For Carrie Kruse, CPA, CGMA, mental clarity is one goal of going on vacation. Also, Kruse likes to be tested while away from her job as economic development administrator for Iowa’s capital city, Des Moines. In Kruse’s words, she loves “to be challenged in ways outside of my professional sphere.” Recently, that challenge was a hike of more than 100 mountainous miles in Europe.

That challenge also meant she unplugged from work for two weeks, which helped to ensure she returned to Iowa refreshed.

This conversation is the first of a three-episode road trip to the Midwest with a theme of summer travel and the importance of taking time away. Episodes with finance leaders in Nebraska and South Dakota are coming later in the summer.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

· The particulars of Kruse’s economic development role.

· Why she says that Des Moines punches above its weight.

· The type of vacation Kruse takes depending on the time of year.

· How a recent trip to Europe underscored the importance of unplugging.

· The value of serving on the Government Performance and Accountability Committee.

The podcast is taking a break from full episode posting this week. Listen to previous episodes by visiting the podcast homepage, or find the show on the podcast app of your choice.

Here’s a brief explanation from host Neil Amato about what’s to come on the show later in the summer.

“It feels like we were out at sea. We got washed overboard by a big wave and we’re floating around in life vests, and wave after wave of transformation is washing over us.”

Those were the words of a corporate finance leader a few years back to Tom Hood, CPA/CITP, CGMA, executive vice president–Business Growth & Engagement for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants.

The feeling of being knocked back by seemingly nonstop changes in the business environment is a common one — so common that it’s a recurring theme for a group of finance leaders Hood formed about five years ago.

In this episode, Hood explains more about the “learn to surf” mantra and the top challenges facing finance leaders today. In a December JofA podcast appearance, he summarized the fourth Future of Finance Summit.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

· The best way to handle the “intense” waves of transformation.

· How a philosopher’s words have helped Hood and colleagues work with hundreds of corporate finance teams on transformation.

· Some of Hood’s favorite summer leisure activities.

· The top challenges facing finance leaders.

· His advice for creating more engaging LinkedIn posts.

· A shout-out to a retiring colleague.