We help companies identify and hire the right type of CFO — based on years of being a CFO and direct exposure to finance leaders through the CFO Leadership Council.
They struggle to choose the right one. Because the real question is not:
That’s where most searches go wrong.
Most hiring mistakes happen here — companies hire the wrong type, not the wrong person.
Builds discipline, controls, and execution. Right for companies that need to professionalize finance.
Drives planning, insights, and decision-making. Right for companies ready to use finance as a competitive advantage.
Fundraising, investors, transactions. Right for companies preparing for capital events.
Leads transformation as the business grows. Right for companies outgrowing their current finance function.
We ask the questions others miss. Before we present a single candidate, we invest time understanding your company — the business context, culture, leadership team dynamics, the challenges the new executive will inherit, and what success looks like at six months, one year, and three years.
Because our leaders have spent careers in these communities, we don’t start from scratch. We activate our networks with precision. We know who’s open, who’s ready, and who’s worth pursuing even if they’re not actively looking.
We evaluate like an operator, not a recruiter. Every finalist goes through structured interviews, reference conversations that go beyond standard checks, and a cultural fit evaluation that looks at how the candidate will actually function in your specific environment.
We present people we would hire ourselves. We don’t send a long list and ask you to figure it out. We present a curated slate with our recommendation — including reasoning on each candidate’s strengths, development areas, and cultural fit. Most searches move from intake to finalist in 30–60 days.
We’re not done when the offer is accepted. Our engagement continues through onboarding and into the first six months. If the placement doesn’t work out for any reason, you choose: a full replacement search at no additional charge, or a refund of your initial fee.
We structure our work so our success is tied to yours. If the CFO is not successful within six months, we conduct a replacement search at no additional cost or refund your fee.
We’ll help you determine what kind of CFO you actually need — and whether a search is the right step.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
