The Top 25 CFOs of New York for 2023

Finance and Investing is pleased to announce The Top 25 CFOs of New York for 2023. The state of New York’s economy ranks as the third largest in the country, only bested by California and Texas. While the region is characterized as the world's premier financial center, its leading industries are expansive, spanning healthcare, entertainment, professional and business services, retail trade, manufacturing, and education. This year’s awardees work for a range of high-visibility companies in New York, from Forbes Media and Moleskine to WWE and 7 For All Mankind.

Among this year’s awardees is John Rucker, Chief Financial Officer of Arcadia, who once transformed Slice, an early-stage company, into a unicorn by accelerating topline growth driven by data and insights. Awardee Sven Adler, Chief Financial Officer of Piano, is responsible for refining the company's processes and structures as it expands. Also awarded is Jonathan Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Hunt A Killer, who plays a critical role in developing the company into new avenues of entertainment, product development, and alternative consumer markets.

Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 25 CFOs of New York for 2023.

 

1. Mike York
Chief Financial Officer, Forbes

Michael York is the Chief Financial Officer of Forbes Media. In this role, he is responsible for all finance, treasury, investor relations, risk management, tax, and audit operations. York is a veteran of Forbes Media, starting as a Financial Analyst in 2002 and most recently serving as the company's Senior Vice President of Finance. Prior to joining Forbes, York was an auditor with the public accounting firm O’Conner & Drew in the greater Boston area. He’s licensed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Certified Public Accountant. York graduated from Nichols College with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and finance.

 

2. David Prael
Chief Financial Officer, Techstars

David Prael is the Chief Financial Officer of Techstars, a global platform that provides investment and innovation. Prael contributes to the company’s ongoing strategy supporting programmatic growth and global expansion. He has a long track record as a trusted advisor, with vast experience in rapidly growing multifaceted organizations. Before Techstars, Prael spent 15 years at Fortress Investment Group. His most recent role was Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer for the credit and real estate business. Prior to that, he established and managed the company’s Financial Planning and Analysis and Corporate Operations teams. He also was a significant contributor to the company’s IPO. Before Fortress, he worked in various capacities for IBM. Prael received a Bachelor of Science in finance and international business from Pennsylvania State University.

 

3. Matt Skaruppa
Chief Financial Officer, Duolingo

Matthew Skaruppa is the Chief Financial Officer of Duolingo, the world’s most popular language-learning app. Skaruppa has more than 15 years of finance and operations experience. He joined the company as Duolingo exceeded one million paid subscribers for its subscription product, representing a 200% increase year-over-year in 2019. Before this, he served as Vice President of Goldman Sachs. Previously, Skaruppa served as Principal at KKR Capstone and as a Consultant at Bain and Company. He has a BS in chemical engineering from Northwestern University and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

 

4. Ben Goodband
Chief Financial Officer, Brandwatch

Ben Goodband is the Chief Financial Officer of Brandwatch, the world’s leading digital consumer intelligence company. He first joined the company in 2022. In this role, Goodband is responsible for managing the company's financial actions and overseeing all aspects of its economic success. Previously, Goodband was the Global Head Of Decision Support and FPA at Refinitiv. Before that, he was a Head of Finance for Asia at Thomson Reuters. Earlier in his career, he worked with Thomson Financial as a Credit Controller. Goodband earned an undergraduate degree in history and archeology from the University of Leicester.

 

5. Brian Eng
Vice President of Finance, WWE

Brian Eng is the Vice President of Finance of WWE, a multi-faceted media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. Eng has a proven record of achievement driving finance transformation, championing multimillion-dollar cost savings, and implementing processes to optimize performance. Before joining WWE, Eng was an Executive Director of Financial Planning and Analysis at Strategic Products and Services. Before that, he was at Verizon and spent over 21 years with Pfizer, most recently as Senior Director of Finance, Corporate Functions. He started his career as a Lead Consultant at Aptech Engineering Services. Eng graduated from Columbia Business School with an MBA and an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from Columbia University.

 

6. Jon Marom
Chief Financial Officer, WorldQuant

Jon Marom is the Chief Financial Officer at WorldQuant. He’s responsible for oversight of WorldQuant’s financial management processes and facilities functions. He utilizes his demonstrated history of working in the investment management industry and experience with hedge funds, private equity, asset management, equities, and fixed income. Prior to joining WorldQuant, Marom was the Chief Financial Officer for the Rohatyn Group and Global Product Manager for Plexus Group, a subsidiary of JP Morgan at the time. Before that, he held several positions within JP Morgan, including Manager of Strategic Business Development. Marom holds an MS in management and financial management and a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University.

