From Street Vendor to CFO: The Resilience Playbook Every Financial Leader Needs

About this Episode

What does it take to become an Icon in finance?

In this compelling episode, Heather Cole, Executive Coach and Business Analytics Advisor at Lodestar Solutions, interviews Judy Wright, CFO of BTM Global Consulting, LLC, FEI Board Member, and incoming 2026 President of FEI Twin Cities.

Judy’s journey is anything but conventional. Early in her career, she quit her job to test her resilience—borrowing inventory from her father and becoming a street vendor in China. Carrying merchandise by bus, negotiating for market space, and building a wholesale network from scratch, she proved to herself that she could survive—and thrive—under pressure.

Today, she brings that same entrepreneurial instinct and composure to the CFO role at a global IT consulting firm.

In this episode, Judy shares:

• Why being an “Icon” means paying it forward and mentoring the next generation of financial leaders
• The real ROI of networking—and why waiting until you need a job is too late
• Why finance professionals must develop emotional intelligence to lead effectively
• How to stay calm when everyone else is panicking (“If finance loses its cool, everyone does.”)
• The foundational skills future finance professionals must build in an AI-driven world
• The power of slowing down, finding purpose, and leading with intention

Judy speaks openly about mentorship, faith, service, and the importance of personal development beyond the day job. Her message is clear: careers are built not just on technical skill, but on resilience, relationships, and the courage to lead with heart.

This conversation is a must-listen for financial leaders who want to elevate their impact—professionally and personally.