August 28, 2024

The Day Silicon Valley Bank Died

On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Julia Leask, a seasoned Fractional FD/CFO at Leask Advisory Solutions. Julia shares her firsthand experiences and valuable insights from the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, discussing the vital lessons learned during that tumultuous period.
The Gross Profit Podcast
The Gross Profit Podcast
The Day Silicon Valley Bank Died
Loading
/

Show Notes

This week James Kennedy speaks with Julia Leask, a seasoned Fractional FD/CFO at Leask Advisory Solutions. Julia shares her firsthand experiences and valuable insights from the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, discussing the vital lessons learned during that tumultuous period.

About Julia Leask: Julia Leask brings over two decades of financial expertise, primarily aiding innovative businesses in navigating complex financial landscapes. As a Fractional FD/CFO, Julia has a proven track record of enhancing financial management and strategy for a diverse range of companies. Her experience spans several industries, providing her with a robust understanding of financial crises management, strategic planning, and risk mitigation.

What You’ll Learn:

  1. Crisis Management: Julia’s account of managing financial stability during the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the immediate actions taken to safeguard client assets.
  2. Importance of Cash Management: Discussion on the critical role of effective cash management and contingency planning in times of financial uncertainty.
  3. Spreading Financial Risk: Insights into the strategies for diversifying financial risk across multiple institutions to prevent significant impacts from unexpected financial disruptions.

Episode Highlights:

  • “Julia, can you walk us through the scenario planning that took place during the Silicon Valley Bank crisis?”
  • “What are some key strategies you recommend for businesses to manage cash flow effectively during a crisis?”
  • “How important is it to spread financial risks, and what practical steps can companies take to mitigate these risks?”

From Julia’s Perspective: Julia emphasizes that understanding financial data profoundly and preparing for potential financial disruptions are crucial. Her expertise has enabled numerous businesses to not only survive but thrive by implementing robust financial strategies and maintaining flexibility in their financial operations.

This podcast is tagged under:

The Gross Profit Podcast

More Episodes

Merushka Chetty

Lindsay Webber – What Makes Someone Perfect for Audit Work?

In this episode, James Kennedy sits down with Lindsay Webber (Omnipro) to unpack what modern audit really looks like – why it matters far beyond “ticking boxes,” and how audits help organisations (especially those handling public, donor, or regulated funds) prove compliance, protect reputation, and avoid nasty surprises. Lindsay shares her unusual “almost adopted by Pauly Shore” story from a small-town South African hardware store, her rapid rise to Senior Lecturer at Rhodes University at 24, and what she’s seeing now in the world of audit, regulation, and CPD for accountants.

Listen Now »
Merushka Chetty

Stephen Newland – Travel, Debt Freedom & Building a Fractional CFO Business

In this episode, James Kennedy sits down with Stephen Newland, founder of Money Path, to unpack what it really takes to keep a nonprofit financially healthy as it grows. They cover Stephen’s unusual early-career work at Delta Air Lines, what he learned running a financial education program at a large church, and why money is never “just numbers on a spreadsheet.” From cashflow forecasting to grant reporting to board-ready financial clarity, this episode is a practical guide for nonprofit leaders who want better control without burning out.

Listen Now »
Merushka Chetty

Anna Tiomina – AI Finance Revolution: How CFOs Are Saving 75% of Their Time

In this episode, James Kennedy sits down with Anna Tiomina (Blend to Balance) a former CFO who turned a career curveball into a new mission: helping finance teams adopt AI responsibly and effectively. They unpack how AI is already changing finance work (reporting, commentary, document review, and more), why finance leaders shouldn’t wait for the tech to “mature,” and how to keep human controls in place so speed doesn’t come at the cost of accuracy.

Listen Now »