 

7. Ajay Singh
Global Chief Financial Officer, The Ironman Group

Ajay Singh is the Global Chief Financial Officer of The Ironman Group. He provides strategic analysis, guidance, planning, and direction to all the company’s stakeholders. In this role, Singh also oversees all aspects of accounting, finance, FP&A, tax, treasury, cash management, capital allocation, and information technology for the group and its portfolio of brands. Previously, Singh was an EVP and Executive in the Office of the CFO at News Corp. Before that, he was the CFO at HookLogic and Reader's Digest Association. He’s also held roles at TV Guide, Gemstar, B4U, and IMG. Earlier in his career, he worked as a Senior Associate with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC). Singh earned an undergraduate degree in finance and accounting from Panjab University.

 

8. Jerry Loukatos
Chief Financial Officer, 7 For All Mankind

Jerry Loukatos is the Chief Financial Officer of 7 For All Mankind, an American denim brand founded by Michael Glasser, Peter Koral, and Jerome Dahan in 2000. Loukatos is an experienced operational CFO with a demonstrated history of working in the consumer goods industry. Previously, Loukatos was the Vice President and Controller of the leading global luxury apparel and accessories brand, Vince. Prior to this, he was a VP of Finance at Delta Galil Industries. Before that, he was a Senior Manager of Assurance at BDO USA. Earlier in his career, he worked as a Junior Accountant at Sleepy's. Loukatos graduated from Hofstra University with an MS in accounting and an undergraduate degree in marketing.

 

9. Tycho Peterson
Chief Financial Officer, Adaptive Biotechnologies

Tycho Peterson is the Chief Financial Officer of Adaptive Biotechnologies, a commercial-stage biotech company. He joined Adaptive as the company began to undergo a reorganization into two newly created business areas: minimal residual disease (MRD) and immune medicine. Peterson has several decades of financial leadership and experience within the life science and diagnostic industries. Prior to joining Adaptive, Peterson spent 23 years at JP Morgan Chase, where he was most recently the Managing Director of Life Science Tools and Diagnostics in the healthcare group. He holds an MSc and MBA from the University of Oxford and a BS in biology from Cornell University.

 

10. Sven Adler
Chief Financial Officer, Piano

Sven Adler is the Chief Financial Officer of Piano. Piano is a leading digital experience platform based in Amsterdam. Adler is an experienced enterprise financial executive with tenure at organizations across the US and Europe. He’s responsible for refining the company's processes and structures as it continues to expand. Adler has spent more than 20 years as a corporate finance leader, with previous positions at Qlik and Ricoh USA. Adler guided Ricoh to its best year ever in 2020. He was named CFO of the Year by the Philadelphia Business Journal in 2021. He previously spent more than a decade at SAP, where he led teams through large-scale merger and acquisition initiatives and delivered significant savings through key restructuring programs. Adler graduated from Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University with an undergraduate degree in business information technology.

 

11. John Rucker
Chief Financial Officer, Arcadia

John Rucker is the Chief Financial Officer of Arcadia, a climate technology company enabling a zero-carbon economy. Before joining Arcadia, Rucker was a CFO at Slice, where he helped transform an early-stage company into a unicorn by accelerating topline growth driven by data and insights to inform business decisions. Before that, he was a CFO at General Assembly. Prior to his role with General Assembly, Rucker served as the Chief Financial Officer for Rent The Runway, VP of Finance for Patch.com, and the Founder and Chief Executive Officer for PawLinks. Earlier in his career, he worked with Bank One Texas as a Financial Analyst. Rucker graduated from The University of Texas Austin with an undergraduate degree in finance.

 

12. Anna Daher
Chief Financial Officer, Multiverse

Anna Daher is the Chief Financial Officer of Multiverse. Multiverse is a tech startup on a mission to create a diverse group of future leaders by building an outstanding alternative to university and corporate training. They work with over 300 businesses, helping them embrace digital transformation, close skills gaps and develop a diverse talent pipeline. Their apprentices benefit from one-to-one coaching, applied learning, and a community of social, networking and leadership opportunities.

Daher joined the organization in 2022 tasked with driving the growth of their outstanding alternative to university and corporate training. She joined from Gympass where, as VP of Finance, her achievements included helping the company reach a $2.2 billion valuation through a $220 million Series E funding round. Before Gympass, Daher held a string of investment banking positions, including as a Director at Credit Suisse. She will be based in our New York office. She graduated from Fundação Getulio Vargas with an undergraduate degree in finance and from the Universidade de São Paulo with an undergraduate degree in law.

