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How can financial leaders manage uncertainty skillfully? The first step is to determine what kind of uncertainty we are talking about, says Hilary Norris, CFO of financial management software company GTREASURY. Uncertainty is provided in at least three different types, which are from a macro perspective. Currently, US companies have experienced two out of three, one of which is related to AI. In the interview below, Norris, whose year of corporate finance brought her to the UK, Asia Pacific, the Netherlands and the US, explains why CFOs tend to handle uncertainty better than others. The Oxford University Grade also reveals…

When Harley-Davidson announced a successor to longtime CEO Jochen Zeitz this spring, the motorcycle maker probably didn’t expect to be slammed into a proxy brawl over it. But that’s exactly what happened as activist investor H Partners came roaring in, accusing the board of botching the succession process and demanding a total leadership overhaul.H’s argument? The board’s preferred successor was chosen behind closed doors, without sufficient strategic clarity or outside search. Harley fired back, calling the claims self-serving. But the damage was done: Shareholders—already grumpy with a share price down 35 percent over the prior year— had a front-row seat…

Over the past few years, the work of corporate board members has become much more difficult. Directors had to take on more responsibility and address more complicated decisions under extremely difficult economic circumstances. Yet hundreds of new directors are appointed each year, and certain trends emerge from appointments where many committees reveal the value of new candidates.According to Heidrick & Struddles 2025 Board Monitor US, the Fortune 500 company filled 379 board sheets in 2024. The characteristics of these appointees are as follows:73% of the appointees had previous board experience. 88% of the appointees had international experience. 72% of appointed…

One big beautiful invoice, HR 1, not everything is beautiful and comes with some big numbers. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that over the next decade, it will add $3.4 trillion more debt to the US balance sheet than if the law had not passed. Cutting federal spending on Medicaid and SNAP will reduce household resources by $1 trillion, according to the CBO. Calculate the impact of the dollar on reductions and tax incentives for the production and consumption of clean energy? It's more than just a number. However, for most US companies and their CFOs, the OBBA offers a…

CFO leadership in the age of artificial intelligence and rapid growth is the focus of today’s Secrets of Rockstar CFOs episode. Host Jack McCullough chats with Davinder Athwal, the former CFO of Philadelphia-based Phenom, an AI-powered HR technology company and unicorn. They explore Davinder’s unique career journey, from his early days in the UK, and how his diverse background shaped his approach to finance and strategy.Davinder shares his ideas on building world-class teams, navigating rapid growth and the critical role of AI in transforming the job market. But he also stresses the importance of keeping an eye on what truly…

James Redfern, CFO at Reltio, has seen a radical change in the B2B software market since joining Accenture as a strategic consultant in the late 1990s. Having spent 10 years as executive director of Morgan Stanley's Technology Investment Bank, he has a keen eye on the details of his SaaS business model and the requirements of private capital providers when investing in the software business. At Reltio, a data management and unified platform, Redfern's job is to guide SaaS companies through the arrival of AI, a fundamental market shift. Luckily, Reltio has adaptable capital and has $100 million banks from…

Nigel Travis, chair of the Abercrombie & Fitch board, has been appointed “Independent Director of the Year” today. Corporate Board Members It was presented in collaboration with AlixPartners as part of the magazine's 7th Annual Board Leadership Awards. Travis was recognized by a prominent panel of board members of the public company for his efforts to lead a dramatic turnaround at retailers. He joined the board of directors in 2019 and since becoming chairman in 2023, the company's stock has more than four times its value, more than twice the industry as a whole. He is former CEO and chairman…

The recent denial of CEO David Zaslav's $52 million pay package by shareholders of Warner Bros. Discovery could indicate that investors are paying more attention to executive compensation. As the fear of stags, recessions and armed conflicts grows overseas, investors are reluctant to reward CEOs who have generated overwhelming returns with generous wage packages over the past few years. Board members who approve increased compensation for poorly performed management teams in the current economic environment are at risk for the credibility of investors and shareholder litigation in future investments.Zaslav's refusal to pay package is split into two parts: Warner Bros.…

Among others changing geopolitical trends, new leadership in the major global economy redefines the global trade landscape, with disruption showing no signs of slowing down.In particular, the implementation of tariffs by the US has triggered a chain reaction, requiring immediate adjustments and adaptations in pricing, supply chain and compliance operations, and is still deployed in long-term growth strategies. Given the ongoing pace of change, the board must see geopolitical changes through a strategic assessment lens, and treat them as more than the context of business operations.According to a recent report from FTI Consulting, Corporate Board Members 76% of board members…

Traditionally defined financial data is a tracker of results, but it is a poor guide to how your business can deliver and achieve results. Everything that comes up in an organization ultimately falls into revenue, with far more money than just dollars, according to Siqi Chen, co-founder and CEO of Runway Financial. It's a wider area than many financial teams care about exploring.For current and future CFOs, This expanded view must be reflected in the model and prediction. Data flow ency (interregulation of messy data between departments) and sensual insights (understanding how different departmental models affect revenue) are essential capabilities…