The Source for CFO Thought Leadership

CFO role

Ep 43: The ROI Equation for AI Starts Here

In this episode of Planning Aces, three forward-looking finance leaders share how they’re transforming planning and forecasting inside their organizations. CFO Kevin Rhodes of Extreme Networks discusses the dual lens through which he evaluates AI—external monetization and internal productivity. Brendon Sullivan, CFO of 2X, reveals how a post-PE investment reality check led him to pioneer…
Listen to the Episode Below (0:45:31)
1x
0:00
0:45:31
Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsPlayer EmbedShare Leave a ReviewListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe on AndroidSubscribe via RSSSpotifySurveyLinkedInYouTube

Simplify, Measure, Accelerate | Jason Lee, CFO, Faire

FINANCE STRATEGIC MOMENT | CFO JASON LEE At Faire, Jason redefined how the company measured growth by simplifying customer behavior analytics. Initially, the company tracked broad volume and percentage-based growth metrics, but Jason shifted the focus to two core drivers: discovery volume (new product trials) and reorder rate (repeat purchases). Now Watch the Complete Episode […]

1080: Reframing Your Drivers of Growth | Jason Lee, CFO, Faire

It was a moment of “shock and awe” that Jason Lee says shapes his strategic mindset. Soon after joining Square, he discovered a major partnership with Starbucks that was quietly bleeding millions of dollars and threatened Square’s financial runway. “We had to swarm the problem,” Lee tells us. The team renegotiated terms and preserved the…
Listen to the Episode Below (0:58:17)
Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsPlayer EmbedShare Leave a ReviewListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe on AndroidSubscribe via RSSSpotifySurveyLinkedInYouTube

1073: AI, Agility & Ambition: The Making of a Data Center Powerhouse | John Wilson, CFO, Sabey Data Centers

It was a puzzle that John Wilson simply couldn’t resist. Intel had long sold processors to the federal government on a commercial basis, but the rising importance of High Performance Computing (HPC) demanded a new approach. Undeterred by the maze of federal acquisition regulations, Wilson volunteered to stand up a dedicated government unit, a move…
Listen to the Episode Below (0:55:21)
Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsPlayer EmbedShare Leave a ReviewListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe on AndroidSubscribe via RSSSpotifySurveyLinkedInYouTube

Building Networks & Nurturing Talent: Key CFO Insights from Amy Butte

Inside The Mentoring Round, Navan CFO Amy Butte recalls the unexpected responsibilities she faced at the New York Stock Exchange, underscoring how the CFO role extends beyond accounting. She reveals the importance of connecting with people—whether on a trading floor or in a finance function—and highlights the power of vulnerability in leadership. Butte also stresses […]

1072: Numbers, Narratives, and Navigating Change | Amy Butte, CFO, Navan

It was a phone call Amy Butte tells us she will never forget. Lifting the receiver, she heard the familiar voice of her father—an accountant who had always championed her career. But this time, his words were tinged with a curious mixture of praise and amazement. He simply couldn’t fathom how his daughter, who had…
Listen to the Episode Below (0:43:36)
Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsPlayer EmbedShare Leave a ReviewListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe on AndroidSubscribe via RSSSpotifySurveyLinkedInYouTube

1071: Empowering Finance: Lessons from the Automation Edge | Ashim Gupta, CFO, UiPath

Ashim Gupta, who has evolved from a pre-IPO CFO to now serving as both CFO and COO, is busy redefining the role of finance in driving growth and innovation. Initially focused on strict financial discipline, Gupta’s responsibilities have expanded to integrate long-term growth initiatives with day-to-day operational execution. In our discussion, Gupta explains that funding…
Listen to the Episode Below (0:40:33)
Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsPlayer EmbedShare Leave a ReviewListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe on AndroidSubscribe via RSSSpotifySurveyLinkedInYouTube

1050: Harnessing the Power of Three: Dynatrace’s Layered AI Strategy | Jim Benson, CFO, Dynatrace

One of the key lessons that helped advance Jim Benson down the CFO path was one in clarity and focus during his tenure as FP&A leader for the customer service division of Compaq, freshly acquired by Hewlett-Packard. Eager to influence how the division’s performance was presented, Benson dedicated himself to crafting detailed reports and narratives.…
Listen to the Episode Below (0:58:19)
Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsPlayer EmbedShare Leave a ReviewListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe on AndroidSubscribe via RSSSpotifySurveyLinkedInYouTube

Risk Management and AI Integration: Key Priorities from Yooz’s CFO

Inside The Mentoring Round, CFO John Gronen discusses Yooz’s strategic investment in AI and machine learning to enhance accounts payable (AP) automation, fraud detection, and efficiency. Gronen highlights how AI streamlines invoice processing and identifies fraud risks, reducing the need for manual checks and freeing up valuable employee time. He also shares insights on the […]

1,046: Transforming Finance from Reactive to Proactive Leadership | David Eckstein, CFO, Vanta

When David Eckstein inherited a struggling business unit earlier in his career, there was little question he faced an uphill battle. The unit wasn’t one he had built, nor had he developed the frameworks or discounting policies in place. Who was responsible for the unit’s troubles? And shouldn’t this problem child belong to someone else?…
Listen to the Episode Below (0:44:49)
Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsPlayer EmbedShare Leave a ReviewListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe on AndroidSubscribe via RSSSpotifySurveyLinkedInYouTube