12 Game-Changing CFOs & Finance Leaders Reshaping Finance in 2025

In an era where finance meets technology, leadership isn't just about managing numbers anymore. The modern CFOs & Finance leaders wear multiple hats - strategist, storyteller, tech evangelist, and mentor. As we navigate through 2025, we've curated a list of the most influential finance leaders who are not just adapting to change but actively shaping the future of finance. From fintech innovators to Excel wizards, from SaaS specialists to AI pioneers, these leaders represent the diverse faces of modern financial leadership.

The New Wave of Fintech Leadership

The finance industry is experiencing a seismic shift, with fintech pioneers leading the charge in reshaping how we think about money, technology, and innovation. These leaders aren't just adapting to change – they're actively creating it, building the infrastructure that will power tomorrow's financial systems. Among these trailblazers, two standout figures are making waves that ripple far beyond their organizations

Chris Ortega

Chris Ortega (Fresh CFO) stands out as a dynamic fractional CFO and thought leader who's revolutionizing how growing businesses approach financial leadership. As the Founder & CEO of Fresh FP&A, he brings over two decades of finance experience to help growing small and medium-sized businesses with revenues between $1M-$70M achieve financial clarity and confidence.

What makes Chris particularly worth following is his unique blend of traditional financial expertise and modern business acumen. His background includes significant roles at companies like Emarsys (acquired by SAP) and Covance, where he managed global finance operations and led strategic growth initiatives. But it's his current mission that truly sets him apart - transforming how SMBs approach financial leadership through his fractional CFO and advisory services.

On LinkedIn, Chris consistently shares valuable insights about financial leadership, strategic planning, and business growth strategies. His content is particularly valuable for business owners and finance professionals looking to understand the intersection of modern finance and business strategy. As a former amateur boxer turned CEO, he brings an energetic and fresh view to finance that resonates with both traditional and emerging business leaders.

With over 30,000 followers, Chris's LinkedIn presence offers a perfect blend of practical financial wisdom and forward-thinking leadership insights. Whether you're a SMB CEO, Owner or Founder looking to grow your company or a finance professional seeking to stay ahead of industry trends, his thought leadership provides actionable insights for navigating today's complex business landscape.

Why Follow:

• Gain practical insights for scaling SMBs ($1M-$70M revenue range)

• Learn modern approaches to fractional CFO services

• Access an energetic, fresh view on finance.

• Get actionable strategies for business growth

Linas Beliūnas

Linas Beliūnas is a standout figure in the fintech landscape, currently serving as the Director of Revenue at Zero Hash. With over six years of dedicated expertise in fintech, Linas has been instrumental in driving innovation and scaling operations in digital asset infrastructure. His contributions at Flutterwave, where he led European expansion and established Flutterwave Lithuania, solidify his reputation as a leader in financial technology.

Linas's passion for reimagining finance is evident in his highly-followed LinkedIn posts and his newsletter, which boasts over 111,000 subscribers. Whether it's his insights on blockchain, artificial intelligence, or groundbreaking shifts in fintech, Linas consistently provides thought-provoking content that resonates with professionals globally.

His academic background, including studies at Harvard University, complements his hands-on experience, making him a thought leader worth following. As a prolific connector and advocate for digital innovation, Linas continues to influence how finance meets technology, earning his place among the "12 Game-Changing CFOs & Finance Leaders Reshaping Finance in 2025"

Why Follow:

• Get cutting-edge insights on fintech trends and blockchain technology

• Learn about scaling fintech operations across international markets

• Access thoughtful analysis of where digital finance is heading

• Stay updated on innovative financial infrastructure solutions

Where Tech Meets Finance: The Modern CFO

While fintech innovators are busy building the rails of future finance, another remarkable group of leaders is transforming how established tech companies approach financial stewardship. These aren't your traditional number-crunchers – they're strategic visionaries who understand that in today's digital economy, the role of CFO extends far beyond the balance sheet. Leading this charge are three exceptional leaders who demonstrate how finance roles are evolving in the tech-first world.

Gina Mastantuono

If you're looking for a CFO who keeps it real while crushing it in the tech world, Gina Mastantuono should be on your radar. As ServiceNow's CFO, she's not your typical numbers person – she's the kind of leader who believes in the power of storytelling in finance (yes, you read that right!).

What I love about following Gina is how she breaks down complex financial concepts into digestible insights. One minute she's celebrating ServiceNow's entry into the Fortune 500, and the next she's sharing personal stories about mentorship or writing about why finance teams need to master the art of storytelling. No corporate jargon, just genuine leadership wisdom.

