In this episode of The Growth-Minded CFO, we’re joined by Anne Samak de la Cerda, Partner at FLG Partners, for a deep dive into the rise of fractional CFOs.

With two seasoned fractional CFOs on the mic (our co-host Lauren Pearl included) we explore how the role has evolved, when it makes sense to hire one, and what early vs late-stage companies actually need from finance leadership.

You’ll learn:

• Why not every company needs a full-time CFO
• How fractional CFOs deliver fast, strategic impact
• The difference between early vs late-stage finance needs
• When to bring in a fractional vs full-time hire
• Why demand for fractional CFOs is growing globally
• How fractional CFOs are adapting to AI, tech, and leaner budgets

01:03 Meet Anne and Lauren

01:54 Anne's Journey to Becoming a Fractional CFO

05:42 Lauren's Path to Fractional CFO

09:00 Early Stage vs. Late Stage CFO Roles

15:29 Navigating Crises and Transformations

24:11 Transitioning Out of Business: When and How

24:47 Challenges of Ending Client Relationships

25:20 Evaluating Team Readiness and Setting Expectations

27:39 Lauren's Perspective on Client Transitions

30:34 Balancing Multiple Clients and Diversifying Revenue

37:34 The Importance of Networking for Fractional CFOs

40:04 The Evolving Role of Fractional CFOs

44:49 Global Perspectives and Future Trends

Whether you're a founder, finance leader, or considering going fractional yourself—this episode is packed with insights from the trenches.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with today’s most strategic finance leaders.

Connect with Anne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samakdelacerda/

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

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

Find the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kYrQay8k92g?si=PtsrI2KXXEgdC2Fm

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.

Join thousands of next-level finance leaders and go from chasing invoices to engaging customers. Find out more at https://upflow.io/

Feedback or praise for the podcast? Want to get in touch? Reach out to our producer at [email protected]

Bringing on a CFO is one of the most critical decisions a startup can make—but how do you know when it’s the right time? And more importantly, how do you find someone with the right skills to drive growth, manage complexity, and scale alongside your company?

In this episode of The Growth Minded CFO, hosts Alex and Lauren sit down with Dav Masaon, Co-Founder of executive search firm Zanda, to explore what it really takes to hire the right CFO in today’s fast-changing startup landscape.

Together, they dive into:

• When and why to bring on your first CFO
• The biggest hiring mistakes founders make
• How the role of the CFO is evolving in the age of AI and automation
• Why financial discipline is more important than ever
• What differentiates a great startup CFO from a corporate one

Dav shares expert insights into the traits to look for in finance leaders—from scrappiness and stage-fit to international hiring nuances—offering practical tips for founders, investors, and finance leaders alike.

Whether you’re scaling a startup or refining your leadership team, this episode is packed with must-know advice for building a high-performing finance function in 2025.

01:06 Meet Our Guest: Dav Masaon, Co-Founder of Zanda

02:23 When to Hire a CFO: Key Considerations

08:49 The Evolving Role of the CFO

12:24 Challenges and Pressures Faced by CFOs

17:27 Financial Relationship Management: A New Era

19:14 Recruiting Trends and CFO Backgrounds

20:21 Challenges of Transitioning from Corporate to Startup CFO

20:57 Key Traits for a Successful Startup CFO

21:24 The Role of AI and Automation in Finance

22:32 Importance of Background and Experience for CFOs

24:58 Hiring the Right CFO at the Right Stage

27:48 Evaluating Candidates' Understanding of Startups

31:06 Pitching to Candidates Like Investors

31:20 Comparing US and UK Markets for CFOs

Subscribe for more insights on startup finance, leadership, and growth.

Connect with Dav on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davmasaon/

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/JwItKrlAZjk?si=_5rvedB8vWv63iSA

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.

Join thousands of next-level finance leaders and go from chasing invoices to engaging customers. Find out more at https://upflow.io/.

Feedback or praise for the podcast? Want to get in touch? Reach out to our producer at [email protected]

In this episode of The Growth-Minded CFO, co-hosts Lauren Pearl and Alex Louisy sit down with Nicolas Boucher, finance professional turned AI educator, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the world of corporate finance.

