Veteran finance professional Melissa Howatson is so passionate about the role finance plays in helping organizations reach their potential that she hosts a podcast about it: The CFO Show. The CFO of Toronto-based Vena Solutions, Howatson has a wealth of experience in finance and consulting. In 2021, as CFO and board member of D2L, she led the global learning technology company’s IPO.
A CPA, Howatson started The CFO Show in September 2023 for two reasons. Her most valuable learning experiences came from hearing about the journeys of other finance executives, for one. Two, “Having fantastic mentors and participating in CFO groups exposed me to a wealth of knowledge. I wanted to create a platform where finance professionals could gain similar insights from a wider range of experienced individuals,” she says.
Our Katie Kuehner-Hebert spoke with Howatson about why a full-time CFO would start a podcast and how the program benefits finance chiefs.
Did you have any experience in podcasting before launching The CFO Show?
It was a personal challenge. While I was excited about the idea, it was outside my comfort zone. I’m always up for pushing my boundaries, which was a motivating factor in getting The CFO Show off the ground.
What kind of listeners are you trying to reach?
My goal is to reach a broad audience within the finance profession. Early-career professionals can benefit from the knowledge and insights our guests share. The show also offers seasoned professionals opportunities to stay current on trends and gain fresh perspectives.
Additionally, anyone interested in the operational side of business or looking to develop their business and financial acumen for career advancement will find valuable content.
What topics do you cover?
The CFO Show explores a wide range of subjects relevant to finance professionals. We delve into how technology, like AI, is impacting the field. We discuss strategies for effectively scaling financial operations and best practices for FP&A. Understanding and utilizing key business metrics is crucial, so we also cover that.
The capital markets and their influence are explored, as well as talent acquisition strategies for attracting Gen Zers to finance. We also cover economic predictions. The importance of cybersecurity in today’s world is not lost on us; we address that as well.
Beyond these core finance topics, we have a special “business partnering series.” I interview C-Suite executives such as CIOs, CTOs, CMOs, CROs, CHROs and CEOs. The goal is to explore how finance can best partner with other departments. Those interviews often reveal what these executives wish finance knew about their specific areas of expertise, fostering better collaboration across the organization.
What do you get out of hosting the podcast?
I gain several things personally. It’s a tremendous learning opportunity. Meeting accomplished guests with diverse experiences allows me to constantly learn and grow from their insights. The challenge of developing new topics, preparing for interviews and formulating my commentary keeps me intellectually stimulated.
In addition, hearing about our guests’ experiences and their advice for other finance executives inspires me to push myself further in my leadership journey. The podcast encourages me to reflect on my career and share those reflections with the audience. That process of self-reflection is valuable for me.
On a broader scale, amplifying experiences and sparking thought-provoking discussions throughout the finance community is incredibly motivating. It’s about making us all collectively stronger in our professional journeys.
Hosting the show also offers a refreshing change of pace from my daily CFO role. It allows me to explore a different avenue and use a different skill set.
And let me tell you, there’s a certain satisfaction when my kids come home and say, “Mom, did you know that was the CFO of the Kansas City Chiefs or Microsoft Americas you were talking to?” It’s subtly influencing their perception of the finance field!
