Inside The Mentoring Round, CFO Scott Blackley emphasizes the transformative role of AI in healthcare, noting that Oscar Health continuously evolves AI capabilities to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and reduce costs. He underscores AI’s potential in automating tasks like call center operations and financial processes, allowing the finance team to focus on insights rather […]
1,031: Unlocking Operational Scale in Health Insurance Through AI and Data | Scott Blackley, CFO, Oscar Health
When Scott Blackley was asked in kindergarten what he wanted to be when he grew up, his answer was surprisingly clear: "I want to be an auditor." This early ambition was no coincidence; his father was a partner at KPMG, and young Blackley grew up around the firm’s offices, imagining himself one day sitting at…
Listen to the Episode Below (0:48:05)
The Mentoring Round | Tom Bock, CFO, SmartFinancial
CFO Tom Bock reflects on two pivotal experiences that shaped his mindset as a leader. The first is a lesson from his childhood in communist Hungary, where his grandmother taught him the importance of responsibility and learning from life’s challenges. This early lesson instilled in him a lasting sense of duty and resilience. Fast forward […]
1,024: From Overdrive to Insight: Lessons Learned in the Pursuit of Success | Tom Bock, CFO, SmartFinancial
In 2005, fresh into his first banking job at Citigroup, Tom Bock found himself working 63 hours straight in preparation for a critical pitch. Fueled by a desire to prove his worth, he pushed his limits, refusing to rest until the task had been completed. However, this grueling experience came at a cost—his nose began…
Listen to the Episode Below (0:52:56)
The Mentoring Round | Todd Patriacca, CFO, BVI Medical
Inside The Mentoring Round CFO Todd Patriacca emphasizes the strategic implementation of technology automation, focusing on areas that enhance efficiency and reduce internal costs. He advocates for leveraging automation to handle routine tasks, allowing teams to concentrate on strategic exceptions. Todd also champions Lean methodology, applying its principles of continuous improvement and waste elimination to […]
1,020: A Savvy Investor Cracks the Operator’s Code | Seth Wunder, CFO, Acorns
At a recent executive team dinner, several Acorns executives were reminiscing about their childhood professional aspirations. While many had had career dreams that had lost their luster—to be an astronaut and such—Seth Wunder shared that his early focus on the world of investing was not only unwavering but also formative. "I grew up in a…
Listen to the Episode Below (0:46:08)
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…
Listen to the Episode Below (0:51:40)
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…
Listen to the Episode Below (0:56:29)
990: From Print to Platform: Strategic Shifts in a Digital Age | CFO Mitch Peipert
Back in 2016, Mitch Peipert stood at a crossroads. With a career foundation deeply rooted in the precision and rigor of public accounting, he had honed his CFO leadership and operational prowess as he navigated his way through the financial landscapes of various companies. Still, nothing could have prepared him for the arrival of a…
Listen to the Episode Below (0:52:31)
976: A Troubleshooter’s Guide to Financial Leadership | Craig Wert, CFO, Jobber
Lessons from Craig Wert's finance career reveal the power of adaptability, problem-solving skills, and the ability to seize opportunities in unexpected places. Having started his career without a clear road map to the future, Wert later found that his liberal arts background and early experiences in investment banking had laid a good foundation for a…
Listen to the Episode Below (00:58:12)
973: Cultivating Relationships, Spearheading Change | Alejandro Castro, CFO, Onx
It was during a 9-year tenure at food giant Conagra Brands that Alejandro Castro became involved in a companywide initiative that would forever alter his approach to leadership and strategic thinking. Born and raised in Mexico, Castro had begun his professional voyage at Price Waterhouse, where he launched a public accounting career from the accounting…
Listen to the Episode Below (0:50:17)
969: The Human Equation in Finance | Elizabeth Mann, CFO, Verisk
Elizabeth Mann began her career as a mathematician in academia, spending a decade in the field. Her initial plan had been to become a professor, on a path that would start with a Ph.D. and a postdoc. However, something was missing. Eager to engage more directly with the world at large, she pivoted her career…
Listen to the Episode Below (0:46:10)