CFO Weekly

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Jessica McClain, Chief Financial Officer at Girl Scouts Nation's Capital, joins Megan Weis to explore the critical importance of continuous learning in financial leadership. Jessica McClain brings exceptional expertise in nonprofit financial management, having successfully transitioned from over a decade in public accounting to strategic leadership in mission-driven organizations.With extensive experience across public accounting and nonprofit sectors, Jessica oversees financial strategy, the iconic Girl Scout cookie program, retail operations, and camp property management for the largest Girl Scout council in the country. Her passion for professional development and mentorship has earned her recognition as a 2024 Rising Star by the CFO Leadership Council, 2023 Nonprofit CFO of the Year, and multiple honors from prestigious accounting organizations.What You'll Learn:Why emotional intelligence is becoming the defining skill for modern CFOsHow to foster a culture of continuous learning within finance teamsThe evolution from technical accounting to strategic storytellingPractical strategies for staying ahead of technological disruptionBuilding communication skills that translate complex financial data into actionable insightsLearn more about Jessica:Jessica McClain on LinkedInGirl Scouts Nation's Capital WebsiteEpisode resources:Personiv's WebsitePersoniv on LinkedInPersoniv on FacebookPersoniv on TwitterIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyInstructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzieCheck out some of our most recent episodes:Driving Value Beyond Finance with Tom McDermottWhy CFOs Are the Chief Everything Officers with Claire BramleyWhy Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris MilesNGO Finance Secrets: CARE’s $900M Strategy with Ranil DeSilvaWhat Lights You Up? with Jordan GrumetBecome a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William WashingtonIf you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guestCFO Weekly is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Steve Mastin, Chief Financial Officer at 4M Building Solutions, joins Megan Weis to explore how centralization of financial and operational functions drives growth in private equity-backed environments. Steve Mastin is recognized for his strategic financial leadership and ability to optimize business performance through systematic integration and standardization.With nearly two decades of experience across various senior leadership roles in finance, accounting, and executive positions, Steve brings deep expertise in financial transformation and M&A integration. Currently serving as CFO at 4M Building Solutions, where he oversees financial operations, IT, human resources, risk management, and M&A activities, Steve Mastin has successfully navigated complex integrations and driven growth across diverse business sectors in the fast-paced private equity environment.What You'll Learn:The critical importance of standardizing the chart of accounts across business unitsHow centralization creates operational efficiency and cost savingsThe evolution of the CFO role from financial reporting to strategic leadershipWhen to implement centralization in a company's growth trajectoryManaging cultural integration during acquisitions and mergersLearn more about Steve:Steve Mastin on LinkedIn4M Building Solutions WebsiteEpisode resources:Personiv's WebsitePersoniv on LinkedInPersoniv on FacebookPersoniv on TwitterIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyInstructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzieCheck out some of our most recent episodes:Driving Value Beyond Finance with Tom McDermottWhy CFOs Are the Chief Everything Officers with Claire BramleyWhy Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris MilesNGO Finance Secrets: CARE’s $900M Strategy with Ranil DeSilvaWhat Lights You Up? with Jordan GrumetBecome a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William WashingtonIf you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guestCFO Weekly is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Dennis DuBois, Virtual CFO at Creative Planning, joins Megan Weis to explore how interim and fractional CFOs serve as strategic resources for both buyers and sellers in private equity transactions. Dennis DuBois is known for optimizing business potential through top and bottom line growth while establishing quality relationships with internal and external stakeholders.With experience across multiple industries, private equity companies, and organizations of all sizes, Dennis brings a systemic viewpoint to growth strategy development and financial infrastructure building. Currently serving as Virtual CFO at Creative Planning, an independent wealth advisory firm managing over $300 billion in assets, and as Board Member at publicly traded Entrepreneur Resorts Limited, Dennis DuBois has successfully navigated complex transactions, COVID-19 disruptions, and the transition from traditional CFO roles to fractional finance leadership.What You'll Learn:The key differences between interim and fractional CFO roles and when each is most valuableHow fractional CFOs can prevent transaction failures by identifying risks earlyCommon financial reporting gaps that derail M&A dealsWhy most sellers overvalue their businesses and how to set realistic expectationsThe critical role of financial preparation