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In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, host Wassia Kamon, CPA, CMA, MBA, sits down with Bona Allen, a seasoned finance executive with nearly three decades of experience as a CFO across real estate, construction, and investment. Bona has led finance at both public and private companies, navigating leadership through recessions, recoveries, rapid growth phases, and major crises, including the savings and loan crisis, the 2008 financial crash, and COVID-19.
Bona is the Former SVP/CFO at Kajima Building & Design Group, where he played a critical role in leading financial strategy for major manufacturing distribution facility projects nationwide.
Together, they explore how the CFO role has evolved from traditional financial stewardship to forward-looking strategic leadership. Bona shares lessons from real estate and construction cycles, spotting business trends, building and retaining strong cross-functional teams, embracing technology without unnecessary risk, and how personal setbacks sharpened his leadership philosophy. He also discusses crisis management and the career moves and networking strategies that shaped his success.
Whether you're leading a finance function or preparing for your first CFO seat, this conversation offers practical advice on resilience, people leadership, and future-proofing your career.
Key Takeaways
Real Estate vs. Construction Finance: Why financing structures and working capital strategy differ drastically between the two sectors
CFO as Strategist: How today's CFOs must lead by seeing around corners, not just closing the books
Cycles and Crisis Planning: What real estate recessions, COVID, and tariffs taught Bona about always having a Plan B
Hiring for Growth: Why curiosity, not resumes, reveals your best future team members
People Over Processes: Why empathy, follow-up onboarding, and site visits are essential in cross-functional leadership
Noteworthy Quotes
"Technology changed how we do things but it didn’t change how we get hired. It's still about relationships." – Bona Allen
"Plan B isn’t optional in real estate. The cycles will force you to pivot. Be ready before they hit." – Bona Allen
"We're not in the ivory tower. Real leadership means getting your team out to the field." – Bona Allen
"Empathy grounds leadership. If you care about your team, the business will follow." – Bona Allen
Key Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction to Bona Allen’s CFO career and leadership style
05:24 – Finance leadership in real estate vs. construction
08:48 – Real estate cycles, rolling recessions, and why a Plan B is essential
12:00 – Evaluating market demand and indicators to guide strategic decisions
16:24 – Building a future-ready team and adopting the right technologies
22:59 – Onboarding and retention strategies that create long-term alignment
25:22 – Aligning finance functions and breaking silos through relationships
31:29 – Career-defining moments, failures, and staying grounded as a leader
👉 If becoming a CFO is in your 5-year plan, get your free CFO Readiness Scorecard here: http://thecfo.scoreapp.com
📬 Get Involved
Have a question or topic suggestion?
Email: Ask@thediaryofacfo.com
🔗 Connect with Guest Bona Allen on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonaallen
Kajima Building & Design Group, Inc.: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kajima-building-design-group-inc-?trk=public_profile_topcard-current-company
🔗 Connect with Host Wassia Kamon on
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wassiakamon/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wassiakamon/
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