Behind the Scenes of Modern Finance Leadership
The Diary of a CFO Podcast with Wassia Kamon
Hosted by award‑winning CFO Wassia Kamon, the show dives into how real finance leaders make capital decisions, handle boardroom pressure, build strong teams, and carry the weight of the CFO role without burning out in the process.
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Choose the path that matches your season in finance leadership.
The Diary of a CFO with Wassia Kamon is for you if:
- You are currently a CFO or on the path to the role.
- You want honest conversations about capital decisions, boards, and leading finance teams.
- You care about leading well without burning yourself or your people out.
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Your First 90 DaysBuild credibility early, avoid common mistakes, and lead with a plan.
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Lead as a CFOLearn how other CFOs work with CEOs, boards, and lead strong finance teams.
The CFO Playbook for Handling Crises and Building FP&A Functions, with Mike High
Mike High (CFO, NAIT; ex-Shell Deep Water CFO) shares leadership lessons from the Army to corporate finance: why the “platinum rule” beats one-size-fits-all leadership, what truly changes when you move from FP&A to the CFO seat, and how to carry a portfolio of crises without burning out.
The Art of Becoming a Strategic CFO, with Dr. Tamer Alsayed
In this exciting episode of The Diary of a CFO, host Wassia Kamon, CPA, CMA, MBA talks to guest Dr. Tamer Alsayed, CPA, FCMA, CGMA, Chief Financial Officer at FII Institute. Dr. Alsayed shares over 23 years of experience in finance across various industries and countries. He discusses his journey from auditing at Big Four firms to leading major IPOs, M&A deals, and successful turnarounds. Dr. Alsayed talks abo...
Leading Finance with Curiosity and Cultural Intelligence, with Jenny Fuss
Jenny Fuss has led finance teams in Germany, China, and the United States. Each move meant learning a new way of working. In this episode, she shares how working and living in three different countries shaped her leadership style and helped her lead major transformations with clarity and confidence.
Secrets of Rockstar CFOs: Jack McCullough on Developing the Next Generation of CFOs
What Do Companies Really Look for in a CFO Today? Technical excellence is no longer enough. Even when controllers and finance leaders perform flawlessly, companies now expect far more than accounting expertise. Strategic leadership, collaboration, and business judgment increasingly outweigh traditional credentials, as boards and investors look for CFOs who can shape direction, not just report results. In this ep...
Balancing Strategy, Risk & Leadership as a CFO, with Scott Meyers
Being a CFO is like playing chess on a moving train—there’s always another fire to put out, another risk to assess, and another strategy to refine. Scott Meyers, CFO of Plurilock, has seen it all and brings a sharp perspective (and plenty of humor) to the conversation. From navigating board expectations to balancing risk and opportunity, Scott shares what it really takes to thrive in the CFO seat. He emphasizes ...
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What The Listeners Say
Director, Finance
As a finance leader committed to continuous growth, The Diary of a CFO has become one of my favourite podcasts. Wassia covers a broad range of finance and leadership topics that are relevant, actionable, and inspiring. The quality of guests she brings on is truly top-notch. Wassia has been a great mentor in my own journey, and I highly recommend both this podcast and following her on LinkedIn.
Commuter Friendly
Diary of a CFO is one of the few finance podcasts that feels both insightful and refreshingly human. Wassia Kamon brings the perfect balance of strategy, vulnerability, and sharp questioning to every episode. As a fellow finance leader, I appreciate the candor, the diverse perspectives, and the real-talk about what it actually takes to lead from the C-suite. It’s not just about numbers—it’s about mindset, decision-making, and navigating the messy middle. This is a must-listen if you care about leading with both excellence and intention.
Sr. Business Operations Manager
Wassia's podcast feels like chatting with a friend who truly understands you. It's authentic, down-to-earth, and always leaves me feeling motivated. I appreciate how natural and unfiltered it is—no scripts or forced moments, just real stories and inspiration that resonate exactly when I need it most. If you're after something that lifts you up while staying completely real, this is it. I just listened to the first episode, and I’m already excited to catch up on more!
Engaging, Insightful, Motivational
Wassia brings an incredible energy, making complex financial and leadership topics feel both real and relatable. Her ability to break things down with actionable advice, while keeping the conversation dynamic and engaging, makes you want to queue up the next episode immediately. It was an absolute pleasure being featured on the show!
Real + Practical Advice
Any aspiring or current CFO should add Diary of a CFO into their podcast rotation! Every episode offers real, practical advice from people in the trenches. Questions are really insightful because they come from someone who is in the CFO seat!
