of stepping into new roles, the power of an entrepreneurial mindset in a high-growth company, and the lessons learned from integrating finance with people strategy. Kate also opens up about balancing a demanding career with motherhood and the importance of fostering an inclusive, authentic workplace.

Tune in for a deep dive into how finance leaders can drive value beyond the numbers and shape thriving organizations.

00:58 Meet Kate Gulliver: Wayfair's Multifaceted Leader

01:53 Journey Through Wayfair: From IPO to CFO

06:55 Transitioning to Talent: A Leap of Faith

10:28 Learning and Leading in Talent Management

16:08 The CFO Perspective: Integrating Talent and Finance

17:11 Navigating the CFO Role: Insights and Reflections

18:50 The Importance of Cross-Departmental Communication

21:30 Wayfair's Latest Launch: Wayfair Verified

24:49 Operationalizing New Ideas at Wayfair

29:59 Balancing Work and Life

33:23 The Importance of Authenticity at Work

Connect with Kate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-gulliver-3b242762/

Connect with Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexlouisy/

Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenepearl/

Find the full video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tQPhCDNkSUs

The Growth-Minded CFO podcast aims to challenge the status-quo and explore how the best CFOs approach their work and lives. Hosts Lauren Pearl (Fractional CFO, 3-time Founder and Startup Finance Instructor at NYU) and Alex Louisy (FinTech CEO and Y Combinator graduate) speak with inspiring finance and business leaders who’ll share what great CFOs are doing to support high-performing organizations.

This podcast is powered by Upflow - a Financial Relationship Management platform enabling faster payments, stronger customer relationships and efficient growth for your business.

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Want to get in touch? Reach out to our producer at [email protected]