When ChatGPT first launched, most attention went to marketing and content creation. But Nicolas saw something different. He became one of the earliest voices in applying AI to finance—eventually building a following of 1M+ on LinkedIn and publishing guides that have shaped how finance teams use AI today.

Topics covered in this episode:

• How Nicolas transitioned from early adopter to global finance AI expert.
• The moment AI evolved from writing to real quantitative analysis.
• How misusing AI can damage your credibility—and how to avoid it.
• The importance of workflow context and your business environment: Why Microsoft Copilot could work when ChatGPT might not.
• Why CFOs must “manage” AI tools like they would a team member.

“AI won’t replace you, but misusing it might.” — Nicolas Boucher

00:59 Meet Nicholas Boucher: AI and Finance Expert

01:42 Nicolas' Journey into AI and Finance

03:53 The Impact of AI on Finance

08:00 Real Use Cases of AI in Finance

11:57 Hype vs. Reality in AI Tools

16:37 Focused AI Solutions for Finance

19:13 Data Challenges in AI Implementation

21:45 Corporate Licenses and AI Adoption

25:23 Common Mistakes in Using AI for Finance

30:05 The Role of the CFO in AI Integration

32:39 Practical Steps for CFOs to Leverage AI

35:12 Managing AI as a Team Member

Don’t miss this one if you want to future-proof your finance team.

Subscribe for more conversations with forward-thinking CFOs and finance leaders.

Connect with Nicolas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bouchernicolas/

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

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

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

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.

Join thousands of next-level finance leaders and go from chasing invoices to engaging customers. Find out more at https://upflow.io/.

And find out about our own AI functionality in Upflow at https://upflow.io/features/upflow-ai.

Feedback or praise for the podcast? Want to get in touch? Reach out to our producer at [email protected]

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.

Join thousands of next-level finance leaders and go from chasing invoices to engaging customers. Find out more at https://upflow.io/

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

What does it take to be a truly great CFO today?

It’s not just about balancing the books—it’s about driving strategy, managing risks, and telling the financial story in a way that inspires confidence.

In this episode, Carla Cooper, CFO of Contentful, shares her journey from Wall Street equity analyst to CFO, discussing her role in scaling Contentful, navigating IPOs and acquisitions, and offering valuable tips on transitioning into a CFO position.

She emphasizes the importance of networking, continual learning, and telling a compelling financial story.

Carla also provides practical advice for finance professionals contemplating job changes and reflects on the evolving responsibilities of a CFO.

00:41 Meet Carla Cooper, CFO of Contentful

01:27 Carla's Career Journey and Transition to CFO

03:09 Insights on Transitioning from Wall Street to Operations

08:28 The Importance of Networking and Informational Interviews

11:00 Navigating Acquisitions and IPOs

11:49 The Role of Finance in Scaling and Transformation

13:41 Adapting to New Financial Systems and Processes

15:57 Learning Opportunities in Acquisitions

19:03 The Growth-Minded CFO: Embracing Change and Learning

22:23 Preparing for the CFO Role: Principles and Strategies

25:58 Building a Thesis and Understanding Stakeholders

33:01 The CFO's Role in Vision and Strategy

38:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with Carla on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-newmeyer-cooper-843a591/

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/pB5UagvsWYg?si=wKAe_RddYe0SzMCJ

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.

Join thousands of next-level finance leaders and go from chasing invoices to engaging customers.

Find out more at https://upflow.io/

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

Finance teams are drowning in data—but turning it into clear, strategic insights is the real challenge.

In this episode of The Growth-Minded CFO, hosts Lauren and Alex sit down with Gabi Steele, CEO and Co-founder of Preql (and formerly Head of Data Visualization Engineering at WeWork), to explore how CFOs can build a rock-solid data foundation, harness AI effectively, and lead with confidence in an AI-powered world.

Gabi shares why AI is only as good as the data behind it, how multidisciplinary teams are shaping the future of finance, and why storytelling is the key to turning numbers into action. Whether you’re just starting your AI journey or looking to refine your approach, this conversation is packed with insights to help you stay ahead.

