Revisiting: Chris Ortega on What Makes a Great CFO (Hint: They're Not Just a 'Human Calculator')

<p>In this episode, hosts Lauren and Alex sit down with Chris Ortega, the CEO and founder of Fresh FP&amp;A.</p><p>Chris shares his inspiring career journey, from his early passion for finance to roles at Ernst &amp; Young and leadership positions in fast growing software and pharmaceutical companies.</p><p>He discusses the foundation and philosophy behind Fresh FP&amp;A, highlighting its focus on being Financial Partners and Advisors - and why all internal finance teams should position themselves the same way!</p><p>The conversation delves into the necessity of thinking like a business person for success in finance leadership, and why a collaborative approach that builds strong business partnerships with other departments is key.</p><p>Chris also emphasizes the role of emotional intelligence, authenticity, and learning from failure as key components of effective leadership.</p><p>This episode is rich with personal anecdotes and professional insights, illustrating how CFOs can inspire and empower their organizations beyond traditional financial metrics.</p><p>We hope you enjoy the episode!00:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction00:22 Chris Ortega&#39;s Background and Career Journey02:12 The Role of CFOs and CEOs06:56 Transitioning to CEO and Fresh FP&amp;A14:43 Building Collaborative Finance Teams18:41 The Consultative Approach in Finance19:38 The Power of Empathy in Finance20:55 The Concept of First Team22:11 Balancing IQ and EQ25:39 Embracing Failure as a CFO30:24 Inspiring Leadership and Authenticity33:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts</p><p>Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freshcfo/</p><p>Connect with Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexlouisy/</p><p>Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenepearl/</p><p>Want to get in touch? Reach out to our producer at joseph.sweeney@upflow.io</p><p>Want to recommend a guest? Apply via our form: https://insights.upflow.io/apply-to-be-a-guest-on-the-growth-minded-cfo-podcast</p>