FEI Podcast - Episodes Tagged with “Resilience”

Building Resilience and Relevance: Brenda Zamzow on Leadership and Relationships

Financial Executives International — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400

In this special Icons edition of the FEI Podcast, Brenda Zamzow, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles, discusses how financial leaders can stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Drawing on decades of experience across public accounting, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit leadership, Zamzow shares how to transform finance from a gatekeeping function into a strategic partner, the importance of building meaningful professional relationships, and how resilience is developed through real-world challenges.

This episode is part of FEI’s special Icons podcast series highlighting past speakers from the ICONS: Leaders in Finance virtual event. Join us on April 22, 2026 to hear from distinguished financial leaders shaping the future of finance.

Learn more about the ICONS: Leaders in Finance event virtual replay here:
https://www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026-virtual

Special Guest: Brenda Zamzow.

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

Financial Executives International — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 14:15:00 -0500

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.

Special Guest: Judy Wright.

How Can Organizations Drive Operational Resilience?

Financial Executives International — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0400

The past three years have been marked by turbulent change. The unanticipated global pandemic fundamentally altered the ways in which organizations operate. From accelerating digital transformations to enabling a highly-functioning virtual work environment, the past three years have forced organizations to be resilient in the wake of adversity.

On the three year anniversary of the COVID-19 informed lockdowns, this episode of the Financial Executives Podcast we sit down with John Epperson, Managing Principal, Financial Services to take a closer look at operational resilience.

Special Guest: John Epperson.