The Source for CFO Thought Leadership

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1053: Strategic Financial Alignment for Enhanced Transparency and Growth | Cyrus Lam, CFO Orion Innovation

For Cyrus Lam, the aspect of the CFO role that sets it apart from all others is the weight of non-negotiable priorities. Despite years spent closely collaborating with CFOs as an investment banker, Lam tell us he quickly discovered a new level of accountability in the role. Managing cash flow and ensuring payroll, he says,…
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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?…
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How Isabelle Winkles Built a CFO Career Toolkit | Finance Leadership Insights

Inside The Mentoring Round, Isabelle Winkles, CFO of Braze, reflects on her deliberate and evolving path to becoming a CFO. From her early career as an investment banker to 18 years at Morgan Stanley, Winkles emphasizes the importance of building a diverse finance toolkit through roles in corporate FP&A, treasury, and equity research. She discusses […]

1,044: Driving Sustainable Growth: How to Align Business Goals with Profitability | Isabelle Winkles, CFO, Braze

In January 2020, most finance leaders were seeing ASC 606 as a closed chapter. However, for Braze’s newly appointed CFO, Isabelle Winkles, this new revenue recognition standard would quickly move to front-and-center. While ASC 606 was merely a speedbump for seasoned professionals—especially for a 25-year finance veteran like Winkles—it posed a notable challenge within Braze.…
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1,035: Balancing Growth and Sustainability: The Financial Strategy Behind Health Innovation | Daniel Welch, CFO, Kate Farms

In 2018, Daniel Welch made a life-altering decision when—after having spent a decade in investment banking working on high-profile IPOs and M&A deals at Morgan Stanley—he found himself at a crossroads. The birth of his daughter and a health scare involving his father led him to question the career path that he was on. “I…
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1,013: The Curious CFO: Crafting the Future of Space | Muhammad Shahzad, CFO, Relativity Space

Mo Shahzad is not one for trivial conversations. At Relativity Space, he’s known for a deep curiosity that is often manifested by his engagement with team members in discussions about their interests and passions. This intellectual curiosity is not just a personal trait—it’s a vital tool toward empowering his role as CFO. Shahzad's ability to…
Listen to the Episode Below (0:49:56)
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979: The Changing Stripes of Finance Leadership | Chermaine Hu, CFO, Episode Six

At the very beginning of our talk with CFO Chermaine Hu, she revealed an irony about the CFO title that we rarely get to expose. To wit: The very title toward which any executive has invested so many illustrious career years conveys ownership of what might seem to be a less than illustrious role—or at…
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901: The Welcome Box | Scott Healy, CFO, Fortera

It’s perhaps appropriate that Scott Healy’s finance career began at an airport. With a boarding pass in hand, Healy thought that he was ready for takeoff—only to have his new boss board with a mystery box under one arm. “He was carrying a package that I thought was some sort of welcome gift for me…
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886: When SaaS Became the Destination | Alka Tandan, CFO, Gainsight

One key takeaway from Gainsight CFO Alka Tandan's career journey is the importance of being open to new opportunities and pivoting when necessary. Tandan started in investment banking, transitioned to media, and then vectored again to the SaaS industry. Looking back on the first move of her career, Tandan says that she “came to a…
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