Before taking the helm at ServiceNow in 2020, Gina cut her teeth at big names like Ingram Micro and Revlon. Now she's helping steer ServiceNow through explosive growth – we're talking $10 billion in annual contract value kind of growth. But what makes her content so refreshing is that she's not just about the numbers. She openly discusses the importance of purpose, shares her thoughts on AI in finance, and champions women in tech leadership.

Here's the kicker – while most CFOs might stick to dry financial updates, Gina gets personal. She recently shared how she tackles big questions like "What is my north star?" at the start of each year. It's this mix of financial savvy and authentic leadership that makes her LinkedIn feed a goldmine for anyone in finance or tech.

Oh, and did I mention she sits on the boards of Roblox and Gong? Talk about having your finger on the pulse of what's next in tech. With over 28,000 followers hanging on her every post, Gina's definitely someone you want in your LinkedIn feed if you're serious about understanding where finance leadership is headed.

Why Follow:

• Learn how to blend storytelling with financial leadership

• Get insights into scaling tech companies to Fortune 500 status

• Understand the intersection of AI and finance

• Access authentic leadership perspectives from a top tech CFO

Gillian Munson

Ever wondered what happens when Wall Street meets Silicon Valley? Meet Gillian Munson, the financial mastermind who's currently steering the ship as CFO at Vimeo. But don't let that title fool you – she's far from your typical number-cruncher.

Here's what makes Gillian's feed worth your time: she's got this fascinating knack for spotting the next big thing. Before landing at Vimeo, she spent time as a Venture Partner at Union Square Ventures, literally shaping the future of tech investments. And while most CFOs stick to their lane, Gillian decided to shake things up by taking the financial reins at Iora Health, proving she's not afraid to jump industries when innovation calls.

But here's where it gets really interesting – she's playing in multiple leagues at once. While running finances at Vimeo, she's also sharing her wisdom in the boardrooms of Duolingo (yes, that language learning app you probably have on your phone) and Phreesia. Talk about keeping your finger on the pulse of tech!

What I love most about following Gillian is her refreshing take on leadership. She's not just posting quarterly results – she's sharing real stories about trusting your gut (even when the "experts" say otherwise) and navigating the complex world of tech finance. Her recent interview about ignoring traditional career advice and following her instincts? Pure gold for anyone climbing the corporate ladder.

With her Colorado College political science and economics background, she brings this unique perspective that blends the analytical with the practical. It's this combination that makes her LinkedIn feed feel less like a corporate bulletin board and more like a masterclass in modern financial leadership.

Whether you're a finance pro, tech enthusiast, or just someone who loves watching industry pioneers at work, Gillian Munson's insights are your front-row seat to where tech and finance collide. Trust me, your LinkedIn feed will be better for it.

Why Follow:

• Gain insights from both venture capital and operational CFO experience

• Learn about navigating tech company finances

• Understand board dynamics and governance

• Access unconventional career wisdom and leadership strategies

Glenn Hooper

Glenn Hopper stands at the fascinating intersection of finance and artificial intelligence, making him one of the most forward-thinking CFOs in today's digital age. As the Head of AI Research & Development at Eventus Advisory Group, he's pioneering the integration of AI solutions into financial operations, transforming how modern finance departments function.

What sets Glenn apart is his rare combination of deep financial acumen and technological expertise. With two decades of experience leading finance operations for private equity-backed companies, he's not just talking about innovation – he's actively shaping it. His recent launch of robocfo.ai, a platform featuring specialized finance and accounting chatbots, demonstrates his commitment to making AI tools accessible to finance professionals.

A Harvard-educated finance leader and author of "Deep Finance: Corporate Finance in the Information Age," Glenn regularly shares invaluable insights about the future of finance on LinkedIn. His posts offer a unique perspective on how emerging technologies like AI agents and automation are reshaping the role of CFOs. Whether he's discussing the practical applications of generative AI in accounting or sharing insights from his FP&A Today podcast, Glenn's content strikes the perfect balance between innovation and practicality.

What makes Glenn particularly worth following is his ability to translate complex technological concepts into actionable strategies for finance leaders. His experience as an instructor at Duke University's CFO Program and his background in implementing finance automation across various industries makes him an invaluable resource for finance professionals looking to navigate the digital transformation of their departments.

For anyone interested in staying ahead of the curve in financial technology and understanding how AI is reshaping corporate finance, Glenn Hopper's LinkedIn presence is an essential follow. His mix of practical experience, technical knowledge, and forward-thinking perspectives makes him a standout voice in the evolving landscape of financial leadership.

