The Diary of a CFO

In this episode of the Diary of a CFO podcast, Edwine Alphonse shares her journey from a work-study student in Canada to a senior controller at Ramp, discussing her experiences in startups, the importance of accounting, and how to build a high-performing finance team. She emphasizes the critical role of accounting in business operations and the necessity for finance leaders to advocate for adequat...

Finance leaders are under pressure to move faster, stay accurate, and be more strategic. But not every challenge can be solved with technology. In this episode, John Glasgow, Founder and CEO of Campfire, shares issues technology can help solve, like improving audit trails and enforcing controls, and the ones that require stronger business partnerships, like getting finance involved in the right co...

Sindy Wilson didn’t plan to be in finance. She was headed for med school until dissecting a rat and a cat made her rethink everything. That switch led her to a career in finance, where she’s led transformation at Kickstarter, Lyft, and AutoTrader. In this episode, she breaks down how to stand out, get on big projects, and lead major change in any organisation.

Six months as a CFO has taught me a lot about leadership, decision-making, and what it really takes to succeed in this role. In this solo episode, I share my biggest takeaways so far: why managing a board is nothing like just presenting to one, how to lead when there’s no playbook, and why staying plugged into the right circles is non-negotiable.

Most people assume nonprofits just need to balance donations with expenses. But in reality, nonprofit finance comes with its own set of complexities. In this episode, Stephen Newland shares what leaders need to understand about nonprofit financial management, and how to make better long-term financial decisions.

After 25 years as a CFO, Jeremy Earnshaw transitioned from managing numbers to mentoring leaders. He shares what he wishes he knew earlier, the common leadership mistakes CFOs make, and how coaching can accelerate career growth. We also talk about the shift from technical expertise to strategic influence, the importance of self-awareness in leadership, and the mindset changes that separate good CF...

What if the problem isn’t the numbers, but everything around them? Beverly Davis has spent years helping businesses fix their financial blind spots. From misaligned strategies to communication breakdowns, she knows why execution often fails before it even starts. In this episode, we dive into what really makes or breaks a company’s financial success and how to spot the non-financial issues slowing...

Scott Meyers, CFO of Plurilock, talks about what it takes to lead in a fast-changing environment. We discuss how he approaches strategic decisions, manages risk, and communicates with the board while keeping the team aligned. He also shares lessons from handling unexpected situations, like bankruptcy, and how those experiences shaped his approach to the role.

Janice Stucke shares how her career evolved without a clear roadmap and how stepping into roles before feeling fully ready shaped her path to the CFO seat. We talk about career pivots, taking on new challenges, and how those decisions influenced her growth over time. She also reflects on how that mindset carried into her work leading teams and navigating change.

Basem Waheed, CFO of Golden Chicken Farms Co., shares his path into finance leadership and the work behind improving finance operations. We talk about how his team reduced month-end close to one day, what had to change to make that possible, and how he approached digital transformation inside a large organization. He also shares how communication, trust across teams, and continuous learning play a...

Jessica McClain, CFO of Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital, talks about her move from public accounting into a CFO role and what changed once she started leading a team. We get into what managing a finance team actually involves day to day, how leadership responsibilities shift over time, and how to build strong working relationships across the organization. She also shares what she learned navigating d...

In this episode, Bryan Lapidus, Director of FP&A Practice at AFP, shares invaluable insights from his unique career journey, from starting as a history major to leading in finance. He talks about the value of building breadth early on. We discuss rotations, stepping outside finance, and how different experiences shape long-term growth.

Ever wondered what happens after you hit "submit" on a job application? In this episode, executive recruiter Amy Sulgrove takes you behind the scenes of the hiring process and shares her perspective as an executive recruiter. We discuss how candidates are evaluated, what stands out, and how leaders can approach the hiring process more effectively.

In this episode, I talk about the shift from doing the work to influencing outcomes. I share what separates technical performance from executive readiness and the role of presence, influence, and networking. You’ll learn: Why traditional strategies like hard work and getting more credentials aren’t enough. How to develop executive presence that sets you apart. The importance of building influence...

Making bold moves is what defines Brenda Hodo-Iddris. With over 20 years of experience spanning public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Brenda has mastered the art of adaptability and strategic influence. In this episode, she shares: How she carved out a niche as a "fixer" in nonprofit finance and operations. The importance of building trust and relationships across all levels of an organization....

Becoming a CFO is an exciting milestone, but those first 90 days can be a whirlwind of learning, decisions, and adjustments. In this episode of Diary of a CFO, I reflect on my journey through my first three months in the role—what I got right, what I wish I had done differently, and the lessons that will stay with me for a lifetime. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The key advice from my mentor...

In this episode of Diary of a CFO, I sit down with Matt Ziegler, CFO of GovExec, to unpack what it really takes to hit the ground running in a new CFO role. Matt shares his experience moving from FP&A to CFO, managing multiple functions, and finding his footing in a company with complex business models. Here’s what you’ll learn: How to structure your first 90 days as CFO for maximum impact The...

In this episode, Elaine Benfield, a seasoned marketing leader, shares her insights on how to bridge the gap between marketing and finance. We dive into the importance of aligning metrics, building collaborative relationships, and leveraging storytelling to drive business growth. Whether you're in finance, marketing, or leadership, this conversation offers valuable strategies to break down silos an...

Welcome to the final part of What They Don’t Tell You About Becoming a CFO. In this episode, I explore why being able to say no is a critical skill for any CFO and leader. Here's what you'll learn: Why saying yes too often can damage your focus and leadership credibility How overcommitting can hurt your personal brand and mental health The importance of setting boundaries to protect your team How...

In Part 2 of the "What They Don’t Tell You About Becoming a CFO" series. This episode focuses on one of the biggest adjustments in the role. A large part of the job involves working with teams outside finance and communicating financial insights in a way that others can use. I walk through what that looks like in practice and how it affects decision-making. Learn why understanding their priorities...

This episode kicks off the series on becoming a CFO. I talk about why the role is not about maintaining the status quo, what expectations shift immediately, and how to start building trust and understanding the business beyond the numbers.

In this introduction, I share my path as a finance and accounting executive, what led me to the CFO role, and why I decided to start this podcast. I also talk about what to expect as we explore the realities of working in the C-suite.