Claim OwnershipSecrets of Rockstar CFOs
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Description
The role of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) has evolved from back-office support to strategic leader. It takes more than financial skills to master the responsibilities of this position successfully. Above all else, financial leaders need to know how to effectively plan for and execute in the face of the challenges and uncertainty inherent in their chosen industry. This begs the question, "What does it take to really excel in the role of chief financial officer?"
Whether you are a seasoned CFO or just starting out in the field, you will find something useful in this podcast. Welcome to Secrets of Rockstar CFOs, a practical and actionable resource for Chief Financial Officers seeking to advance their careers. This is your friendly and helpful guide to master the challenges and opportunities of financial leadership.
This podcast features the most successful CFOs in the world, from Silicon Valley startups to Fortune 50 multinationals. The host of this podcast, Jack McCullough, is the author of “Secrets of Rockstar CFOs,”
widely considered to be the definitive guide to the art of financial leadership.
Here you can find the resources you need to advance your CFO career or launch it for the first time. Inspiring interviews with prominent CFOs and other thought leaders are featured in each episode. Get educated by the best in the business, companies like 3M, AstraZeneca and Zoetis.
Listen in as these remarkable leaders discuss their career paths, the obstacles they have overcome, and the secrets they leveraged to achieve success. Get inspired to take your own strategic path to the next level by learning from the successes of these A-list CFOs. Master this field thoroughly to change the course of your career in a significant way. Explore new avenues you would never have considered before.
Not only does Jack have fantastic guests who offer invaluable advice, but he also brings his own unique brand of insight, energy, and humor to the show. He established a worldwide network for mentoring and developing chief financial officers as president and founder of the CFO Leadership Council. To prepare the next generation of CFOs, Jack and his team utilize cutting-edge professional development programs and unrivaled peer networking.
Combining his vast knowledge and experience with his lighthearted approach to interviews, Jack is the perfect person to serve as the show’s host. Before he founded the CFO Leadership Council, he served as chief financial officer for more than 25 different organizations. You can trust that he will steer the podcast in the same direction that he led CFO Leadership Council to become a leading organization in strategic and financial leadership.
Learning from elite financial leaders is the surest path to a successful career. This top-notch podcast was produced with that aim in mind. Whether you are already a CFO looking to improve your performance or aspire to be one and need some direction to get started, you have come to the right place.
Become the strategic leader you have always imagined by joining Jack and his guests in these lively and entertaining conversations full of empowering advice, encouraging lessons, and easy-to-emulate tactics. Use your exceptional abilities, intellectual curiosity, and unwavering focus to take over your field. Now is the time to take your professional life to a new and more satisfying level.
Listen to the Secret of Rockstar CFOs at www.strategiccfo360.com/podcast
79 Episodes
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Cyber resilience is no longer optional—it’s mission-critical for every modern organization. As CFO of Commvault, Jennifer DiRico is helping shape the future of how companies protect, rebuild, and grow after cyber threats. In this episode, Jennifer opens up about her journey from working in her family’s car wash to leading finance at one of the world’s top data security and AI firms. She reflects on the decade-long ride at Toast that led to its IPO, the mentors who shaped her as a leader, and how she’s driving durable growth at Commvault through innovation and trust. Jennifer also shares how she sees AI empowering—not replacing—finance professionals, and why understanding the “why” behind the numbers is the real hallmark of great financial leadership.
To thrive in today’s dynamic business environments, a leader must know how to effectively navigate risks, double down on wins, and create lasting relationships that truly matter. Samir Kanuga excels in these things by putting into good use his deep expertise in corporate strategy, operational efficiency, and even aviation. He joins Jack McCullough to share his experiences and insights as the CFO of HelmsBriscoe, the largest company for meeting site selection in the world. Samir talks about his approaches in working with family-owned businesses, the career influences of his accounting-focused family, and his journey to becoming a successful growth CFO.
Transformational leadership takes on new meaning in this conversation with Jennifer Langton, former CFO of Atari and Senior Vice President of Player Health Innovation at the NFL. Jennifer shares how she turned her career into a masterclass in innovation—leveraging data, authenticity, and purpose to drive change across industries. From breaking barriers as a young athlete to reshaping player safety through analytics, her journey is a study in how courage and conviction create lasting impact. This episode offers timeless lessons on leading with integrity, connecting through trust, and transforming challenges into opportunities.
Dive into a fascinating conversation with Charly Kevers, the CFO of Carta, as he reveals how his company is revolutionizing private equity and venture capital through a connected ecosystem for investors and portfolio companies. Discover Charly's remarkable journey, from his roots in Belgium and France to pivotal roles at Tesla, Salesforce, and HP. He'll share invaluable insights on building strategic CEO partnerships, leveraging AI for financial efficiency, and navigating high-growth hardware businesses. Whether you're an aspiring CFO or an experienced leader, Charly's advice on curiosity, communication, and embracing risk will inspire you to excel in the ever-evolving world of finance. Don't miss this deep dive into the future of leadership and technology!
