World's Largest Networking Group of Senior Financial Executives

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The Financial Executives Networking Group (The FENG)

Connect

Build meaningful relationships with 25,000+ CFOs, Controllers, and Treasurers (and other top financial executives) across all industries.

Learn

Access expert tactical insights through peer networking, editorials, and thought leadership content from financial leaders sharing real-world experience.

Grow

Attend one of 400+ annual events hosted by 80+ U.S. and International Chapters, plus 40+ Special Interest Groups; access Job Leads, Career/Job Clubs, peer referrals, and insider opportunities.

Give Back

Share your knowledge and experience by guiding and mentoring other members. Take on a chapter, club, or committee leadership role. Donate to our 501(c)(3) to support our operations.

Upcoming Events

Connect with peers, learn from industry leaders, and stay engaged. View the full event calendar.

Read, Listen, and Watch

The Financial Executives Journal (FEJ), The Financial Executives Edge (FEE) Podcast, and our YouTube Channel (@TheFENGorg) provide a continuous stream of practical, peer-driven thought leadership for today’s financial executive.

About Us
Double-Edged-Shield

SPOTLIGHT: AI and Cybersecurity

The Financial Executives Journal

Cybersecurity is evolving faster than ever, powered by artificial intelligence. AI is transforming how organizations detect threats, predict vulnerabilities, and respond in real time—turning cybersecurity from a reactive necessity into a strategic business advantage.

I invite forward-thinking leaders, AI innovators, and cybersecurity experts to share insights on how AI is reshaping the security landscape, driving enterprise resilience, and unlocking new growth opportunities.

Read the Spotlight Articles
Ep-11-The-Illusion-of-Control-Wide-720x480

PODCAST: The Illusion of Control: Cybersecurity, AI and the Risks Beneath the Surface

The Financial Executives Edge

The conversation around cybersecurity and AI is often dominated by visible threats: ransomware, phishing attacks, data breaches, and the race to deploy more advanced tools. But some of the most significant risks organizations face today are not the ones making headlines. They are the hidden structural weaknesses quietly building beneath the surface of modern enterprises.

In this episode, we explore cybersecurity through a lens that is often overlooked: the growing disconnects between where organizations believe risk exists and where exposure is actually building.

Listen to the Podcast
World-Class CFO

Top 5 Lessons to Become a World Class CFO & Beyond

Unlock Leadership, Influence & Career Acceleration

Are you operating like a top-tier CFO or just keeping up? What separates world-class CFOs from the rest? What skills will elevate you to the next level of leadership and influence? And what’s holding you back that you don’t even realize?

Many financial executives hit a plateau because they rely on the same skills that got them here. But as the saying goes: “What got you here won’t get you there.” In this exclusive FENG session, Julie Jackle, Founder & CEO of Growth Axis, will share the 5 key lessons she’s learned from 17 years of coaching elite CFOs and CEOs. 

Watch on YouTube

Career Management Editorials

The sounds of silence

There was an article in the New York Times many years ago about how employers and recruiters no longer seem to get back to job seekers, even when they have been serious candidates for particular opportunities. Things haven’t gotten much better over the years. As easy as it is to click reply when you first send in your credentials, the follow up process is a lot more complex. Everyone should recognize the incredible volumes that those on the receiving end are experiencing. And, clients seem to take forever to review candidates and coordinate interviews for those they have selected. “The great lament” could go on forever. I am sure that each of you has your own special story. However, the explanations as to why this is the case and the rationale on the company or recruiter side is really beside the point. The real question is what you should do on your end when you don’t hear back. Let’s put aside the lack of response to a submission, whether it is to an Internet lead or to an actual search firm and instead focus on those times when you have had real expressions of interest, whether that is a virtual interview, telephone call or an actual in person interview. Step one is to never forget to ask when you will be hearing back about next steps. If you don’t ask, you will never know how long to wait before beginning your follow up. The difficult part comes when that appropriate waiting period has passed. I will share with you several thoughts. The first is what I call the “glass bell technique.” As you can imagine, although a glass bell makes noise and is easily heard, you have to be careful not to ring it too vigorously for fear of breaking it. The same thing applies to follow up calls for job search. There is a fine line between being persistent and being obnoxious. My Accounts Receivable collection experience was primarily separating valued clients from their money. (I sometimes refer to this as a surgical wallet removal.) You should never be embarrassed to ask for your money, but if you don’t ask politely, you run the risk of ruining a perfectly good relationship. The same thing holds with following up on jobs where you are a viable candidate. Not calling could be interpreted as a lack of interest. Calling too frequently could be seen as insecurity. Like I said, it is a fine line. To a degree, if I may repeat something I heard offered up once: They know how to reach you. If they were interested in you, they would call. Your struggle to reach someone for confirmation is only going to provide you with the words “we’re not interested.” That and a nickel isn’t going to buy you much. That said, if you believe you were a good fit for the job and that you connected with all who took the time to see you, I would suggest you put this opportunity on your “targets of opportunity” list. Any time and every time you have some spare moments, call or send an email to remind them of your existence. The “ideal candidate” who was offered the job might have turned them down and brought them back to square one. At this point, searches have been known to be totally restarted, ignoring even viable candidates they met on the first round. To a degree this approach stems from embarrassment that they didn’t keep you in the loop. If false pride is all that keeps you from being back in touch with these folks, I would gently suggest you ignore their rudeness for the potential of a paycheck. While specific insults shouldn’t be ignored (like we wouldn’t hire you if you were the last person on earth), sins of omission should be forgiven. (I’ve always commented on your graciousness under fire.) Again, whining about situations where you have been ignored is not the point and purpose of The FENG. Those who want to comment on approaches to handling “the sounds of silence” should send their opus to Leads@TheFENG.org for publication in our newsletter. I would look forward to having you share your “secrets.” Regards, Matt
Sep 17, 2026

