CFO Weekly

In this “Greatest Hits” episode of CFO Weekly, Angie Paglinawan, former Director of Finance IT at Aristocrat and now a Finance Accounting Consultant, 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 LinkedInEpisode 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 "Greatest Hits" episode of CFO Weekly, we revisit a standout conversation with Jessica McClain, a leader who has mastered the art of evolving from public accounting to high-impact executive strategy. At the time of this recording, Jessica served as the CFO of Girl Scouts Nation's Capital, where she steered the financial strategy for the country’s largest council, overseeing everything from the iconic cookie program to complex property management. Her trajectory has only climbed since; she now serves as the CFO of the American Staffing Association, continuing her legacy of excellence and strategic transformation in the professional association space.Jessica’s insights are more relevant than ever, reflecting the same expertise that earned her titles such as the 2023 Nonprofit CFO of the Year and a 2024 Rising Star by the CFO Leadership Council. In this retrospective, she joins Megan Weis to explore why continuous learning is the bedrock of modern financial leadership and how she successfully navigated a decade in public accounting into the C-suite of mission-driven organizations. This episode serves as a masterclass for any finance professional looking to balance technical rigor with visionary leadership.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 WebsiteAmerican Staffing Association 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 Greatest Hits episode of CFO Weekly, Sara Wyman, CEO & Founder at Stackpack, joins Megan Weis to explore how modern CFOs are revolutionizing vendor management through AI-powered automation and strategic oversight. Sara brings extensive experience as a former VP of Strategic Partnerships at Affirm Inc. and VP of Enterprise Sales, where she witnessed firsthand the chaos of managing hundreds of vendors without proper systems at high-growth companies.With her deep background in fintech and vendor relationship management, Sara shares how finance teams can leverage AI to automate contract term extraction, implement proactive risk alerts, and build comprehensive vendor management systems. Currently serving as CEO of Stackpack, Sara oversees the development of AI-native solutions that help companies transition from manual spreadsheet-based vendor tracking to automated, scalable systems starting at just $99 per month.What You'll Learn:Why CFOs must take a proactive role in vendor management beyond traditional cost oversightHow AI can automate contract term extraction with 100% accuracy in minutes versus weeksThe critical metrics CFOs should track for effective vendor performance evaluationStrategies for implementing real-time risk alerts and renewal notificationsHow robust vendor management systems impact investor confidence and operational efficiencyThe future of AI in vendor discovery, evaluation, and strategic alignmentLearn more about Sara:Sara Wyman on LinkedInStackpack 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 Greatest Hits episode of CFO Weekly, Aaron Levine, Chief Financial Officer at Prophix, joins Megan Weis to discuss the challenges and opportunities of being a CFO at a company whose technology is made for CFOs. Aaron shares insights on the evolving role of the CFO in today's tech-driven landscape, the importance of data stewardship, and how innovative financial solutions can enhance collaboration across teams.Aaron is a seasoned financial executive with vast experience in high-growth venture capital and private equity-backed technology companies. With a career that began in public accounting and transitioned through various roles, he has developed a robust skill set in business analysis, investor relations, budgeting, and P&L management. Before Prophix, Aaron held financial leadership roles at companies such as ChurnZero, EveryAction, BluVector, Fishbowl, and more.In this episode, we discuss:The importance of technology integration to improve decision-makingHow Prophix's technology impacts decision-making and collaboration within finance teamsThe growing demand for tech-savvy finance professionalsWhat skills future financial leaders must possess to succeedLearn more about Aaron:Aaron Levine on LinkedInProphix 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, Patrick Villanova, Chief Financial Officer at BlackLine, joins Megan Weis to discuss the shift from binary automation to agentic AI in the office of the CFO. With over a decade at BlackLine and a background in big four accounting, Patrick explores how AI agents are moving beyond creative tasks to handle complex, transactional decision-making in highly regulated environments.Patrick shares insights on why the "deterministic" nature of financial reporting requires a different approach to AI, one where perfection is the only allowable outcome. He explains how finance leaders can transition from "doers" to "reviewers," the evolving skill sets required for the next generation of accountants, and why embracing technology is the only way to avoid becoming a "dinosaur" in the modern era.What You'll Learn:The fundamental difference between binary automation and agentic AI.Why the office of the CFO requires deterministic AI rather than probabilistic models.How AI agents act as the "fifth invisible person" in the room for forecasting and risk management.The shifting recruitment landscape: why "data savvy" is as important as "accounting savvy."Strategies for building a culture that embraces AI as a career-accelerator rather than a threat.How to maintain strict governance and auditability while deploying autonomous agents.Learn More About Patrick:Patrick Villanova on LinkedInBlackLine 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, Hari Sankar, Senior Vice President of Applications Development at Oracle, joins Megan Weis to explore how AI, automation, and cloud technology are fundamentally transforming the finance function. Hari brings over thirty years of experience driving enterprise transformation and is at the forefront of integrating AI into finance functions, having led Oracle’s journey with AI-powered finance tools.With a career shaped by a pivotal insight from an MBA classmate over dinner, that finance had a substantial unmet need for analytics and planning software, Hari has spent fifteen years championing the cause of CFOs burdened by manual processes and disconnected systems. Now at Oracle, he oversees AI-powered solutions embedded directly into core finance platforms, helping organizations move from reactive scorekeeping to predictive, agentic operations.What You'll Learn:Why finance has historically lagged in technology adoption and what is changing nowThe two biggest automation