In this episode of The Diary of a CFO Podcast, host Wassia Kamon sits down with Dave DeFreitas, retired group CFO of Caterpillar Inc., to explore the unconventional career path that took him from staff accountant to the C-suite.

Drawing on over 30 years of experience leading finance teams at one of the world's largest manufacturing companies, Dave shares why he had seven different jobs in his first six years before getting his first promotion, and how those lateral moves built the foundation for executive-level thinking.

The conversation also explores:

• The situational leadership framework that allows leaders to adapt their approach based on where each team member is in their development,
• Why understanding how a company works matters more than functional expertise,
• The critical difference between managing change and leading improvements.

This episode is for CFOs, aspiring CFOs, and senior finance leaders who want a realistic roadmap to the C-suite and the leadership skills that matter most once you get there.

Key Timestamps

01:19 Three things that made the difference to group CFO

03:25 The power of lateral moves in career progression

12:06 Situational leadership framework explained

15:41 Leading a team where most direct reports are older than you

24:04 The difference between managers and leaders

28:16 Value stream mapping and process optimization

42:09 How university curriculum needs to evolve for AI

47:37 What finance professionals must do to adapt to AI

Learn more about the podcast at https://www.thediaryofacfo.com

Explore the CFO Readiness Scorecard at https://thecfo.scoreapp.com

👉 If becoming a CFO is in your 5-year plan, get your free CFO Readiness Scorecard here:

http://thecfo.scoreapp.com

In this episode of The Diary of a CFO Podcast, host Wassia Kamon sits down with Tariq Munir, digital transformation advisor and author of Reimagine Finance, to explore what it actually takes to build an AI-ready finance team.

Tariq shares why the biggest barriers to AI adoption are behavioral, not technological. He explains how to identify whether a team is truly data-driven, why streamlining workflows must come before automation, and how CFOs can create a culture of thoughtful experimentation without compromising accuracy or compliance. They also discuss the emerging skills finance leaders need, including change management, emotional intelligence, and responsible AI governance.

This episode offers clarity for CFOs and senior finance leaders navigating transformation, complexity, and the evolving expectations of the role.

Key Takeaways

• AI Readiness Starts with Trust in Data
• Process Optimization Comes First
• Experimentation Requires Boundaries
• Growing a Digital Mindset Across Teams is Essential

Key Timestamps

00:00:00 Welcome

01:22:00 The one litmus test that shows if your team is AI-ready

04:07:00 What broken workflows look like and why AI makes them worse

09:03:00 Earning the right to experiment in finance

13:00:00 Why most AI projects fail to deliver value

20:06:00 How to build a digital mindset across your team

24:14:00 The skills future CFOs need to develop now

25:40:00 Why CFOs are positioned to lead responsible and ethical AI

👉 If becoming a CFO is in your 5-year plan, get your free CFO Readiness Scorecard here:

http://thecfo.scoreapp.com

📬 Get Involved

Have a question or topic suggestion?

Email: [email protected]

Visit: https://www.thediaryofacfo.com

🔗 Connect with Guest Tariq Munir:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tariq-munir/

🔗 Connect with Host Wassia Kamon on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wassiakamon/

Stepping into your first CFO role can feel overwhelming. In this episode, former divisional CFO and GrowCFO Mentor Kevin Appleby shares what really changes when you move from finance leader to CFO.

Drawing on years of experience working with finance leaders across industries, Kevin shares why many CFOs feel unprepared when they step into the role and how the real work begins after the reporting is done. The conversation examines how CFOs add value through judgment, questioning, and forward-looking insight, especially when the path forward is unclear.

This episode is for CFOs, aspiring CFOs, and senior finance leaders who want clarity on what actually matters in the seat and how to grow into the role without trying to be everything to everyone.

Key Timestamps

00:02 Intro

02:18 What separates good finance teams from great ones

05:48 Asking better questions to drive real insight

09:28 Developing business partnering skills through responsibility

12:42 Why CFOs must shift from backward-looking to forward-looking work

18:34 Imposter syndrome and confidence in new CFOs

24:56 Choosing which CFO skills matter most

37:56 The importance of FP&A and delivering bad news early

41:14 Why risk management sits with the CFO

44:22 What new CFOs should focus on in their first 90 days

Learn more about the podcast at https://www.thediaryofacfo.com

If becoming a CFO is in your 5-year plan, get your free CFO Readiness Scorecard here: http://thecfo.scoreapp.com

Get Involved Have a question or topic suggestion? Email: [email protected]

Connect with Guest Kevin Appleby: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinappleby/

Connect with Host Wassia Kamon on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wassiakamon/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wassiakamon/

Connect with The Diary of a CFO Podcast on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-diary-of-a-cfo-podcast/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thediaryofacfopodcast/featured

Website: https://www.thediaryofacfo.com

X (Twitter): https://x.com/thediaryofacfo

In this solo episode, Wassia Kamon shares how she went from staff accountant to CFO in 15 years, including the moments that didn’t look like progress at all.

