The New CFO’s First 100 Days Playbook with Kevin Appleby, COO at GrowCFO

Jan 20, 2026

Kevin Appleby, Head of Partnerships at GrowCFO and mentor to new finance leaders, explains the jump from technical finance work to strategic CFO leadership. He discusses structuring the first 100 days, balancing tactical demands with strategic planning, tackling imposter syndrome, building peer networks and mentoring, and deliberately shaping team culture and delegation.

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ANECDOTE

GrowCFO Grew From COVID Peer Needs

GrowCFO formed as a peer community during COVID to help CFOs share practical solutions.
The platform combined mentoring, courses, and peer conversations to address recurring CFO challenges.

INSIGHT

Role Changes From Sheets To Strategy

The CFO role shifts you from internal reporting to external relationship and strategy work.
You become the external face of finance dealing with investors, customers, and the board.

ADVICE

Protect Thinking Time Daily

Carve out protected thinking time so you can consider decisions rather than react to tasks.
Free time is essential to shift from task orientation to strategic thinking.

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In this episode of CFO Weekly, Kevin Appleby, Head of Partnerships at GrowCFO and host of the GrowCFO Show podcast, joins Megan Weis to explore how new CFOs can successfully navigate their critical first hundred days in the role. Kevin brings extensive experience mentoring finance leaders through one of the most challenging career transitions, drawing from his years supporting aspiring and newly appointed CFOs as they shift from technical finance roles to strategic enterprise leadership.

With his deep background in management consulting and finance education, Kevin shares how new CFOs can overcome imposter syndrome, build effective peer networks, and establish credibility while managing the overwhelming demands of business-as-usual operations. Currently serving as Head of Partnerships at GrowCFO, Kevin oversees programs that help finance professionals develop the strategic thinking, leadership presence, and operational expertise needed to thrive in the CFO seat.

What You'll Learn:

Why the transition from finance director to CFO represents such a significant cultural shift
How to structure your first hundred days for maximum impact and credibility
Strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome and building genuine confidence
The importance of peer networks and mentorship for isolated finance leaders
How to balance strategic planning with immediate operational demands
Why filling the "blank sheet of paper" on team culture matters from day one

Learn more about Evan:

Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn
GrowCFO Website

Episode resources:

Personiv's Website
Personiv on LinkedIn
Personiv on Facebook
Personiv on Twitter

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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 McKenzie

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