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.

CFO SUCCESS AWARD- TECHNOLOGY

The CFO who has led technological improvements across the organization that have resulted in significant enhancement in operations, productivity, information, and/or profitability. The judges looked for a CFO who was a big part of his or her organization’s technology transformation.

TALIA GRIEP

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, BENJAMIN MOORE

“To be a CFO innovating with technology is to realize that the focus needs to be on a good implementation and all that entails, but more importantly, it is to be focused on the processes around the new technology and the people who perform those processes. Change management is vital to any good implementation. Continuous process improvement is an area of focus as well. Good and trusted advisers are key. … If you are innovating at any level, then you know that there are no sure things. The implementation could be rough, and you’d then have customer, vendor, and/or employee dissatisfaction. You could have cumbersome processes or a rejection due to poor change management. If you are pushing for change, the status quo will always push back. What makes for success is overcoming the doubt and persevering. …The main deterrent to innovation in a finance organization is that most people and organizations do not like or accept change easily. Many a career has been dashed on the shoals of the status quo. The key is to get buy-in one way or another and to push through the difficult spots. The process is not for the faint of heart, but the outcome is worth it.”

FINALISTS FOR CFO SUCCESS AWARD- TECHNOLOGY

Jorge Garcia, Chief Financial Officer, D&M Holdings

Ryan Kennedy, Chief Financial Officer, Holy Name Medical Center

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.

CFO SUCCESS AWARD- OPERATIONS

The CFO who has led improvements across the organization in culture, process, productivity, and/or operational performance. This CFO has impacted the bottom line and is more strategic in the way he or she operates, says Tim Anglim, lead judge.

BILL BALDWIN

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, KEPNER-TREGOE, INC.

“Through a demonstrated understanding of the company’s operations and strategy, combined with the ability to make balanced decisions that are from a business perspective, not just financial, a CFO can add significant value to a company’s operations. … [However,] most people working in Finance are risk averse by nature, so inherently any major decisions that push the boundaries and create risk will generally create doubt. How CFOs approach these decisions and the related risks is critical and can be the difference between being a valued member of the leadership team or being the person who always says ‘No’ and potentially slows or prevents the business from meeting its strategic, operational, and financial growth objectives. Key business decisions should be made through a well-defined decision-making process, which includes clear objectives through which a series of alternatives can be evaluated based on data, so that the best-balanced choice is made. Even that best-balanced choice will have some level of risk, but if the risks are understood, preventative actions are in place, and corrective actions are planned if those risks come true, the impact on the business can be minimized. If decisions are approached in this manner, a CFO can have confidence that he or she has made the best decision and understands the risks and corrective actions to take if those risks occur.”

FINALISTS FOR CFO SUCCESS AWARD- OPERATIONS

Steve O’Connell, Chief Financial Officer, Lenox Corporation

Vladimiro Sinatti, Chief Financial Officer, Ferrero USA

Rob Weingartz, Chief Financial Officer, Arrow Finance (a Masco Company)

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.

CFO SUCCESS AWARD- FINANCE DEPARTMENT

The CFO who has driven enhanced financial performance across the financial function and/or finance department of the organization. The judges looked for accomplishments specifically in finance, as opposed to across the whole company.

CRAIG STEENECK

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, PINNACLE FOODS

“A CFO focusing on innovation ensures that the finance function is heavily involved in the strategic decision-making of the business. He or she partners with the key leaders in the business to help drive decisions that have the best financial consequences. [While the CFO is focused on innovating the finance function,] the CFO’s team works tirelessly with other functions to support and guide them to make the best decisions possible.”

FINALISTS FOR CFO SUCCESS AWARD- FINANCE DEPARTMENT

Vince Abate, Chief Financial Officer, Metem Corporation

Anthony Conte, Chief Financial Officer, EPAM Systems

Jeffrey Dale, Chief Financial Officer, Federal Reserve Office of Employee Benefits

Cheryl Marks Young, Chief Financial Officer, Easter Seals New Jersey