in successful exitsLearn more about Dennis DuBois:Dennis DuBois on LinkedInCreative Planner WebsiteEpisode resources:Personiv's WebsitePersoniv on LinkedInPersoniv on FacebookPersoniv on TwitterIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyInstructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzieCheck out some of our most recent episodes:Driving Value Beyond Finance with Tom McDermottWhy CFOs Are the Chief Everything Officers with Claire BramleyWhy Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris MilesNGO Finance Secrets: CARE’s $900M Strategy with Ranil DeSilvaWhat Lights You Up? with Jordan GrumetBecome a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William WashingtonIf you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guestCFO Weekly is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Nikhil Patel, Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for the City of Detroit, joins Megan Weis to navigate the critical challenges of process friction in both government and private sectors, as well as ways to reduce it by optimizing and streamlining operations.With vast experience across management consulting at Boston Consulting Group, startup leadership, and public sector finance, Nikhil brings a unique perspective to operational efficiency and process optimization. His background includes a BS in Chemical Engineering and an MS in Industrial Engineering from the University of Michigan, along with an MBA from Harvard Business School.What You’ll Learn:How to define process friction through key metricsThe "Black Box" approach to breaking down complex organizational processesWhy understanding legacy systems and regulatory constraints is crucial for implementing change in government organizationsHow to balance thorough analysis with agile decision-making in large-scale projectsThe strategic framework for implementing automation and AI in traditional financial operationsLearn more about Nikhil:Nikhil Patel on LinkedInCity of Detroit WebsiteEpisode resources:Personiv's WebsitePersoniv on LinkedInPersoniv on FacebookPersoniv on TwitterIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyInstructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzieCheck out some of our most recent episodes:Driving Value Beyond Finance with Tom McDermottWhy CFOs Are the Chief Everything Officers with Claire BramleyWhy Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris MilesNGO Finance Secrets: CARE’s $900M Strategy with Ranil DeSilvaWhat Lights You Up? with Jordan GrumetBecome a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William WashingtonIf you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guestCFO Weekly is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

With unprecedented tariffs looming, how can businesses adapt their financial strategies? In this episode of CFO Weekly, Michael Perica, CFO at Rimini Street, and Sameer Katiyar, CFO at Cleo, join Megan Weis to discuss the far-reaching impacts of tariffs on global business operations. They share invaluable insights on navigating supply chain disruptions, managing financial risk, and maintaining operational efficiency in uncertain times.Michael Perica is the Chief Financial Officer at Rimini Street. With vast experience in shareholder relations, SEC reporting, financial planning and analysis, capital raising, and M&A, Michael is known for his excellent problem-solving abilities and multifunctional team leadership skills. His expertise in managing financial operations during periods of significant change, particularly regarding tariffs and global trade dynamics, provides valuable insights for finance leaders navigating complex market conditions.Sameer Katiyar serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Cleo, bringing extensive expertise in the technology sector with a focus on FP&A, accounting, cost management, and business transformation. His background in both public company and private equity environments, combined with his strategic approach to financial leadership, offers unique perspectives on managing tariff-related challenges and supply chain optimization.What You’ll Learn:How to balance core financial governance with agile forecasting in uncertain timesWhy investing in people remains the critical foundation for navigating trade disruptionsThe strategic framework for managing tariff-induced costs without defaulting to price increasesHow to develop effective communication strategies with investors regarding tariff-related risksWhy supply chain diversification and operational efficiency are crucial alternatives to price increasesHow to leverage technology and tools to maintain visibility across global operationsLearn more about Michael and Sameer:Michael Perica on LinkedInSameer Katiyar on LinkedInRimini Street WebsiteCleo WebsiteEpisode resources:Personiv's WebsitePersoniv on LinkedInPersoniv on FacebookPersoniv on TwitterIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyInstructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzieCheck out some of our most recent episodes:Driving Value Beyond Finance with Tom McDermottWhy CFOs Are the Chief Everything Officers with Claire BramleyWhy Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris MilesNGO Finance Secrets: CARE’s $900M Strategy with Ranil DeSilvaWhat Lights You Up? with Jordan GrumetBecome a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William WashingtonIf you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guestCFO Weekly is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

