Secrets of Rockstar CFOs

Hosted by Jack McCullough

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Latest episode

May 2026

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EN-US

About the show

The role of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) has evolved from back-office support to strategic leader. It takes more than financial skills to master the responsibilities of this position successfully. Above all else, financial leaders need to know how to effectively plan for and execute in the face of the challenges and uncertainty inherent in their chosen industry. This begs the question, "What does it take to really excel in the role of chief financial officer?" Whether you are a seasoned CFO or just starting out in the field, you will find something useful in this podcast. Welcome to Secrets of Rockstar CFOs, a practical and actionable resource for Chief Financial Officers seeking to advance their careers. This is your friendly and helpful guide to master the challenges and opportunities of financial leadership. This podcast features the most successful CFOs in the world, from Silicon Valley startups to Fortune 50 multinationals. The host of this podcast, Jack McCullough, is the author of “Secrets of Rockstar CFOs,” widely considered to be the definitive guide to the art of financial leadership. Here you can find the resources you need to advance your CFO career or launch it for the first time. Inspiring interviews with prominent CFOs and other thought leaders are featured in each episode. Get educated by the best in the business, companies like 3M, AstraZeneca and Zoetis. Listen in as these remarkable leaders discuss their career paths, the obstacles they have overcome, and the secrets they leveraged to achieve success. Get inspired to take your own strategic path to the next level by learning from the successes of these A-list CFOs. Master this field thoroughly to change the course of your career in a significant way. Explore new avenues you would never have considered before. Not only does Jack have fantastic guests who offer invaluable advice, but he also brings his own unique brand of insight, energy, and humor to the show. He established a worldwide network for mentoring and developing chief financial officers as president and founder of the CFO Leadership Council. To prepare the next generation of CFOs, Jack and his team utilize cutting-edge professional development programs and unrivaled peer networking. Combining his vast knowledge and experience with his lighthearted approach to interviews, Jack is the perfect person to serve as the show’s host. Before he founded the CFO Leadership Council, he served as chief financial officer for more than 25 different organizations. You can trust that he will steer the podcast in the same direction that he led CFO Leadership Council to become a leading organization in strategic and financial leadership. Learning from elite financial leaders is the surest path to a successful career. This top-notch podcast was produced with that aim in mind. Whether you are already a CFO looking to improve your performance or aspire to be one and need some direction to get started, you have come to the right place. Become the strategic leader you have always imagined by joining Jack and his guests in these lively and entertaining conversations full of empowering advice, encouraging lessons, and easy-to-emulate tactics. Use your exceptional abilities, intellectual curiosity, and unwavering focus to take over your field. Now is the time to take your professional life to a new and more satisfying level. Listen to the Secret of Rockstar CFOs at https://cfoleadership.com/podcast/

Listen to episodes

60 recent

May 26, 2026Episode 8744 min

Leadership Lessons at Wayfair with Kate Gulliver

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.

May 4, 2026Episode 8646 min

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

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.

April 14, 2026Episode 8338 min

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

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.

March 9, 2026Episode 8532 min

Leading in the Impact Space with Jessica McClain

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.

February 19, 2026Episode 8239 min

Navigating The Ride-Sharing Industry With Erin Brewer

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.

January 7, 2026Episode 8146 min

Why CFOs Must Master Capital Allocation with Rachita Sundar

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.

December 9, 2025Episode 8042 min

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

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.

December 3, 2025Episode 7833 min

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

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.

November 25, 2025Episode 7935 min

Leadership in Dynamic Business Environments with Samir Kanuga

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.

November 17, 2025Episode 7654 min

Transformational Leadership in the Digital Age with Jennifer Langton

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.