Secrets of Rockstar CFOs

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 lead...

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 marke...

In the realm of digital operations and incident response, where efficiency and resilience are paramount, this episode features Howard Wilson , CFO of PagerDuty . A company that serves as a vital "safety net" for over half of the Fortune 500, especially as they explore new technologies like generative AI, PagerDuty focuses on anticipating disruptions and safeguarding against costly incidents. Howar...

CFOs must help secure organizational success while keeping the finances golden. Gary Cooperman , COO and CFO at Pressed Juicery , calls this profitable growth. Joining Jack McCullough, he shares his impeccable strategies for turning this goal into reality, which involves proper team collaboration, strategic partnerships, and a strong relationship with the CEO built on trust. Gary also shares his e...

Strategic leadership is key to driving innovation in renewable energy, and in this episode, we sit down with a powerhouse in the space. Our guest, Ann Anthony , has led financial strategy for some of the most transformative companies in energy, including Oberon Fuels , where she is CFO. She shares her journey from financial management to scaling organizations, securing billions in capital, and nav...

What happens when an international affairs enthusiast with a passion for humanitarian aid transitions into becoming a leading financial strategist? Janice Stucke , CFO and Foundation Treasurer of CREW Network , joins us to share her unique journey from restaurateur roots to spearheading global digital transformations. On this episode of Secrets of Rockstar CFOs, Janice reveals how she navigates fi...

The world of finance and accounting is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by technology and innovative business models. In this episode, Michael Burdick , founder and CFO of Paro , shares his insights on the evolving landscape of finance and accounting solutions. He discusses the vision behind Paro.ai, a two-sided marketplace empowering finance professionals to work on their own terms, and...

Being a CFO is more than just crunching numbers. In this episode of Secrets of Rockstar CFOs, Melissa Hurrington , CFO and VP of Operations at Premier Claims , shares her insights on a holistic approach to life and leadership. Melissa discusses her multifaceted role as a CFO, wife, mother, servant leader, keynote speaker, lifelong learner, and passionate advocate for women. Discover how she balanc...

There are many ways to add value and have an amazing career as a CFO. In this episode, Denise W. Marks , CFO of the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, shares her insights on navigating a successful career path in finance. Denise discusses the importance of embracing diverse opportunities, not being afraid to ask for help, and finding your own unique way to add value as a CFO. Discover how to emb...

CFO leadership in the age of artificial intelligence and rapid growth is the focus of today's Secrets of Rockstar CFOs episode, where we dive into Davinder Athwal ’s journey. In this episode, host Jack McCullough chats with Davinder, who is the Former CFO of Phenom , a groundbreaking AI-powered HR technology company and unicorn based in the Philadelphia area. They explore Davinder’s unique career...

What does it take to lead a mission-driven, fast-growing fintech company? In this episode, host Jack McCullough sits down with Jennifer Loo , CFO of Tala , a company revolutionizing access to financial services for the global majority. Jennifer shares her career path from LegalZoom to Reformation to Tala, revealing the lessons she learned from mission-focused businesses and how they shaped her lea...

Advanced Computing Chips are the engines of our digital world, and in this episode, we go behind the scenes with a true industry leader. Host Jack McCullough welcomes Shelagh Glaser , CFO of Synopsys , a company at the forefront of this technological revolution. Forget the tech jargon; this conversation dives into the human side of innovation. How do you empower the brilliant minds designing these...

In this episode, we sit down with Greg Mrva , CFO of GoFundMe , to explore what it takes to lead finance in a mission-driven organization. Greg shares his path from Wall Street to Silicon Valley, his pivotal career lessons, and how GoFundMe has raised over $30 billion to help people worldwide. He breaks down the platform’s unique business model — relying on voluntary tips — and the company’s major...