and prediction opportunities in finance todayHow AI is shifting the CFO role from governance and compliance to strategic advisoryWhy embedding AI inside systems of record matters more than layering it on topReal-world customer examples of AI-driven finance transformation across industriesHow CFOs should approach the transition to AI with a phased roadmap and agentic mindsetLearn more about Hari:Hari Sankar on LinkedInOracle 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, Sara Daw, CEO of The CFO Centre Group Limited, joins Megan Weis to talk about the role of a fractional CFO in the growth of modern entrepreneurial businesses. Learn when growing companies should consider bringing on a fractional CFO, how experienced executives can successfully transition to fractional work, and why this flexible model is reshaping the future of executive leadership.Sara is a distinguished Chartered Accountant and co-founder of the CFO Center and Liberti Group, pioneering the fractional CFO model globally. With over two decades of experience transforming entrepreneurial businesses, she has grown the CFO Center to operate across 17 countries with 800 CFOs. Having started her career at Deloitte and holding an MBA, Sara revolutionized the part-time CFO concept in the early 2000s, developing it from a personal solution for work-life integration into a global business model.What You’ll Learn:How fractional CFO services enable growing businesses to access high-level financial expertise without the cost of a full-time executiveWhy the $2-3 million revenue mark is the optimal time for businesses to consider bringing on a fractional CFOHow to transition from traditional CFO roles to fractional workWhy culture fit matters more than industry expertise when matching fractional CFOs with clientsHow the fractional model helps executives achieve better work-life integration while maintaining career growthLearn more about SaraSara Daw on LinkedInThe CFO Centre Group Limited 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, Todd McElhatton, COO and CFO at Zuora, joins Megan Weis to explore how the CFO-CEO relationship has evolved from reporting what happened to engineering what will happen. Todd brings a rare dual-lens perspective shaped by more than three decades leading global finance and operating organizations at companies like SAP, Oracle, VMware, and Hewlett Packard.With deep experience spanning public companies, private equity transitions, and M&A, Todd shares how modern CFOs must move beyond spreadsheets to become true business partners who understand operational levers, drive cross-functional outcomes, and help architect company strategy. Currently serving as Chief Operating and Chief Financial Officer at Zuora, where he oversees finance, operations, M&A, IT, legal, HR, and strategic partnerships, Todd played a key role in guiding the company through its $1.7 billion acquisition by Silver Lake and GIC, navigating the transition to private ownership while maintaining strategic clarity and execution speed.What You'll Learn:How the CFO role has shifted from reporting history to engineering outcomesWhy understanding operational levers matters more than spreadsheet masteryThe importance of end-to-end visibility in building CEO-CFO partnershipHow CFOs can develop business acumen beyond traditional finance skillsWhy radical transparency accelerates decision-making and builds trustWhat CEOs should expect from finance leaders who aspire to be true partnersLearn more about Todd:Todd McElhatton on LinkedInZuora 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, Chris Garber, Chief Financial Officer at Guild, joins Megan Weis to explore how AI is reshaping the CFO role from technical specialist to cross-functional business generalist. Chris brings a unique perspective shaped by fifteen years working with a transformational mentor across multiple companies, leading diverse functions from FP&A and analytics to sales operations, IT, and workplace experience.With deep experience across SaaS, public companies, IPOs, and large-scale business transformation at Guild, LiveRamp, and Acxiom, Chris shares how AI and automation are accelerating the shift away from traditional finance specializations toward more versatile, business-minded leaders. Currently serving as CFO at Guild, a company transforming workforces for Fortune 1,000 companies, Chris discusses why the future belongs to finance leaders who can move from being scorekeepers to coaches, from producing numbers to telling strategic stories, and from managing teams to driving cross-functional impact.What You'll Learn:Why traditional finance specializations are breaking down in the AI eraHow AI is enabling finance leaders to shift from scorekeeping to coachingThe importance of experimentation and hands-on AI learning for CFOsWhy cross-functional experience matters more than ever for finance leadershipHow to build finance teams focused on scope of impact over scope of responsibilityThe skills future CFOs need beyond traditional finance credentialsLearn more about Chris:Chris Garber on LinkedInGuild 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, Mark Dempster, Founder & Chief People Officer at  The Circle by Founders Circle Capital , joins Megan Weis to explore how peer community has become essential infrastructure for CFOs navigating the intense pressure of pre-IPO growth. Mark brings a rare perspective shaped by decades at the intersection of leadership, brand, and venture capital, having previously served as the marketing partner at Sequoia Capital where he was among the first to create this role at a venture capital firm.With his deep background in brand strategy and relationship management, Mark shares how The Circle, a private leadership community for CXOs, has evolved from accidental dinner conversations into a structured peer-to-peer environment where finance leaders can be vulnerable, process uncertainty, and build the confidence needed to scale themselves and their companies. Currently serving as Founder & Chief People Officer at The Circle by Founders Circle Capital, Mark oversees leadership services for the firm's CXO community, driving vision and culture internally while supporting CFOs through one of the most scrutinized phases of their careers.What You'll Learn:Why CFOs in the IPO tractor beam face constant reinterviewing by their boardsHow vulnerability and peer support combat the isolation inherent in the CFO roleThe critical shift from individual contributor to leader and storytellerWhy the CFO role has the highest unfilled recruiting rate in venture capitalHow community infrastructure helps CFOs avoid replacement at the IPO thresholdThe power of lived experience over data alone in high-stakes decision-makingLearn more about Mark:Mark Dempster on LinkedInThe Circle by Founders Circle 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