Michael Miao

When is it too early to hire a finance leader & when is it too late? Hosts and KP’s very own @LM_Braswell and @josh_coyne put the question to two experienced finance operators in the first episode of Builders, our new series. Adam Swiecicki, Chief Financial Officer at @Rippling, prioritizes strategic finance, favoring “the banking, private equity background” and “somebody who’s seen another startup before.” @themichaelmiao, VP of Finance and Business Operations at @glean, agrees and outlines what matters most. First, there must be “an understanding of the economics of the business.” Second, the person must be “very comfortable in spreadsheets” and “comfortable with just like a mess.” Both point to the same early profile. A generalist. Comfortable with ambiguity.