The Diary of a CFO
Episodes
Mistakes founders make during fundraising (from a cfo who has done 50+ M&A and Exit deals)
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most founders make the same fundraising mistakes and do not realize it until the cash is gone.In this episode, I sit down with Julianne Averill, a hea...
insightsoftware President Jennifer Warawa on How AI is Changing the Office of the CFO
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Diary of a CFO Podcast, host Wassia Kamon sits down with Jennifer Warawa, President of insightsoftware and a seven-time honoree...
Former Caterpillar Group CFO on The Leadership Skills Finance Professionals Must Master to Reach the Top
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Diary of a CFO Podcast, host Wassia Kamon sits down with Dave DeFreitas, retired group CFO of Caterpillar Inc., to explore the ...
Building an AI-Ready Finance Team Without Losing the Human Side, with Tariq Munir
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Diary of a CFO Podcast, host Wassia Kamon sits down with Tariq Munir, digital transformation advisor and author of Reimagine Fi...
The First‑Time CFO Playbook: The First 90 Days, Imposter Syndrome and Leading the Business
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Stepping into your first CFO role can feel overwhelming. In this episode, former divisional CFO and GrowCFO Mentor Kevin Appleby shares what really ch...
Wassia Kamon’s 15-Year Journey from Staff Accountant to CFO
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this solo episode, Wassia Kamon shares how she went from staff accountant to CFO in 15 years, including the moments that didn’t look like progres...
Beyond the Numbers: Leadership Lessons from Three-Time Nonprofit CFO, Teri Kozub
30 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Diary of a CFO Podcast, host Wassia Kamon sits down with Teri Kozub, a three-time CFO with more than 33 years of experience in ...
Executive Presence Explained: Why Top Performers Still Get Overlooked, with Executive Coach, Jill Avey
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Executive presence is often cited as the reason leaders don’t get promoted, but rarely explained.In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, Wassia Kamon...
Real Fraud Stories and Legal Protection for Your Fractional CFO Firm with Attorney Natalia Greene
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Attorney and risk-management expert Natalia Greene reveals the real stories behind major fraud cases, including those featured on American Greed that ...
What CEOs Want from Today’s CFO, with Executive Recruiter, Mark Johnson
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, executive recruiter Mark Johnson shares insider perspectives on what CEOs are really looking for in today's CFO...
80/20 Rule for FP&A Experts to Transform Decision-Making Through Analytics with Andrew Hull
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Note:This episode is a pod swap from FP&A Unlocked. We’re sharing it here to help you discover another excellent show in the finance leadership ...
Agentic AI for CFOs, with Vivienne Wei, COO of Salesforce Unified Agentforce Platform
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Vivienne Wei, COO of Unified Agent Force Platform at Salesforce and a leading thinker in financial technology, as she shares her journey from Wal...
Building a Finance Function That Drives Growth: Lessons from Liberty Bank’s CFO, Paul Young
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to turn a traditional finance team into a true strategic business partner?In this episode, Paul Young, CFO of Liberty Bank, shares h...
Why Every CFO Feels Stretched and What to Do About It, with Tom Hood
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
CFOs are expected to drive transformation, lead strategy, and still deliver flawless numbers every month. In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, I sit...
Getting the most out of your tech stack, with Anna Sagan
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brought to you by insightsoftware. Register for our upcoming webinar:https://insightsoftware.com/resources/get-out-of-the-reporting-rut-how-finance-le...
Leading Through Market Cycles, with Real Estate and Construction CFO, Bona Allen
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brought to you by insightsoftware. Register for our upcoming webinar:https://insightsoftware.com/resources/get-out-of-the-reporting-rut-how-finance-le...
Non-Traditional Pathways to the CFO Seat, with Axile Talout
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Not every CFO starts as a controller or FP&A lead. Axel Talout shares how banking and private equity shaped his journey, why your “different” ...