 

13. Melissa Betts
Chief Financial Officer, Better Collective

Melissa Betts is the Chief Financial Officer of Better Collective US. Better Collective is the leading developer of educational platforms within the iGaming industry. Previously, Betts was the Senior Vice President of Finance and Strategy at The Action Network. Before this, she was at ESPN Digital & Print Media, where she was most recently the director of Finance. She oversaw financial activities across web, mobile, magazine, video games, and consumer products in this role. She's held several positions of increasing responsibility across ESPN Productions, ESPN Digital Media, and ESPN Digital & Print. Betts graduated from Boston College with an undergraduate degree in finance.

 

14. Mark Schneyer
Chief Financial Officer, Acadia Pharmaceuticals

Mark Schneyer is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Acadia Pharmaceuticals. Before this, he served as the company’s Senior Vice President, Business Development, Chief Business Officer, and Interim Chief Financial Officer. Schneyer was previously at Pfizer, where he most recently was Vice President, Business Development for the Upjohn Division. While at Pfizer, he led multiple strategic transactions, including licensing agreements, product acquisitions and divestitures, strategic collaborations, and company acquisitions. Prior to Pfizer, he was an investment banker at Lazard and advised boards of directors and senior management teams in the healthcare sector. Schneyer earned a Bachelor of Science in economics with a focus in finance from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

 

15. Bill Engles
Chief Financial Officer, Brave Software

Bill Engles is the Chief Financial Officer of Brave Software, developer of privacy-oriented products, including the Brave web browser and search engine, with over 55 million users. An experienced finance executive, Engles has been CFO for a number of highly entrepreneurial companies, successfully navigating both hype cycles and downturns, taking companies through high growth and retrenchment. Prior to these operating roles, Engles was a Managing Director at Bear Stearns, advising technology companies on capital raising and M&A. He began his career at Salomon Brothers. Currently, he’s a Trustee of the Paleontological Research Institution, a 90-year-old non-profit associated with Cornell dedicated to the furtherance of earth sciences education in the US.

Engles earned an MBA and JD from The University of Chicago and an undergraduate degree in economics from Harvard University.

 

16. Sandeep Patel
President and Chief Financial Officer, PopSockets

Sandeep Patel is the President and Chief Financial Officer of PopSockets, a high growth, digital-lifestyle brand with global, omni-channel reach and a mission to further the health and happiness of the planet. Previously, Patel was the CFO of Califia Farms, a premium plant-based dairy brand, where he also oversaw Technology, Supply Chain, and Legal and led many operational and strategic transformations. This included a $225 million equity financing with two sovereign wealth funds. Prior to that, Patel was a Managing Director of Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs and Barclays in NYC and Mumbai, where he spent a combined 20 years advising on corporate transactions at the intersection of consumer products, food and agriculture, technology, and sustainability.

 

17. Ross Muken
Chief Financial Officer, SOPHiA GENETICS

Ross Muken is the Chief Financial Officer of SOPHiA GENETICS, a data-driven medicine software company. With his experience across the life science industry, Muken helps to advance the company’s mission to develop and commercialize data analytics solutions. Previously, Muken was the CFO and COO of Click Therapeutics. Before joining Click, he was a Partner, Senior Managing Director, and Head of the Healthcare Services & Technology Research Team at Evercore ISI. Prior to this, Muken served as a Managing Director at Deutsche Bank Securities and spent time in the equity research division of Thomas Weisel Partners. He began his career as an M&A Investment Banker at Bank of America Securities. Muken earned his BS in business administration, magna cum laude, from Boston University.

 

18. Jonathan Lee
Chief Financial Officer, Hunt A Killer

Jonathan Lee is the Chief Financial Officer of Hunt A Killer, the immersive entertainment company. He plays a critical role in expanding the company into new avenues of entertainment, product development, and alternative consumer markets. Lee also utilizes his financial expertise and experience in the gaming industry to continue the company’s goals. Prior to working at Hunt A Killer, he was the CFO at What Do You Meme?. During his five years with the company, Lee was instrumental in elevating it to the #1 market share in adult board games. Before that, Lee spent a decade in the CSR and renewable energy industry, following a career in the financial markets at Credit Suisse and Lehman Brothers.

Lee graduated from Columbia College, Columbia University, with an undergraduate degree in philosophy and economics.