She talks about:

• Moments in her career that didn’t look like “progress” from the outside.
• Rethinking the value of credentials like the CPA, CMA, and MBA.
• Learning to lead under pressure and make decisions with incomplete information.
• What it was really like to grow her career while raising young kids.
• Promotions that looked impressive from the outside but were emotionally hard, including times when she had to support layoffs from the finance side.

If you’re in accounting or finance and you feel like you’re doing everything “right” but still not moving fast enough, this episode will give you a practical sense of what to focus on next.

Resources mentioned:

👉 If becoming a CFO is in your 5-year plan, get your free CFO Readiness Scorecard here: http://thecfo.scoreapp.com

Have a question or topic suggestion?

Email: [email protected]

🔗 Connect with Host Wassia Kamon on

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/wassiakamon/

In this episode of The Diary of a CFO Podcast, host Wassia Kamon sits down with Teri Kozub, a three-time CFO with more than 33 years of experience in nonprofit finance and current CFO at Community Legal Services of Mid Florida.

Teri shares how her non-linear career shaped her leadership style, why nonprofit finance is far more complex than many assume, and how CFOs can lead effectively through uncertainty, risk, and mission-driven pressure.

Expect to Learn

• Why the CFO role extends far beyond numbers and reporting
• How nonprofit CFOs navigate uncertainty and funding volatility
• What trust and communication look like when leading outside your expertise

Key Timestamps

00:00:00 Introduction and career journey

03:18:00 Why nonprofit finance is not easier

09:03:00 Trust, communication, and leadership

18:47:00 Community and executive isolation

20:45:00 Endowments and long-term legacy

Learn more about the podcast at https://www.thediaryofacfo.com

Explore the CFO Readiness Scorecard at https://thecfo.scoreapp.com

👉 If becoming a CFO is in your 5-year plan, get your free CFO Readiness Scorecard here: http://thecfo.scoreapp.com

📬 Get Involved

Have a question or topic suggestion?

Email: [email protected]

🔗 Connect with Guest Teri Kozub:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-kozub-81058a12/

🔗 Connect with Host Wassia Kamon on

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/wassiakamon/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wassiakamon/

🔗 Connect with The Diary of a CFO Podcast on

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-diary-of-a-cfo-podcast/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thediaryofacfopodcast/

featuredWebsite:https://www.thediaryofacfo.comX

Executive presence is often cited as the reason leaders don’t get promoted, but rarely explained.

In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, Wassia Kamon sits down with executive coach Jill Avey to unpack what executive presence actually means, why high performers get stuck at the Director or VP level, and how promotions really happen at senior levels.

00:00:00 – Welcome back!

01:16:00 – What is executive presence? Jill’s model for understanding and building it

07:50:00 – The challenges women face in leadership roles and how to overcome them

10:35:00 – How to balance confidence with warmth and authenticity in leadership

13:25:00 – Preparing for high-stakes meetings: Strategies for executive success

15:36:00 – The power of listening and how it enhances your leadership presence

23:10:00 – Key obstacles keeping leaders stuck at the director level and how to break through

32:07:00 – How visibility, communication, and executive presence can advance your career

This conversation explores:

• What executive presence is and what it’s not
• Why hard work and strong performance reviews aren’t enough
• The role of visibility, trust, and strategic perspective
• How leaders can show confidence without losing authenticity
• Common leadership traps that affect both men and women

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Subscribe to the Finance Executive Track newsletter for actionable insights to become the obvious choice for top finance roles and thrive once you get there

https://the-finance-executive-track.kit.com/signup

Don't forget to download the free guide on AI prompts every finance leader needs:

https://www.wassiakamon.com/prompts

Attorney and risk-management expert Natalia Greene reveals the real stories behind major fraud cases, including those featured on American Greed that she personally worked on.

She also shares exactly how accountants, fractional CFOs, and boutique finance firms accidentally expose themselves to lawsuits, even when they’ve done nothing wrong.

