Leadership
How Former Wayfair Executive Michael Fleisher Builds a 'Deeply Engaged' Board Model
Former Wayfair CFO and Gartner CEO Michael Fleisher currently serves on the boards of four companies, including recently being appointed as the audit committee chair of wholesale retail platform Faire. He believes that a board role that merely attends four meetings a year and provides oversight is 'not truly interesting,' and he seeks to practically help business teams improve. This article explores his philosophy of board engagement, experience with growth stages, and advice for CFOs joining a board for the first time.
OneStream completes $6.4 billion privatization deal, Hg becomes controlling shareholder
OneStream has become a private company again after completing its $6.4 billion privatization deal with Hg, with its Class A common stock ceasing to trade on Nasdaq and the leadership team unchanged. Founder and CEO Tom Shea stated that with Hg's partnership, the company will accelerate innovation and expand its global scale.
OpenAI Calls for Revisiting Tax Policies to Embrace the AI-Driven New Economic Era
In its latest policy paper, OpenAI urges policymakers to consider adjusting the tax system to address potential economic transformations brought by AI, including risks such as tax base erosion and wealth concentration. The paper proposes increasing capital-related taxes, exploring automation labor taxes, and suggests measures like public wealth funds, welfare improvements, and pilot programs for a four-day workweek to ensure broader sharing of AI's benefits.
Former ADM CFO Denies SEC Accounting Fraud Allegations
Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) former CFO Vikram Luthar filed a 61-page legal document on March 27, item-by-item denying the core allegations in the accounting fraud lawsuit brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in January. Luthar's attorneys also argue that their client reasonably relied on the advice of qualified accounting and auditing professionals from both within ADM and independent third parties, and that the claims should be dismissed in whole or in part.
Oracle appoints former Schneider Electric executive Hilary Maxson as CFO to address surge in AI spending
Oracle announced on Monday that Hilary Maxson, former CFO of Schneider Electric, has officially taken over as the company's chief financial officer, succeeding Doug Kehring. Maxson will lead financial operations to support the company's aggressive expansion in AI and data centers. Her compensation package includes a base salary of $950,000, a target performance bonus of $2.5 million, and $26 million in equity grants.
Broadcom Appoints Alphabet Chief Accounting Officer as New CFO
Broadcom announced on Thursday that Alphabet's Chief Accounting Officer, Amie Thuener, will become the company's Chief Financial Officer, effective June 12. Current CFO Kirsten Spears will retire and serve as an advisor for nine months to ensure a smooth transition. Thuener will receive an annual salary of $700,000, a target bonus of 100%, and equity incentives of 100,000 shares.
Beyond Appoints The Container Store's Treasurer as New CFO and Advances Multiple Acquisitions
Beyond announced in a securities filing on Thursday the appointment of Brian LaRose, currently Treasurer of The Container Store, as CFO, effective April 28. This move is related to the company's acquisition of The Container Store, and Beyond also signed agreements to acquire Elfa and Closet Works.
AI accounts for about a quarter of U.S. layoffs in March
U.S. layoffs in March rose 25% month-over-month, with AI becoming the largest single cause for the first time; the technology sector led with 18,720 layoffs, and developments at companies such as Dell, Oracle, and Meta are drawing attention.
Cybersecurity Increasingly Becomes a Core Issue for CFOs: Microsoft Perspective
Microsoft published a new article stating that cybersecurity is evolving from an IT technical issue into a financial risk, requiring CFOs to engage more deeply in cyber risk management. The U.S. recorded 3,322 data breaches in 2025, a 79% year-over-year increase; JLR's sales dropped by 43% due to a cyberattack. IBM data shows the average cost of a U.S. data breach reached $10.22 million, a historic high.
Sokin's New CFO Focuses on North American Market Opportunities
Tom Steer, the new CFO of London-based cross-border payment company Sokin, said in an interview that there are "enormous opportunities" in the North American market. The company plans to increase investment in North America, leveraging the Series B funding completed in December last year (valued at $300 million) and the $100 million debt financing obtained in January this year, while advancing emerging payment solutions like stablecoins. Steer joined Sokin in October last year, having previously worked at fintech investment bank FT Partners.