Growth often looks impressive from the outside. New markets, new capabilities and new headlines. But as organizations scale, leaders quickly discover that growth is the visible part. Integration is the real work.

In this episode of The CFO Show, Melissa Howatson sits down with Jim Peko, CEO of Grant Thornton Advisors LLC, to discuss one of the most significant transformations in the firm’s 100-year history. As Grant Thornton evolves from a traditional partnership model into a unified multinational platform bringing together nearly 20 firms and 25,000 professionals, Jim shares lessons on governance, leadership, culture and long-term value creation.

Together, they explore:

• Why true transformation requires more than incremental change
• How governance structures can accelerate or hinder growth
• The difference between acquisition and integration, and why integration creates value
• How leaders can balance global consistency with local autonomy
• Why transparency and communication matter during periods of change
• How AI and technology investments support quality, scalability and client outcomes
• Leadership lessons from transforming a 100-year-old organization

Whether leading a major acquisition, scaling internationally or modernizing a legacy business, this conversation offers practical insights for CFOs and enterprise leaders navigating transformation at scale.

The path to becoming a CFO is rarely linear. In today’s environment of constant change, finance leaders are expected to move between strategy, operations, and capital markets while developing the judgment needed to navigate uncertainty and drive growth.

In this episode of The CFO Show, Melissa Howatson speaks with Greg Mrva, Chief Financial Officer of GoFundMe, about how varied career experiences shape stronger finance leaders. Drawing on decades of experience across investment banking, public company leadership, and high-growth technology businesses, Greg shares how moving between roles builds pattern recognition, resilience, and better decision-making. His journey from investment banking to CFO offers a practical lens on how finance leaders can expand their capabilities over time.

Together, they explore:

• Why non-linear career paths create stronger CFOs
• How experience in banking and operating roles builds strategic insight
• Lessons from integrating acquisitions and building unified teams
• How GoFundMe is scaling a platform at the intersection of money, trust and technology
• The role of AI in accelerating finance workflows and decision-making
• How to develop “range of motion” across strategy, operations and analytics
• The critical skills CFOs need to lead in environments defined by ambiguity and change

Whether building a finance career, leading transformation, or preparing for the next generation of CFO leadership, this conversation offers practical insights on adaptability, growth, and long-term success.

Business agility has become a defining capability for organizations operating in today’s environment of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). But while many companies focus on operational flexibility or technology investments, fewer understand the critical role finance plays in enabling true agility across the business.

In this episode of The CFO Show, Melissa Howatson speaks with Mitch Max, founder of BetterVu and Executive in Residence for the Association of Financial Professionals, about what separates organizations that survive from those that thrive during disruption. Drawing on research and decades of experience in enterprise performance management, Mitch shares how agility is less about tools and more about culture, decision-making, and embedded finance leadership.

Together, they explore:

• The difference between finance agility and true business agility
• Why only a small percentage of companies outperform during volatility
• The “sense, decide, act” model for faster, more effective decision-making
• How finance teams act as early warning systems and strategic partners
• The role of EPM systems in enabling real-time planning and collaboration
• How to manage data overload and focus on actionable insights
• Where AI is delivering value today, from automation to advanced analytics

Whether navigating economic uncertainty, implementing new planning systems, or redefining the role of finance, this conversation offers practical guidance for CFOs and finance leaders looking to build more agile, resilient organizations.