The CFO Show

In this episode, host Melissa Howatson welcomes Steve Browning, VP of Data Privacy and Corporate Security at Vena, and Kaz Takemura, Managing Director of FP&A Technologies at Modelcom, to explore how finance teams can adopt AI safely and strategically. 

Steve and Kaz share practical, cross-functional strategies for embedding AI into business operations, from building the right teams to creating scalable governance frameworks. They also unpack the emotional and organizational barriers to AI adoption and offer tips to drive both innovation and risk management.  

Whether you're just starting your AI journey or looking to optimize existing implementations, learn how to move from fear to forward momentum, without compromising security or trust. 

Discussed in This Episode: 

• Why AI is now a non-negotiable technology 
• The importance of cross-functional teams in AI governance 
• How fear and job insecurity are major blockers to adoption 
• The risks of shadow AI usage and how to spot it 
• Guardrails that enable safe experimentation, not restriction 
• Why employee education is the secret weapon of successful AI programs

For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com. 

Is your finance team truly driving strategic value, or are you stuck in reactive mode? 

Host Melissa Howatson, welcomes Peter Emerling, Director in the Digital Transformation Practice at Citrin Cooperman, to explore the finance maturity model, the four stages of finance maturity and what it takes to move from reaction to transformation. 

With over 18 years of experience advising businesses across industries and lifecycle stages, Peter breaks down the key components of a modern maturity model, from people and processes to data and governance, and shares practical ways finance leaders can assess where they stand and how to level up.  

If you're struggling with siloed systems, manual workarounds or transformation fatigue, this episode offers a roadmap toward building a smarter, more agile finance function. Learn how you can assess your current maturity level and take concrete steps towards finance transformation that drives real business impact. 

Discussed in This Episode: 

• The Four Levels of Finance Maturity—Sustaining, Reactionary, Transforming and Innovating: Understanding Where Your Team Is Today and What’s Next. 
• Five assessment pillars: People, Process, Technology, Data, and Governance.
• Red flags that indicate your team may be stuck at level two.
• How to evolve without ripping out your tech stack.
• Real-world client examples and what drives true business impact.
• Actionable strategies to progress through maturity stages.

For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

The era of reactive supply chain management is over. Are you ready for predictive resilience? 

Nick McKeehan, Managing Director at Protiviti, shares CFO-focused insights on modern supply chain disruptions, from cybersecurity to geopolitical tensions. With 25 years in finance transformation, Nick guides the shift from reactive to predictive, tech-enabled decision-making. 

Learn how visionary leaders collaborate across the C-suite, invest in digital twins and AI, and redefine supply chain resilience as a competitive edge. 

This discussion equips finance leaders to navigate volatility, boost agility, mitigate risks, and drive change in today's complex business landscape. 

Discussed in This Episode: 

• How today’s biggest threats—from tariffs to climate events—are reshaping modern supply chains 
• What resilience means in a high-stakes global economy 
• The CFO's crucial role in cross-functional supply chain leadership with COOs and CIOs 
• How leading organizations use technology like AI and digital twins for smarter planning 
• Finance’s expanding influence in risk management and strategic decisions 

For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

What’s driving finance leaders’ strategic planning in 2025—and its future trajectory? 

In this data-packed episode, we welcome back Craig Schiff, CEO of BPM Partners to unpack the findings from Vena’s 2025 State of Strategic Finance Report. From AI adoption to strategic business partnering, Craig dives into key insights on how finance leaders are navigating change, deploying technology, and building more connected and capable teams. Drawing from the report’s insights, Craig reveals the critical direction finance teams must take to remain competitive and efficient. 

Together with host Melissa Howatson, Craig explores major themes from this year's survey, including surprising optimism among finance leaders, a rise in cross-functional collaboration, and the evolving role of AI within finance operations. If you're a finance leader seeking clarity on where the industry is headed, this is your roadmap. 

Discussed in This Episode: 

• Why finance leaders are feeling optimistic in 2025 
• The expanding strategic role of finance in business 
• How teams are managing talent shortages while still growing 
• What's driving widespread adoption of planning technology 
• The real state of AI in finance and what's working 
• Common traits of mature finance organizations

For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

In today's unpredictable real estate market, CFOs are facing complex decisions that could significantly impact their bottom line.  

In this episode, Scot Ginsburg, Executive Managing Director at Hughes Marino and author of ‘It's Not All About the Rent’, breaks down the current commercial real estate landscape and what finance leaders need to know to make smart, strategic choices. 

From the office space downturn to industrial overbuilds, Scot explains why now the time is to rethink lease renewals, restructures, and how to negotiate with landlords. With almost three decades of experience exclusively representing tenants across various industries, he offers invaluable insights on avoiding costly lease mistakes and reveals why the mantra "it's not all about the rent" is crucial in today's market. Discover why traditional approaches to leasing may be costing your company more than you realize and learn the strategies that could save you money in the long run.

Discussed in This Episode  

• Why the real estate landscape is shifting and how companies should respond 
• Lease renewals vs. restructures: Understanding the differences and optimal timing for each 
• Uncovering and avoiding hidden financial traps in commercial lease agreements 
• How to negotiate with landlords in a down market 
• What to look for in a commercial real estate broker: Ensuring the best representation 
• The importance of following a process, even if you “know what you want”  

For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

As the startup funding landscape evolves, is your financial strategy keeping pace? 

In this changing environment, a well-crafted financial strategy has become increasingly crucial for startups. 

Janelle Gorman, CFO of York IE, York IE, an advisory and investment firm that helps technology companies grow, shares valuable insights on crafting financial strategies that can make or break a startup's success. Drawing from her extensive experience with high-growth startups, Janelle explores key topics such as optimizing cash flow, managing burn rates, and identifying the metrics that drive sustainable business growth.  

