Inside The Mentoring Round, CFO Michael O’Grady explains how he initially struggled to understand why he wasn’t succeeding despite positive feedback from colleagues. O’Grady explains how he developed strategies to block time for important tasks and manage daily operational duties more efficiently. O’Grady Highlights the importance of clear communication and education about key financial metrics […]
# 2 Dave Conte
(Databricks) CFO Tenure: 5 yrs. CFO Appts.: 4 Career Span: 36 Yrs. C-Suite: 18 Yrs. BACK TO RANKINGS
# 1 Colette Kress
(Nvidia) CFO Tenure: 11 yrs. CFO Appts.: 1 Career Span: 33 yrs. C-Suite: 11 yrs. BACK TO RANKINGS
1,010: When SaaS Became His Native Language | Michael O’Grady, CFO, Permutive
Michael O'Grady's finance strategic moment occurred in 2014 at higher-ed tech company Ellucian. Faced with transitioning from a traditional perpetual license model to a SaaS one, he identified the need for a unified approach across all business functions. Recognizing that the company's executives had differing visions, he proposed skipping the annual budget process to focus…
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The Mentoring Round | Tony Querciagrossa, CFO, Pinstripes
Inside The Mentoring Round, CFO Tony Querciagrossa discusses a strategic moment of insight he experienced earlier in his career at Medline Industries, where he collaborated with a commercial leader to address recruitment and organizational challenges, leading to the creation of the commercial finance function. Looking forward, CFO Querciagrossa identifies several key priorities for the upcoming […]
1,009: From GE Conference Rooms to Pinstripes Boardroom | Tony Querciagrossa, CFO, Pinstripes
Two-and-a-half years ago, CFO Tony Querciagrossa began a discussion with Dale Schwartz, founder of Pinstripes, that would eventually lead to Querciagrossa joining the experiential dining up-and-comer as CFO. Turn back the clock a little, and you would see that Pinstripes, aiming for a traditional IPO, had engaged Goldman Sachs to solidify its path toward benefiting…
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1,008: Managing Change and Ensuring Stability | Erica Gessert, CFO, Upwork
In the throes of the Great Recession, Erica Gessert faced one of her first tests of leadership. As the head of investor relations for Virgin Mobile, she found herself navigating the collapsing financial sector. Key banks that were integral to the company's operations began to crumble, and the economic landscape was fraught with uncertainty. Keeping…
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The Mentoring Round | Ashley Johnson, CFO Planet
Inside The Mentoring Round, CFO Ashley Johnson emphasizes that financial planning and analysis (FP&A) should empower leaders to own their budgets rather than simply dictate them. She forbids the question, “Is this in my budget?” and instead encourages leaders to consider their priorities and trade-offs.She believes in a proactive approach to budgeting, where FP&A supports […]
1,007: The Art of Financial Storytelling | Ashley Johnson, CFO, Planet
When she was an international studies major living abroad, Ashley Johnson tells us, she met a U.S. ambassador whose unvarnished advice subsequently led her to divert her career path away from the diplomatic corps of the U.S. Foreign Service. "I had thought that I would be going into the State Department," she recalls. However, a…
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1,006: Finance and Strategy: A Dual Approach | Jorge Stevenson, CFO, Yuvo Health
CFO Jorge Stevenson’s finance career journey began in Santiago, Chile, where both of his parents—leaders within the business community—instilled in him the importance of finance when it comes to achieving business success. Stevenson’s formal business education began with an MBA from Duke University, where he honed his finance acumen. His professional journey has included stops…
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1,005: From Salesforce Playbook to Start-up Strategy | Scott Henderson, CFO, DISQO
In the early years of Scott Henderson's career, the dotcom bubble burst, leaving the tech industry in turmoil and many young professionals uncertain about their futures. Despite this chaotic climate, Henderson decided to take a calculated risk by joining another dotcom venture. This time, the company was a modest enterprise with 300 employees and $25…
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The Mentoring Round | Efraín Pérez Agosto, CFO MGM National Harbor
Inside The Mentoring Round, CFO Agosto shares insights on the importance of being patient and understanding the full scope of the CFO role before pushing forward aggressively. Agosto discusses initial strategic plans for property development and business outcomes, showing foresight and structured planning. 1,004: Beyond the Casino Floor: A CFO’s Ascent | Efraín Pérez Agosto, […]