We cover:

• The wildest embezzlement schemes she’s seen in 20+ years of litigation
• Why accountants often get blamed first when fraud is uncovered
• The engagement letter mistakes that put firms at massive risk
• How scope creep silently increases your legal exposure
• The insurance policy every fractional CFO or firm owner needs (but few ever buy)
• The documentation habits that can make or break you in court
• Why client acceptance and annual reevaluation may be your best risk-prevention tool

Whether you run an accounting firm, work as a fractional CFO, or simply want to protect your professional services business, this episode is packed with hard-won insights you won’t find in any textbook.

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Subscribe to the Finance Executive Track newsletter for actionable insights to become the obvious choice for top finance roles and thrive once you get there

https://the-finance-executive-track.kit.com/signup

Don't forget to download the free guide on AI prompts every finance leader needs:

https://www.wassiakamon.com/prompts

In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, executive recruiter Mark Johnson shares insider perspectives on what CEOs are really looking for in today's CFOs.

Discover how the expectations of finance leadership are evolving, what separates top candidates in interviews, and the essential qualities that define success in the modern C-suite.

Whether you’re an aspiring finance leader or a seasoned executive, you’ll gain actionable advice to stand out and thrive at the top.

Expect to Learn

• Beyond the Resume: Why today’s CFOs must stand out with emotional intelligence, resilience, and trust, not just credentials
• AI vs. Human Connection: How automation is reshaping hiring, and why relationships still make the difference
• Interview Strategy: Why performance alone isn’t enough, and how to truly impress in high-stakes executive interviews
• Path to CFO: What it really takes to land your first CFO seat, including mentorship, visibility, and cross-functional experience
• The Four Intelligence Pillars: How IQ, EQ, SQ, and AQ together define the next generation of finance leadership

If becoming a CFO is part of your goals, get your CFO readiness score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/

Don't forget to download the free guide on AI prompts every finance leader needs:

https://www.wassiakamon.com/prompts

Note:

This episode is a pod swap from FP&A Unlocked. We’re sharing it here to help you discover another excellent show in the finance leadership space. All content belongs to the original podcast and host Paul Barnhurst.

Note: This episode is a pod swap from FP&A Unlocked. We’re sharing it here to help you discover another excellent show in the finance leadership space. All content belongs to the original podcast and host Paul Barnhurst.

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst talks with Andrew Hull, a seasoned finance leader in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. They explore the role of FP&A professionals in driving business results, navigating inflation, and transitioning from traditional budgeting to impactful analytics. Andrew Hull is a financial executive with over two decades of experience in CPG.

Currently the Vice President of Finance at UNFI Canada, Andrew has a proven track record of partnering with business leaders to deliver results through strategic insights and principled financial analysis. With a competitive spirit and passion for team leadership, Andrew shares his unique approach to FP&A, analytics, and the importance of actionable storytelling.

Expect to Learn:

• The three pillars of great FP&A: technical skills, storytelling, and actionable decisions.
• Why Andrew advocates for changing FP&A to “FA&P” and focusing more on analytics.
• Lessons learned from leading finance during the pandemic.
• Key metrics for success in the distribution industry, including variable margin and truck utilization.
• Practical advice for accelerating budget processes and focusing on analytics that drive results.

🔗 Connect with Guest Andrew Hull

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewhull4/

UNFI Canada: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unfi/

🔗 Connect with Host Paul on

Website: https://www.thefpandaguy.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thefpandaguy

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefpandaguy

Join Vivienne Wei, COO of Unified Agent Force Platform at Salesforce and a leading thinker in financial technology, as she shares her journey from Wall Street to orchestrating enterprise-wide AI transformations.

In this episode, Vivienne breaks down the realities and myths of AI in the finance function, from predictive models to generative AI, and reveals how agentic AI is creating a new category of digital workers, “AI agents,” that drive both productivity and resilience in modern businesses.

You'll also learn the essentials of upskilling for an AI-augmented workforce, the leadership behaviors needed to foster adoption, and actionable strategies for CFOs to harness AI for operational and strategic advantage.

Whether you're a finance leader, tech executive, or simply curious about the future of work, discover practical lessons and frameworks to drive innovation and business value in the AI era.

If becoming a CFO is part of your goals, get your CFO readiness score here: https://thecfo.scoreapp.com/

Don't forget to download the free guide on AI prompts every finance leader needs:

https://www.wassiakamon.com/prompts