CFO and Leadership Catalyst

CFO and Leadership Catalyst is dedicated to exploring the transformative role of financial executives sparking innovation, driving strategic growth and operational excellence and inspiring, guiding, and empowering leaders within an organization to maximize their impact and effectiveness to create long-term value.

Shedding the Shadow Skin: An Open Dialogue on Executive Growth and the Modern CFO

We all carry a shadow skin. Not physically, of course, but mentally and emotionally. It is the version of ourselves built over time by pressure, disappointment, fear, and misinterpreted success. For CFOs…

by Chris Franz

5 mins read

The Game-Changing Power of a CFO with Business Development Skills: Bridging Finance and Strategic Growth

Traditionally, the CFO’s role has been centered around core financial responsibilities such as reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and ensuring regulatory compliance. While these responsibilities remain crucial, today’s CFOs are stepping…

CFO and Leadership Catalyst

by Lynn Gargano

6 mins read

Positioned to Win: Fractional CFO and Investment Banker Collaboration for Successful Exits

When entrepreneurs set their sights on an exit, the caliber of talent they bring to the table can make or break the outcome. One of the earliest and most critical roles to…

CFO and Leadership Catalyst·Private Equity / M&A

By Kirk Otis, Hedy Tiongco

3 mins read

Every CFO Falls into One of Two Camps

1. The Defensive CFO This CFO sees change as a threat. They stick to old objections: They view AI as a risk to be managed, not an advantage to be leveraged. Meanwhile,…

CFO and Leadership Catalyst

by Wouter Born

1 min read

The Long Game: Rory McIlroy, the Masters, and What Endurance Reveals About Leadership

In a world where patience often feels like a liability, Rory McIlroy offers a masterclass in what long-term commitment can actually achieve. The story is not about a single putt, a single…

CFO and Leadership Catalyst

by Chris Franz

5 mins read

The Glass Cannon: Leading When Strength Is Fragile

Recently, I posted about the concept of a “glass cannon.” It’s a term borrowed from gaming, used to describe a character that delivers massive damage but has almost no defense. It’s powerful,…

CFO and Leadership Catalyst

by Chris Franz

5 mins read