From Center Stage to the Front Lines: CFO Leadership on a Life-Saving Mission

About this Episode

Nobody becomes an icon by staying comfortable.

In this special ICONS: Leaders in Finance edition of the FEI Podcast, Heather Cole – Executive Coach and Business Analytics Advisor at Lodestar Solutions – interviews Amber Kinney, Chief Financial Officer of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Amber’s career path is anything but traditional. From a background in the performing arts to executive leadership in nonprofit organizations with life-saving missions — including Mothers Against Drunk Driving — Amber shares how conscious career choices, grit, and faith shaped her leadership journey.

In this conversation, Amber and Heather dive into:

• Taking bold career leaps even when you feel “in over your head”
• Reframing imposter syndrome as a growth signal
• The power of networking, mentoring, and asking for help
• Leading with purpose in nonprofit and healthcare organizations
• Silencing negative voices and protecting your confidence
• The importance of balance, self-care, and resilience in high-impact roles

This episode kicks off a series spotlighting past speakers from Financial Executives International’s ICONS: Leaders in Finance event, designed to inspire finance leaders and build momentum toward ICONS 2026, taking place on March 25, 2026 at the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel, CA and virtually on April 22, 2026.

Learn more at www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026.