In this episode, Jack is joined by Sarah Taylor, CFO of MCNC.
For an organization operating a 5,000-mile fiber-optic network across North Carolina, deciding where to invest involves more than identifying communities that need connectivity. It also requires understanding the long-term economics of serving them.
Taylor describes how she’s helping MCNC bring greater scrutiny to infrastructure investments, including one proposed expansion that appeared promising because outside funding might be available. A closer examination of the costs and expected returns led to a different conclusion.
Her approach reflects a career shaped by experiences beyond traditional accounting. At MemorialCare, a move into business intelligence exposed her to data governance, technology, and the challenges of connecting financial information with operating decisions.
Today, Taylor is applying those lessons to MCNC’s financial reporting, five-year planning, and efforts to understand its cost structure. She also discusses the potential for AI-assisted forecasting and why effective finance leadership requires curiosity, sound judgment, and an ability to make decisions without complete certainty.