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Artur Jacques is the Founder and CEO of Margineo, a margin analytics company that helps finance teams identify the drivers behind changes in profitability. Before founding Margineo, he worked in FP&A at Tesla, where he led global manufacturing and supply chain forecasting. Artur is also a technologist and self-taught programmer who applies first-principles thinking to complex financial challenges. His work focuses on helping finance leaders move beyond surface-level reporting and gain clearer insight into their numbers. In this episode… More data can make finance feel smarter without making the business any easier to understand. What if the real advantage comes from stripping away complexity until only the numbers that matter are left? For Artur Jacques, the key lies in doing the hard work required to reach simplicity. He compares it to a great recipe: you do not need more ingredients, just the right ones, and finance teams can often get most of the way there by using the data they already have correctly instead of adding more dimensions, dashboards, or automation. The result is a finance function that focuses less on collecting information and more on understanding the few drivers that actually explain what is happening in the business. In this episode of the Level Up, Nick Araco is joined by Artur Jacques, Founder and CEO of Margineo, to discuss simplifying finance to uncover what truly drives performance. They explore choosing the right data, applying first-principles thinking, and fixing processes before automating them. Artur also talks about why curiosity and business understanding matter more than simply knowing the numbers.

Matt Lane is the Founder of Smart Lane AI and CFO of Yolo Federal Credit Union, which serves more than 23,000 members and manages over $400 million in assets. During his 17 years at Yolo FCU, Matt has helped lead major initiatives, including a core system conversion, digital wallet adoption, and relocating an underperforming branch that tripled its production within a year. Passionate about making emerging technology practical for smaller organizations, he launched Smart Lane AI to help small businesses and entrepreneurs use AI to save time, improve decision-making, streamline operations, and support growth. In this episode… AI is giving finance teams the chance to move beyond reporting and become faster, more strategic partners to the business. But how can CFOs embrace that opportunity without losing the judgment, collaboration, and controls that make finance trustworthy? Matt Lane approaches AI with equal parts curiosity and discipline, using it to modernize finance without giving up control of the numbers. He is using AI to modernize processes like month-end close, budgeting, and forecasting while expanding accounting's role in analytics, but he stresses that leaders still need to validate outputs and understand the numbers behind them. Done well, that combination can free up capacity for higher-value work, strengthen decision-making, and help finance teams create more value across the organization. In this episode of the Level Up, Nick Araco is joined by Matt Lane, Founder of Smart Lane AI, to discuss how AI is reshaping the CFO role. Matt explores modernizing finance, expanding accounting into analytics, and balancing AI with human judgment. Matt also shares advice on developing curious, collaborative finance teams.

Daniel Jasinski is the Founder and CFO of the Payment Economics Institute, which develops frameworks, education, and advisory services for managing business payments as a financial portfolio. He created the Payment Economics discipline to help organizations measure and improve payment yield, working capital, and the economic return of payment decisions. Daniel brings more than a decade of experience across B2B payments, including rebates, supply chain finance, working capital, and AP automation. Through the Institute's journal, book, certification, and advisory work, he helps finance leaders turn payments into measurable financial performance. In this episode… Enterprise payments are easy to dismiss as plumbing: necessary, repetitive, and mostly invisible when everything works. But what if the way a company pays suppliers is actually a recurring source of yield hiding in plain sight? For Daniel Jasinski, the key lies in treating payments as capital in motion and managing them like a portfolio of assets. He points to the economics embedded in timing, payment methods, rebates, dynamic discounting, and supplier relationships, arguing that optimized outbound flows can generate at least 100 basis points in payment yield. That shift turns AP from a back-office process into a strategic function that can improve working capital, sharpen technology decisions, and elevate the people managing those relationships. In this episode of the Level Up, Nick Araco is joined by Daniel Jasinski, Founder and CFO of the Payment Economics Institute, to discuss unlocking untapped value in enterprise payments. They explore payment yield, managing payments as a portfolio, and using technology without losing human judgment. Dan also shares advice on evaluating payment technology and avoiding costly implementation missteps.