Why Follow:

• Stay ahead of AI trends in finance and accounting

• Learn practical applications of emerging technologies

• Access insights from his "Deep Finance" methodology

• Understand how to modernize finance departments

The Knowledge Sharers: Democratizing Financial Expertise

It's one thing to succeed in finance – it's another to dedicate yourself to helping others do the same. As the complexity of modern finance grows, a new breed of leaders has emerged, focusing on democratizing financial knowledge and building vibrant communities. These educators and influencers are breaking down barriers, making complex financial concepts accessible to millions, and reshaping how we think about financial education. Their impact reaches far beyond traditional corporate boundaries

Asif Masani

Asif Masani has redefined what it means to be a Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) professional. With over 15 years of experience spanning global organizations like EY, Citi, Pfizer, and Coursera, Asif’s journey reflects a rare blend of technical expertise and visionary leadership in the finance domain.

Asif is not just an FP&A expert; he’s a mentor, educator, and advocate for innovation in finance. His mission? To equip 1 million finance professionals with the skills they need to master FP&A and transition from traditional accounting roles to strategic leadership positions. As the FP&A Lead Faculty at FP&A Professionals Institute, Asif combines his industry knowledge with an engaging teaching style, delivering practical insights through workshops, courses, and his books, All About FP&A and From Accounting to FP&A.

What sets Asif apart is his ability to make complex financial concepts approachable and actionable. With over 145,000 LinkedIn followers, his content resonates with finance professionals at all levels. Whether it’s simplifying budgeting techniques, demystifying forecasting tools, or highlighting the shift from financial controller to business partner, Asif’s posts are a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone navigating the finance industry.

Now an influential thought leader, Asif dedicates himself to mentoring and creating opportunities for finance professionals to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape. Follow him for practical FP&A strategies, career growth tips, and a front-row seat to the future of finance leadership.

Why Follow:

• Access practical FP&A strategies and frameworks

• Learn how to transition from accounting to FP&A

• Get insights from his bestselling books on FP&A

• Benefit from his mission to train 1 million finance professionals

Josh Aharonoff

If you're looking for a finance whiz who actually makes spreadsheets exciting (yes, really!), Josh Aharonoff is your guy. This Excel-obsessed CPA has built a massive following of over 400K professionals who tune in for his refreshingly clear take on all things finance and accounting.

What makes Josh different? He's not your typical stuffy CFO. While he's got the serious chops – Microsoft MVP, former KPMG associate, and founder of Mighty Digits – he's made it his mission to demystify the world of finance with a touch of personality. His posts often start with "Let's make your career dreams come true with proper Finance & Accounting!" and honestly, his enthusiasm is contagious.

As a fractional CFO for fast-growing companies, Josh brings real-world experience to his content. But here's what I love most – he doesn't just tell you what to do, he shows you how. His detailed breakdowns of Excel power tools and financial modeling techniques are gold mines for anyone looking to level up their finance game. And trust me, once you learn his Excel shortcuts, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them.

What's particularly refreshing about Josh's content is how he breaks down complex topics into bite-sized, actionable pieces. Whether he's explaining Power Query features or sharing financial analysis tips, he has this knack for making even the most daunting financial concepts feel approachable. Plus, his posts often include those "aha!" moments that make you feel like you've just discovered a secret weapon for your finance toolkit.

Through his platforms, Your CFO Guy and Mighty Digits, Josh continues to prove that finance doesn't have to be boring. His practical, no-nonsense approach mixed with genuine excitement for his craft makes him a must-follow for anyone interested in the intersection of finance and technology.

Want to see finance and accounting in a whole new light? Hit that follow button on Josh's profile. Just be warned – you might end up actually looking forward to working with spreadsheets!

Why Follow:

• Master Excel and financial modeling techniques

• Learn practical shortcuts and power tools for finance

• Access clear, engaging explanations of complex topics

• Get real-world applications from his fractional CFO experience

Sharan Hegde

Meet Sharan Hegde, the guy who turned financial education on its head in India. You might know him from those catchy finance videos popping up on your Instagram or YouTube feed, but there's a fascinating story behind his rise to becoming one of India's most trusted financial voices.

Picture this: a mechanical engineering grad who faced his fair share of career setbacks (including almost heading to Columbia for an MBA) decided to flip the script and make finance fun. Yes, you read that right – fun! Now he's got GQ calling him one of the Most Influential Indians of 2024, and Forbes couldn't help but add him to their 30 Under 30 Asia list.

What I love most about Sharan's approach is how he's built the 1% Club from scratch. It's not your typical stuffy financial advisory – it's a vibrant community of over 50,000 members who are serious about getting their money game right. And we're not talking about just any members; these are folks from India's top companies across 100+ cities.