The CFO Playbook for Handling Crises and Building FP&A Functions, with Mike High
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike High (CFO, NAIT; ex-Shell Deep Water CFO) shares leadership lessons from the Army to corporate finance: why the “platinum rule” beats one-siz...
Moving From Big 4 Auditor to Controller to CFO, with Andrea Hecht
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea Hecht, EVP & CFO at CSAA Insurance Group, walks through the real shifts at each step of her career — from auditor at Big 4 accounting fir...
Accounting vs FP&A: Which Path Gets You to CFO Faster?
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Controller vs FP&A : which path gives you a better shot at the CFO seat? Wassia Kamon has done both. In this solo episode, she reveals why neither...
Sheryl Shaw on Scaling Finance Teams and Embracing Technology
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The Diary of a CFO, host Wassia Kamon is joined by Sheryl Shaw, Senior Manager at Bridgepoint Consulting and a former CFO with three deca...
Inside FP&A: Christian Wattig’s Guide to Smarter Forecasting and Strategic Impact
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Christian Wattig is the program director of Wharton’s FP&A Certificate and the founder of InsideFP&A. In this episode, he shares his path fr...
The Role of Treasury in M&A and Business Strategy, with , AVP of Treasury at Victoria’s Secret & Co, Summa Simmons
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Summa Simmons, Associate VP of Treasury at Victoria’s Secret & Co., shares what most people get wrong about treasury and why it...
Why Culture Is Your Biggest Cybersecurity Risk, with Dutch Schwartz
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most companies think cybersecurity is about firewalls and IT policies. But the real risk often starts with culture.In this episode, Dutch Schwartz, VP...
How the Best Finance Leaders Operate, Plan, and Forecast, with Christina Ross
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Christina Ross, serial CFO turned CEO of Cube, explains why spreadsheets aren’t the problem and what finance leaders should focus on instead. She sh...
The Art of Becoming a Strategic CFO, with Dr. Tamer Alsayed
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, Wassia Kamon speaks with Dr. Tamer Alsayed, CFO at the Future Investment Initiative and author of The Art of Be...
The #1 Mistake Keeping Controllers from Becoming CFOs
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Season 2 of The Diary of a CFO. In this kickoff solo episode, Wassia Kamon shares behind-the-scenes highlights from Season 1, why some care...
What I Wish Finance Professionals Knew Sooner, with Syed Nadeem
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Syed Nadeem shares the lessons he wishes more finance professionals learned early on. He talks about why certifications alone won’t...
Solving Revenue Recognition Nightmares for SaaS Companies, with Apurv Bansal
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever lost sleep over complex contracts, usage-based pricing, or revenue schedules that live in hundreds spreadsheet tabs, this episode is ...
Beyond Compliance: Kendra LaFleur on Becoming a Trusted Advisor
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Audit Director at FORVIS Mazars and board treasurer for Girls on the Run Georgia, Kendra LaFleur opens up about her journey from intern to partner, ho...
From Combat Zones to Corporate Finance: Stephen McLain on Leading in High-Stakes Environments
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen McLain led 250 soldiers as an Army Commander. He built internal controls in Iraq to fight fraud and misuse of funds. And, he defended military...
Why Treasury is More Than Managing Cash, with Matthew Harlan
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Treasury often works behind the scenes, but Matthew Harlan shows why it should be a key player at the table. We cover what treasury leaders bring to I...
Leading Finance with Curiosity and Cultural Intelligence, with Jenny Fuss
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jenny Fuss has led finance teams in Germany, China, and the United States. Each move meant learning a new way of working. In this episode, she shares ...
From School Teacher to CFO, with Atlanta Food Bank CFO, Tamica Williams
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tamica Williams went from relying on food pantries as a kid to leading the largest food bank in Georgia as CFO. She shares how she made the jump from ...
Secrets of Rockstar CFOs: Jack McCullough on Developing the Next Generation of CFOs
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jack McCullough has spent decades in the CFO seat, but his biggest impact may be what he’s done for the next generation of CFOs.He’s the founder o...