Nick Araco is the Founder and CEO of the CFO Alliance, a community where finance leaders connect, collaborate, and solve real-world challenges. He is also the Founder of AchieveNEXT, a leadership development firm that helps leaders and teams strengthen relationships, improve performance, and achieve meaningful business results. With more than 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur, executive, and trusted advisor, Nick has brought together forward-thinking finance and C-suite leaders from across industries. An experienced speaker, business leader, and host of the Level Up podcast, he inspires finance executives to redefine success by thinking bigger, acting bolder, and leading with purpose. In this episode… Finance leaders are expected to make faster decisions, adopt new technology, guide strategy, and help their organizations navigate uncertainty. Yet automation is only as reliable as the data behind it, and financial expertise alone does not guarantee effective leadership. What does it take to build a modern finance function that creates meaningful business impact? Effective finance leadership requires trusted data, cross-functional relationships, strategic thinking, and clearly defined responsibilities. Leaders must gather information from across the organization, turn complex insights into a compelling story, and audit foundational data before automating processes. Growing businesses can also benefit from fractional advisory models that provide access to senior financial expertise without the cost of a full-time CFO. Clear accountability, strategic vision, and thoughtful risk-taking are equally important. Whether leading a finance team or running a small business, strong leaders must recognize when to solve a problem and when simply to listen. In this special compilation episode of the Level Up podcast, Nick Araco, Jr. brings together Sumeet Agrawal, Sam Levy, Albert Ramos Jr., Valerie Martin, and Phoebe Bishop. They share insights on collaboration, data quality, automation, fractional finance leadership, accountability, innovation, and people-centered decision-making to help finance leaders strengthen their organizations and create greater impact.

Sandra Bustos is the Founder and CEO of Meshly, a finance trust layer company that connects and validates data across core business systems to reduce revenue leakage and audit risk. Under her leadership, Meshly won its category on the FATE 2025 Pitch Stage and achieved SOC 2 Type II certification early in the company's development. Prior to founding Meshly, Sandra spent nearly a decade leading customer success and post-sales teams at companies including Talkdesk, Autodesk, and Dusty Robotics. Her experience working across revenue, operations, and customer success helped shape Meshly's focus on solving the data gaps that create downstream problems for finance teams. In this episode… Finance teams are being asked to move faster with AI, even when the data beneath those systems is fragmented, inconsistent, or hard to trust. How do you gain speed without sacrificing the confidence every financial decision depends on? Nearly a decade in customer success and post-sales operations shaped Sandra Bustos' belief that companies need systems of trust around their existing systems of record. She describes the approach like an octopus wrapping around CRM, contract, and financial systems to catch discrepancies without replacing the tools themselves, creating a more reliable foundation for AI and agentic workflows. That foundation can give finance the capacity and credibility to move beyond reactive cleanup and become a more strategic voice in the business. In this episode of the Level Up, Nick Araco is joined by Sandra Bustos, Founder and CEO of Meshly, to discuss building systems of trust in finance. They explore why clean data must come before AI automation, how finance can move from reactive cleanup to strategic influence, and why guardrails and auditability matter as agentic workflows grow. Sandra also shares advice on using storytelling and coaching to strengthen finance leadership.

Ahmed Hassan, CMA, is the Chief Financial Officer of Vodacom DRC, a leading telecommunications company providing digital connectivity and digital services in the Democratic Republic of Congo. With more than 24 years of experience, he has built his career across finance leadership roles in multiple Vodafone markets, rising from an early call center role to the CFO position. Ahmed also serves on the Global Board of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), contributing to the advancement of the management accounting and finance profession worldwide. In this episode… The finance function doesn't stand still because business itself never does. As technology, customer behavior, and global conditions continue to shift, how can finance leaders stay relevant without losing sight of what truly drives performance? For Ahmed Hassan, the key lies in staying "fit" for change through constant learning and a 360-degree view of the business. He argues that finance professionals must understand the forces shaping their work, from technology and supply chains to customer behavior, while using AI to accelerate analysis without sacrificing human validation and judgment. That mindset helps finance move beyond reporting into a business-partnering role that can adapt, influence decisions, and create value as conditions evolve. In this episode of the Level Up, Nick Araco is joined by Ahmed Hassan, Chief Financial Officer of Vodacom DRC, to discuss navigating the changing demands of finance leadership. They explore continuous learning, the CFO's 360-degree view of the business, and how AI is reshaping finance work. Ahmed also shares advice on staying "fit" for change and creating value through relationships.

Leslie Griffith is the Chief Financial Officer at Chickasaw Nation Industries, Inc. (CNI), a federally chartered corporation that serves federal and commercial customers while supporting the Chickasaw Nation's economic development. She joined CNI in 2007 as Director of Financial Reporting and later advanced to its top finance role. Before CNI, Leslie spent more than a decade as Controller of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation after beginning her career at Deloitte & Touche. She is a CPA and an Oklahoma State University graduate with a degree in accounting and management science. In this episode… A long tenure can become more than a career milestone; it can be a proving ground for trust, judgment, and meaningful leadership. What does it take to keep growing after spending nearly two decades within the same organization? For Leslie Griffith, the key lies in staying curious, building genuine relationships, and seeing the business beyond the numbers. Her journey taught her that technical expertise may open doors, but lasting influence comes from earning trust, understanding different perspectives, and knowing when to stand firm or admit you may be wrong. That combination helps leaders make stronger decisions, develop talented teams, and prepare their organizations for what comes next. In this episode of the Level Up, Nick Araco is joined by Leslie Griffith, Chief Financial Officer at Chickasaw Nation Industries, to discuss leadership built through longevity, trust, and continuous growth. They explore rising from within, balancing risk with bold decisions, and preparing CFOs to think like business owners. Leslie also shares advice on building relationships and developing future leaders.

Chad Blackburn is Principal at Margin Shift, an AI planning and workflow intelligence firm for accounting, legal, and private equity organizations. He works at the intersection of growth, emerging technology, capital markets, and AI-driven business transformation. Chad's experience spans Cherry Bekaert, Pathway Health Partners, MDSave, and ACS/Xerox, and he holds an MBA from Western Governors University. He is also an active speaker and educator on AI adoption, helping professionals use AI to work smarter and simplify daily tasks. In this episode… Disruption has a way of making even experienced leaders feel like they are starting from scratch. What if the best way forward is not to chase every new tool, but returning to the clearest signal of all: how your business creates value? According to Chad Blackburn, a builder and investor with deep experience in high-growth companies and emerging technologies, the answer starts with anchoring every decision to the organization's North Star. He explains that AI transformation should not be handed off as a purely technical project; leaders need to examine their workflows, identify where value is created, and decide which steps belong with people, tools, automation, or something else entirely. That shift helps teams move from fear and noise to practical action, using AI to remove friction and unlock more meaningful work. In this episode of the Level Up, Nick Araco is joined by Chad Blackburn, Principal at Margin Shift, to discuss practical strategies for thriving amidst disruption. They explore how leaders can cut through AI noise, map workflows around value creation, build trust during change, and shift from static reporting to real-time insight. Chad also shares advice on using AI through hands-on experimentation.

Phoebe Bishop is CFO at ROBRADY design, an innovative firm specializing in product design, engineering, and prototyping. She also serves as Managing Partner at Sarasota Growth Ventures, a venture capital firm supporting early-stage startups. With over two decades of experience, she is known for her hands-on, execution-focused approach and her ability to navigate complex growth and operational challenges. Phoebe brings a creative and adaptable mindset shaped by her background in art history and fine arts, and was recognized as a 2023 CFO of the Year Honoree by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. In this episode… In a world racing toward automation, it's tempting to believe technology will do the heavy lifting for us. But when the data is instant, and the answers are easy, what actually sets great leaders apart? For Phoebe Bishop, the key lies in judgment and ambiguity. Drawing from her experience navigating fast-moving, imperfect environments, she explains that leadership today isn't about waiting for perfect data — it's about making confident decisions in the gray areas and moving forward anyway. That mindset shifts finance leaders from observers to active operators, shaping outcomes rather than just reporting on them. In this episode of the Level Up, Nick Araco is joined by Phoebe Bishop, CFO at ROBRADY design, to discuss thriving as a finance leader in an AI-driven world. They explore making decisions without perfect data, the evolving role of CFOs into strategic operators, and why human relationships matter more than ever. Phoebe also shares advice on staying creative and avoiding analysis paralysis.

Valerie Martin is a Silicon Valley finance operator and strategic business partner who has guided high-growth technology companies through complex scaling, transformation, and change. She is a hands-on leader at the intersection of growth, revenue, and decision-making, partnering closely with CEOs, boards, and investors to turn strategy into results and drive sustainable impact. Known for her curiosity, storytelling acumen, and talent for building modern finance functions, Valerie brings operational rigor, critical thinking, and a passion for culture transformation to every team she leads. In this episode… Data has never been more abundant, yet many organizations still struggle to turn it into clear decisions. When every dashboard is full, and every report is accurate, leaders can still find themselves asking, 'What should we do next?' For Valerie Martin, the answer lies in curiosity and interpretation. Drawing from her experience as a finance leader who operates at the crossroads of strategy and operations, she believes numbers are only the starting point. Finance leaders must transform raw data into a narrative that reveals what matters, what decisions are needed, and where the business should go next. When finance teams master that storytelling layer, they move beyond reporting and become catalysts for faster, smarter action across the company. In this episode of the Level Up, Nick Araco is joined by Valerie Martin to discuss how finance leaders can turn data into decisions that drive real business impact. They explore the role curiosity plays in strategic finance, why storytelling is becoming a critical skill for CFOs, and how modern finance teams interpret data across functions. Valerie also shares advice on building courageous, adaptable teams that thrive in a fast-changing, AI-driven world.

Justin Norton, CPA, MAcc, is the Chief Financial Officer at Brekhus Tile & Stone, a Denver-based commercial and residential construction company specializing in high-quality tile and stone installations. Under his financial leadership, the company has strengthened operational discipline and driven meaningful process improvement. He is known for transforming complex accounting environments into scalable, efficient systems that support execution and growth. Justin brings a rare combination of deep technical expertise and hands-on operational experience, honed in construction and other project-based businesses. In this episode… Change is accelerating rapidly, but most finance teams were designed for a slower, more predictable world. When volatility is the norm and expectations keep rising, what actually allows a finance organization to stay agile without breaking under pressure? For Justin Norton, the key lies in finance stepping out of its silo and into the real work of the business. Drawing from his experience as a hands-on finance operator, he explains that resilience comes from clean data, strong judgment, and deep trust with operations, not from building more reports. When finance becomes the connective tissue across teams, it stops reacting to change and starts shaping smarter decisions before problems escalate. In this episode of the Level Up, Nick Araco is joined by Justin Norton, Chief Financial Officer at Brekhus Tile & Stone, to discuss building agile and resilient finance teams in a rapidly changing world. They explore why finance must act as the tip of the spear across the organization, how judgment and prioritization matter more than dashboards, and what it takes to turn messy data into actionable insight.

Andrew D. Platt is the Chief Financial Officer at Freed Associates, a healthcare consulting firm specializing in strategic advisory and operational improvement for healthcare organizations. With over 20 years of finance and business experience, he helps organizations bring order to complexity and build strong financial discipline. During his career, he has worked across consulting, e-commerce, logistics, and business-to-business service industries. Andrew holds an MBA from the R.H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, a BA in history and politics from Oberlin College, and a certificate in financial accounting from Harvard Business School. In this episode… Leadership in finance has never been louder or more crowded with opinions. With new tools, new risks, and constant disruption pulling attention in every direction, how do leaders decide what actually matters when the pressure is on? According to Andrew D. Platt, a seasoned finance leader shaped by time in the trenches, the answer is staying anchored to fundamentals. He believes real leadership isn't about chasing every new trend but about creating value with imperfect data and having the credibility to challenge assumptions. By focusing on what he calls the "big fish below the surface," leaders can cut through noise and guide their teams with clarity when uncertainty is highest. In this episode of the Level Up, Nick Araco is joined by Andrew D. Platt, Chief Financial Officer at Freed Associates, to discuss mastering leadership in finance amid disruption. They explore how CFOs make decisions without perfect information, why legitimacy comes from real operational experience, and how leaders balance speed with discipline. Andrew also shares advice on building resilient teams and preparing finance organizations for an AI-driven future.

Daniel Nelson is a Fractional CFO and Partner at Tech Brainstorm, where he helps founders and growth-stage companies bring order, strategy, and speed to their finance functions. Tech Brainstorm specializes in building investor-ready financial models and scalable operations for innovative businesses. Over his 15+ year career, Daniel has supported more than 40 startups and high-growth companies, helping them raise capital, navigate M&A, and design finance teams that drive strategic outcomes. He is also an active educator, teaching Startup Economics 101 to help entrepreneurs understand the power of finance in scaling their businesses. In this episode… Sometimes, the finance function feels like the last place anyone goes looking for clarity. Data pours in from every direction, systems pile on top of one another, and leaders are expected to somehow make sense of it all. But what if clarity isn't a luxury, but rather the real strategic advantage that finance leaders can create? And what happens when the job isn't just reporting what happened but shaping what happens next? According to Daniel Nelson, a seasoned guide for founders navigating financial chaos, the answer starts with making the complex useful. He believes that finance earns its power when it helps people understand their business, not just measure it. Drawing on years of experience transforming early-stage companies, he explains how the right structures, tools, and conversations can transform scattered data into meaningful decision points. In his view, the real value of the finance leader lies in their ability to connect dots across people, processes, and systems, enabling teams to move forward with confidence. In this episode of the Level Up, Nick Araco is joined by Daniel Nelson, Fractional CFO and Partner at Tech Brainstorm, to discuss how finance leaders can build clarity and strategic value in fast-moving companies. They explore what it takes to modernize finance operations, how to turn KPIs into practical growth tools, and why real-time data only matters if teams know how to use it. Daniel also gives advice on navigating founder–finance tension and building trust that enables better decision-making.

Rho Lind is the CFO & COO at Mood.com, an online retailer specializing in federally legal hemp-derived cannabis products. He is a finance and operations executive specializing in leading both startups and established companies through transformative growth. Prior to joining Mood, Rho served as Senior Vice President of Finance & Operations at ONE Jeanswear Group and as Senior Director of Financial Planning & Analytics at Polo Ralph Lauren. Throughout his career, he has led capital raises, streamlined global operations, and fostered strong cultures that support organizations during periods of rapid change. In this episode… Some leaders rise by pushing harder, but others rise by letting go. It is surprising how often real influence comes from being open rather than being in control. What happens when a finance leader decides that vulnerability is not a weakness but the starting point for genuine impact? Rho Lind believes the first move is changing your mental framework. Drawing from his experience as a seasoned strategic leader, he explains that leadership starts with the courage to stop pretending you have all the answers. From there, he builds a team of people who are smarter than he is, encourages them to challenge him, and keeps his focus on thinking ahead rather than getting lost in the day-to-day. He views leadership as a blend of learning and teaching, rooted in humility and a willingness to acknowledge mistakes. For Rho, authenticity is what inspires people to grow and face uncertainty with confidence. In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco is joined by Rho Lind, CFO and COO at Mood.com, to discuss how authenticity transforms modern finance leadership. They explore why leaders must surround themselves with smarter people, how to operate with foresight instead of reactivity, and what it takes to lead through volatility with clarity. Rho also shares advice on balancing data with intuition to make stronger decisions.

Tracie Williams is the President & CEO of SONGWON International Americas, Inc., part of SONGWON Industrial Group, where she oversees operations across North and South America. SONGWON is the world's second-largest manufacturer of polymer stabilizers and a global leader in specialty chemicals. She specializes in global strategy, planning, risk management, and financial control to drive revenue and profitability. Tracie began her career as an art teacher before transitioning into finance, a journey that shaped her people-focused leadership style and commitment to empowering teams and transforming culture. In this episode… In times of rapid change and relentless uncertainty, even the most seasoned leaders can struggle to stay centered. As organizations grow and the pace of innovation accelerates, how do leaders maintain their authenticity, remain people-focused, and continue to lead with heart instead of reaction? Tracie Williams, a former art teacher and now a finance executive, believes the essential factor is remaining true to both your team and your mission. She emphasizes that growth and transformation begin not with technology or automation but with trust, connection, and clarity. By leading with intention, Tracie believes leaders can transform chaos into clarity and empower their teams to adapt with confidence. Her approach, rooted in empathy and presence, reveals how authentic leadership creates alignment and lasting impact even amid disruption. In this episode of Level Up, Nick Araco sits down with Tracie Williams, President & CEO of SONGWON International Americas, Inc., to discuss staying grounded and authentic while navigating uncertainty. They discuss how to lead with intention in times of change, why people (not technology) drive real transformation, and how to build clarity from chaos. Tracie also shares how her creative roots continue to shape her leadership philosophy today.