The real kicker? He's moved beyond just creating viral content (though his 3 million+ YouTube subscribers might disagree!) to tackling real financial problems. His latest venture, Pillow Insurance, is helping regular people figure out the maze of insurance – they've already guided people through ₹250Cr+ worth of coverage decisions.

But what makes Sharan stand out in my feed is his raw honesty about building his business. Unlike many influencers who just show the highlight reel, he's building his startup in public, sharing both wins and challenges. His LinkedIn posts aren't just about finance – they're authentic stories about entrepreneurship that actually make you stop scrolling and think.

If you're looking for someone who breaks down money matters without the jargon and shares real entrepreneurial insights, Sharan's your guy. He's proof that sometimes the best financial advice doesn't come from traditional suited-up experts, but from someone who's figured it out the hard way and is passionate about helping others do the same.

Why Follow:

• Learn how to make finance accessible and engaging

• Get insights into building and scaling financial education platforms

• Access perspectives on Indian market dynamics

• Learn about building businesses in public

The Art of Financial Storytelling

Numbers tell a story, but it takes a special kind of leader to make that story compelling. As organizations grapple with increasingly complex financial decisions, the ability to communicate effectively has become as crucial as financial acumen itself. These next thought leaders have mastered the delicate art of translating numbers into narratives, showing how modern finance professionals can bridge the gap between data and decision-making. Their approaches prove that in today's business environment, how you communicate financial insights is just as important as the insights themselves.

Gaurav Mehta

With more than 20 years of experience in finance, strategy, and leadership, Gaurav Mehta has evolved from a traditional CFO into one of LinkedIn's most influential voices for finance professionals. Having served as Group CFO at Dentsu Aegis Network Malaysia and WPP India, his career across global corporations has given him a deep understanding of the changing landscape of finance leadership.

What truly sets Gaurav apart is his dedication to empowering finance professionals to break free from conventional roles. His content goes beyond the numbers, encouraging finance leaders to embrace their potential as strategic business partners. With a following of over 74,000 on LinkedIn, Gaurav’s posts blend practical insights with compelling storytelling, making even the most complex finance topics engaging and easy to grasp.

Gaurav’s advice resonates strongly with those aspiring to climb the ranks of finance leadership. He emphasizes the critical balance between technical expertise and the soft skills required to lead effectively. His recent thoughts on transitioning from Financial Controller to Finance Director, highlighting the importance of delegation and big-picture thinking, showcase his actionable approach to career growth.

As the CEO of Tale Breeze, Gaurav focuses on mentoring future CFOs and helping finance leaders craft authentic personal brands through impactful content creation. His unique perspective is invaluable for professionals aiming to step out of the shadows of spreadsheets and into the spotlight of strategic decision-making.

Follow Gaurav for: Insightful strategies on modern finance leadership, practical career advice, and bold ideas that challenge the status quo of CFO roles.

Why Follow:

• Learn how to transition from Controller to Finance Director

• Master the art of personal branding in finance

• Access strategies for becoming a strategic business partner

• Get insights into modern finance leadership

Soufyan Hamid

Soufyan Hamid stands out in the finance world not for the typical reasons you might expect from a CFO. As the founder of The Finance Circle, he's on a mission to transform how finance professionals communicate and interact with business stakeholders. With over a decade of corporate finance experience, including significant roles at Proximus and Deloitte Belgium, Soufyan has identified a critical gap in the industry: the bridge between technical expertise and essential soft skills.

What makes him particularly worth following is his fresh take on financial communication. While most finance leaders focus on numbers and technical excellence, Soufyan emphasizes the art of storytelling in finance. His popular Financial Storytelling Program has helped countless finance professionals transform complex data into compelling narratives that drive business decisions.

His LinkedIn content is refreshingly practical and thought-provoking. Instead of sharing the usual financial metrics and market analyses, Soufyan tackles often-overlooked aspects of finance leadership - like how much time professionals should spend preparing themselves versus their slides, or the double-edged nature of report templates in financial presentations. His posts consistently challenge the status quo of financial reporting and presentation, offering actionable insights for finance professionals looking to enhance their impact.

Beyond his training programs, Soufyan's experience at the intersection of strategic finance and business partnership makes his perspective particularly valuable. His content bridges the gap between technical finance expertise and business acumen, making him an essential follow for finance professionals aiming to step into strategic leadership roles.

With nearly 80,000 followers, Soufyan's unique blend of finance expertise and communication insights has clearly struck a chord with the professional community. Whether you're an aspiring CFO or a seasoned finance leader, his practical approach to modernizing finance communication makes him one of LinkedIn's most valuable voices in finance leadership.

