S4, E3: From Backpacking to the Boardroom: Michelle Reynolds Path to CFO

In this episode of From Go to CFO, [axr]'s Kunal Gupta sits down with Nick Williams, CFO of Tellus Holdings, Australia's only geological repository for hazardous waste.Nick's career took him around the world before it brought him home. Eleven years at BHP moved him from a graduate role in Melbourne to Adelaide, Houston, the Netherlands and Chile, building the kind of broad, hands-on experience most finance careers take twice as long to gather. A mentor he clashed with in his first week in Holland went on to shape the next decade of his career, encouraging him to make the leap to Brazil, and eventually back to Sydney.He talks candidly about the private equity stint at Pacific National that changed how he saw the numbers, and the reality of his first year as a first-time CFO at Tellus, refinancing debt on a business with no contracts behind it yet.Nick shares what he'd tell himself five years ago: get your team right before anything else, learn to sell the business you work for, and keep saying yes to the next hard thing.This episode is for finance leaders navigating their own path to CFO, and anyone weighing up a leap into industry or a new country.

Michelle Reynolds backpacked solo through Europe while her friends signed up for two-year stints working in London. It's the kind of call that sums up her whole career: take the path most people skip, and see where it leads. That path has since taken her through insurance, construction, rail and a hydrogen startup to the CFO chair at CIP Construction. In this episode, she joins Dave Goldbach, Director of [axr]'s Accounting & Finance practice, to talk about:How she picked up technical finance skills without a big-four background or a formal mentoring system to rely onWhy she deliberately tries to make her own role redundant, and what she does with the time that frees upThe board-paper lesson from her time under private equity ownership that still shapes how she reports to leadership todayWhat it actually takes to run a startup's entire finance function alone, from payroll to capital raisesThere's no single route to the top of finance, just the one you're willing to take.

Season 4 of From Go to CFO is here. Dave Goldbach and Kunal Gupta are kicking things off with [axr]'s 2026 Finance and Accounting Salary Guide, including why it was built differently and how to get the most out of it.This episode covers:Why [axr] structured the guide around role scope and skills, not just job titles and salary bandsHow compensation varies significantly across large, mid-tier and small businesses, and why segment mattersWhy STI and LTI data becomes increasingly important from manager level upwardsHow roles have evolved, and why the title tells you less than it used toThe mid-tier accounting market and common pathways from practice into commercial financeWhere transformation is heading in 2026, from ERP and process improvement through to AI capability in financeDownload our [axr] 2026 Finance and Accounting Salary Guide here: [axr] Salary Guide; Sales, Marketing, Category, Finance, Accounting

Dave Goldbach and Kunal Gupta continue [axr]'s relaunch of From Go to CFO with a look at how the finance leadership market is shifting, and what it means for anyone building toward a CFO seat. They cover three areas: what's changing in the roles [axr] recruits for, the bigger market trends behind those changes, and what candidates should be doing about it.In this episode, listeners will:Get a clear read on why technical finance skills are now the baseline, not the differentiator, for senior roles.Understand how AI is reshaping day-to-day finance work, and where it's freeing up time for higher-value strategic input instead of replacing people.Hear why businesses are increasingly rewarding adaptability and range across a career, rather than long, unbroken tenure in a single role.Learn what kind of experience (transformation, M&A integration, ERP projects) is becoming genuinely valuable on a CV, and why.Come away with practical steps for building commercial and influencing skills, whatever finance role they're in today.

In this episode of From Go to CFO, we sit down with James Mitchell - an experienced CEO and CFO whose career spans professional services, financial services, hospitality, and property.James shares his journey from his early days at Deloitte, where he built the technical and professional foundations of his career, through international experience in London and senior finance leadership roles including at Westpac. He reflects on his progression into CFO roles, and ultimately his transition to CEO at Baycorp in 2018, a pivotal shift that required him to let go of functional finance responsibilities and step into broader organisational leadership. Today, as CFO at Redcape Hospitality Group, he brings a uniquely well-rounded perspective shaped by his experience leading organisations as both CFO and CEO. He speaks candidly about the mindset shift from leading the numbers to leading the entire organisation, and what it takes to set the tone as CEO, particularly when driving change and transformation. James also reflects on whether becoming a CFO was always part of his plan, and how his ambitions and definition of success evolved over time.A passionate mentor and experienced executive, James shares thoughtful insights into leadership growth, the importance of perspective, and the responsibility leaders have to invest in the next generation.This episode offers valuable perspective for aspiring CFOs, CEOs, and finance leaders navigating career progression and the transition from CFO to CEO.

