In this episode of the Strategic CFO Podcast, Jan Robertson interviews James Vanreusel, Founder and CEO of Vanreusel Ventures, a seasoned finance leader with deep expertise in both for-profit and nonprofit sectors across global markets. James shares key insights drawn from two decades of experience, including his early Wall Street career, his CFO leadership launching microfinance banks in the South Pacific, and his current work advising U.S.-based companies with international operations. He highlights the importance of building financial infrastructure before fundraising, discusses due diligence and integration pitfalls in Cross-Border M&A, and warns of hidden risks like post-acquisition tax liabilities and unaccounted vendor invoices. James also dives into Post-Merger Integration Challenges, from cultural mismatches to 401(k) audit triggers, and explores the strategic use of Venture Debt Financing for startups struggling to raise equity in uncertain markets. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the value of strategic financial leadership—“above the waterline” thinking—as essential for growth, resilience, and C-suite readiness.
Key message: Strategic finance leadership is not just about managing numbers—it's about enabling sustainable growth across borders, balancing risk, and driving alignment from the boardroom to the front lines. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesvanreusel/