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The CFO Show

The CFO Show

Written by: Vena
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About this listen

With today's increasingly challenging business conditions, finance leaders are taking on more responsibilities and facing more change than ever.

Join Vena’s CFO Melissa Howatson for The CFO Show, a biweekly podcast featuring interviews with forward-thinking finance and business leaders.

Get timely commentary on today’s biggest issues in business, hear from finance leaders on how their work is transforming their organizations and get practical advice for ushering your finance team into the future.

The CFO Show isn’t just a podcast; it’s your forecast for the future of finance.
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Episodes
  • How CFOs Build Resilient Careers: Lessons from Banking, M&A and GoFundMe
    May 6 2026

    The path to becoming a CFO is rarely linear. In today’s environment of constant change, finance leaders are expected to move between strategy, operations, and capital markets while developing the judgment needed to navigate uncertainty and drive growth.


    In this episode of The CFO Show, Melissa Howatson speaks with Greg Mrva, Chief Financial Officer of GoFundMe, about how varied career experiences shape stronger finance leaders. Drawing on decades of experience across investment banking, public company leadership, and high-growth technology businesses, Greg shares how moving between roles builds pattern recognition, resilience, and better decision-making. His journey from investment banking to CFO offers a practical lens on how finance leaders can expand their capabilities over time.


    Together, they explore:

    • Why non-linear career paths create stronger CFOs
    • How experience in banking and operating roles builds strategic insight
    • Lessons from integrating acquisitions and building unified teams
    • How GoFundMe is scaling a platform at the intersection of money, trust and technology
    • The role of AI in accelerating finance workflows and decision-making
    • How to develop “range of motion” across strategy, operations and analytics
    • The critical skills CFOs need to lead in environments defined by ambiguity and change


    Whether building a finance career, leading transformation, or preparing for the next generation of CFO leadership, this conversation offers practical insights on adaptability, growth, and long-term success.

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    42 mins
  • Business Agility in Finance: How CFOs Can Thrive in Volatility and Uncertainty
    Apr 7 2026

    Business agility has become a defining capability for organizations operating in today’s environment of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). But while many companies focus on operational flexibility or technology investments, fewer understand the critical role finance plays in enabling true agility across the business.


    In this episode of The CFO Show, Melissa Howatson speaks with Mitch Max, founder of BetterVu and Executive in Residence for the Association of Financial Professionals, about what separates organizations that survive from those that thrive during disruption. Drawing on research and decades of experience in enterprise performance management, Mitch shares how agility is less about tools and more about culture, decision-making, and embedded finance leadership.


    Together, they explore:

    • The difference between finance agility and true business agility
    • Why only a small percentage of companies outperform during volatility
    • The “sense, decide, act” model for faster, more effective decision-making
    • How finance teams act as early warning systems and strategic partners
    • The role of EPM systems in enabling real-time planning and collaboration
    • How to manage data overload and focus on actionable insights
    • Where AI is delivering value today, from automation to advanced analytics


    Whether navigating economic uncertainty, implementing new planning systems, or redefining the role of finance, this conversation offers practical guidance for CFOs and finance leaders looking to build more agile, resilient organizations.

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    27 mins
  • ERP Transformation Strategy: How CFOs Avoid Failure, Hidden Costs and Legacy Risk
    Mar 5 2026

    One of the most consequential decisions a CFO will make is selecting and implementing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform. Yet beyond vendor comparisons and licensing costs lie hidden risks—customization overruns, stalled implementations, legacy system constraints, and organizational change fatigue.


    In this episode of The CFO Show, Melissa Howatson speaks with Harpal Mattu, FCMA, Managing Director at Agilyx Group, about what truly determines ERP success or failure. Drawing on decades of experience guiding global ERP transformations, Harpal shares practical lessons from both high-performing implementations and recovery projects where things went wrong.


    Together, they discuss:


    • The true total cost of ERP ownership beyond implementation fees
    • Why excessive customization creates “Frankenstack” environments
    • When to adapt your processes versus customizing the system
    • How to structure ERP programs to reduce risk and avoid burnout
    • Phasing vs. “big bang” go-lives—and what CFOs must protect
    • Why change management must begin before system selection
    • The evolution of ERP from system of record to system of reasoning


    Whether you’re modernizing a legacy ERP, evaluating new platforms, or leading a finance transformation initiative, this conversation offers a strategic lens for navigating ERP decisions with confidence and discipline.

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    31 mins
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