Revisiting: Rita Kale (CFO @ Valo Health) On Why The Best CFOs Think Like Owners

Episode notes

In this special re-release of The Growth-Minded CFO , Alex and Lauren revisit the very first episode of the podcast - featuring Rita Kale, now CFO at Valo Health. At the time, we didn’t know what this show would become. Since then, we’ve spoken to some of the best finance operators in the world. But looking back, this conversation set the tone for everything that followed. Rita brings a rare combination of global corporate experience - from companies like Roche Pharmaceuticals - and hands-on leadership in high-growth biotech startups. That mix makes this episode just as relevant today as it was when we first recorded it. In this conversation, we explore what it really means to operate as a modern CFO: Why the best CFOs act as owners, not observers How moving from large corporates to startups forces a shift in mindset, speed, and accountability What it takes to navigate global complexity , from ERP implementations to scaling finance operations across markets Why investing early in systems and processes pays off long-term And how adaptability separates good finance leaders from great ones We also get into something a bit unexpected, but now very familiar for this show.