Why Follow:

• Master financial storytelling and stakeholder communication

• Tranform your analysis into a digestible and useful content for non-finance people

• Access practical presentation and communication strategies

• Understand the soft skills needed for finance leadership

Industry Pioneers: Specialized Expertise in Action

While broad financial leadership principles remain universal, certain sectors demand specialized knowledge and unique approaches. Our final group of leaders has carved out distinctive niches in their respective industries, providing deep, actionable insights that go beyond general finance wisdom. Their specialized expertise shows how industry-specific knowledge, combined with financial acumen, can create extraordinary value.

Jack McCullough

Jack McCullough stands out as an indispensable voice in the financial leadership space, not just for his impressive credentials but for his dedication to empowering the next generation of CFOs. As the founder and president of The CFO Leadership Council (CFOLC), he has built a global community of over 2,500 senior financial executives across six continents, demonstrating his commitment to elevating the CFO role beyond traditional accounting boundaries.

What makes Jack's LinkedIn presence particularly valuable is his consistent sharing of practical insights drawn from his vast experience. His recent posts tackle everything from executive coaching trends to the evolving CFO-CEO relationship, offering actionable advice rather than just theoretical concepts. His innovative "FEED CLUB" framework for controller-to-CFO transition has become a go-to resource for aspiring financial leaders.

As the host of "Secrets of Rockstar CFOs" podcast and author of two influential books, including "The Psychopathic CEO: An Executive Survival Guide," Jack brings a refreshing blend of wisdom and wit to complex financial leadership topics. His content stands out for its focus on the human side of financial leadership – emphasizing storytelling, relationship-building, and strategic thinking over mere number-crunching.

Perhaps most notably, Jack's dedication to diversity and inclusion in financial leadership shines through his work with the CFOLC's Ascend program, which provides memberships to historically underrepresented groups. His regular LinkedIn posts offer a masterclass in modern financial leadership, making him an essential follow for anyone interested in the evolution of the CFO role.

In a field often dominated by technical discussions, Jack's ability to combine strategic insight with practical leadership advice makes his LinkedIn profile a valuable resource for both seasoned CFOs and aspiring financial leaders. His engagement with his community through thoughtful polls, discussion prompts, and open dialogue demonstrates why he's considered one of the most influential voices in financial leadership today.

Why Follow:

• Access insights from a global community of 2,000+ CFOs

• Learn about executive coaching trends

• Understand CFO-CEO dynamics

• Get perspectives on diversity in financial leadership

Ben Murray

Ben Murray , founder of The SaaS CFO, stands out as one of the most influential voices in SaaS finance education and metrics. What makes him particularly noteworthy is his practical approach to demystifying complex SaaS financial concepts. With over 100,000 downloads of his SaaS templates and a community of 15,000+ students across 3,000 companies in his SaaS Academy, Murray has become the go-to resource for founders and finance teams looking to master their metrics.

Unlike typical CFOs, Murray brings a unique perspective that bridges the gap between operations and finance, drawing from his diverse background in both airline operations and financial leadership. His content isn't just theoretical – it's grounded in real-world experience as a fractional CFO and co-founder of Extend, a company focused on automating accounts receivable for SaaS businesses.

What truly sets Murray apart is his commitment to transparency and education in the SaaS finance community. Through his regular newsletters reaching over 61,000 professionals, he shares invaluable insights on everything from proper P&L structuring to detailed analysis of SaaS metrics. His recent work on standardizing SaaS financial reporting, including his role as a founding member of the SaaS Metrics Standards Board, demonstrates his dedication to elevating the entire industry's financial practices.

Following Murray on LinkedIn means getting access to cutting-edge SaaS financial insights, regular tech fundraising reports, and practical advice that helps transform complex financial concepts into actionable business strategies. His content is a must-follow for anyone serious about understanding the financial mechanics of successful SaaS businesses.

Why Follow:

• Master SaaS-specific financial metrics and reporting

• Access proven templates and frameworks

• Learn about AR automation and operational efficiency

• Stay updated on SaaS industry financial standards

Conclusion:

As we look ahead in 2025, these finance leaders exemplify how the role of CFO and leaders has evolved beyond traditional boundaries. They're not just number crunchers - they're innovators, educators, and visionaries who are reshaping how businesses approach finance. Whether you're an aspiring CFO, a seasoned finance professional, or simply interested in the future of finance, following these thought leaders will provide you with invaluable insights into the intersection of finance, technology, and leadership. Their diverse perspectives and approaches remind us that in today's dynamic business environment, the most successful finance leaders are those who can adapt, innovate, and inspire others to do the same.