Kelly Battles is an accomplished board director and former CFO with over 25 years of leadership experience spanning technology, finance, and governance. She currently serves on the boards of Arista Networks, Genesys, Qumulo, and Hello Alpha, where she chairs multiple audit committees, and she is Chair of the Board of Directors at Sunlight Mountain Resort. Kelly previously held executive finance roles as CFO of Quora, Bracket Computing, and Host Analytics, and as Vice President of Finance at IronPort Systems (acquired by Cisco). Earlier in her career, she served in strategic and corporate development roles at HP and as a consultant with McKinsey & Company. A Princeton graduate, Kelly brings deep expertise in financial strategy, audit oversight, operational excellence, and board governance, with a focus on guiding high-growth technology companies through complex transitions and scaling phases. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellybattles/

In this episode of The Strategic CFO Podcast, Rav Mendiratta discusses how financial leaders can harness emerging AI tools to improve efficiency, accuracy, and strategic insight. Drawing from his dual background in technology and marketing, Rav explains how platforms such as bookkeeping.ai, Quadratic, Julius.ai, and Context.ai are reshaping bookkeeping, data analysis, and reporting for CFOs of both private and public companies. He provides practical examples of AI applications—from automating invoices and producing real-time dashboards to using Gamma for investor presentations and HeyGen for personalized video communications. Rav underscores both the potential and the risks: while AI enhances productivity and insight, CFOs must remain the “human in the loop,” ensuring data confidentiality and judgment-driven decision-making. His key message: AI is a powerful collaborator, not a replacement—treat it as your smartest analyst, and always stay in control of strategy and context. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gauravmendiratta

In this Strategic CFO Podcast episode, host Jan Robertson talks withDaniel Beck, CFA,Financial Professional at Equitable Advisors and former U.S. Navy officer. From hedge fundmanagement to teaching behavioral finance, Beck reveals how behavioral biases shapedecisions, why annuities and risk management matter, and how executives can protectlong-term security. Listeners will learn why asset allocation to risk tolerance—not marketpredictions—is the key to investing success. Connect with Daniel Beck on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/danbeckusna99hbs2009/

In this episode of the Strategic CFO Podcast, host Jan Robertson interviews Jacob Prentis Wood, Partner at Capstan Tax Strategies, whose expertise lies in unlocking powerful federal tax incentives for small to mid-sized businesses. Speaking directly to financial executives at both public and private companies, Wood underscores the urgency of capturing value from R&D Tax Credits, Cost Segregation Studies, and the 179D Energy Deduction—particularly as legislative changes now require amortization of R&D costs. He highlights that many companies are unaware they qualify, especially startups and manufacturers doing iterative product development or energy-efficient construction. Wood provides compelling examples of helping clients reclaim hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, including a tech startup leveraging payroll tax offsets and a real estate firm maximizing depreciation through engineering-based analysis. He emphasizes strategic tax planning as a tool for improved cash flow, not just compliance, and stresses the importance of cross-functional collaboration between CFOs, CPAs, and specialty tax consultants. Financial leaders are advised to act early to avoid missed opportunities and mitigate the risk of leaving “free cash” on the table. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-wood-taxincentives/

Family Business Valuation: Avoid the Trap Is your family business planning a transition? Are you gifting shares after receiving an LOI? Could poor timing inflate your tax burden? 💼 Listen to the upcoming episode of the Strategic CFO Podcast. Petra Loer outlines how valuation timing can make or break estate and exit strategies. She explains why gifting or transferring shares before receiving outside indications of value—like a term sheet—is essential for protecting long-term outcomes. Connect with Petra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-loer-979b7914 —Petra Loer, Managing Director, Andersen

In this episode of the Strategic CFO Podcast, Jan Robertson interviews James Vanreusel, Founder and CEO of Vanreusel Ventures, a seasoned finance leader with deep expertise in both for-profit and nonprofit sectors across global markets. James shares key insights drawn from two decades of experience, including his early Wall Street career, his CFO leadership launching microfinance banks in the South Pacific, and his current work advising U.S.-based companies with international operations. He highlights the importance of building financial infrastructure before fundraising, discusses due diligence and integration pitfalls in Cross-Border M&A, and warns of hidden risks like post-acquisition tax liabilities and unaccounted vendor invoices. James also dives into Post-Merger Integration Challenges, from cultural mismatches to 401(k) audit triggers, and explores the strategic use of Venture Debt Financing for startups struggling to raise equity in uncertain markets. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the value of strategic financial leadership—“above the waterline” thinking—as essential for growth, resilience, and C-suite readiness. Key message: Strategic finance leadership is not just about managing numbers—it's about enabling sustainable growth across borders, balancing risk, and driving alignment from the boardroom to the front lines. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesvanreusel/