In this episode of From Go to CFO, we sit down with Chris Allenby, CFO of Lewis Land, one of Australia’s largest privately owned property groups, to unpack a career defined by ambition, adaptability and leadership under pressure.Chris’s journey began early - joining KPMG as a cadet at just 18 and rising to partner by 32. Over a 12-year tenure as partner, he advised private and mid-cap companies, family businesses and high-net-worth individuals across a diverse range of industries, developing particular strength in property. But in March 2020, at the onset of COVID-19, Chris made a pivotal shift - from trusted advisor to in-house decision maker - stepping into the CFO role at Lewis Land.What followed was more than a career move; it was a mindset transformation. Chris shares the realities of transitioning from chartered accounting into a high-net-worth family group, where influence gives way to accountability and strategy must be paired with execution. He reflects on reshaping the finance function, strengthening culture through decisive hiring, and balancing creativity with discipline within what he describes as a true collective.This episode explores the nuances of leading in a private family business environment, the resilience required during periods of rapid change, and how Chris continually evaluates both his own capabilities and those of his team to stay ahead. It’s a candid conversation about leadership evolution, navigating uncertainty, and what it really takes to go from advisor to CFO.

In this episode of From Go to CFO, we sit down with Gareth Sprainger, CFO of V2Food, to unpack a career defined by curiosity, resilience, and transformative leadership. Gareth began his journey straight out of high school, diving into chartered accounting while working full-time - a foundation that shaped his disciplined, hands-on approach to finance.His path took him through a 12-year tenure at Coca-Cola Amatil (now Coca-Cola Europacific Partners), where he worked across multiple divisions and played a key role in a joint venture with SAB Miller, culminating in the build of a $120 million brewery. Seeking global experience, Gareth took a leave of absence to work in London, where he led a major financial transformation across Europe at Monster Worldwide.Returning to Australia, Gareth continued to broaden his commercial lens through senior roles at Coca-Cola before stepping into finance leadership as Finance Director at William Grant & Sons. Today, he sits in a venture-capital-backed CFO role at V2Food, spanning finance, legal, property, and operations as the business scales.This conversation blends hard-earned lessons in adaptability and resilience with insights into leading through change - showing why staying curious and open to transformation is one of the most powerful competitive edges a modern CFO can have.

In this episode of From Go to CFO, we’re joined by Jean-Baptiste Naudet, CFO at Australian Red Cross and a finance leader with a 30-year career spanning global powerhouses including Thales, Flight Centre, Coca-Cola and Johnson & Johnson. After decades in senior finance and commercial leadership roles across APAC, JB made a pivotal shift into purpose-led leadership, bringing deep corporate discipline into the not-for-profit sector.JB shares how he has led large-scale transformation at St Vincent de Paul and now at Red Cross, navigating organisational turnarounds, modernising reporting and planning, and reframing performance from traditional ROI to a powerful “return on impact” lens. We explore what it really takes to translate profit into surplus, lead finance teams through change, and build trust and collaboration in complex, mission-driven environments.We also unpack JB’s personal career pivots between corporate and for-purpose organisations, his perspective as a board member of Karitane, and the practical tools CFOs can use to drive sustainable impact while staying commercially sharp.A must-listen for finance leaders thinking about purpose, transformation, and what modern CFO leadership looks like beyond the balance sheet.

In this episode of From Go to CFO, Nick is joined by Mike Dickson, Host of Your Future in Sales and Marketing for a special episode of the How to series. Nick and Mike break down the real-world strategies behind getting promoted. From demonstrating value beyond your job description to navigating conversations with leadership, they share practical advice, personal experiences, and actionable steps listeners can apply immediately. Whether you’re aiming for your next title or simply want to position yourself for growth, this episode offers a straightforward guide to standing out and moving your career forward. 

In this episode of From Go to CFO, we speak with Andrew Just, Chief Financial Officer of Inghams Australia, about leading finance at scale and navigating change across some of the world’s most complex business environments. Andrew reflects on a remarkable 30+ year career at Nestlé, which he joined straight after college and where he held senior leadership roles across Australia, Fiji, Switzerland, and Singapore.Andrew shares firsthand insights into steering organisations through transformation, driving cultural change, and delivering results in diverse and often challenging markets. A key focus of the conversation is his transition from being a long-tenured “Nestlé lifer” to stepping into a new organisation as CFO - what it takes to reset, adapt, and quickly build credibility as the new kid on the block.The episode also explores the human side of finance leadership: how to build trust and collaboration within teams, lead through uncertainty, and develop the personal resilience required to sustain an international career. Packed with practical leadership lessons, this conversation offers aspiring finance leaders a candid look at what it truly takes to go from graduate to CFO.