The CFO as leader: Mastering management, with Ilana Esterrich
Ilana Esterrich is the CFO of Planned Parenthood, and we were excited to welcome her for this episode to chat about her leadership journey and how her military background has shaped her approach to management as a CFO.
Ilana shares her thoughts on the changing role of the CFO, the importance of mission-driven leadership, and how adaptability is key to staying ahead in a world that's moving faster than ever.
How Ilana's Experience in the Military Has Informed Her Leadership Style
Ilana brings a fresh perspective to the CFO role, and a lot of that comes from an unlikely source - her time in the military. She talks about how her experience there taught her discipline, strategic thinking, and a strong sense of purpose—traits that guide her leadership today.
Being CFO at a mission-driven organization like Planned Parenthood isn’t just about crunching numbers. For Ilana, it’s about leading with clarity, making tough decisions, and building trust with her team.
Her military background also influences how she views challenges—not as roadblocks, but as opportunities for innovation. Whether she’s managing financial strategy or fostering a healthy organizational culture, Ilana stays focused on finding creative solutions and working collaboratively with her team.
" Having that ethos doesn't necessarily mean that I'm out there yelling at them as a drill instructor. I don't think that works very well in the corporate world. But I do focus on taking care of my troops, on resilience, on leading with integrity and then modeling the behavior that I'm expecting from others."
Why a Holistic Approach is Needed from CFOs: Beyond the Numbers
Ilana makes it clear that CFOs need to move beyond traditional financial roles. She believes CFOs should be strategic leaders who have a holistic view of the business—not just looking at the numbers, but considering how global changes, technology, and team leadership fit into the bigger picture. Her diverse background has taught her to take an integrated approach to financial management, balancing day-to-day operations with a long-term vision.
" We really need to be more integrated into the business and step out from behind Excel and really understand what is the marriage between the numbers that we're working on and the business who are making the operational decisions."
Empowering Teams Through Training and Delegation
A big part of Ilana’s leadership philosophy is developing her team. She believes in breaking down silos and promoting cross-functional learning. Coming from a military background, she values the power of continuous learning and collaboration. For Ilana, it’s all about helping her team gain a broader perspective, fostering creativity, and ensuring they’re always growing.
One of the key lessons Ilana learned in the military is the importance of delegation. She lives by the idea of “disagree but commit” and “leaders eat last,” focusing on empowering her team to make decisions and take ownership of their work. This approach helps build trust and creates a culture where everyone feels accountable and motivated to contribute.
Key Takeaways:
Adaptability is Key: CFOs need to be agile and embrace change in today’s uncertain world.
Foster a Growth Mindset: Encourage your team to keep learning and collaborate across departments.
Build Trust through Delegation: Empower your team by giving them ownership and responsibility.
Think Strategically: CFOs need to play a bigger role in shaping organizational strategy, not just managing finances.
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