This article originally appeared on Forbes.com
CFOs often build their careers within a specific industry, leveraging their accumulated expertise to navigate complexities and add value over time. This steady climb enables finance leaders to deepen their understanding of industry-specific regulations, operations, and customer behavior. However, a daring segment of CFOs seeks opportunities beyond familiar territory, charting new paths across industries. These leaders embrace the unknown, applying their core finance skills to radically different markets. Below are three CFOs whose career transitions highlight the rewards—and challenges—of embracing new industries.
From Airlines to Tech:
Zane Rowe’s career exemplifies how transferable skills can bridge vastly different industries. In 2012, Rowe made a bold leap from aviation, leaving behind nearly two decades in the airline sector, where he held CFO roles at Continental and United Airlines. Known for navigating the capital-intensive airline industry, Rowe surprised many by transitioning into technology—first at Apple, but not as a finance leader. Instead, he joined in a sales capacity, a non-traditional step for a former CFO.
Reflecting on the shift, Rowe shared, “I had an opportunity to talk to Tim [Cook] and others at the company, and I thought, wow, what an incredible company and an incredible opportunity.” Immersed in Apple’s customer-centric culture, Rowe gained new perspectives on product strategies, insights that later shaped his finance leadership roles at EMC, VMware, and Workday. His ability to harness operational data from airlines gave him an edge in tech, where data-driven decision-making is crucial. Now as CFO of Workday, Rowe’s career embodies the strategic mindset required to thrive in multiple industries, integrating aviation’s operational rigor with tech’s focus on innovation and growth.
CFOs often build their careers within a specific industry, leveraging their accumulated expertise to navigate complexities and add value over time. This steady climb enables finance leaders to deepen their understanding of industry-specific regulations, operations, and customer behavior. However, a daring segment of CFOs seeks opportunities beyond familiar territory, charting new paths across industries. These leaders embrace the unknown, applying their core finance skills to radically different markets. Below are three CFOs whose career transitions highlight the rewards—and challenges—of embracing new industries.
From Airlines to Tech:
Zane Rowe’s career exemplifies how transferable skills can bridge vastly different industries. In 2012, Rowe made a bold leap from aviation, leaving behind nearly two decades in the airline sector, where he held CFO roles at Continental and United Airlines. Known for navigating the capital-intensive airline industry, Rowe surprised many by transitioning into technology—first at Apple, but not as a finance leader. Instead, he joined in a sales capacity, a non-traditional step for a former CFO.
Reflecting on the shift, Rowe shared, “I had an opportunity to talk to Tim [Cook] and others at the company, and I thought, wow, what an incredible company and an incredible opportunity.” Immersed in Apple’s customer-centric culture, Rowe gained new perspectives on product strategies, insights that later shaped his finance leadership roles at EMC, VMware, and Workday. His ability to harness operational data from airlines gave him an edge in tech, where data-driven decision-making is crucial. Now as CFO of Workday, Rowe’s career embodies the strategic mindset required to thrive in multiple industries, integrating aviation’s operational rigor with tech’s focus on innovation and growth.
From Banking to Healthcare Technology:
Scott Blackley’s career shift from banking to healthcare technology demonstrates how finance leaders can leverage their skills in digital transformation across industries. After nearly a decade in leadership roles at Capital One, including five years as CFO, Blackley had helped drive the bank’s modernization efforts through technology. Rather than continue along the well-trodden path of financial services, Blackley pivoted to healthcare technology, joining Oscar Health just days after its IPO in 2021.
Oscar Health
CFO Scott Blackley says banking insights can help drive healthcare technology growthOscar HealthAt Oscar Health, a technology-driven health insurer, Blackley found a natural fit for his expertise in scaling operations and building modern infrastructure. “When I joined, I was committed to being thoughtful about understanding the situation before making changes,” Blackley noted. Within three months, he reorganized the finance function, splitting FP&A from the controller’s office and hiring new leadership to position the company for growth. His banking background, which emphasized efficiency and data, proved invaluable in healthcare, where scale and streamlined operations are crucial to success. Blackley’s ability to adapt has helped Oscar Health navigate the competitive health insurance landscape, transforming the business with a sustainable and technology-first strategy.
From Manufacturing to Experiential Dining
Tony Querciagrossa’s career path reveals the versatility required of modern CFOs. After building a foundation at GE and leading finance roles in manufacturing and distribution—most notably at Medline and the Filtration Group—Querciagrossa pivoted to an entirely new arena: experiential dining. He took on the CFO role at Pinstripes, an entertainment and dining brand, where the dynamics of consumer behavior and labor management posed fresh challenges.
Querciagrossa drew upon his manufacturing experience to introduce lean practices and process improvements to Pinstripes. His strategic approach included implementing daily management systems and using key performance indicators, such as same-store sales growth and labor efficiency, to optimize operations. “In hospitality,” he remarked, “the last 10 feet are the hardest.” By applying principles from manufacturing to experiential dining, Querciagrossa was able to position Pinstripes for strategic growth in a competitive market. His journey showcases how CFOs can leverage skills from operationally intensive industries to succeed in more entrepreneurial environments.
These three CFOs—Zane Rowe, Scott Blackley, and Tony Querciagrossa—demonstrate that career success in finance is not limited by industry. Each leader embraced opportunities in vastly different sectors, showing that core finance skills, coupled with adaptability and strategic thinking, can open new doors.