Tom is joined by Natalie Derse, CFO of Gen, to discuss what it means to be an AI-native finance leader, how Gen achieved $330M in cost synergies in under 18 months, and why the CFO of a 500M-user cybersecurity company is now embracing the role of Chief Trust Officer.
Tom is joined by Natalie Derse, CFO of Gen. Natalie shares how she and her CEO delivered $330 million in cost synergies in under 18 months following Gen's merger with Avast, and what made that execution possible. She also breaks down her approach to AI-native finance, why the CFO is becoming the de facto Chief Trust Officer, and how real-time data from GE and eBay shaped her modern playbook. Natalie also shares her take on talent — what she looks for in every hire and how mentorship, not just work ethic, is what actually accelerates careers.
Guest quotes:
“ One of the biggest responsibilities I hold is to give the business as much clarity as I possibly can. I don't know how you do that without a great hunger for more technology and data to help you guide.”
“We achieved $330 million of cost synergies in less than an 18-month period."
"You cannot be successful just running your own playbook and running your own game. You've got to connect and you've got to embrace, and really be humble enough to be coached."
Links & Resources:
YouTube Timestamps:
00:00 Show Intro and Guest Overview
00:36 Natalie's Background: GE, eBay, and Becoming CFO of Gen
01:15 Leadership Philosophy: Why She Refuses the Corner Office
02:43 Data-Driven Mindset Across Industries
04:11 CFO as Business Partner, Not Just Finance Leader
06:49 The Avast Merger: $330M in Synergies in Under 18 Months
08:49 Execution Strategy: Alignment, Clarity, and Relentless Commitment
10:44 Transparency as a Leadership Tool
11:18 Leveraging 500M Subscribers: Customer Data as a Leading Indicator
14:01 Cybersecurity Retention Rates Through Economic Cycles
16:23 MoneyLion and Financial Wellness: Two Sides of the Macro Spectrum
18:54 AI-Driven Fraud and the CFO as Chief Trust Officer
24:55 The Jellycorn Concept: AI and the Future of Headcount
28:49 Redesigning Finance Functions with AI
33:26 AI Adoption: Milestones, Not Light Switches
35:54 Building Human Talent: Curiosity and Engagement Over Credentials
40:30 Future Skills for Finance Leaders: Tech Fluency and Human Connection
35:54 Fasting, Family, and Staying Balanced as a CFO
37:04 Career Advice: Work Ethic + Mentorship = Acceleration
39:06 Wrap Up and Where to Follow Natalie and Gen