The Diary of a CFO

Wassia Kamon, CPA, CMA, MBA
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The Diary of a CFO

Whether you’re part of a finance team, work closely with CFOs, or aspire to become a business executive, this podcast is for you! The Diary of a CFO takes you behind the scenes of finance leadership. This is the podcast where finance leaders share the lessons, challenges, and wins that shaped their careers. I’m your host, Wassia Kamon, and I’m excited to take you with me on my journey as a newly appointed CFO as I share hidden challenges, unspoken rules, and lessons I’ve learned along the way. In each edition, I’ll share my reflections on various leadership topics, along with wisdom from other business leaders, to help you lead any organization with confidence. Together, we explore what it takes to be ready for the future of finance and lead effectively through change. To suggest topics I should cover, email me at Ask@thediaryofacfo.comTo become a guest or a sponsor of the show, visit thediaryofacfo.comTo work with me 1:1 or invite me to speak at your next team event, visit my website: https://www.wassiakamon.com/ Cheers! Wassia

  1. The Role of Treasury in M&A and Business Strategy, with Summa Simmons

    1D AGO

    The Role of Treasury in M&A and Business Strategy, with Summa Simmons

    In this episode, Summa Simmons, Associate VP of Treasury at Victoria’s Secret & Co., shares what most people get wrong about treasury and why it's a strategic powerhouse. She explains how treasury helps companies manage cash, risk, and financial readiness during major business decisions like mergers and divestitures. Summa also opens up about her own journey from accounting to treasury, and what it means to be a true business partner across teams. You’ll learn: How treasury supports M&A and long-term business strategyWhy relationship-building is key to finance leadershipThe mindset shift from accounting to strategic thinkingCareer lessons on ownership, feedback, and staying curious

    43 min
  2. Why Culture Is Your Biggest Cybersecurity Risk, with Dutch Schwartz

    JUL 9

    Why Culture Is Your Biggest Cybersecurity Risk, with Dutch Schwartz

    Most companies think cybersecurity is about firewalls and IT policies. But the real risk often starts with culture. In this episode, Dutch Schwartz, VP of Cloud Services at SideChannel and former security leader at AWS and Raytheon, shares why companies with poor culture are three times more likely to face a breach. We talk about how leadership, disengaged employees, and outdated mindsets quietly open the door to cyber threats. You'll also hear: The $25 million AI voice scam that could have been preventedHow to build a culture of security that actually sticksWhat CFOs need to understand about working with CISOsWhy cybersecurity is no longer just a tech problemThis conversation is a must-listen for finance and business leaders navigating today's digital risks.

    44 min
  3. How the Best Finance Leaders Operate, Plan, and Forecast, with Christina Ross

    JUL 3

    How the Best Finance Leaders Operate, Plan, and Forecast, with Christina Ross

    Christina Ross, serial CFO turned CEO of Cube, explains why spreadsheets aren’t the problem and what finance leaders should focus on instead. She shares multiple frameworks for moving from manual chaos to strategic clarity. This episode is packed with insights on real-time planning, clean data, and leading high-impact finance teams. In this episode, we cover: The four layers of strategic financeHow to plan faster and forecast smarterPartnering across departments for better dataLeading with speed, structure, and strategic intent

    44 min
  4. The Art of Becoming a Strategic CFO, with Dr. Tamer Alsayed

    JUN 25

    The Art of Becoming a Strategic CFO, with Dr. Tamer Alsayed

    In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, Wassia Kamon speaks with Dr. Tamer Alsayed, CFO at the Future Investment Initiative and author of The Art of Becoming a Strategic CFO. With over two decades of experience across industries and regions, Dr. Tamer offers a clear-eyed view of what today’s finance leaders need to succeed. The discussion covers: How the CFO role has evolved beyond reporting and complianceWhat it means to think and lead strategically in financeLessons from working on IPOs, M&A deals, and international startupsWhy transparency matters more than polish in investor relationsThe impact of mentorship, curiosity, and AI on future finance teamsThis episode is for anyone who wants to grow as a finance leader and make a meaningful impact in their organization. Special thanks to Bill for sponsoring this episode. Visit https://www.bill.com/guides to download a free toolkit on leading through uncertain times.

    36 min
  5. The #1 Mistake Keeping Controllers from Becoming CFOs

    JUN 19

    The #1 Mistake Keeping Controllers from Becoming CFOs

    Welcome to Season 2 of The Diary of a CFO. In this kickoff solo episode, Wassia Kamon shares behind-the-scenes highlights from Season 1, why some careers stall at the executive door, and what actually opens it. You’ll hear: The real reason technical skills alone won’t get you promotedThe 3-digit P.I.N. code to executive leadershipWhat separates great CFOs from the restWhy work-life harmony beats balanceWhat’s new in Season 2?🎥 Full-video episodes on YouTube 🗞 A brand-new Substack called Off the Record Join the conversation at: https://wassiakamon.substack.com/

    28 min
  6. What I Wish Finance Professionals Knew Sooner, with Syed Nadeem

    JUN 11

    What I Wish Finance Professionals Knew Sooner, with Syed Nadeem

    In this episode, Syed Nadeem shares the lessons he wishes more finance professionals learned early on. He talks about why certifications alone won’t get you promoted, and why your mindset, human skills, and personal brand matter just as much as your technical skills. Syed also shares how losing his job became a turning point. He built a global brand and started helping others grow in their careers. From business partnering to leadership, this episode is full of insights that can help you stay relevant and move forward, no matter where you are in your finance journey. Today’s episode is brought to you by BILL, a leading financial operations platform for small and midsize businesses. I’m also hosting a free webinar on June 24th, 2025 at 1pm ET. Click here to learn more.

    34 min
  7. Solving Revenue Recognition Nightmares for SaaS Companies, with Apurv Bansal

    JUN 5

    Solving Revenue Recognition Nightmares for SaaS Companies, with Apurv Bansal

    If you’ve ever lost sleep over complex contracts, usage-based pricing, or revenue schedules that live in hundreds spreadsheet tabs, this episode is for you. I’m joined by Apurv Bansal, co-founder and CEO of Zenskar, to talk about how AI is helping SaaS companies automate billing and revenue recognition end-to-end. We unpack why legacy tools can’t keep up with modern pricing models, what finance teams really need from automation, and how to avoid the most common implementation mistakes. Special thanks to Zenskar for sponsoring this episode. Visit zenskar.com/upgrade to learn more.

    38 min
  8. Beyond Compliance: Kendra LaFleur on Becoming a Trusted Advisor

    MAY 29

    Beyond Compliance: Kendra LaFleur on Becoming a Trusted Advisor

    Audit Director at FORVIS Mazars and board treasurer for Girls on the Run Georgia, Kendra LaFleur opens up about her journey from intern to partner, how she grew into strategic leadership, and how she navigates the evolving role of finance in mission-driven organizations.

    32 min
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About

Whether you’re part of a finance team, work closely with CFOs, or aspire to become a business executive, this podcast is for you! The Diary of a CFO takes you behind the scenes of finance leadership. This is the podcast where finance leaders share the lessons, challenges, and wins that shaped their careers. I’m your host, Wassia Kamon, and I’m excited to take you with me on my journey as a newly appointed CFO as I share hidden challenges, unspoken rules, and lessons I’ve learned along the way. In each edition, I’ll share my reflections on various leadership topics, along with wisdom from other business leaders, to help you lead any organization with confidence. Together, we explore what it takes to be ready for the future of finance and lead effectively through change. To suggest topics I should cover, email me at Ask@thediaryofacfo.comTo become a guest or a sponsor of the show, visit thediaryofacfo.comTo work with me 1:1 or invite me to speak at your next team event, visit my website: https://www.wassiakamon.com/ Cheers! Wassia

Information

  • Creator
    Wassia Kamon, CPA, CMA, MBA
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Diary of a CFO

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