Leadership That Lasts Decades with Ellen Wood

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Ellen Wood, the co-founder and CEO of vcfo, and one of this year’s inductees into the Austin Tech Hall of Fame. Ellen has been a cornerstone of the Austin business community for nearly three decades, quietly guiding thousands of companies through the challenges of growth, funding, leadership, and culture. Long before the term “fractional” became part of everyday business vocabulary, Ellen pioneered the concept with Virtual CFO (now vcfo), offering executive-level finance and HR support to companies that needed experienced guidance but weren’t yet ready for full-time hires.

We talk about the early days of vcfo, when the whole idea of part-time strategic leadership was still unproven, and how the firm grew from a conversation over coffee to a trusted partner for more than 6,000 businesses. Ellen shares stories about some of her early clients, including garden.com and Vrbo, and how those experiences shaped the firm's ability to adapt through booms, busts, and everything in between.

Throughout the conversation, we explore the lessons she’s learned about protecting equity, building strong cultures, and the importance of helping entrepreneurs see around corners. Ellen also opens up about why community service has always been part of her professional DNA, from leading the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce to decades of involvement in organizations like Opportunity Austin and AARO.

This episode is a celebration of quiet leadership, long-term vision, and the people who built the foundation of Austin’s tech ecosystem long before it became the boomtown we know today. Ellen Wood has never chased the spotlight... but her impact on Austin business is undeniable.