Private Equity-Backed CFO Strategies for Finance Transformation with Connor Augustyn

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Tonya Johnson-Simmons, Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Director of Financial Management for the U.S. Department of the Interior, joins Megan Weis to discuss the evolving role of the CFO in government and beyond. Tonya shares how she's leveraging AI, enhancing cybersecurity, and fostering inclusion in leadership while tackling significant financial challenges. With over 30 years of experience in the federal government, Tonya is currently overseeing a $159 billion portfolio at the Department of the Interior. Her expertise spans financial reporting and analysis, cost accounting, internal controls, financial policy, audits, and the Agency's Financial Report (AFR). Tonya previously worked for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and was the Director of the Financial Operations Division for the USDA. In this episode, we discuss: - The evolution of the government CFO - Strategies for managing a $159 billion portfolio - Harnessing AI and awareness to combat cybersecurity threats - How to cultivate trust in financial accountability - Empowering finance teams for tomorrow’s challenges

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Chad Gold, Chief Financial Officer at G2, joins Megan Weis to discuss strategic financial engineering. Chad dives into mastering valuation and investment strategies for high-growth tech companies, financial modeling, and building strong investor relationships. With over 20 years of experience in corporate finance, including CFO roles at both pre-IPO and post-IPO tech companies, Chad joined G2 after serving as CFO at Salesloft. Before that, he was CFO at Rubicon, overseeing financial operations and reporting, and held CFO and finance leadership roles at SAP Ariba and The Home Depot. In this episode, we discuss: How finance drives business impact What goes into building dynamic financial models The power of growth, storytelling, and investor relationships How revolving credit can boost flexibility in high-growth companies

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Luke Boyenger, Chief Financial Officer at Cruzumi CFO & Advisory, joins Megan Weis to share insights on building a finance team around a fractional CFO. Luke also discusses his inspiring journey from witnessing his family's business close to helping others succeed in finance and the importance of a strong finance team and effective cash flow forecasting. Luke's journey began with the tough experience of seeing his family business close during high school, sparking his passion for mastering business management. This led him to earn a degree in accounting, become a CPA, and learn from global leaders. With roles at EY as an auditor, data analytics coach, and director of accounting, he gained a deep understanding of what makes businesses thrive, building a skill set that helps bridge the gap between finance and effective operations. In this episode, we discuss: Why every small business needs a finance expert for long-term success How to choose the right CFO depending on your growth strategy When is the right time to bring in a fractional CFO Strategies for sustainable business growth while maintaining financial health

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Alyssa Shadinger, Chief Financial Officer at Sisense, joins Megan Weis to share how to transform data into actionable insights. Alyssa also discusses her passion for data-driven decision-making, the importance of fostering a culture of data literacy, and the role of AI in finance. Alyssa brings a strong skill set in leadership, auditing, social media, CPA, and SAP. Before Sisense, she held roles such as Director of Finance at Akamai Technologies and Linode, Board Member for the United Women in Business Foundation, Manager at Deloitte, and Senior Manager at the Pine Hill Group. In this episode, we discuss: - How to focus on data that drives action - 3 proven strategies to empower faster, smarter decision - How AI and ML have impacted business decision-making - Leveraging insights without compromising data security

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Connor Augustyn, Director at West Monroe, joins Megan Weis to lay out a comprehensive guide for private equity-backed CFOs to create and implement a finance transformation roadmap that will elevate company value through both data-driven strategies and effective financial management. Connor's role as Director at West Monroe is the result of his diverse experience at both West Monroe and Clerestory Consulting, as well as Conagra Brands. He holds a degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and brings a strong skill set in finance, financial reporting, accounting, sales, and cash flow management. In this episode, we discuss: Key strategies for successful financial transformation How PE-backed CFOs prioritize for success The importance of aligning long-term strategy with short-term PE goals Maintaining stakeholder engagement throughout the transformation process How stakeholder buy-in and smart tech choices drive success

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Madhu Jagannathan, Chief Financial Officer at Lob, joins Megan Weis to share his lessons from Lob, INRIX, and ChefSteps and the evolving skill sets required for CFOs to successfully navigate financial leadership across different industries. He discusses building and managing diverse teams, collaboration between finance and other departments, lessons from outsourcing and offshoring, and the evolving role of the CFO. Madhu is an experienced professional with over 20 years of success in strategic planning, financial management, and investor relations. His impressive background includes roles as CFO at INRIX and ChefSteps, Director of Finance at Qumulo, Revenue FP&A Lead at Dropbox, and Group Finance Manager at Microsoft. Known for his strong leadership skills, Madhu excels at building and guiding diverse teams to achieve outstanding results. In this episode, we discuss: - How to adapt your leadership style to different industries - The role of technology in driving financial performance and operational efficiency - Balancing growth with maintaining financial discipline and long-term sustainability - Key tips for seamless outsourcing and offshoring success - Emerging trends that will impact the CFO role in the next five years

The financial industry is experiencing a significant change with the rise of digitization and cryptocurrencies. As technology advances, traditional assets are becoming more digital, allowing for smoother transactions and greater accessibility. At the same time, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are gaining traction as alternatives to traditional financial systems. The main question is, “What implications do these changes have for traditional financial institutions?” Emmanuel Daniel has some curious insights to share. Emmanuel is an entrepreneur and corporate strategist, acknowledged among the top 10 global influencers in the FinTech Power 50 list for both 2021 and 2022. He is the founder of TAB Global and author of "The Great Transition." Drawing on his travels to over 110 countries, Emmanuel actively shares his insights through his blog and is currently working on his second book, "The Winning Civilization," set for release in 2024. In this episode, we discuss: - Challenges and opportunities in modern finance - Blockchain and the evolution of financial institutions - Balance sheets and digital assets - The impact of decentralized finance on traditional banks - Security and stability of financial digital assets

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Timothy Dunbar, Chief Financial Officer at the American Water Works Association, joins Megan Weis to discuss effective communication and its importance across different functions and stakeholders, particularly when handling difficult situations, as well as the evolving role of CFOs in nonprofits. Timothy is an Executive Officer with 20 years of leadership experience, currently serving as CFO of a $50 million organization formed from the merger of two industry leaders. Previously, he was the Chief Financial Officer at Contexture and CORHIO. His expertise lies in leading growth-oriented operations, generating revenue, financial management, organizational governance, risk management, and strategic planning. In this episode, we discuss: - How communication drives financial performance across every role - Effective communication tips between the finance and other departments - How to manage financial communication during a crisis - Secrets to simple, impactful communication

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Niki Heim, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer at LogicSource, joins Megan Weis to share her journey to becoming an under-40 female CFO, the experiences she has gained, and the challenges she had to overcome along the way. Before starting her career at LogicSource, Niki was a Controller at Title Nine and had experience working as a Public Accountant, Auditor, and Senior Analyst at Stevens Group and Umpqua Bank. After joining LogicSource as a Controller, she was promoted to the role of Executive Vice President of Finance within a year. In this episode, we discuss: - What it takes to become an effective CFO - How organizations can better support emerging female leaders - What unique perspectives do younger female CFOs bring to financial leadership - How to master work-life balance

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Sagar Khatri, Co-Founder and CEO of Multiplier, joins Megan Weis to talk about the workforce trends that CFOs are currently navigating and the nuanced challenges of integrating Gen Z into the workplace. They also touch on the importance of trust, transparency, diversity in leadership, the financial implications of remote work, and the future of work. Inspired by his personal experiences with the challenges of international expansion and previous tenures, Sagar, alongside his co-founders, created Multiplier to transform the employment landscape. Before that, he held leadership roles at Hmlet, Nomura, and The Walt Disney Company. Sagar is also a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree for his work with Multiplier. In this episode, we discuss: - 2024 workforce trends CFOs can't ignore - How CFOs can simplify international hiring with ease - Attracting and retaining Gen Z in the workplace - The role of DEI in attracting Gen Z and driving profitability