Whether you're a CFO, finance leader, startup founder, or investor, this episode provides actionable strategies for building financial resilience and positioning your startup for success in the current economic climate. Discover how to transform financial challenges into opportunities for growth and long-term success. 

Discussed in This Episode  

• Navigating the delicate balance between growth and financial sustainability in today's market 
• Evolving investor expectations and strategies to make your startup stand out in fundraising 
• Cash flow management techniques to extend runway and fuel effective scaling 
• Essential financial metrics for startup success, including how to optimize CAC payback period 
• Why achieving product-market fit is crucial before ramping up sales and marketing efforts 

For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

Revolutionizing tax functions is no longer a distant dream—it's happening now. This episode delves into the groundbreaking transformation of tax departments from cost centers to strategic powerhouses. Dave Helmer, EY Global Tax and Finance Operate Leader, and Daren R. Campbell, EY Americas Tax Technology and Transformation Leader, share their expertise on how Generative AI or GenAI and other cutting-edge technologies are elevating tax departments from mere cost centers to strategic business partners. 

The discussion explores how innovative tax strategies are influencing everything from supply chain management to corporate transactions, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of a modernized tax function. 

This episode examines the challenges and opportunities facing today's tax professionals. From talent acquisition to technological integration, it provides insights for finance leaders aiming to unlock the full potential of their tax departments and drive business value in an AI-driven world. 

Learn how forward-thinking companies are leveraging their tax functions to navigate complex regulatory environments, drive efficiency, and inform critical business decisions. 

Discussed in This Episode  

• The role tax plays in partnership with finance and business decision-making 
• How Generative AI is helping CFOs transform tax operations 
• Challenges in tax data management and integration within finance operations 
• AI use cases in tax 
• How tax functions integrate seamlessly into finance 
• Initial steps for AI adoption 
• Change management in AI adoption

For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

The AI revolution is here, and it’s transforming business as we know it.  

In this episode, Hugh Cumming, Chief Technology Officer of Vena, discusses the new industrial revolution powered by artificial intelligence. With over 20 years of experience as a product and technology leader, Hugh offers insights into how AI is reshaping the modern business landscape.  

The conversation delves into AI’s impact on finance and productivity, offering a glimpse into the future of work. Hugh outlines the emerging skill sets required to thrive in this new era and provides valuable advice on how professionals and organizations can stay competitive in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.  

Hugh explores the myriad ways AI is revolutionizing work by automating routine tasks, enhancing decision-making processes, and fostering creative problem-solving. From maximizing operational efficiency to nurturing creativity, Hugh offers practical examples and actionable insights for strategically integrating AI into business operations as a workforce partner.  

Learn how AI is shaping the future of business and how you can position yourself and your organization at the forefront of this exciting new frontier.  

Discussed in This Episode   

• The AI-Driven industrial revolution: How to avoid getting left behind  
• The changing skill sets required for the future AI-driven landscape  
• How businesses are integrating AI into their workflow  
• Embracing AI as a workforce partner, not your replacement  
• Suggestions on how to integrate AI without disruption  
• Importance of change management in AI adoption 

For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

The art of corporate debt management has become a critical balancing act for CFOs, who must simultaneously fuel company expansion and preserve financial robustness.   

Debt is a critical tool that, when leveraged effectively, can drive operational efficiency and business expansion. By structuring debt strategically, organizations can optimize liquidity, mitigate financial risk, and enhance overall capital efficiency.

Tom Panther, former Chief Financial Officer of Corpay, a leading S&P 500 corporate payments company, joins our host Melissa Howatson to discuss the complexities of debt management. Drawing on his 30+ years of experience in finance, Tom explains how CFOs can navigate debt management amid fluctuating market conditions and leverage these changes to benefit their organizations.  

Discover Tom’s strategies for effective spend management, proactive cash flow monitoring, and successfully adapting to today’s new business landscape.  

Discussed in This Episode:  

• The macroeconomic impacts resulting from the Federal Reserve rate cuts and broader market volatility.   
• Strategies CFOs are employing to adapt their financial approaches in response to economic shifts.  
• Advice on how to maximize debt structure.  
• How businesses can hedge against volatility.  
• Positioning your organization for future growth in an evolving climate.

For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

Intellectual property (IP) is revolutionizing how companies build value. For many businesses, the key to sustainable growth lies not in their balance sheet, but in the ideas they own. 

Erin-Michael Gill, founder of M&A firm Genaesis, LLC, and Chairman of a Federal Advisory Committee on Intellectual Property and Trade, shares his expertise in this episode. With over $1.2 billion in M&A and capital formation investments under his advisory, Gill is consistently recognized as one of the world's leading IP strategists. 

Erin-Michael delves into the intersection of IP strategy, innovation, and deal-making. He discusses how CFOs can unlock the full potential of their IP portfolios to fuel growth, attract investors, and drive success in M&A transactions. 

Discover why IP should be at the forefront of your business strategy and learn practical approaches to developing and managing IP assets. 

Discussed in This Episode: 

• The pivotal role of IP and intangible assets in driving company valuation and growth, with a focus on M&A contexts. 
• Why many businesses overlook their potential to monetize IP and other intangible assets. 
• How a well-crafted IP portfolio can become a cornerstone of a company's growth strategy, attract investors, and secure competitive advantages.  
• The various ways patents add value to a business, from legal protections to social proof.  
• Strategies for assessing, valuing, and positioning intangible assets to optimize outcomes in deal-making scenarios.

For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.