Bill Roeschlein, CFO of Tigo Energy, shares critical insights on M&A strategy and finance leadership in this FEI Silicon Valley Strategic CFO Podcast. Roeschlein emphasizes the importance of understanding your company's business model deeply to effectively communicate value to investors, and highlights key M&A strategies including "cleaning house" before sale processes and managing cross-border complexities with international acquirers like Merck KGaA and Atlas Copco. He addresses current challenges CFOs face including supply chain diversification from China, CFIUS regulatory scrutiny, and managing international subsidiaries under different accounting standards. His career progression demonstrates the adaptability required in modern finance leadership, while emphasizing mentorship, curiosity, and passion as essential elements for aspiring financial executives. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roeschlein/

Are you a seasoned financial executive wondering how to break into corporate boardrooms? In this episode of the FEI Silicon Valley Strategic CFO Podcast, we sit down with Julie Castro-Abrams, founder of How Women Lead and managing partner of How Women Invest, who reveals why your finance background makes you board-ready right now—even if you don't think so. Castro-Abrams shares insider strategies that helped women from her own network secure their first public company board seats, including how to leverage your current role to gain boardroom exposure, why nonprofit boards are your secret weapon, and the specific relationship-building tactics that actually work. She tackles the biggest concerns holding financial leaders back—from time commitments to readiness anxiety—and delivers a wake-up call: while you're waiting for the "perfect moment," others are already claiming those coveted board positions. Tune in to discover the concrete steps that can transform your boardroom aspirations into reality. LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-castro-abrams/. 

Timothy Swords, MBA, founder of Mindful Leadership Executive Coaching and a former CFO and business transformation executive, shares his unique approach to leadership in this podcast. He highlights how integrating mindfulness and executive coaching helps leaders—especially financial executives—develop self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and resilience, which are essential for navigating high-pressure environments.  Timothy provides practical examples, such as coaching a biotech CFO who intimidated colleagues, helping him use mindfulness and emotional grounding to improve relationships and communication. He emphasizes values-based intentions and the need for leaders to bridge the gap between intentions and impact, addressing common risks like emotional reactivity and executive presence challenges. The key message: mindfulness enables financial executives to lead with clarity, purpose, and authenticity. Guest’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tswords/

Adrienne Dale is one of a select few professionals nationwide who deliver Fractional COO services, offering over 20 years of hands-on leadership in scaling and transforming small and mid-market B2B SaaS, service and content businesses. Known for her breadth of functional expertise—spanning operations, software development, enterprise tech integration, finance, and customer loyalty—Adrienne partners closely with CEOs to optimize execution while freeing them to focus on strategic vision. Her unique ability to decode and operationalize insights from complex data has earned her the reputation of a “Data Geek” who consistently uncovers game-changing opportunities hidden within company performance metrics. As Principal of Pivotal LLC and former COO at high-growth firms, Adrienne drives results through data-driven strategy, scalable operations, and a focus on high-performance cultures. LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriennedale/

In a recent FEI Silicon Valley Strategic CFO podcast, host Jan Robertson interviewed Dave Daetz, SVP of Corporate Development at Netskope, a cybersecurity leader in SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) technology. Daetz, with 25+ years of experience including roles at Apple and Symantec, shared insights on cybersecurity challenges facing modern enterprises, particularly how organizations struggle with "shadow data" dispersed across cloud environments and SaaS applications. He emphasized Netskope's evolution from addressing shadow IT to providing comprehensive data security solutions, exemplified by their strategic acquisition of Dasera (their 10th acquisition) which expanded their capabilities from unstructured to structured data protection. Daetz highlighted crucial M&A best practices, stressing the importance of strategic clarity, understanding alternative execution paths, and cultural fit for successful integrations. For CFOs managing cybersecurity concerns, he recommended consolidating security solutions to reduce costs and complexity, noting that most security spend is actually on services rather than products. His key message centered on the need for organizations to modernize their security approach for today's distributed workforce and data landscape through cloud-delivered solutions rather than traditional perimeter-based security models. https://www.linkedin.com/in/daetz/ #CyberSecurity #CFOInsights #MergersAndAcquisitions

