26 Chief Financial Officers You Should Follow

For 20+ years, I have led financial operations, business administration, and human resources functions for fast-moving companies in technology and industry. I am focused on improving financial performance, increasing cash flow, and ensuring full legal and regulatory compliance, while inspiring teams and influencing growth via IPO, M&A, fundraising, bank debt, and public bonds.

In my current role as CFO for BrightEdge, the global leader in enterprise SEO based in San Mateo, California, with offices in New York City, Chicago, Seattle, Sydney, Tokyo and London, I am responsible for worldwide accounting, finance, human resources, legal, tax, treasury and facilities.

Bruce brings more than 25 years of financial operations and management excellence to Domo. For almost six years, he was CFO of SuccessFactors, guiding the company through a public offering, six acquisitions, and its $3.4 billion sale to SAP. Bruce has served as CFO for LANDesk Software, Auction.com, and Qualix Group. While at Qualix Group, he led its public offering and merger into Legato Systems, a company that was later acquired by EMC.

An entrepreneur in his own right, Bruce founded Renaissance Software, serving as its CFO and head of sales. Being Domo CFO gives Bruce an added perk of getting to spend more time with his family at their Park City ski home.

Fred has more than 20 years of business leadership experience from his tenure at both private and public companies. As CFO, he applies business and financial acumen, and his experience in corporate development, to scaling Marketo’s business and driving operational efficiencies. Most recently, Fred served as CFO of Webroot, a global provider of internet security services for consumers and businesses.

Previously, he was CFO of BigBand Networks (NASDAQ: BBND), leading the company through an initial public offering in 2007, and before that was COO of CallTrex Corporation. Fred has also held senior leadership roles at Borland Software Corporation, KLA-Tencor Corporation (NASDAQ: KLAC) and spent over ten years working for PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

Experienced, results-oriented CFO with a track record of growing technology companies. Diverse industry experience includes consumer internet, social networking, online gaming, online marketing/advertising, e-commerce and SaaS. Extensive experience leading finance, accounting, tax, human resources, legal and administration functions.

Ken oversees financial expansion and growth for Icontrol. He joins the company from online marketing company QuinStreet, where he most recently served as executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Over the past 15 years Ken has served as CFO of three billion-dollar market cap public companies, and led two initial public offerings (IPOs) as CFO. His professional services background includes eight years at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

With more than 25 years of financial and business leadership experience, Criss leads finance, administration and supply chain management. Prior to joining ForeScout, Criss was CFO of Socialware, PSS Systems, Counterpane and Transitive Corporation. In addition, he has held senior financial positions at Sentient Networks and Apptitude. Criss earned his CPA while at Ernst & Young. He holds an MBA from the Haas School of Business at U.C. Berkeley, and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from U.C. Berkeley.

Owners, Boards of Directors, and Executive Leadership with almost 20 years of management experience domestically and internationally. "Big 4" trained in controls, financial reporting and deal valuation. Career spans public and private companies, from start-ups to $B. High-impact finance executive with a proven track record of improving the bottom line through revenue growth and cost containment. Big picture and innovative thinker with expertise in deal valuation, structuring, negotiation and post acquisition integration.

As Chief Financial Officer, Larry Madden manages the finance, accounting and tax activities. He has over 28 years of experience in fast-moving, growth-oriented companies, having worked with some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the media and entertainment industries.

Most recently, he worked with Robert Sillerman and Simon Fuller as CFO in helping build and transform the related businesses of 19 Entertainment, XIX Entertainment and SFX Entertainment. He has also served in a range of executive and C-level financial positions with top media companies in the public and private sector including the Weinstein Company, where he was instrumental in helping the company raise nearly $2 billion of capital.

Charlie is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s finance and administrative activities, information technology and financial reporting to the Limited Partners.

Charlie has over ten years of experience in private equity finance and administration. He currently serves on the boards of international spinoff companies of an eco-tourism business and understands how best to propagate businesses across new markets. He is a member of WAVE’s Investment Committee. 

Veteran financial executive with 25 years of experience managing fast-growing technology companies, including Quigo Technologies, Inc., a creator of auction-based advertising marketplaces, which was acquired by Time Warner’s AOL unit (NYSE: TWX) in December 2007 and Juno Online Services, Inc., one of the nation’s leading Internet Service Providers, which IPO'd in 1999 and then merged with Netzero, Inc. in 2001 to form United Online, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNTD).

