#117 From Private to Public, and Beyond: CFO Lessons in Building Lasting Value

Marie Holive talks with Jason Beesley, CFO of Pattern (Nasdaq: PTRN) and former CFO of NBCUniversal International, about what it takes to be a transformational CFO in today’s fast-moving business world. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience, from GE’s Corporate Audit Staff to global media, and now leading Pattern through its IPO, Jason shares lessons on scaling finance functions, building public-company discipline, crafting a compelling investor narrative, and sustaining momentum after going public.
Marie and Jason reflect on their shared journey and dig into the real differences between leading finance in private versus public companies, the cultural shifts required to support growth, and how CFOs can partner with CEOs to build great companies, not just great numbers. Whether you're preparing to go public or simply looking to elevate your financial leadership, this episode is packed with insights for navigating complexity with clarity, credibility, and confidence.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] - Introduction to podcast
• [01:47] - Differences between private and public companies in a CFO role
• [06:44] - How to build financial discipline and scalability
• [11:16] - Definition of a finance business partner
• [12:59] - Journey taking Pattern public
• [17:11] - Effective communication best practices
• [20:32] - Scaling finance and preparing for growth tips
• [23:54] - Podcast wrap up

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