Meet The CFO Who Went Viral on TikTok: Professor Bee Nance
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do you get when a CFO, CPA, and accounting professor starts teaching on TikTok?42,000 followers and a new way to make accounting finally click.In...
Is the Climb to CFO Worth It?
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this solo episode, I answer 4 questions from my newsletter subscribers:Is the climb and reach to CFO worth it?Do you enjoy the work and people?Do y...
The Critical Role of Accounting in Business Success, with Edwine Alphonse
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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,...
What Technology Can (and Can’t) Fix for Finance Teams, with Campfire CEO, John Glasgow
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Finance leaders are under pressure to move faster, stay accurate, and be more strategic. But not every challenge can be solved with technology. In thi...
How to Get on High-Impact Projects and Lead Major Change, with Sindy Wilson
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 l...
What I’ve Realized After Six Months as CFO
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 s...
Nonprofit Finance Isn’t as Simple as You Think, with Stephen Newland
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most people assume nonprofits just need to balance donations with expenses. But in reality, nonprofit finance comes with its own set of complexities. ...
Leadership Lessons from a CFO-Turned-Coach, Jeremy Earnshaw
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After 25 years as a CFO, Jeremy Earnshaw transitioned from managing numbers to mentoring leaders. He shares what he wishes he knew earlier, the commo...
Aligning Strategy and Execution, with Beverly Davis
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the problem isn’t the numbers, but everything around them? Beverly Davis has spent years helping businesses fix their financial blind spots...
Balancing Strategy, Risk & Leadership as a CFO, with Scott Meyers
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I sit down with Scott Meyers, CFO of Plurilock, to talk about what it really takes to lead in today’s fast-changing business world....
Saying Yes Before You Feel Ready, with Janice Stucke
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when you don’t have a clear career roadmap? You build one. Janice Stucke never set out to become a CFO, but by embracing growth, saying...
Learning and Leading as a Modern CFO, with Basem Waheed
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome my first international guest, Basem Waheed, CFO of Golden Chicken Farms Co. in Saudi Arabia. Basem shares h...
The Human Side of Finance Leadership, with Jessica McClain
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this inspiring episode, Jessica McClain, CFO of Girl Scouts Nation's Capital, talks about her transition from public accounting to the nonprofit se...
How to Build a Well-Rounded Finance Career, with Bryan Lapidus
09 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Bryan Lapidus, Director of FP&A Practice at AFP, shares invaluable insights from his unique career journey—from starting as a h...
Executive Job Search Strategies, with Amy Sulgrove
02 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered what happens after you hit "submit" on a job application? In this episode, executive recruiter Amy Sulgrove takes you behind the scenes...
Your Roadmap to Executive Leadership
26 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As the year ends, it’s time to refocus on your career goals. In this episode, I share the steps, mindset shifts, and strategies that can help you br...
Making Bold Moves, with Brenda Hodo-Iddris
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Making bold moves is what defines Brenda Hodo-Iddris. With over 20 years of experience spanning public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Brenda has mas...
Behind the Scenes of My First 90 Days as CFO
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Starting Strong as a New CFO, with Matt Ziegler
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Breaking Silos Between Marketing and Finance, with Elaine Benfield
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Elaine Benfield, a seasoned marketing leader, shares her insights on how to bridge the gap between marketing and finance. We dive int...
What They Don’t Tell You About Becoming a CFO - Part 3 of 3
17 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
What They Don’t Tell You About Becoming a CFO - Part 2
03 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In Part 2 of the "What They Don’t Tell You About Becoming a CFO" series, we dive into one of the biggest surprises for new CFOs: Most of your time w...
What They Don’t Tell You About Becoming a CFO - Part 1
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode kicks off the series 'What They Don’t Tell You About Becoming a CFO.' We explore why CFOs are never hired to maintain the status quo an...
Welcome to The Diary of a CFO Podcast
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this introduction to 'The Diary of a CFO,' I share a glimpse into my journey as a finance and accounting executive. You'll learn why I'm launching ...