Season 3 Episode 20: From CFO to CEO Leadership Lessons

What does it really take to create a workplace where people feel connected, supported, and able to perform at their best? In a world where talent expectations are shifting fast, employee experience is no longer a “nice to have.” It has become a strategic priority that directly impacts performance, trust, and financial outcomes.This week on Alchemy Uncensored, we bring together two leaders reshaping how organisations think about culture and connection: Killian Fitzgerald from Workvivo by Zoom and Ruth Dance, founder of the Employee Experience Exchange, a growing UAE community for HR and people leaders.Together, they break down what employee experience truly means beyond perks and surveys. They explore why culture is a business driver, how leadership behaviour shapes trust, and why CFOs should care about the hidden costs of poor employee experience.Killian and Ruth also discuss the growing momentum in the UAE, the data leaders should pay attention to, and the simple actions any organization can take to build a people-first culture that performs.Whether you are a business leader, HR professional, CFO, or someone passionate about transforming the workplace, this episode will redefine how you see employee experience and why it matters now more than ever.

19 Nov 36min

What does it take to build a culture where people truly thrive? In today’s world of rapid change and high pressure, leadership isn’t just about driving results — it’s about leading with empathy, clarity, and purpose.This week on Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Sabahatt Habib, Chief People & Culture Officer at The Giving Movement and a LinkedIn Top Voice, who is redefining how People & Culture can become a true growth engine for business.Together, they explore the real foundations of performance — how leadership behavior shapes mental health more than any wellness initiative, how to support the whole person beyond their job title, and what it means to build trust, fairness, and psychological safety in the workplace.Sabahatt also shares her take on the “sports-team mindset”: fostering accountability, clarity, and collaboration that elevate teams to perform at their best, while still keeping humanity at the heart of success.Whether you’re a people leader, an aspiring manager, or someone passionate about the future of work, this episode will reshape how you think about culture, leadership, and well-being at work.

12 Nov 35min

What does it take to master finance across borders and cultures? Today’s finance leaders are more than number keepers; they are connectors, strategists, and enablers of global growth.This week on Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Olga Drevina, a global finance leader whose career spans multiple countries, industries, and transformation stories.Together, they unpack what defines the modern CFO — how the role has evolved beyond traditional boundaries, what it takes to stay close to the core of finance while driving strategy, and how today’s leaders can balance being both visionary and grounded.Olga also shares her approach to unlocking potential and building high-performing teams: understanding individuals’ strengths and passions, structuring teams for impact, leading as an enabler rather than an expert, and mastering the art of delegation to empower others.Whether you’re an aspiring finance professional, an experienced leader, or someone navigating an international career path, this episode offers practical wisdom on growth, leadership, and the power of people in finance.#financeleadership #cfoinsights #AlchemyUncensored #globalbusiness #leadershipdevelopment #careergrowth #highperformingteams #financetransformation #professionaldevelopment #businesspodcast

29 Okt 25min

What does it take to turn finance into a true growth partner for the business? The role of today’s finance leader goes far beyond numbers — it’s about storytelling, collaboration, and enabling smarter decisions.This week on Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Luca Rossi, a globally experienced finance leader with a passion for tech-enabled businesses and fast-scaling environments. From his early days in London, moving from film financing to senior roles at Time Magazine, The Sunday Times, and The Financial Times, to leading finance at Property Finder and now Aldar’s flexible workspace venture in Dubai, Luca’s journey spans industries, continents, and transformation stories.Together, they explore how finance can evolve into a strategic engine — from rethinking budgeting as a storytelling tool, reframing ROI as investment, and building diverse, empowered teams, to communicating effectively with non-finance leaders and turning finance operations into true intelligence.This episode is a must-watch for finance professionals, aspiring CFOs, and business leaders who want to understand what modern finance leadership really looks like.

22 Okt 33min

What does it take to build the financial engine behind a high-growth startup? The role of a startup CFO is not just about managing numbers. It’s about strategy, resilience, and creating the foundation for sustainable growth.This week on Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by James Evans, CFO at prop-tech rocketship Holo. With extensive experience driving financial transformation in the tech sector, James shares a candid look into the world of startup finance and the realities of scaling in a competitive market.Together, they explore what it takes to raise capital in the MENA region, how to navigate investor pressure, and why mentorship and leadership are key to thriving as a young executive. James also opens up about the mindset and adaptability required to succeed in a fast-paced startup environment.This episode is a must-watch for ambitious finance professionals, aspiring CFOs, and anyone eager to understand what it truly takes to build and lead in the startup world.

8 Okt 37min

What does it take to lead, mentor, and inspire across diverse markets? Leadership today is about more than just managing numbers — it’s about unlocking potential, empowering teams, and driving meaningful growth.This week on Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Gop Menon, CFO for India, Middle East & Africa at Informa, who brings a wealth of experience in leadership, mentoring, and the evolving role of finance.Together, they explore how coaching and mentorship can shape careers, why cultural diversity is a strength in today’s business world, and how finance leaders can adapt to an ever-changing environment. Gop also shares his approach to building resilience, fostering collaboration, and developing future leaders who can thrive across regions and industries.This episode is a must-watch for finance professionals, aspiring CFOs, and business leaders who want to understand how mentorship and leadership can accelerate success at every stage of a career.You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or visit our website at www.alchemysearch.ae#mentorship #leadership #cfoinsights #financecareers #podcast #alchemyuncensored

24 Sep 29min

What role does finance really play in shaping business strategy? It is not just about the numbers. It is about driving transformation, enabling growth, and building teams that thrive.This week on Alchemy Uncensored, Conor McHugh is joined by Faisal Anwar, a seasoned finance executive with over 25 years of experience leading across IPOs, M&A, restructuring, and strategic finance in the Gulf and beyond. Faisal has worked with global corporations and top-tier family-owned groups, delivering sustainable performance and long-term value.Together, they unpack the evolving role of finance in strategy: navigating growth across multiple markets, overcoming resistance to change, implementing ERP systems and controls, and empowering high-performing teams across cultures and generations. Faisal also shares his perspective on how finance leaders can become true strategic partners to the business.This episode is a must-watch for finance professionals, CFOs, and business leaders looking to understand how finance can unlock growth and impact at scale.

17 Sep 45min