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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 | 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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1,004: Beyond the Casino Floor: A CFO’s Ascent | Efraín Pérez Agosto, CFO, MGM National Harbor

Efraín Pérez Agosto began his career on the lively casino floors of Puerto Rico, where his fascination with the gaming industry was first sparked. Starting with a succession of jobs, he quickly showcased his analytical prowess and passion for numbers. In search of broader horizons, Agosto relocated to the U.S. when his casino owner set…
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999: A Bias for Action | Jason Godley, CFO, Xactly

On a remote Wyoming cattle ranch, young Jason Godley faced a dire situation: The baler attached to his tractor had suddenly caught fire. Alone, with no immediate help and devoid of modern conveniences like a cell phones 12-year-old Godley had to think quickly and act decisively. His decision to drive to a neighbor’s house to…
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998: Margins, Metrics, and Payments | Lawrence Herman, CFO, Dwolla

Lawrence Herman's path to becoming a CFO unfolded through a series of experiences that changed his understanding of the finance world, beginning with his initial role at Goldman Sachs. Here, in the crucible of intense market dynamics, Herman cut his teeth on complex financial models, where the rigor of long hours refined his capacity to…
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Ep 34: From Rearview to Road Ahead 

On our latest episode  three forward looking Planning Aces shared deep insights into optimizing financial performance. The conversation highlighted the significance of predictive metrics and proactive financial planning, with a strong focus on leading indicators to guide business strategies. Detailed exploration of operational efficiencies, particularly in sales and marketing, was discussed as a method to improve…
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995: Embracing Change to Energize Your Career | Dan Murphy, CFO, Commercetools

The way that Dan Murphy sees it, the CFO position demands that leaders always be kept on high alert. This is a mindset that has led him to habitually monitor updates and alerts related to key vendors, including banking institutions. And so it was, in first quarter of 2023, that he spotted a vague tweet…
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The Mentoring Round | Erin Sawyer, CFO, Certinia

Inside The Mentoring Round, CFO Erin Sawyer tell us when she recognized the necessity of adopting a holistic approach to operational processes. Rather than viewing each department’s systems and procedures in isolation, she saw the value in examining how each part of the process impacted others, highlighting the need for an integrated approach to drive […]

985: A World Where Everything Is Negotiable | Sarah Alper, CFO, Pactum AI

As Pactum AI embarks on a pivotal phase of commercialization, the arrival of Sarah Alper in the AI-driven company’s CFO office is by no means a coincidence. Having transitioned from structured finance roles at General Electric to the dynamic environment of UiPath, Alper now brings to the table a blend of experience in operational finance,…
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984: The Building Blocks of CFO Success | Bob Purcell, CFO, Billtrust

Bob Purcell's leap into the unknown was not a misplaced step but a giant stride toward his future as a CFO. Early in his career, he faced a daunting choice: To join a distressed company teetering on the brink of failure or to play it safe. Driven by an unshakable belief in his abilities and…
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