The CFO role has evolved dramatically, especially for venture and growth-stage companies where traditional MBA theory meets harsh startup realities. In this episode of CFO Weekly, Rick Smith, a five-time CFO and founder of Bonfire Advisory, joins Megan Weis to share hard-earned lessons from his new book and decades of experience building financial operations from the ground up.Rick Smith is a seasoned financial executive who has served as CFO for five different companies across industries, including SaaS, health tech, education technology, and retail. With experience scaling businesses from $20M to $300M in revenue, Rick founded Bonfire Advisory to provide fractional CFO services to Series A and B companies. His new book, "Demystifying the Role of the CFO in Venture and Growth Stage Companies," offers practical guidance for finance leaders navigating the unique challenges of high-growth environments.What You'll Learn:Why early-stage CFO work is harder than large company finance rolesHow to build scalable financial systems before you desperately need themThe critical difference between theoretical MBA knowledge and practical CFO skillsWhy most acquisitions fail and how to beat the odds in M&A dealsHow to navigate complex revenue recognition in different industries (SaaS vs. healthcare)The "boring but crucial" aspects that can make or break your company during a saleLearn more about Rick:Rick Smith on LinkedIn Bonfire Advisory on LinkedInDemystifying the Role of the CFO: in Venture and Growth Stage Companies in AmazonEpisode resources:Personiv's WebsitePersoniv on LinkedInPersoniv on FacebookPersoniv on TwitterIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyInstructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzieCheck out some of our most recent episodes:Driving Value Beyond Finance with Tom McDermottWhy CFOs Are the Chief Everything Officers with Claire BramleyWhy Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris MilesNGO Finance Secrets: CARE’s $900M Strategy with Ranil DeSilvaWhat Lights You Up? with Jordan GrumetBecome a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William WashingtonIf you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guestCFO Weekly is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Travis St. Ores, Chief Financial Officer at Comprehensive Logistics, joins Megan Weis to discuss the agility of modern middle-market CFOs. Learn how today's CFOs are becoming strategic quarterbacks for their organizations, balancing agility with financial discipline and leveraging new technologies like AI to drive growth.Travis St. Ores is an experienced CFO specializing in private equity and founder-owned businesses, with a focus on building and optimizing finance functions for scalable growth and operational excellence. With a decade of experience in financial leadership, Travis has dedicated his career to supporting private equity-backed companies through critical phases including high growth periods, turnaround efforts, and complex transactional activities.What You’ll Learn:How to transition from traditional CFO responsibilities to becoming a strategic "quarterback" for the leadership teamWhy balancing rapid scaling with financial discipline requires clear communication and strategic technology adoptionThe framework for implementing AI and automation to free up finance teams for higher-value activitiesHow to navigate the unique challenges of middle-market companiesThe essential skills needed to become a CFO in today's dynamic business environment within a decadeWhy developing cross-functional expertise and embracing change is crucial for modern CFO successLearn more about Travis:Travis St. Ores on LinkedInComprehensive Logistics WebsiteEpisode resources:Personiv's WebsitePersoniv on LinkedInPersoniv on FacebookPersoniv on TwitterIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyInstructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzieCheck out some of our most recent episodes:Driving Value Beyond Finance with Tom McDermottWhy CFOs Are the Chief Everything Officers with Claire BramleyWhy Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris MilesNGO Finance Secrets: CARE’s $900M Strategy with Ranil DeSilvaWhat Lights You Up? with Jordan GrumetBecome a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William WashingtonIf you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guestCFO Weekly is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Mohammed Wasim, Senior Data Insights Analyst at Molson Coors Beverage Company, joins Megan Weis to explore the transformative power of data analytics in modern finance, specifically how it can reveal stories and drive decisions that create meaningful change.With a Master of Science in Data Science from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Mohammed brings expertise in data visualization, statistical analysis, and predictive analytics to the global internal audit team. In his current role, he focuses on integrating SAP data into Databricks and performing comprehensive analysis to help identify key risk indicators and align business strategies.What You’ll Learn:How to integrate advanced analytics tools like Databricks and SAP to transform financial analysis and reportingWhy starting with descriptive analytics before moving to predictive models creates a stronger foundation for data-driven decisionsThe essential differences