Key takeaways:

• Why clean, structured data is the foundation of AI success
• How CFOs can foster collaboration between finance, data, and strategy teams
• The role of AI in automating tasks while enhancing strategic decision-making
• How storytelling can make finance teams more impactful

AI isn’t replacing finance professionals—it’s redefining their roles. Tune in to learn how CFOs can embrace AI and data-driven leadership to drive long-term success.

• 00:42 Meet Gabi Steele: CEO and Co-founder of Preql
• 01:25 Gabi's Journey: From Art to Data
• 02:02 The Birth of Preql
• 05:34 Bridging the Gap: Data and Finance
• 08:05 Multidisciplinary Teams: The Key to Success
• 10:14 The Importance of Reliable Data
• 11:50 Finance and Data Integration Best Practices
• 15:56 The Importance of Strategy in Finance
• 18:58 Diving into AI and Single Source of Truth
• 23:37 Practical Implementation of AI for CFOs
• 29:19 Concluding Thoughts and Future Insights

Connect with Gabi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriellasteele/

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

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

Find the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PGOmS2MW_-c?si=hpIJFd0aWBMpPxL6

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.

Join thousands of next-level finance leaders and go from chasing invoices to engaging customers. Find out more at https://upflow.io/

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

Great CFOs do more than manage the numbers—they lead, adapt, and shape the future of their organizations. In this episode, Ilana Esterrich, CFO of Planned Parenthood, shares how she steers her team through uncertainty and change while keeping a sharp focus on strategy and leadership.

With a background in the military, Ilana brings a unique perspective on building strong teams, fostering a growth mindset, and navigating the shifting financial and regulatory landscape.

Tune in for a candid conversation about what it really takes to be a CFO who drives impact, resilience, and innovation in today’s world.

Connect with Ilana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilanaesterrich/

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

Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenepearl/Find the video version of this episode on YouTube: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.

Join thousands of next-level finance leaders and go from chasing invoices to engaging customers. Find out more at ⁠⁠upflow.io

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

In this episode, we reflect on the first season of the podcast. We discuss what we learned from the first 7 episodes featuring top CFOs and finance leaders.

As you listen, feel free to pause this episode and jump into the earlier episodes we highlight - our aim here is to give you a good overview of the best bits from the podcast so far!

Key highlights include the importance of getting out of the finance office, the value of startup experience, the need for patience in new CFO roles, the cultural challenges in digital transformation, and the blurring lines between data science and finance.

We also share our excitement for season two and let you know how you can get in touch to share feedback.

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

In this episode of the Growth Minded CFO podcast, hosts Lauren Pearl and Alex Louisy speak with Carl Seidman, an industry-leading finance educator and consultant.

Carl talks through his professional journey from Big Four consulting to establishing his own successful practice focused on FP& A processes and upskilling teams.

The discussion then focuses into the evolving role of finance professionals, emphasizing the importance of technical skills (but not only!), critical and strategic thinking, and effective communication.

Carl also highlights the continuous nature of learning and development, and the impact of AI and digital transformation on the finance function.

00:39 Welcome to the Growth Minded CFO

00:59 Meet Carl Seidman

02:06 Carl's Career Journey

02:52 Helping Companies Upskill

03:53 Differences in Company Sizes

08:01 Mindset Evolution in Finance

14:20 Training and Development in Finance

40:16 The Role of AI and Digitization

45:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with Carl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlseidman/

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

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

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.

Find the video version of this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XPPsfNVwt-M

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

Join thousands of next-level finance leaders and go from chasing invoices to engaging customers. Find out more at ⁠⁠https://upflow.io/⁠⁠

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

In this episode of 'The Growth Minded CFO,' hosts Lauren and Alex welcome Howard Katzenberg, CEO of Glean.ai.

00:00 Mindset Shift in AR and AP

00:33 Introduction to the Growth-Minded CFO Podcast

01:04 Meet Howard Katzenberg, CEO of Glean AI

02:06 Understanding Vendor Expenses with Glean AI

03:08 Revolutionizing Accounts Payable and Receivable

03:51 The Role of Analytics in Finance

06:44 Challenges in Traditional AR Processes

08:36 The Value of Automation and Insights

21:36 Building a Strong Spend Culture

26:20 The Strategic Role of the CFO

30:36 Howard's Journey from CFO to CEO

35:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with Howard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardkatzenberg/