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As Seen in CFO Studio Magazine Q3 2016 Issue

THE WINNERS OF THE 2016 CFO INNOVATION AWARDS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ON STAYING AHEAD OF THE CURVE

Innovators are men and women who make a difference in their chosen endeavors. Through their energy, leadership, identification of opportunities and risks, big thinking, unwavering dedication, and farsightedness, the 12 CFOs being honored this year are bettering 12 companies or tax-exempt organizations. Their bold actions have brought increased resources and/or respect to their employers. We asked each of the winners what they would say about CFOs as innovators. Several spoke about creating or carrying forward the company’s strategy. Others mentioned getting the most from their team. What these CFOs do every day is not unique, but it is highly successful because they have clear goals, leadership agility, and a plan for dealing with risk.

SMALL MARKET COMPANIES CFO THINKING BIG AWARD

The CFO who has overcome the small company mind-set, has instilled a sophisticated management style into the company, and has inspired leadership, employees, and other partners to grow and succeed, despite limited resources and against larger and more formidable competitors.

jenniffercollins

JENNIFFER COLLINS

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, TELIGENT

“Innovation is often synonymous with risk-taking, which on the surface might seem counterintuitive for a CFO to embrace. But in a small-market company, you are constantly doing things for the first time. That elevates the risk profile, but we can’t let risk alone hold us back from exploring new growth opportunities. I believe what our team does well at Teligent is to plan well whenever possible, but, more importantly, we stay flexible. Our goal is to identify a problem or opportunity quickly, and then to resolve it and move forward. We constantly balance the needs of the organization with an estimate of both the risk and opportunity, and then we develop a reasonable, effective, and efficient solution. In order to be an innovative small-market CFO, you need to possess the vision to see the future, the ability to hire great people, and the insight to know, in order to be a great team captain, you have to be a great teammate.”

FINALISTS FOR SMALL MARKET COMPANIES CFO THINKING BIG AWARD

Andy Kaplan, Chief Financial Officer, DonorsChoose.org

Brendon Scott, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Nat Sherman, Inc.

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