 

19. Cathrin Kalbfell
Chief Financial Officer, Flywheel Digital

Cathrin Kalbfell is the Chief Financial Officer of Flywheel Digital. The company is a managed service provider. Before joining Flywheel Digital, Kalbfell was the Group Financial Controller at Ascential in London. Prior to that, she was the Deputy Manager of Finance for First Quantum Minerals, Director of Performance Reporting, and Head of Financial Reporting for Wolseley. She began her career at KPMG in London, where she was an Assistant Manager and eventually Manager during her nine-year tenure. Kalbfell graduated from Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University with an undergraduate degree in accounting, taxes, and auditing.

 

20. Ian Magee
Chief Financial Officer, New Profit

Ian Magee is a Managing Partner and Chief Financial Officer at New Profit, a venture philanthropy organization advancing equity and opportunity in America. As Chief Financial Officer, Magee is responsible for leading financial operations and strategic analyses while building and enhancing processes for the company. Previously, Ian worked at the Heron Foundation and The University of Chicago after spending the first half of his career in for-profit finance. He spent eight years at American Express as Vice President and was a Business Analyst at Mitchell Madison Group. Magee graduated from the University of Cambridge with a master's in engineering and a BA in mechanical engineering and economics. He is a native of Northern Ireland and currently lives in New York City.

 

21. Andrea Viechweg
Chief Financial Officer, Americas, Moleskine

Andrea Viechweg is the Chief Financial Officer of Moleskine. Moleskine is an Italian manufacturer, papermaker, and product designer based in Milan, Italy. In this role, she utilizes her demonstrated ability to develop accounting policies, streamline accounting processes, and implement financial controls. With over 13 years of progressive accounting and financial operations experience, Viechweg has worked within start-ups and mid-size companies. Before joining Moleskine, she was a Controller at Tourneau and, before that, a VP of finance at the General Assembly. Earlier in her career, she worked with LaBeouf, Lamb, Greene and Macrae as a Staff Accountant. Viechweg graduated from Pace University with an MBA in finance and an undergraduate degree in accounting from Baruch College.

 

22. Bryan Mahoney
Chief Financial Officer, Columbia Memorial Hospital

Bryan Mahoney is the Chief Financial Officer of Columbia Memorial Hospital. He joined CMH in 2011 as the Controller and was named Chief Financial Officer in 2016. As CFO, Mahoney oversees the organization’s revenue cycle, supply chain, and information technology needs across several departments. Mahoney previously spent nine years at the accounting firm KPMG. After earning a degree in accounting from the University of Massachusetts, Mahoney went on to become a Certified Public Accountant. He then completed a certificate program at The Academy for Healthcare Leadership Advancement at Cornell University.

 

23. Valerio Sciutto
Chief Financial Officer, Lincotek Medical

Valerio Sciutto is the Chief Financial Officer of Lincotek Medical. Sciutto has over 10 years of experience in accounting, finance, strategy, technology, and operations. Before joining Lincotek Medical, Sciutto was a Director of Finance at Poliform Americas, where he oversaw and managed the processes for financial forecasts, budgets, and financial reporting. Before that a Manager at Funaro and Co. Earlier in his career, he worked with KPMG Italy as a Senior Audit and Transaction Service. Sciutto graduated from Universita Degli Studi di Genova with a master’s degree in finance and audit and an undergraduate degree in economics.

 

24. Michael Rabinowitz
Chief Financial Officer, All American Healthcare

Michael Rabinowitz is the Chief Financial Officer of All American Healthcare (AAH). AAH is the best-reviewed healthcare staffing agency in the country. Rabinowitz is an experienced finance manager and producer with a demonstrated history of working in the entertainment industry. Before joining AAH, Rabinowitz was Financial Manager at Broadway Across America/The John Gore Organization. Before this, he was a Controller at The Public Theater. Earlier in his career, he worked with Ernst and Young as a Senior Accountant. Rabinowitz graduated from Touro University with an undergraduate degree in accounting and finance.

 

25. Darin Pellegrino
Chief Financial Officer, Nutra-Med Packaging

Darin Pellegrino is the Chief Financial Officer of Nutra-Med Packaging. He leads Nutra-Med’s financial operations and drives the company’s financial planning agenda. Pellegrino also serves as a strategic partner to the leadership team by ensuring a proper balance of near and long-term decision-making while striving to enhance the company’s enterprise value through commercial and operational insight. Before joining Nutra-Med, Pellegrino worked at Serta Simmons Bedding as their Senior Vice-President of Finance. Prior to that, he was Chief Financial Officer at Enbi and Studco Building Systems. He has also held senior-level finance positions at Monro and Danaher Corporation.

Pellegrino is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Accountant. He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from State Cloud State University and an MBA from the University of Minnesota.