What does it really take to lead finance in one of the world’s most fast-paced and complex tech companies without following the traditional path?
In this episode, Katie Brewis, Strategy & Commercial Finance Director at Google, shares her journey from economist to strategy consultant, and now to leading finance across Google’s EMEA marketing organisation.
We get into:
🐬 The leadership mindset that helps navigate both big-picture strategy and day-to-day detail
🧠 How AI is reshaping finance work and why core skills still matter
📊 What effective collaboration between finance and marketing actually looks like
♻️ How Katie brought her interest in sustainability into her day job
Whether you are stepping into leadership, thinking about your next move, or simply curious about how finance operates at scale, this episode is full of practical insight and straight-talking advice.
🎧 Listen now and tell us: What part of the CFO skillset do you think is changing fastest?
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
03:04 - Navigating the Fast-Paced World of Google
06:04 - The Importance of Sustainability in Business
08:57 - Understanding the Role of a CFO in 2025
12:09 - Leadership Lessons and Collaborative Styles
14:58 - The Impact of AI on Finance and Marketing
24:36 - Navigating Skills in an AI-Driven World
27:26 - AI's Role in Sustainability and Climate Change
28:14 - The Future of Energy Solutions
30:04 - Challenges of Remote Team Management
35:40 - Leadership Lessons from Mentors
40:24 - The Intersection of Marketing and Finance
45:31 - Advice for Aspiring CFOs