In a recent episode of FEI Silicon Valley's Strategic CFO Podcast, host Jan Robertson interviews Brett Mock, Chairman of NASDAQ Private Market International Division. Mock highlights the fundamental shift in how companies approach going public, noting they now stay private for an average of 14 years (versus 5 years in 2000) and typically IPO at 5 billion valuations rather than100 million. He explains how NASDAQ Private Market fills a critical gap by providing secondary liquidity solutions for private companies through tender offers and marketplace technology that connects buyers and sellers in a unique "trilateral settlement market." Mock emphasizes the importance of liquidity options for employee retention, founder monetization, and investor capital returns. He addresses market correction concerns, discussing how valuation adjustments for private companies tend to lag public markets. Looking internationally, Mock notes growing demand for private market solutions across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe as entrepreneurial ecosystems develop globally. His key message: private companies can achieve strategic liquidity while maintaining control over their cap table, addressing the growing "duration problem" between the typical 7-10 year VC investment cycle and the extended 14-year timeline to IPO. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-mock-a26a5b8/

Counsel for the Senate Finance Committee, Tony offers crucial insights on the upcoming expiration of key Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions in 2025, highlighting that while some elements are permanent (like the 21% corporate tax rate), many individual tax provisions will revert to pre-2017 levels without Congressional action. He explains how Senate reconciliation procedures could extend these cuts through a novel "current policy baseline" approach, potentially making them permanent rather than temporary. Tony details how the interplay between tariff policies and tax legislation is affecting economic stability, noting that even traditionally tax-friendly industries are concerned about recent tariff volatility. His insider perspective on Senate procedures and policy negotiations provides financial executives with valuable foresight as they navigate strategic planning in an uncertain legislative environment. The key message: comprehensive tax planning in 2025 will be essential as companies prepare for potential significant changes to both corporate and individual taxation. Connect with Tony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-coughlan-8292b839/ #TaxPolicy #CorporateTaxation #FinancialPlanning

Discover how marketing visionary Stuart McFaul is transforming the CFO-CMO relationship through strategic AI implementation. Learn why marketing isn't just a cost center but a crucial ally for financial leaders navigating economic uncertainty. McFaul reveals practical strategies for leveraging AI tools to maintain marketing momentum while cutting costs, positioning companies for investment or acquisition, and even turning downturns into market share gains. Don't miss these actionable insights that bridge the gap between finance and marketing for measurable business growth. #MarketingIntelligence #FinancialLeadership #AIStrategy

Angel Investor Amos Ben-Meir Shares Insights on Silicon Valley Investment Landscape In the latest Strategic CFO podcast, Jan Robertson interviews Amos Ben-Meir, a seasoned investor and board member at Sand Hill Angels and President/Board Director at Silicon Catalyst Angels. Drawing from his background in semiconductor design and experience with six startups (four with successful outcomes), Ben-Meir provides financial executives with valuable perspectives on early-stage investing trends. He highlights the evolution of Sand Hill Angels' investment volume—from 4M in 2014 to peaks of32M in 2021, settling at 10-12M annually post-2022—and discusses their evaluation process for the 150-250 monthly applications they receive. Ben-Meir emphasizes current challenges including high AI company valuations, the "pay-to-play" rounds facing companies with inflated 2020-2021 valuations, and uncertainties surrounding market exits. Notable portfolio successes include Jackpocket (acquired by DraftKings for800M), Beyond Meat (IPO), and innovative companies like Arrow Lane (air cargo transport) and Mentium Tech (edge AI chips). For financial executives navigating today's economic uncertainty, Ben-Meir's key message emphasizes conservative capital deployment while maintaining investment momentum in promising technologies regardless of macroeconomic conditions.  Connect with Amos: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abenmeir/ #VentureInvesting #CFOInsights #SiliconValleyFinance

In this FEI Silicon Valley podcast, Robert Barker, CFO and board member of AI Storm, shares insights from his four-decade semiconductor industry career. Barker emphasizes finding passion, setting goals, and networking as crucial for success. He discusses AI Storm's innovative charge domain technology that cuts power consumption in AI applications, and their pursuit of Series C funding after previously raising $30 million. Barker highlights that successful CFOs must excel at communication and relationship building, while noting concerns about emerging tariffs and the rapid pace of AI development outpacing regulatory frameworks. Connect with Robert Barker at https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-barker-mba-cma-73bb537/