Are chargebacks eating into your profits? You should take care of it before it exhausts your wealth. Jack McCullough sits down with Rebecca Beam, CFO of Chargeback Gurus , to demystify the complex world of chargebacks and reveal how to reclaim lost revenue. Rebecca brings a unique perspective to combating these disputed credit card transactions that lead to fund reversals. She also explains how th...

Strong leadership shapes the future of finance, and Lauren Dillard , CFO of LiveRamp , knows exactly what it takes. In this conversation with Jack McCullough, she shares how her diverse career—from investor relations to marketing—has influenced her approach to financial strategy and team building. Lauren discusses how LiveRamp drives data connectivity and why a CFO’s role goes beyond the numbers....

Jack McCullough sits down with Julianna Hayes , CFO of Philo , to discuss the transformative role of financial leadership in the streaming industry. Julianna shares how Philo balances affordability and innovation while navigating the competitive landscape of live TV streaming. This episode dives into leadership strategies, building diverse teams, leveraging data analytics, and creating a finance-f...

Public finance is more than just numbers – it is about vision, leadership, and building strong teams. Jack McCullough welcomes Lauren StClair , CFO of NerdWallet , to discuss how she led the company through its IPO while maintaining its core values of transparency and innovation. Lauren shares her unique journey from Stanford athlete to finance leader, highlighting the lessons learned along the wa...

Dive into the exciting world of CAVA , the fast casual restaurant taking the Mediterranean by storm. Join Jack McCullough as he sits down with CAVA CFO Tricia Tolivar . In this episode, she shares her incredible journey from a childhood fascination with numbers to leading the financial charge at CAVA. Tricia reveals the secrets behind CAVA's innovative approach to menu creation and customer experi...

Strong financial leadership can shape the success of any organization, and Amy Butte , CFO of Navan , exemplifies this with her vast expertise and emboldened vision. She joins Jack McCullough in this conversation that dives into the evolving role of CFOs, the importance of mentorship, and various strategies for building world-class finance teams. Amy shares her career journey from working at Wall...

Great CFOs don’t just crunch numbers – they shape strategies, build teams, and drive transformation. Jack McCullough welcomes Claire Bramley , CFO of Teradata , to explore the journey of a true rockstar CFO. From leading Teradata’s shift to cloud-based solutions to championing team diversity and breaking career barriers, Claire shares her insights on what it takes to excel in financial leadership....

Bea Ordonez , CFO of Payoneer , a leading financial technology company, joins Jack McCullough to discuss the exciting opportunities and challenges of driving Payoneer growth in today's dynamic global economy. Bea shares her insights on building a high-performing culture, fostering innovation, and navigating volatility in the fintech landscape. She also discusses the importance of diversity and inc...

AT&T has been a cornerstone of the telecommunications industry for decades. Join Jack McCullough as he sits down with AT&T CFO Pascal Desroches who takes a deep dive into the company's strategic evolution. He shares how AT&T streamlined its focus, invested in key areas like fiber optic infrastructure and 5G, and navigated the complexities of the modern telecommunications landscape. Lea...

Tyler Technologies is at the forefront of innovation in the public sector, and its CFO, Brian Miller , is leading the charge. He joins Jack McCullough to discuss the company's growth, its focus on providing innovative software solutions for the public sector, and the importance of cultivating a strong workplace culture. Brian also shares valuable insights about the evolution of the CFO role, the f...

Karen Walker, CFO of Sysdig, joins Jack McCullough to discuss what it takes to lead in the dynamic world of cloud security. Karen shares her journey from global childhood experiences to leadership roles at iconic companies, such as Uber and Pandora. Together, they explore the evolving role of CFOs, the power of networking, and how technology is reshaping financial leadership. Whether you are curio...

Grameen America is more than microfinance – it is a lifeline for women striving to build a better future. Jack McCullough sits down with their CFO, Lucas Ramirez , who shares how they prioritize social impact over financial gain to make actual and tangible change in community and society. He shares how Grameen America garnered impressive growth through its unique approach to microfinance and opera...