A Voice for the Highly Impactful but grossly underrepresented
This is truly a special and one-of-a-kind podcast. The idea to discuss the challenges that CFO’s face from all company types, and sizes is very futuristic, forward thinking and innovative. I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation with Wassia, and the questions were very thought-provoking and I think are what the audience needs to hear, to share ideas and provide mentorship as well. Absolutely stellar and I would welcome the chance for additional conversations like these!
Founder & CEO
If you're a CFO or finance professional looking to stay ahead of the curve, this podcast is a must listen. Insightful interviews, real world strategies, and tips on navigating the financial industry whether you're an experienced leader, or just starting your career in finance. Each episode provides actionable advice that can impact your approach and thought process, making it an essential resource. Tune in for a blend of thought leadership and practical knowledge that will elevate your financial game.
Very insightful
A truly insightful and heartfelt conversation. She’s addressing one of the most overlooked and underrated gaps for aspiring and first-time CFOs.
Very Informative!!
Thank you so much for sharing! So informative and your delivery was beyond amazing.
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Excel vs FP&A Software: When to Make the Switch (with Paul Barnhurst)
Most finance teams stay on Excel longer than they should. In this episode, I sit down with Paul Barnhurst, also known as The FP&A Guy. We break down when Excel stops being enough and how to know it is time to move to a real FP&A tool. The biggest mistakes companies make when buying FP&A software, in...
Mistakes founders make during fundraising (from a cfo who has done 50+ M&A and Exit deals)
In this episode, I sit down with Julianne Averill, a healthcare AI CFO, board director, and fractional CFO with over 20 years of experience helping life science and digital health companies scale through fundraising, M&A, and IPOs. She has been through over 50 transactions on both the buy and sell s...
insightsoftware President Jennifer Warawa on How AI is Changing the Office of the CFO
In this episode of The Diary of a CFO Podcast, host Wassia Kamon sits down with Jennifer Warawa, President of insightsoftware and a seven-time honoree as one of the top 25 most powerful women in accounting, to explore what CFOs must fix before implementing AI.
Former Caterpillar Group CFO on The Leadership Skills Finance Professionals Must Master to Reach the Top
In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, we examine what it actually takes to build a 30-year career at a Fortune 50 company and reach the Group CFO seat. Dave DeFreitas, retired Group CFO of Caterpillar Inc., shares the career moves, leadership frameworks, and operational mindset shifts that shaped o...
Building an AI-Ready Finance Team Without Losing the Human Side, with Tariq Munir
In this episode of The Diary of a CFO Podcast, host Wassia Kamon sits down with Tariq Munir, digital transformation advisor and author of Reimagine Finance, to explore what it actually takes to build an AI-ready finance team.
The First‑Time CFO Playbook: The First 90 Days, Imposter Syndrome and Leading the Business
In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, we explore what truly separates a good finance team from a great one and what it takes to grow into the full scope of the CFO role. Kevin Appleby, Head of Partnerships at GrowCFO and host of the GrowCFO Show, brings 25 years of management consulting experience ...
About Wassia Kamon
Wassia Kamon is a CFO and the host of The Diary of a CFO podcast. She has more than 15 years of experience leading finance teams in manufacturing, technology, pharmaceuticals, and nonprofit organizations, and today serves as Chief Financial Officer of Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE), a leading Community Development Financial Institution in Georgia.
Named the 2025 CFO of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle and a two‑time CPA Practice Advisor 40 Under 40 honoree, Wassia’s work on finance leadership and governance has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Accounting Today, Fast Company, and Strategic Finance. On the podcast, she talks with finance leaders about team leadership, boards, and the realities of the modern CFO role.
FAQs
Who is The Diary of a CFO podcast with Wassia Kamon for?
Current CFOs, finance leaders preparing for the role, and ambitious finance professionals who want to think at a higher level.
I’m not a CFO yet. Will this still be useful?
Yes. Many episodes and guides are designed to help you build the judgment and credibility required before you have the title.
What topics do you cover most often?
Board communication, capital discipline, CFO career progression, building finance teams, and practical AI in finance.
How should I start if I’m a first-time CFO?
Start with the First 90 Days as CFO playbook for practical guidance on earning trust and setting the right foundation.
Is this podcast only for large-company CFOs?
No. We feature CFOs across private equity–backed, founder-led, nonprofit, and mid-market organizations. The principles apply across environments and stages, especially small to mid-sized organizations.
How is this different from other finance podcasts?
We go beyond technical updates and news to focus on the real job behind the title: handling board and CEO pressure, making hard capital decisions, and building a sustainable CFO career through honest, story‑driven conversations.
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