CFO THOUGHT LEADER

Inder Singh, a finance leader who collaborated with John Chambers at Cisco, shares gripping tales from his encounters with tech icons like Steve Jobs and Marc Benioff. He discusses transformative moments that shaped both his career and the financial landscape of tech. Topics include the shift to subscription models, the importance of leadership presence, and strategic shifts in finance during economic turmoil. Singh’s firsthand experiences illuminate the critical role CFOs play alongside visionary leaders in crafting the future of companies.

In a riveting discussion, Eric Brown, CFO of Cohesity and a tech finance veteran, shares insights from his extensive career. He recalls navigating a financial crisis at MicroStrategy and turning it around from a -40% operating margin to +30%. Brown elaborates on his role in AI at Cohesity, likening its impact to previous tech waves. He explores the capital demands of large language models and highlights the strategic significance of data security in a rapidly evolving landscape. Personal anecdotes underscore the importance of leadership and innovation in the tech industry.

In this engaging discussion, Brian Gladden, CFO of Zelis and former finance chief at GE and Dell, shares insights from his encounters with industry legends like Jack Welch and Michael Dell. He reflects on leadership lessons learned in pivotal moments that significantly shaped his career. The conversation also includes Gabi Gantus's Tesla experience with Elon Musk and Jason Child's transformative moments at Amazon with Jeff Bezos, emphasizing strategic decision-making and the ability to navigate high-stakes corporate environments.

When people Google Bonterra, they often see 2021 as its starting point. That year, lead investor Apax joined with Vista, holder of Social Solutions, and Insight Partners, holder of EveryAction, to unite those businesses under one brand. But, as Matthew Hardy tells us, the company’s history stretches much further back—“We have customers that are 20–25-year-old customers, so (there are) a lot of longstanding relationships.”From its earliest days, Bonterra’s mission has been clear: provide “purpose-built software for nonprofits.” Today, that includes tools for strategic philanthropy, enabling Fortune 50 companies and foundations to distribute funds, manage grants, and ensure resources reach the right causes.Its Impact Management business works with both small nonprofits and large entities—including city and state initiatives involving millions of dollars—to answer the central question: “What’s the impact?” Hardy tells us many philanthropists have historically invested without a clear view of results; Bonterra’s solutions aim to change that.Fundraising and Engagement solutions—traditional CRM-style donor management platforms—serve nonprofits across the spectrum, from micro-organizations to nationally recognized names.Although backed by private equity “impact funds,” Hardy stresses there’s no easing of performance expectations. Bonterra tracks “all the same metrics you would typically see in your vertical SaaS companies”—from new and install base bookings to gross and net retention, margins, and EBITDA.Ultimately, Hardy’s strategic lens centers on value realization. “If your customers…aren’t finding significant value…you’re not going to last long,” he tells us. Whether helping nonprofits hit fundraising goals or guiding corporate giving programs, Bonterra’s work is measured by both mission and metrics.

In Episode 47 of Planning Aces, Jack Sweeney and resident thought leader Brett Knowles explore the evolving role of FP&A through the lens of three forward-looking CFOs. Dan Zhang (ClickUp), John Rettig (Bill), and Josh Schauer (insightsoftware) share how they’re driving enterprise agility, leveraging AI to eliminate inefficiencies, and rethinking capital allocation. From Zhang’s battle against “SaaS overload” to Rettig’s “prove-it mentality” and Schauer’s daily forecasting, each CFO reveals a distinct approach to enabling smarter, faster decision-making. Their insights offer a compelling look at how modern FP&A leaders are transforming strategy execution in real time.

Host Erik Zhou, CAO at Brex, sits down with Richie Mashiko, Fractional CFO, to unpack the financial complexities of running high-growth e-commerce and CPG brands. From measuring the right things to navigating ad spend, pricing strategies, and fragile supply chains amidst tariffs, Richie offers a unique operator’s perspective on what it takes to drive sustainable growth in today’s market.

In this engaging discussion, Andrew Casey, CFO of Amplitude, shares insights from his extensive finance career, including his transformative role at ServiceNow, helping it grow from $400 million to $4.5 billion. He emphasizes choosing growth experiences over titles and his flexible approach to hybrid work. Andrew discusses Amplitude's mission in digital analytics and how AI enhances workflows and fosters responsible adoption. He also dives into his strategic change management principles, highlighting the importance of limiting significant changes for effective implementation.

In this conversation, Konstantin Dzhengozov, the CFO of Payhawk and co-founder of Bulgaria's first unicorn, shares his journey from a corporate role in the U.S. to thriving in Bulgaria's dynamic startup scene. He discusses the challenges of building a finance team from scratch, the importance of a dual-revenue model, and how they tackled issues like poor data visibility. Dzhengozov also envisions AI transforming finance, enabling CFOs to make quicker, more informed decisions, while remaining dedicated to fostering business innovation.

Dan Zhang, CFO of ClickUp, oversees diverse operations with a focus on integrating AI into productivity. She discusses how ClickUp's platform consolidates tools like project management and communication, revolutionizing work for over 4 million teams globally. Zhang highlights the explosive growth of ClickUp's AI capabilities and emphasizes a mindset of continuous evolution, viewing each day as a new beginning. She also reflects on her unique journey from journalism to finance, showcasing the blend of creativity and strategic vision in her approach to leadership.

Tim Vipond, Co-founder and CEO of the Corporate Finance Institute, shares his journey from tackling complex financial models in mining to revolutionizing finance education online. He emphasizes the importance of real-world skills alongside theoretical knowledge. Discussing the integration of AI into courses, he highlights how CFI tailors certifications to current job markets, ensuring nearly 3 million students are workforce-ready. Vipond advocates for continuous learning, showcasing success stories that demonstrate the value of adapting finance teams to today’s rapid changes.