The Role Forward



Episode 31
In this episode, our host Joe Michalowski welcomes Scott Stouffer, CEO and founder of scaleMatters. They discuss fundraising during a recession and why people are hesitant to invest in new companies. Scott and our host Joe Michalowski discuss what makes a company investible and what companies can do to become more efficient with their go-to-market motions.
Welcome to the Role Forward.
The Role Forward is a podcast for the next wave of finance leaders. The ones looking to transform their roles by making smarter, faster, and more profitable business decisions using the power of technology and a forward-looking approach to finance.
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Episode 31 | March 13, 2023
In this episode, our host Joe Michalowski welcomes Scott Stouffer, CEO and founder of scaleMatters. They discuss fundraising during a recession and why people are hesitant to invest in new companies. Scott and our host Joe Michalowski discuss what makes a company investible and what companies can do to become more efficient with their go-to-market motions.

Episode 30 | February 27, 2023
In this episode, our host Joe Michalowski welcomes Edwine Alphonse, a controller at Ramp. They talk about the biggest challenges with NetSuite implementation, tips for tackling some common issues, and the importance of cleaning your data before you start the process.

Episode 29 | February 13, 2023
In this episode, our host Joe Michalowski welcomes Chris Ortega, the CEO of Fresh FP&A, which provides fractional CFO and advisory services to help a business transform and grow its finance function. Chris describes the Fresh FP&A approach, what it means to be fresh in finance, and how to become a strategic partner for department and executive leaders. Joe and Chris also discuss how to scale your finance team, improve the month-end close process, and finance trends to keep in mind for 2023.

Episode 28 | January 23, 2023
In this episode, our host Joe Michalowski welcomes Peter Nesbitt, an early-stage startup advisor, investor, and founder who previously rose through the ranks of finance to an executive seat. They talk about Peter’s unique career path, tips for taking your own career to the next level, and why empowerment is a superpower.

Episode 27 | January 9, 2023
Ramp’s Head of Finance and Capital Markets, Alex Song, and Mosaic Co-Founder and COO Joe Garafalo discuss Joe’s career journey and how it benefits prospects and customers, the key financial hires for a new company, and how to leverage software to get the deepest insights.

Episode 26 | December 26, 2022
Bijan Moallemi, Mosaic CEO and co-founder, covers how you can get the most out of financial storytelling vs. financial reporting. He also discusses how to take your storytelling to the next level by embracing a customer service mindset across the organization, and understanding and presenting specific metrics that impact the company’s growth at the right time.
Episode 25 | December 12, 2022
Brian Weisberg, CFO at Tidelift, breaks down some key heuristics to use in your forecasting with a big focus on the headcount planning side of the process. He also discusses the importance of understanding the business’s goals, why you need to be realistic with expectations, and why companies should invest early in a financial position.

Episode 24 | November 28, 2022
Lauren Bahr, VP of Finance at Occupier, discusses the destiny of spreadsheets and Excel, why people still use them despite technological advances, how to keep the finance and accounting professions alive, and why the future of finance lies in automation.