Secrets of Rockstar CFOs

Leadership Lessons at Wayfair with Kate Gulliver 26.05.2026 44min

Taking the non-traditional path to leadership does not necessarily mean failure – sometimes, it is exactly what you need to unleash your fullest potential. Jack McCullough sits down with Kate Gulliver, CFO and CAO of Wayfair, who shares the story of her unconventional yet inspiring road to a C-level position. She talks about the most valuable lessons she learned from her mentors, how she maintains a work-life balance despite her hectic schedule, and how she keeps a meaningful relationship with her CEO. Kate also discusses the biggest advantages of Wayfair’s technology-driven asset-light marketplace model that connects consumers with suppliers at scale.

Digital Transformation and the Evolving Role of Finance with Gina Goetter, Hasbro CFO/COO 04.05.2026 46min

Forget the image of a simple toy company. Hasbro is undergoing a massive transformation, evolving from the home of Mr. Potato Head and Monopoly to a global digital IP powerhouse. In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Gina Goetter, the company's dynamic CFO and COO, to discuss how she is helping to steer this multi-billion dollar ship. Goetter pulls back the curtain on the Playing to Win strategy, revealing how Hasbro—the world’s fifth-largest IP licensor—is strategically allocating capital to fuel future growth in digital games while honoring beloved legacy brands. Goetter shares invaluable insight into her dual role as a strategic business partner and offers practical advice for the next generation of finance leaders on mastering the art of operational finance and building a world-class team.

Inside Workday’s CFO Strategy: AI, Leadership & the Future of Finance with Zane Rowe 14.04.2026 38min

What does it take to become a “rockstar” CFO in the age of AI? Today, Zane Rowe, CFO of Workday, shares lessons from a career spanning global airlines, Apple, EMC, and VMware—to leading finance at one of the world’s most influential enterprise software companies. From navigating generative AI in the finance function to building a true CEO–CFO partnership, Rowe breaks down how modern financial leadership is evolving. He reveals why today’s CFO must think beyond accounting, how AI is reshaping decision-making, and what the next generation of finance leaders must do to stay ahead. If you want insight into the future of financial strategy, enterprise AI, and what separates good CFOs from great ones, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Leading in the Impact Space with Jessica McClain 09.03.2026 32min

Leading in the impact space requires purpose, intentionality, and dedication. We get a glimpse into the life of an impact leader through the story of Jessica McClain, CFO of the American Staffing Association. She joins Jack McCullough to look back on her family history and how she transitioned her career to mission-focused missions. Jessica also talks about the importance of knowing how to translate complex financial data and building trust with diverse stakeholders, giving CFOs and impact leaders a unique competitive advantage. Learn what it takes to go out of your comfort zone and maximize your fullest potential.

Navigating The Ride-Sharing Industry With Erin Brewer 19.02.2026 39min

The ride-sharing industry has transformed the way we commute, especially in today’s fast-paced society where everyone is on the move. What is it like to be a CFO in this exciting space? Jack McCullough takes a deep dive into the financial side of Lyft with their CFO, Erin Brewer. She dives into the critical metrics guiding their strategies, how they deal with the rise of autonomous vehicles, and how they integrate AI tools into their customer-facing and internal processes. Erin also emphasizes the importance of doing a regular self-audit to continuously improve yourself and how leaders should create close-knit relationships through impactful communication.

Why CFOs Must Master Capital Allocation with Rachita Sundar 07.01.2026 46min

Capital allocation is what makes or breaks a company's transformation, and every CFO must know how to deal with this flawlessly. Rachita Sundar, CFO of the cloud-based experience management platform Qualtrics, discusses how financial leaders should continuously evolve in this area to keep up with the rapid market changes. She joins Jack McCullough to explain how to use technology and data analysis to gain a competitive advantage, as well as her philosophies when it comes to talent recruitment and culture building. Rachita also opens up about her commitment to women’s causes and how she takes care of the five most important things in her life.

Building Trust at the Top: The Future of the CFO Role with Dallas Clement 09.12.2025 42min

In an era where the average CFO tenure is shrinking, Dallas Clement, CFO of Cox Enterprises, has built a remarkable 35-year career defined by loyalty, adaptability, and strategic leadership. From his early days navigating the analog-to-digital media shift to steering a diversified $23 billion enterprise through the age of AI and transformation, Dallas shares how the future of the CFO role is no longer about crunching numbers but about leading with credibility, clarity, and calm in times of uncertainty. He and host Jack McCullough unpack lessons on mentorship, building high-performing teams, partnering with CEOs, and turning personal challenges—like dyslexia—into authentic leadership strengths.

Building Cyber Resilience from the Ground Up with Jennifer DiRico of Commvault 03.12.2025 33min

Cyber resilience is no longer optional—it’s mission-critical for every modern organization. As CFO of Commvault, Jennifer DiRico is helping shape the future of how companies protect, rebuild, and grow after cyber threats. In this episode, Jennifer opens up about her journey from working in her family’s car wash to leading finance at one of the world’s top data security and AI firms. She reflects on the decade-long ride at Toast that led to its IPO, the mentors who shaped her as a leader, and how she’s driving durable growth at Commvault through innovation and trust. Jennifer also shares how she sees AI empowering—not replacing—finance professionals, and why understanding the “why” behind the numbers is the real hallmark of great financial leadership.

Leadership in Dynamic Business Environments with Samir Kanuga 25.11.2025 35min

To thrive in today’s dynamic business environments, a leader must know how to effectively navigate risks, double down on wins, and create lasting relationships that truly matter. Samir Kanuga excels in these things by putting into good use his deep expertise in corporate strategy, operational efficiency, and even aviation. He joins Jack McCullough to share his experiences and insights as the CFO of HelmsBriscoe, the largest company for meeting site selection in the world. Samir talks about his approaches in working with family-owned businesses, the career influences of his accounting-focused family, and his journey to becoming a successful growth CFO.

Transformational Leadership in the Digital Age with Jennifer Langton 17.11.2025 54min

Transformational leadership takes on new meaning in this conversation with Jennifer Langton, former CFO of Atari and Senior Vice President of Player Health Innovation at the NFL. Jennifer shares how she turned her career into a masterclass in innovation—leveraging data, authenticity, and purpose to drive change across industries. From breaking barriers as a young athlete to reshaping player safety through analytics, her journey is a study in how courage and conviction create lasting impact. This episode offers timeless lessons on leading with integrity, connecting through trust, and transforming challenges into opportunities.

A CFO’s Journey to Innovation: Revolutionizing Private Markets with Charly Kevers of Carta 10.11.2025 40min

Dive into a fascinating conversation with Charly Kevers, the CFO of Carta, as he reveals how his company is revolutionizing private equity and venture capital through a connected ecosystem for investors and portfolio companies. Discover Charly's remarkable journey, from his roots in Belgium and France to pivotal roles at Tesla, Salesforce, and HP. He'll share invaluable insights on building strategic CEO partnerships, leveraging AI for financial efficiency, and navigating high-growth hardware businesses. Whether you're an aspiring CFO or an experienced leader, Charly's advice on curiosity, communication, and embracing risk will inspire you to excel in the ever-evolving world of finance. Don't miss this deep dive into the future of leadership and technology!

Finding Purpose in a Mission-Driven Company with Hetu Patel 03.11.2025 42min

There is nothing more exciting than earning a profit while making a positive difference in the world. Hetu Patel is the CFO of a mission-driven company that does exactly that: Thrive Market. He joins Jack McCullough to share how they are balancing purpose and profitability to commit to their long-term goal of making sustainable living more accessible and affordable for everyone. Hetu also looks back on how his past career experiences, particularly his 12-year tenure at Amazon, taught him about fostering fungible talents, making bold bets, and continuously improving decision-making.

The Unconventional CFO: Driving Porsche Racing, Empowering Women, and Redefining Success with Victoria Thomas of Kellymoss 30.10.2025 50min

In this electrifying episode of "Secrets of Rockstar CFOs," we sit down with Victoria Thomas, the trailblazing CFO and co-owner of Kellymoss, North America's most decorated Porsche racing team. Discover how Victoria, with her incredibly non-traditional background—from an emancipated minor to a self-made entrepreneur—transformed a nine-employee operation into an 88,000-square-foot powerhouse boasting 135 employees and 48 national championships and redefined success. Victoria shares her candid insights on the power of "failure," the art of the unconventional and how she leveraged her unique path to reshape finance and business operations, driving change in a male-dominated Industry, AI in finance, and the CEO-CFO dynamic and a unique leadership partnership—with her husband. Get ready to be inspired by a leader who proves that rules are meant to be broken, and that true financial leadership is about more than just numbers—it's about vision, impact, and an unwavering belief in possibility.

Reinventing Supply Chains and the Future of Finance with Gabi Gantus of Mytra 28.10.2025 41min

Get ready to meet a true disruptor! In this episode, we're diving deep with Gabi Gantus, the CFO of Mytra, one of the planet's most ambitious startups. Mytra isn't just moving materials from point A to point B; they're reinventing warehousing and industrial productivity by going up, down, and all around with cutting-edge bots and software. Join us as Gabi shares how Mytra is pulling the logistics industry out of the "Eisenhower era," the unexpected lessons she learned at Tesla alongside Elon Musk, and her unique approach to finance that's anything but "ivory tower." Plus, she'll reveal her top tips for navigating economic uncertainty, building powerful CEO relationships, and the critical KPIs every CFO should track. This is a conversation packed with insights for anyone looking to innovate, lead, and thrive in today's dynamic business landscape!

How Innovative Leadership Fuels Growth at Checkr with Naeem Ishaq 21.10.2025 46min

Innovative leadership often begins where courage meets conviction—and Naeem Ishaq, EVP, CFO, and Chief Strategy Officer at Checkr, embodies both. From his early days as a McDonald’s fry cook to helping lead companies like Salesforce and Square through hypergrowth and IPO milestones, Naeem’s journey is one of persistence, humility, and vision. In this conversation, he shares what he learned from working alongside some of tech’s most brilliant minds, how mentorship and trust shaped his leadership style, and why embracing AI and transparency are key to driving lasting change. His story proves that real innovation comes from those unafraid to take the hard path and redefine what’s possible.

Better Financial Decisions with Anita Koimur of LiveFlow 14.10.2025 33min

Making financial decisions is an everyday task that all business owners and C-suite leaders must take on. Since this is usually an overwhelming and complicated task, the right professional assistance must be secured. Jack McCullough sits down with his third non-CFO guest who offers exactly that: the COO and co-founder of LiveFlow, Anita Koimur. Together, they discuss the immense help of financial automation platforms in managing your numbers way more easily. Anita also explains how making the right decisions regarding your money leads to better team management, a more cohesive work culture, and easier prioritization of your customers’ needs.

Inside Thorne: Blending Finance and Purpose in Wellness with Lee Tsukroff 30.09.2025 42min

Lee Tsukroff, CFO and COO of Thorne, shares how he’s helping shape the future of consumer wellness by blending financial discipline with purpose-driven innovation. From Unilever to Ben & Jerry’s to leading Thorne’s mission of personalized health, Lee reflects on his career journey, what it takes to lead operationally as a CFO, and how AI and personalization are transforming the supplement space. He also opens up about leadership values, philanthropic work, and the vital role of trust and radical candor in building successful executive partnerships. This is a deep dive into what it means to lead with impact—inside and outside the business.

Financial Leadership in the Digital Age with Tod Crane 16.09.2025 39min

Revolutionize your perspective on financial leadership in the digital age, where the dynamic interplay of data and AI is fundamentally reshaping the CFO's role. Tune into a captivating conversation with Tod Crane, the astute CFO of Domo, a cutting-edge cloud-based data and AI platform. From his roots on an Idaho potato farm to navigating the complexities of a tech unicorn's IPO, Tod delves into how his journey forged his unique financial acumen, emphasizing the crucial balance of strategic partnerships, seamless transitions to public life, and the relentless pursuit of measurable value through insightful, data-driven decision-making across every facet of an organization.

Inside Oakbridge Insurance's Rise: A CFO's Perspective with Matt James 02.09.2025 38min

Building a thriving company in today's complex financial landscape requires a delicate balance between data-driven decisions and people-centered relationships. This episode dives into that challenge as we hear from Matt James, CFO and Chief Acquisition Officer of Oakbridge Insurance, a rapidly growing agency that has risen to the top 50 US brokerages in just a few years. Matt discusses Oakbridge's impressive trajectory since its launch in 2021, emphasizing their unique approach of blending "small-town values" with corporate efficiency, and how he navigates the dual role of financial leader and M&A strategist. We explore his career path, from history major to finance executive, and how he utilizes a differentiated mindset to drive growth while maintaining a strong company culture. Join us to learn about Matt's experience with mentors, managing rapid growth during the COVID era, and his insights on the evolving role of the CFO.

Empowering Public Safety with Chris Merwin 19.08.2025 39min

As CFO of Mark43, Chris Merwin plays a key role in helping modernize the public safety sector through technology that enables first responders to work more efficiently and effectively. He joins Jack McCullough to discuss how Mark43’s cloud-native platform supports mission critical operations for public safety agencies, his approach to financial leadership, and how strong partnerships across the C-suite is essential to driving impact.