Earlier experience includes controllership positions with business-to-business software companies, Datalogix International, Inc. and J.D. Edwards & Co., Inc. Career founded with seven years at Coopers & Lybrand. Summa cum laude graduate from Pace University’s accelerated MBA/BBA program in public accounting.

I help NYC startups and tech companies with finances and operations as an Acting CFO/COO and consultant. Etsy, Clickable, MakerBot, Behance, Evidon, Outside.In, Stylesight, and 20×200 are some of the great NYC startups that I have been fortunate to help.

I ran sales and finances for Globix, the NYC colo/hosting company, as it recovered from its post-boom bankruptcy. Earlier finance experience with Young & Rubicam and United Technologies. I have an MBA from Wharton and MA from Penn's Lauder Institute, BA from Connectictut College.

As Chief Financial Officer of FolioDynamix, Mark oversees all financial management for the company, including financing strategy, accounting and budgeting, and plays an integral role in evaluating potential acquisitions to drive company growth. Mark is a strategically focused and operationally oriented financial executive with over 30 years of experience in finance and corporate strategy, including managing the IPOs of two companies.

Prior to joining FolioDynamix in 2011, Mark was the Chief Financial Officer of Ringleader Digital, where he raised a significant round of financing and oversaw all financial operations and M&A analysis. Mark has also held financial executive positions with mFormation Technologies, Caminus (acquired by Sungard) and GT Interactive, and held senior auditing positions with Deloitte LLP and PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

I've been working in financial and operations planning with fast-growing Silicon Valley organizations in technology, services, and life sciences for more than 20 years. I've headed up finance and operations at startups and public companies including Disney, Infoseek, Pharsight (acquired by Tripos)and BNP Paribas. I was also the founder and head of Seybold Financial, a financial performance consulting firm providing CFO services to early stage companies.

I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Corporate Finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and I'm a Board Member of the San Francisco chapter of Financial Executives International.

Steven brings more than two decades of experience in technology, finance, and operations in both private and public companies to his role as Chief Financial Officer at Mblox. At Mblox, Steven is responsible for all financial matters, legal affairs and risk management, while working with the the executive team and business to drive the strategy and operations of the company.

Prior to Mblox, Steven was the Chief Financial Officer of Evolv, a provider of predictive analytics SaaS service for human capital management decisions that was acquired by Cornerstone OnDemand.

Prior to Evolv, Steven played instrumental global finance roles at a number of other Silicon Valley companies, including Informatica, Portal Software (acquired by Oracle) and Connetics (acquired by GlaxoSmithKline). In his career Steven has secured multiple rounds of funding and spearheaded both a $700M dollar company sale and a successful initial public offering. Steven started his career with Ernst & Young serving technology companies in Silicon Valley.

Paul has been a cfo for several young and fast growing technology companies. Paul has a passion for the role finance can play to help companies scale fast. Paul graduated from UC Berkeley and really enjoys watching the bears beat Stanford. Paul lives in San Francisco and spends a lot of time coaching and watching his boys play sports.

As a member of the founding team at Swirl, Gretchen has guided the company’s product vision to create a vital tool for the savvy shopper. With more than 15 years of experience in senior finance and operations leadership roles at several venture-backed technology companies, she is a seasoned executive with an entrepreneurial mind and a creative spirit.

She has played an integral role at several successful tech companies by managing key operations and building outstanding teams that have created world-class products and services.

Most recently, Gretchen was CFO at Acquia, the provider of commercial support and cloud services for the open source social publishing system Drupal. Previously, she was CFO of Maven Networks, a leader and pioneer in Internet video that was acquired by Yahoo!. Gretchen was also CFO of MediaMap (acquired by Cision), the leading provider of PR software and services.

Chief Financial Officer with significant experience in rapidly growing software, mobile advertising, data center (security, networking, etc.) and hardware technology companies with a track record of creating significant value for shareholders.

Experienced with rapidly growing public and venture capital backed privately held companies, international operations, venture capital financing's and mergers and acquisitions. Leader with broad experience managing functions including finance / accounting, treasury, legal/contracts, information technology, human resources, facilities, manufacturing operations, sales order administration, customer service and investor relations.