Sean Randolph, Senior Director at the Bay Area Council's Economic Institute and former senior federal official, discusses how AI is reshaping Silicon Valley. Randolph's insights are particularly valuable as they come from his role leading the Council's research and strategy arm, which produces credible data and recommendations for both business leaders and policymakers. Drawing from his extensive government and business experience, Randolph addresses critical issues facing financial executives, including AI regulation challenges in California, international competitiveness concerns with China, and the potential merger between the Bay Area Council and Silicon Valley Leadership Group.  He underscores the critical balance needed between innovation and regulation in AI development, while maintaining Silicon Valley's global competitive edge.  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-randolph-114a3710/

Inside Story: A Recent Cybersecurity M&A Deal featured Jan Robertson interviewing Ani Chaudhuri, founder of Dasera, and Dave Daetz, SVP of Corporate Development at Netskope. The discussion focused on Netskope’s acquisition of Dasera, highlighting the strategic alignment and cultural fit that facilitated the deal. Ani shared Dasera’s innovative approach to data security posture management (DSPM), while Dave explained how the acquisition bolstered Netskope’s structured and unstructured data capabilities within its SASE framework. Both emphasized the value of trust, early relationship building, and clear strategic alignment in successful M&A transactions.  Ani Chaudhuri VP Product Netskope https://www.linkedin.com/in/anionline/ Dave Daetz SVP, Corporate Development Netskope https://www.linkedin.com/in/daetz/

Christina Bui is Managing Director of Robert Half's retained executive search practice, bringing over three decades of experience across technology, healthcare, private equity, and venture capital sectors. Her remarkable journey began as a refugee from Vietnam during the fall of Saigon, where she and her family started from scratch, not knowing English, to build successful careers in America. She serves on multiple boards, including Son Foods, and advisory positions at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and Fulbright University Vietnam. As a founding board member of How Women Lead, which has grown to 25,000 members nationwide, she demonstrates her commitment to breaking barriers for women in leadership. In her conversation with Jan Robertson, Bui emphasized several critical insights for financial executives. She highlighted the evolving challenges CFOs face, including the visibility gap, where finance leaders often remain behind the scenes focused on numbers rather than building their professional brand. She provided practical examples of career advancement, such as her own path to board seats, which began with an ad tech startup and expanded to include a 71-year-old fish sauce company and various Vietnamese founder-led companies. Bui addressed specific needs for aspiring board members, recommending: building a network of 15-20 trusted advisors (including bankers, auditors, and lawyers), taking leadership roles in professional organizations, and maintaining an active LinkedIn presence. She emphasized key risks in the profession, including the perception challenge in recruiting young talent who view accounting as "boring" rather than strategic and technology-driven. The conversation also touched on current challenges like AI integration, system transitions (such as moving from QuickBooks to NetSuite), and post-election market dynamics affecting hiring and M&A activities. Key Message: Success in today's financial leadership landscape requires being "unabashedly visible," building strategic relationships, and embracing technology while maintaining a forward-thinking perspective that goes beyond traditional finance roles. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-bui-0922184/

In this Strategic CFO Podcast episode, Andrej Suskavcevic, President and CEO of Financial Executives International (FEI), discusses the evolution and impact of FEI in serving financial leaders. Drawing from his two-decade journey in the organization, Suskavcevic highlights FEI's response to critical industry challenges, including the accounting talent shortage, technological disruption, and cybersecurity threats. He emphasizes FEI's proactive approach through initiatives like their upcoming AI conference, FinTech Innovations Expo, and a groundbreaking skills gap research study with USC. The interview reveals FEI's dual focus on serving both public and private companies through specialized programs, including the Corporate Reporting Insights Conference for larger public companies and leadership summits for mid-market private companies. Suskavcevic stresses the organization's commitment to practical, implementable solutions, particularly in emerging areas like M&A preparation, cybersecurity, and virtual team management. His key message centers on FEI's role as a "cliff notes of corporate finance," helping members navigate complex challenges through peer networking, educational resources, and strategic advocacy. The organization's success, he notes, stems from its strong listening skills and ability to anticipate and address members' evolving needs in a rapidly changing financial landscape. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrejsuskavcevic/