Budget Smarter, Not Harder with CJ Gustafson, CFO at PartsTech

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Claire Bramley, Chief Financial Officer at Teradata, joins Megan Weis to discuss the modern CFO, how technology and AI are reshaping the CFO's responsibility, and defining what a successful executive looks like. Claire also dives into career growth, leadership strategies, and the underestimated power of storytelling in finance. With a vast background in corporate finance and technology, Claire brings over two decades of experience, including significant tenure at HP, where she served as Global Controller and led finance strategy for their $17 billion EMEA business. Claire's expertise spans financial controls, strategic planning, and digital transformation, particularly in leveraging AI and analytics for business growth. In this episode, we discuss: The evolution of the CFO role beyond traditional financial operations How Teradata implements rotation programs and cross-functional collaboration to develop talent The impact of AI and analytics on financial decision-making How modern CFOs balance traditional responsibilities with expanding strategic duties

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Rick Yvanovich, CEO & Founder of TRG International, explores why traditional leadership is failing—and how emotionally intelligent, purpose-driven leadership is the future. He shares decades of insights on how businesses can adapt and thrive in an era of constant change. Rick is a Certified Chief Master Coach, serial entrepreneur, and the author of Business as Unusual. With over 40 years of leadership experience spanning multiple industries, he helps organizations unlock their potential through smarter leadership and cultural transformation. In this episode, we discuss: The transformative role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership and strategic decision-making The reasons traditional business models are struggling and how organizations can adapt to thrive Key strategies for CFOs to maintain relevance and drive value in an era of digital transformation Why hiring for attitude and potential is more impactful than focusing solely on technical skills The essential elements of building a high-performance, purpose-driven company that fosters growth and innovation

In this episode of CFO Weekly, William Washington, Global CFO of Baker McKenzie, joins Megan Weis to share his experiences regarding financial leadership, process improvement, operational efficiency, and many more. William also dives into the Six Sigma methodologies in financial operations and preparing finance teams for the AI revolution. As a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with an MBA and Master's in Law Firm Management, William combines deep financial understanding with operational excellence principles to drive organizational success. His career spans prominent roles at global organizations, including Accenture and Fannie Mae, before finding his true calling in legal finance leadership. In this episode, we discuss: How the Six Sigma methodologies transform financial operations and process improvement The unique challenges of financial leadership in law firms The importance of authentic leadership and creating a culture where "trying is not a failure" What impact does AI have on financial operations

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Alex Jimenez, Lead Principal Consultant at Backbase, joins Megan Weis to break down why traditional digital transformation approaches need rethinking, what digital transformation really means for banks, and why we should drop the word "digital" altogether. Alex brings over 36 years of financial services expertise to the intersection of banking and technology transformation. As a respected thought leader in digital banking innovation, he has held strategic positions across major institutions including Bank of America and Zions Bank Corporation, and served as Chief Strategy Officer at both Extractable and Finalytics AI. Alex's distinguished career spans roles in strategic planning, digital banking, operations, and customer experience, complemented by his influential work as chairman of the Consumer Bankers Association's Digital Channel Committee and founding member of the American Bankers Association's fintech committee. In this episode, we discuss: Why digital transformation should be viewed as a business model transformation rather than just a technology upgrade How C-suite alignment and CEO commitment are essential for meaningful organizational change What is progressive modernization The impact of AI and machine learning on banking's future

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Jim Benson, Chief Financial Officer at Dynatrace, joins Megan Weis to share insights about modernizing the finance function, developing succession strategies, and what CFOs should focus on as we enter 2025. Jim brings over three decades of leadership experience in market-leading technology companies. Before joining Dynatrace, he served as Executive Vice President and CFO at Akamai Technologies and spent over 20 years in various leadership roles at Hewlett Packard. In this episode, we discuss: The evolution of the CFO role from traditional financial steward to strategic business partner What are the critical components of modernizing finance functions How CFOs can leverage data analytics and storytelling to drive better decision-making CFO's expanding role in driving company-wide alignment and growth

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Luigi Testa, Chief Financial Officer at LinkSquares, joins Megan Weis to dive into the intricacies of growth stage software, the challenges of raising capital, and operating these types of businesses. Luigi also shares insights on the importance of storytelling in finance and how AI is revolutionizing legal tech. With a robust background in venture capital and private equity-backed tech companies, Luigi has sharpened his expertise in scaling businesses and navigating the complexities of financial management. His leadership was recognized when he was named one of Boston Business Journal's 2023 CFO of the Year honorees. Before LinkSquares, he held significant roles at companies such as Building Engines, Rapid7, Nanigans, Rapid7, and Acquia. In this episode, we discuss: Luigi's journey in the tech and finance sectors How understanding the narrative behind the numbers is crucial for effective communication within a company Insights on transitioning from a variable revenue model to a SaaS model Fundraising strategies for growth-stage companies

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Keith Causey, SVP of Cloud ERP Transformation at Oracle, joins Megan Weis to discuss the transformative impact of AI on finance, how AI-driven tools are enabling touchless operations, and the role of CFOs as change agents and offers actionable advice for overcoming resistance to innovation. Keith is a strategic and highly accomplished senior executive specializing in cloud technologies and digital transformation within the finance sector. With a career spanning over 35 years, Keith has held pivotal roles in various industries, including his tenure as Chief Accounting Officer at Caesars Entertainment, where he led a groundbreaking transition to cloud ERP systems, becoming the first in the industry to do so. In this episode, we discuss: The significant role of cloud technology in modern finance How AI is revolutionizing traditional finance functions Cultural challenges that organizations face when implementing AI The future of finance and exciting trends in AI

In this episode of CFO Weekly, CJ Gustafson, Chief Financial Officer at PartsTech, joins Megan Weis to discuss the annual planning process and the metrics that go into building a good budget. CJ also discusses the importance of storytelling in finance, how to foster a people-centric approach to budgeting, and the role of AI and analytics in transforming budgeting in the years ahead. CJ is a seasoned CFO with vast experience in the tech industry, particularly in scaling software companies through strategic financial management. With a background that includes consulting at PwC and working in private equity, CJ has developed a keen understanding of business models and the complexities of revenue growth. He has played key roles in hyper-growth environments, focusing on financial planning and analysis, sales operations, and overall corporate strategy. In this episode, we discuss: The role of storytelling in finance Key financial metrics to prioritize during the budgeting process Common pitfalls companies face during budgeting and how to overcome them The integration of data analytics and AI into budgeting

In this 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-making How Prophix's technology impacts decision-making and collaboration within finance teams The growing demand for tech-savvy finance professionals What skills future financial leaders must possess to succeed

In this episode of CFO Weekly, Carlos Vega, Co-Founder and CEO of Tesorio, joins Megan Weis to explore how AI is transforming the invoicing and payment collection process, the importance of real-time data in cash flow management, and the emerging role of financial operations in organizations. With a strong background in finance, including roles at Lazard and Elemento Factoring, Carlos has dedicated nearly a decade to developing Tesorio's AI-powered platform. His expertise in financial operations and machine learning positions him as a thought leader in the evolving landscape of AI in finance. Under his leadership, Tesorio has helped clients like Slack and UiPath achieve remarkable efficiency and growth. In this episode, we discuss: The transformative role of AI in the invoicing and payment collection process How "connected financial operations" integrate various financial processes to provide a real-time view of cash flow The role of real-time data in improving cash flow management What the future of invoicing and payment collection will look like