The Growth-Minded CFO Podcast

Where were you when ChatGPT hit the market in November 2022? It's one of those events that changed the game overnight. But initially, the focus was on gimmicky, fun things you could do with it. 🎤 Compose a rap song 🖋️ Write a poem 📝 Or perhaps, put together a quick marketing article or email... However, that wasn't how Nicolas Boucher was thinking about it. Our latest guest on The Growth-Minded CFO Podcast got to work straight away thinking through all the use cases for corporate finance. It led to him starting courses on AI for finance, going full-time as an AI trainer, launching AI Finance Club and garnering a following of over 1 million people on LinkedIn 😮 Curious about AI use cases for Finance? Wondering which LLM is best? Want to know how to structure and lead the AI revolution for your company, rather than simply react to it? This episode is for you 👉 https://lnkd.in/eDY8EA77

From novelty to necessity: How LLMs are transforming finance (and why finance leaders need to catch up fast)... When ChatGPT first hit the scene in 2022 - most people saw a fun tool. 🎭 Write poems. 🎯 Craft catchy copy. But Nicolas Boucher saw something else: 💡 A way to revolutionize corporate finance. In our latest episode of The Growth-Minded CFO Podcast, Nicolas shares how he went from early adopter → to one of the most trusted voices in AI for finance (with now 1M+ LinkedIn followers 👀). Here’s what we break down: ✅ The moment AI became quantitative, not just generative - and why that was a game changer for finance ✅ The real risks of using AI tools you don’t fully understand ✅ Why context > model every time ✅ How to think of AI like a team member → recruit, train, review, repeat Whether you’re skeptical of AI in finance or already building with it…This episode is a must-listen. P.S. ♻️ Repost if you think more finance leaders need to hear this.

We’re back with another quick question to help us keep improving the podcast. If you’ve got a few seconds, we’d love your take. Every vote helps us create something more useful, more relevant, and actually worth your time. Thanks again for being part of this. Wanted to click 'other' but don't see that option? Just leave us a comment with your thoughts!

🤔 “A new CFO podcast...the guests are probably all male, pale & stale.” 👨🦳 Well, not The Growth-Minded CFO Podcast. We’re proud to say: 👉 So far, over half of the guests Alex and Lauren have interviewed have been women. That’s not a marketing stat. That’s the reality of how we're working hard to represent the real world of modern finance. Here’s proof — the 4 most recent episodes, 4 incredible women leaders: → Ilana Esterrich, CFO at Planned Parenthood Federation of America Military veteran turned mission-driven CFO. She shares how adaptability and purpose-led leadership drive success in today’s fast-moving world. → Gabi Steele, CEO & Co-founder at Preql Talks AI, data, and building the kind of financial foundation CFOs actually need right now. → Carla Newmeyer Cooper, CFO at Contentful From Wall Street to SaaS. She opens up about bold vision, unconventional career pivots, her 3 big rules for being a great CFO and what it really means to lead in 2025. → Kate Gulliver, CFO & CAO at Wayfair Finance exec, talent strategist, and mother of 3. She dives into how finance shaped Wayfair Verified—and what it takes to balance it all. Ready to be inspired? 🎧 Listen to (or watch) the full episodes here → https://lnkd.in/ddivh5_C 📲 And subscribe on your favorite podcast app (just search 'The Growth-Minded CFO') Let’s keep spotlighting leaders who reflect the real future of finance. P.S. Know a standout woman in finance? Who should we interview next? Tag them below.

Thanks to everyone who voted in our last poll—your input is helping us make the podcast better with each episode. Here’s another quick one. It’ll take 5 seconds, but it makes a big difference. Appreciate the help as we keep building a podcast that actually serves finance leaders. Do none of the options fit your feedback? Leave a comment on this post with your thoughts! It'd be hugely appreciated.

🎙️ COMING UP NEXT WEEK: New episode with Nicolas Boucher - the 'AI for Finance' expert with 1 million LinkedIn followers! Nicolas joined Alex and Lauren for a super practical conversation around what’s working in AI for finance teams in 2025. Where should CFOs and finance leaders focus their energy, and how can they avoid the pitfalls that many are falling into? In next week's episode, we'll dive into: ✅ AI Hype vs. Reality: The biggest BS claims in AI and what’s really worth paying attention to. ✅ AI Pitfalls: What finance teams shouldn’t do when adopting AI. ✅ Real Value: Where AI is truly making a measurable impact in finance today. ✅ The CFO’s Role in AI Adoption: A roadmap for CFOs to take action and lead the charge in AI without getting lost in the noise. If you’re a CFO or finance leader looking to embrace AI in 2025, this episode will be a must-listen. 🔥 To make sure you don't miss it, head to your favorite podcast app, search 'The Growth-Minded CFO' and subscribe! Then, tune in next week and learn how you can be an AI champion in your organization! #podcast #AIforfinance #GenerativeAI Riverside.fm

Ever walk out of an interview thinking—“That felt different.” Not just the questions. But the people. Sometimes—you just know. That these are the people you want to work with. That this is the kind of leadership you want to be around. That this is the culture you want to be part of. In the latest episode of The Growth-Minded CFO Podcast, Kate Gulliver (CFO & CAO of Wayfair) shares a small moment from her interview process. On the surface, it seems minor. But to her, it signaled everything— → Values → Priorities → Real-life leadership A reminder: Choosing a company isn’t just about the role. It’s about the people. The tone they set. How they show up off the résumé. 🎧 Full episode: https://lnkd.in/exyRwWee 📹 Clip below.

We’re running a few quick polls over the next few weeks to learn how we can make the podcast even better. If you’re a CFO (or work closely with one), your input would mean a lot. Thanks for helping us shape something great.

CFOs often get called in to pinch-hit—suddenly stepping into new functions when a leader leaves. No one knows this better than Kate Gulliver - she's held a variety of roles at Wayfair in her 11 years there. From investor relations, to leading the talent function and corporate communications. So what’s the best way to ramp up quickly in an unfamiliar domain? ✅ Ride alongside the experts – Sit in meetings, observe how the team navigates challenges, and prioritize asking a lot of questions. ✅ Interview your stakeholders – Speak with every VP and C-level exec to understand what was working in the new area and what isn’t. When you’re new, people are eager to share—use that to your advantage. ✅ Apply financial rigor – Whether it’s Talent, Real Estate, or another unexpected responsibility, CFOs can lean on the same analytical mindset. Attrition, compensation, employee satisfaction—these are just different types of financial data points. The key? Approach the function with curiosity, listen intently, and apply structured thinking to make an impact fast. Finance leaders—what unexpected functions have you taken on, and how did you navigate the learning curve? This clip is from the latest episode of The Growth-Minded CFO Podcast, co-hosted by Lauren Elizabeth Pearl and Alex Louisy. Watch or listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/exyRwWee

Finance leadership isn’t just about numbers anymore. The best CFOs shape strategy, build teams, and drive innovation—and their career paths are anything but traditional. Take Kate Gulliver, CFO and CAO of Wayfair. In this episode of The Growth-Minded CFO Podcast, Lauren and Alex sit down with Kate to discuss: ✔️ Her journey from investor relations to overseeing finance, legal, talent, and corporate communication ✔️ The power of an entrepreneurial mindset in a high-growth company ✔️ How finance leaders can integrate people strategy to build inclusive, thriving workplaces She also gets real about balancing a demanding career with motherhood—and the lessons that come with it. This is a must-listen for finance professionals looking to make an impact beyond the balance sheet.