In the The Mentoring Round, Bill Korn, Strategic Board Advisor and CFO-Emeritus, shares his expertise on M&A strategy. With 24 acquisitions under his belt, Korn emphasizes that the key to long-term value isn’t just execution—it’s having the right strategic fit. He recounts bold moves, including acquiring companies larger than his own, and reveals how calculated […]
Ep 4: Bold Moves, Big Impact: Lessons in Leadership
What does it take to lead and grow a company in today’s fast-changing world? In this episode, three top finance leaders share the defining moments that shaped their careers and the bold decisions that drove business success. This Episode:🔹 Michael Sumruld reveals why stepping outside your comfort zone is key to leadership, sharing his experiences […]
How Finance Drives Culture & Growth | Matt Collis, CFO, PairSoft
Inside The Mentoring Round, PairSoft CFO Matt Collis shares his leadership philosophy on transparency, communication, and cultural alignment. He believes employees want to add value but need clarity on expectations to stay engaged. Collis relies on finance as a cross-functional connector, ensuring teams understand why financial decisions are made. His approach—delivering “sermonettes” to provide context—ensures […]
The ‘Lego’ Approach to Data: Flywire CFO Discusses AI Strategy
Inside The Mentoring Round, Flywire CFO Cosmin Pitigoi emphasizes the critical importance of well-structured data in leveraging AI effectively. He compares unstructured data to a “big bucket of Lego,” highlighting that without proper organization and clear definitions—such as what constitutes a customer—AI models may fail to provide meaningful insights. Pitigoi advocates for robust data governance and […]
Ep 3: Building Networks, Managing Cash, Embracing Diversity
In our conversation with Karen Williams, CFO of American Express Global Business Travel lobal Business Travel, we learn how she navigated the leap from a family-owned businesse to a major corporation. She shares the critical lessons she gained about building relationships and networks, especially as an introvert, and how perseverance fuels career acceleration overall. Next, […]
From Generalist to Finance Leader: Lessons from an Accidental CFO
Inside The Mentoring Round, CFO Stacy Tumarkin shares how she was unexpectedly tapped—twice—to step into a CFO role. She explains that despite initial reservations, taking on “Strategic Finance” responsibilities at Kubecost allowed her to guide the company’s scaling efforts and shape its next phase of growth. Tumarkin highlights the value of a broad operational background, […]
CFO Russ Keefe on Balancing Growth and Efficiency with Burn-to-NAR
Inside The Mentoring Round, CFO Russ Keefe highlights the metrics and tools fueling Corelight’s growth. He underscores the significance of Net Promoter Score and gross dollar retention for tracking customer expansions, and explains “burn-to-NAR,” a metric blending growth with efficiency. Keefe also details how the company integrates AI—both in product development and internal processes—emphasizing that […]
Ep 2: Speedy Decisions, Bold Risks & Seizing Every Chance
In this episode of “1 2 3,” three CFOs share their unique journeys and pivotal lessons: Tune in for inspiring perspectives on leadership, growth, and driving impactful change through finance. Don’t forget to subscribe!
Ep 1: Raising Capital, Resource Allocation & Book Tips
On this episode of 1-2-3, Emma Seymour, CFO at Deputy, reveals the behind-the-scenes steps to raising capital from strategic partners and achieving unicorn status. Next, Dev Ahuja, CFO of Novelis, explains how his pharmaceutical background at Novartis fueled disciplined resource allocation and strategic growth in manufacturing. Finally, Seth Wunder, CFO of Acorns, shares his approach to carving out quality time for reading and offers a pair […]
Finance as the Quarterback: A CFO’s Strategic Advantage
Inside The Mentoring Round, CFO Eugene Wong shares how he discovered that bridging disconnected teams can accelerate growth. He describes how finance can serve as the “quarterback,” identifying misalignment across departments and convening sidebars to maintain synergy. CFO Wong emphasizes scaling while sustaining efficiency and employee passion. Looking ahead, top priorities include streamlined growth, engaged […]
Strategic AI Adoption in Finance: CFO Hetu Patel at Thrive Market
Inside The Mentoring Round, CFO Hetu Patel explains how Thrive Market leverages AI for a competitive edge. He highlights the success of AI-driven product recommendations that enhance new member experiences, the promising use of generative AI in member services, and AI’s powerful role in marketing creativity and operational efficiency. Patel emphasizes fast-follower strategies for adopting […]
Leading Through Windfalls: CFO Guidance on Secondary Transactions
Inside The Mentoring Round, CFO Kfir Lippmann dives into the lesser-known yet critical impact of secondary transactions. While IPO preparation is high-stakes, these transactions can dramatically affect morale—especially when younger employees receive large sums quickly. Lippmann emphasizes coaching them on responsible spending and long-term thinking, rather than letting sudden wealth create divisions. Balancing transparency, fairness, […]