There is nothing more exciting than earning a profit while making a positive difference in the world. Hetu Patel is the CFO of a mission-driven company that does exactly that: Thrive Market. He joins Jack McCullough to share how they are balancing purpose and profitability to commit to their long-term goal of making sustainable living more accessible and affordable for everyone. Hetu also looks back on how his past career experiences, particularly his 12-year tenure at Amazon, taught him about fostering fungible talents, making bold bets, and continuously improving decision-making.
In this electrifying episode of "Secrets of Rockstar CFOs," we sit down with Victoria Thomas, the trailblazing CFO and co-owner of Kellymoss, North America's most decorated Porsche racing team. Discover how Victoria, with her incredibly non-traditional background—from an emancipated minor to a self-made entrepreneur—transformed a nine-employee operation into an 88,000-square-foot powerhouse boasting 135 employees and 48 national championships and redefined success. Victoria shares her candid insights on the power of "failure," the art of the unconventional and how she leveraged her unique path to reshape finance and business operations, driving change in a male-dominated Industry, AI in finance, and the CEO-CFO dynamic and a unique leadership partnership—with her husband. Get ready to be inspired by a leader who proves that rules are meant to be broken, and that true financial leadership is about more than just numbers—it's about vision, impact, and an unwavering belief in possibility.
Get ready to meet a true disruptor! In this episode, we're diving deep with Gabi Gantus, the CFO of Mytra, one of the planet's most ambitious startups. Mytra isn't just moving materials from point A to point B; they're reinventing warehousing and industrial productivity by going up, down, and all around with cutting-edge bots and software. Join us as Gabi shares how Mytra is pulling the logistics industry out of the "Eisenhower era," the unexpected lessons she learned at Tesla alongside Elon Musk, and her unique approach to finance that's anything but "ivory tower." Plus, she'll reveal her top tips for navigating economic uncertainty, building powerful CEO relationships, and the critical KPIs every CFO should track. This is a conversation packed with insights for anyone looking to innovate, lead, and thrive in today's dynamic business landscape!
Innovative leadership often begins where courage meets conviction—and Naeem Ishaq, EVP, CFO, and Chief Strategy Officer at Checkr, embodies both. From his early days as a McDonald’s fry cook to helping lead companies like Salesforce and Square through hypergrowth and IPO milestones, Naeem’s journey is one of persistence, humility, and vision. In this conversation, he shares what he learned from working alongside some of tech’s most brilliant minds, how mentorship and trust shaped his leadership style, and why embracing AI and transparency are key to driving lasting change. His story proves that real innovation comes from those unafraid to take the hard path and redefine what’s possible.
Making financial decisions is an everyday task that all business owners and C-suite leaders must take on. Since this is usually an overwhelming and complicated task, the right professional assistance must be secured. Jack McCullough sits down with his third non-CFO guest who offers exactly that: the COO and co-founder of LiveFlow, Anita Koimur. Together, they discuss the immense help of financial automation platforms in managing your numbers way more easily. Anita also explains how making the right decisions regarding your money leads to better team management, a more cohesive work culture, and easier prioritization of your customers’ needs.
Lee Tsukroff, CFO and COO of Thorne, shares how he’s helping shape the future of consumer wellness by blending financial discipline with purpose-driven innovation. From Unilever to Ben & Jerry’s to leading Thorne’s mission of personalized health, Lee reflects on his career journey, what it takes to lead operationally as a CFO, and how AI and personalization are transforming the supplement space. He also opens up about leadership values, philanthropic work, and the vital role of trust and radical candor in building successful executive partnerships. This is a deep dive into what it means to lead with impact—inside and outside the business.
Revolutionize your perspective on financial leadership in the digital age, where the dynamic interplay of data and AI is fundamentally reshaping the CFO's role. Tune into a captivating conversation with Tod Crane, the astute CFO of Domo, a cutting-edge cloud-based data and AI platform. From his roots on an Idaho potato farm to navigating the complexities of a tech unicorn's IPO, Tod delves into how his journey forged his unique financial acumen, emphasizing the crucial balance of strategic partnerships, seamless transitions to public life, and the relentless pursuit of measurable value through insightful, data-driven decision-making across every facet of an organization.
Building a thriving company in today's complex financial landscape requires a delicate balance between data-driven decisions and people-centered relationships. This episode dives into that challenge as we hear from Matt James, CFO and Chief Acquisition Officer of Oakbridge Insurance, a rapidly growing agency that has risen to the top 50 US brokerages in just a few years. Matt discusses Oakbridge's impressive trajectory since its launch in 2021, emphasizing their unique approach of blending "small-town values" with corporate efficiency, and how he navigates the dual role of financial leader and M&A strategist. We explore his career path, from history major to finance executive, and how he utilizes a differentiated mindset to drive growth while maintaining a strong company culture. Join us to learn about Matt's experience with mentors, managing rapid growth during the COVID era, and his insights on the evolving role of the CFO.
As CFO of Mark43, Chris Merwin plays a key role in helping modernize the public safety sector through technology that enables first responders to work more efficiently and effectively. He joins Jack McCullough to discuss how Mark43’s cloud-native platform supports mission critical operations for public safety agencies, his approach to financial leadership, and how strong partnerships across the C-suite is essential to driving impact.
Balancing global complexity with strategic clarity, Astellas Pharma’s CFO, Atsushi Kitamura, offers a masterclass in modern financial leadership. In this wide-ranging conversation, he shares how his experience across industries shaped his adaptive approach, why understanding the business from the “real battlefield” matters, and how he partners closely with the CEO to lead transformation. From integrating AI into finance to navigating ambiguity in pharma R&D, Kitamura brings grounded wisdom to the evolving role of the CFO.
Expert fractional CFO strategies are changing how businesses access top-tier financial expertise and navigate growth. In this episode, host Jack McCullough engages in an insightful conversation with Michaella Gallina, former CFO of Wave (a Toronto-based fintech) and now a distinguished fractional CFO. Michaella shares her rich professional journey, from investment banking to corporate finance, and delves into her current role advising businesses of various sizes and industries. We explore the essence of the fractional CFO role, contrasting it with traditional CFO positions, and uncover the nuances of building lasting client relationships and navigating the intricacies of this career path. This episode promises a blend of practical advice, valuable career perspectives, and a look into the experiences of a true financial expert.
Company environment changes as market trends and customer demands evolve. To avoid losing your momentum and keep your entire team on the right track, maintaining a culture of accountability is a must. David Lee, CFO and COO of Webtoon Entertainment, shares how creating such a workplace environment made them the world’s largest digital comics platform right now. In this conversation with Jack McCullough, he explains how to achieve entrepreneurial success in a global company without sacrificing artistic touch and human connection. David also shares how his mentors, his experiences working with different companies, and the most important lessons of his childhood shaped him into a versatile CFO in today’s volatile market.
Discover how a sugarcane plantation in far North Queensland led to the corner office of a global technology leader in this compelling episode. Marie Myers, Executive Vice President and CFO of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), joins the show to share her unconventional journey from correspondence courses in a rural town to navigating the complexities of AI infrastructure and digital transformation. In this insightful conversation, Marie dives into HPE's role in providing cutting-edge AI infrastructure for enterprises and cloud providers, the company's shift to Houston, Texas, and her unique perspective on the evolution of financial leadership in the tech sector. Listen as she recounts her experiences with mentors, significant career transitions, and how HPE is positioned at the forefront of the AI revolution with innovations like the Zora platform, offering listeners an engaging look into the dynamic world of modern finance and technology.
As the financial world rapidly evolves, visionary leadership is paramount, and today we sit down with one of its most influential figures. In this episode, we have the incredible Stacey Ryan-Cornelius, an innovative and strategic business partner and results-focused growth champion who goes beyond the traditional boundaries of a CFO. Stacey shares her unique journey from accounting to leading one of the world's top agencies, revealing the strategies and philosophies that have guided her remarkable career. Listen in as she discusses navigating global markets, fostering innovation, and the critical balance between financial discipline and creative freedom. This insightful conversation delves deep into the challenges and opportunities in today's business landscape, offering invaluable advice for aspiring CFOs and leaders across all industries. Join us to discover how Stacey has not only witnessed but actively shaped the future of financial leadership, making her a trailblazer and an inspiration in the world of business and beyond.
Human capital is one of the most important bloodlines of any company. Make sure you are not setting them aside or taking them for granted by building a people-first culture. Dorothy Walter, CFO of Alpine Investors, shares how they unlocked growth and achieved success by focusing on human development and talent retention. In this conversation with Jack McCullough, she explains why empathy in leadership goes a long way in maintaining a strong team and shaping the next generation of financial leaders. Dorothy also discusses how to use the latest technology, such as AI and automation, to your company’s advantage while keeping the entrepreneurial spirit intact and relevant.
It’s rare to find a CFO who not only manages the numbers but also champions the people and the product with equal passion. Eliran Glazer, the CFO of monday.com, is that rare breed, and we’re privileged to have him on the show. This episode uncovers Eliran’s journey, from his early fascination with math and physics to his current role steering a tech giant through rapid expansion and public market transitions. Explore how monday.com empowers businesses with its customizable work management platform and how Eliran’s approach to finance and leadership drives their continued success.
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