What separates good finance teams from great ones? In this special episode, host Melissa Howatson brings together insights from more than 20 finance leaders to answer one deceptively simple question:
What is the hallmark of a mature finance team?
Across industries and company sizes, their perspectives reveal a shared truth: modern finance teams don’t just report on the business; they help shape where it’s going.
From strategic storytelling to cross-functional partnership, from data clarity to embracing AI as an amplifier for decision-making, this episode uncovers the practices that define today’s most effective finance organizations.
Discussed in This Episode:
- Why mature finance teams guide rather than control the business
- How partnership and communication earn finance a seat at the table
- The importance of ownership, consistency and predictable processes
- Why data culture matters more than “perfect” data
- How AI frees teams to spend more time on storytelling and strategy
- Why transformation is never one big moment, but an ongoing mindset
Guests in Order of Appearance:
- John Hagerty, Distinguished Analyst, Dresner Advisory Services
- Sandra Clarke, Former EVP & COO, Blue Shield of California
- Tom Panther, CFO, National Christian Foundation (Formerly of Corpay)
- Amy Ward, CFO, Blue River PetCare
- Hugh Cumming, Chief Technology Officer, Vena
- Kaz Takemura, Managing Director, FP&A Technology Services, ModelCom Inc.
- Aaqil Kassamali, Procurement Director, Vena
- Rajat Bahri, CFO, Icertis
- Scott Engler, CEO, Sync Executive Partners
- Anisha Sood, Chief Financial & Strategy Officer, First Choice Health
- Darren R. Campbell, EY Americas Tax Technology and Transformation Leader
- Matthew Ennen, SVP, Finance and Business Development, Ensemble Health Partners
- Tom Seegmiller, CFO, Texada Software
- Janelle Gorman, CFO, York IE
- Troy Anderson, CFO, Kelly
- Dave Helmer, EY Global Tax and Finance Operate Leader
- Craig Schiff, CEO, BPM Partners
- Igor Stelea, Former Director, CFGI
- Brandon Sharp, Chief Information Officer, Brookfield Residential
- Nick McKeehan, Managing Director, CFO Solutions, Protiviti
- Charlie X.W. Liu, Chief Happiness Officer, MCC
- Peter Emerling, Director, Digital Transformation Practice, Citrin Cooperman
For CFO insights, episode show notes and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.