An alumnus of New York University Stern School of Business, Maureen O’Connell has graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Accounting & Economics. Born in New York City, O’Connell was named as one of the 30 Outstanding Women in Business by Treasury and Risk Magazine.

Maureen O’Connell is the current Executive VP, CFO and CAO of Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL). She oversees all the administrative functions which include Strategic Planning & Business Development, Global Operations & IT, Finance and Human Resources.

When she is not working, Maureen is Running, Skiing, Scuba Diving or Traveling.

Mani Rangarajan ("Mani") is a seasoned executive with extensive global experience in the internet and financial services sectors. Mani's experience spans finance, operations, strategy, business development and corporate development in 25+ countries in the Americas, Europe, Middle-East, Asia and Africa with a special focus on Emerging Markets.

Mani started his career with Citigroup where he initially specialized in transaction services (cash management, trade services, structured trade finance, treasury management) operations and management for the Corporate Bank. Mani spent the last four years of his time with Citigroup as a Global Transaction Services specialist with the Risk Management Team where Mani led risk management reviews of several Corporate Bank and Consumer Bank businesses in Europe, Africa, Middle-East and Asia.

Global experience includes operations in North America, Europe, Asia and South America. Industry knowledge encompasses transforming businesses in media, marketing, technology and information services.

Areas of expertise include operations, strategy & planning, mergers & acquisitions, public equity offerings, private equity, debt placements, process improvement, financial planning & analysis, investor relations, financial systems implementation, technology management, and SEC compliance & reporting.

Executed transactions with a total value of over $1.5 billion as a senior executive, private equity investor and M&A advisor. Track record of improving company value by driving growth, improving profitability, and making strategic moves. Executed successful public equity offering for digital agency.

Randall Fortel is an accomplished, strategic financial leader with over 20 years of experience driving profitable growth, delivering bottom-line improvements, and providing leadership for continuous improvement across operations.

Passionate about challenging assumptions and getting people to achieve better results.

Proven ability to work closely with executive teams to develop and drive strategic growth across organizations. Experience in working in a private equity environment. Randall has significant experience in M&A, from both a buying or selling perspective. He demonstrated ability to manage the accounting, finance, audit, risk management, human resource and IT functions. Excels in the areas of collaboration, mentoring, and teamwork.

I am an accomplished Operationally Focused Financial Leader with demonstrated success in enhancing operational and financial efficiency, profitability and competitive advantage in the global distribution of consumer products.

My expertise lies in strong financial management, strengthening operational performance enabling innovative growth opportunities, and effective inventory management across product lines. I am known for my proven ability to efficiently analyze operational processes to reduce costs and develop initiatives to increase productivity and profit margins. I possess excellent analytical, problem solving, and motivational skills.

Passionate about customer success and everything related to sourcing and recruiting. I get to work with the most amazing customers every day; helping them solve their recruiting challenges. Over 10 years of business account management and client relations experience working with early-stage startups to Fortune 100 organizations.

Strong customer success management background combined with the knowledge and expertise about business strategy enable me to be a creative problem-solver for my customers. I bring a high level of account retention and high-touch customer care.

As a professional Chief Financial/Operations Officer who has worked in the $1M-$100M market niche in multiple industries and segments, I have been the CFO/COO, Interim CFO/COO or just a consultant. Additionally, I have been the President, CIO and been on the Board. I have worked in turnarounds, wind downs, start-ups, rapid growth companies as well as manufacturing, distribution, and professional services.

My name is Jim Farrell, and I am an award winning Chief Financial Officer. I am a Chief Financial Officer CFO/financial partner who guides companies through unsettled business environments with sound financial decisions, a financial leader who is not only strategic, but who is an excellent communicator. I develop and implement financial strategies that will support your operational goals and objectives.

I am responsible for managing the financial risks of the corporation and financial planning. In UsabilityTools I also supervise record-keeping. I assist CEO directly on strategic and tactical matters as they relate to budget management, cost analysis and forecasting needs. I also acquire and manage grants projects as a source of external financing.

As in typical start-up, I have a wide range of task and projects on a daily basis. Office Administration and HR fields are also under my supervision. Sometimes I feel like James Bond or a fireman, because there are "missions impossible" from time to time and you just are a problem solver.