between implementing data analytics in large corporations versus smaller companiesHow to ensure data insights align with broader strategic goals through cross-functional collaborationWhy developing a data-driven culture requires both technical tools and employee training in data literacyLearn more about MohammedMohammed Wasim on LinkedInMolson Coors Beverage Company WebsiteEpisode resources:Personiv's WebsitePersoniv on LinkedInPersoniv on FacebookPersoniv on TwitterIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyInstructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzieCheck out some of our most recent episodes:Driving Value Beyond Finance with Tom McDermottWhy CFOs Are the Chief Everything Officers with Claire BramleyWhy Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris MilesNGO Finance Secrets: CARE’s $900M Strategy with Ranil DeSilvaWhat Lights You Up? with Jordan GrumetBecome a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William WashingtonIf you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guestCFO Weekly is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Angie Paglinawan, Director of Finance IT at Aristocrat, joins Megan Weis to explore the real-world evolution of finance leadership. From standardizing processes and implementing automation to mastering the art of financial storytelling, Angie offers practical insights for finance leaders.Angie is a solutions-driven finance leader and financial project professional with over 25 years of experience spanning utilities, gaming manufacturing, hospitality, IT, and construction industries. She specializes in driving financial processes, executing transformation projects, and implementing strategic system improvements.What You’ll Learn:How to transition from traditional accounting roles to strategic finance leadershipWhy standardization and automation are crucial for enabling finance teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine tasksThe evolution of the CFO role into a storyteller who must communicate financial insights differently across various stakeholdersHow to leverage AI and automation to free up finance teams for more strategic work while maintaining data accuracyWhy cross-training teams and standardizing processes are essential for maintaining agility in fast-paced environmentsLearn more about AngieAngie Paglinawan on LinkedInAristocrat WebsiteEpisode resources:Personiv's WebsitePersoniv on LinkedInPersoniv on FacebookPersoniv on TwitterIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyInstructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzieCheck out some of our most recent episodes:Driving Value Beyond Finance with Tom McDermottWhy CFOs Are the Chief Everything Officers with Claire BramleyWhy Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris MilesNGO Finance Secrets: CARE’s $900M Strategy with Ranil DeSilvaWhat Lights You Up? with Jordan GrumetBecome a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William WashingtonIf you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guestCFO Weekly is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Effective budgeting and forecasting require balancing data-driven analysis with practical business realities, especially for emerging companies navigating uncertain economic conditions. In this episode of CFO Weekly, Travis Grundy, Senior Associate of FP&A at Adventum, joins Megan Weis to share his unique approach to creating realistic budgets and forecasts that drive business success.Travis Grundy is a Financial Strategist and Advisor at Adventum, where he serves as a fractional CFO helping businesses optimize their financial operations. With vast experience in data-driven decision making and global program management, Travis brings a unique perspective shaped by his service in the US Army, leadership of Zharmae Books, and work across diverse industries, including healthcare and mental health services.What You’ll Learn:How to build realistic budgets using a bottom-up approach that starts with unit economicsWhy socializing budgets across departments is crucial for successful implementationThe framework for analyzing revenue targets, hiring plans, and expense management holisticallyHow to use KPIs and historical data to create achievable financial projectionsWhy regular monthly variance analysis and frank discussions drive budget accountabilityHow to tailor budgeting approaches across different business types while maintaining core principlesLearn more about Travis:Travis Grundy on LinkedInAdventum WebsiteAlyn Robert Economic Strategies WebsiteEpisode resources:Personiv's WebsitePersoniv on LinkedInPersoniv on FacebookPersoniv on TwitterIf you enjoyed this episode, then please either:Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow on SpotifyInstructions on following, rating, and reviewing CFO Weekly are here.Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzieCheck out some of our most recent episodes:Driving Value Beyond Finance with Tom McDermottWhy CFOs Are the Chief Everything Officers with Claire BramleyWhy Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris MilesNGO Finance Secrets: CARE’s $900M Strategy with Ranil DeSilvaWhat Lights You Up? with Jordan GrumetBecome a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William WashingtonIf you are interested in joining CFO Weekly as a guest, please complete this form: fame.so/cfo-guestCFO Weekly is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so