The small town syndrome

I am always chatting with potential sponsors for The FENG and from time to time the character of each of our chapters comes up. They are, of course, all different.
Sep 16, 2026

Yeah, what do you want?

Sometimes the phone here are world headquarters gets a little quiet. Several minutes can go by and no one calls. It is enough to get you a little out of practice in answering the phone. So, from time to time I just pick up the phone (even though it isn’t ringing) and say hello to see if my energized greeting is still inside my head. As you know, practice makes perfect.
Sep 15, 2026

Member Testimonials

After being unexpectedly let go from a senior financial leadership role at age 40, Steve found himself navigating a job search he had never prepared for. Without a roadmap, he struggled — until he joined The FENG. Through peer-level support, disciplined networking, and proven career strategies, Steve rebuilt his confidence and approach. Within six months, he landed the best role of his career. Today, he continues to support The FENG so other financial executives can find clarity, connection, and their next great opportunity.

Steve Cary, Inside Out Partners

Marty joined The FENG in 2015 after a prolonged period of financial instability and layoffs at his company finally resulted in his own job loss. Introduced to the organization by a co-worker, he used FENG’s guidance to navigate periods of transition, taking on temporary assignments he may have otherwise overlooked. Through the newsletters and practical job-search discipline he learned, Marty stayed engaged even after landing a role that lasted seven years.
Years later, when his next employer began facing financial trouble, Marty began preparing early — using FENG’s resume approach. That preparation paid off: a recruiter found him, driven by the depth of his full career history, not just recent roles. He secured a new leadership position and started within weeks. Marty credits The FENG for helping him stay ready, visible, and strategically positioned throughout his career.

Marty Kierzek, Director of Finance, Axelent, Inc.

After spending more than two decades building a stable executive career with a global energy company, Steve’s role was eliminated following a major corporate merger at age 46. Suddenly in transition, he joined The FENG and fully committed to the process — attending chapter meetings, refining his resume, and applying disciplined networking strategies from the nightly newsletters.
After nearly a year of searching, Steve discovered a role through a FENG newsletter listing that was not posted anywhere else. He secured the position and went on to spend 16 years with the company, achieving greater professional and financial success than he thought possible. Even in retirement, Steve continues to support The FENG, crediting the organization with changing the trajectory of his career.

Karen Justice, Managing Partner

Membership Benefits:

  • Trusted Job Leads
  • Presentations, Panel Discussions
  • Career/Job Clubs
  • Mentoring and Résumé Reviews
  • Elevate thought leadership through The Financial Executives Journal
  • Elite-Level Executive Networking

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Built by Financial Executives, for Financial Executives

two financial executives telling war stories to each other

The Power of Networking. The Power of Friendships.

Born from one executive’s simple idea, The Financial Executives Networking Group began in 1991 as a small circle of twelve finance leaders who believed in one uncommon principle: generosity first. In the early years, Matt Bud joined the group and soon took on a leadership role, helping nurture the philosophy that would guide its growth into a worldwide community of more than 25,000 senior-level professionals — all still connected by the same spirit that launched it.
At The FENG, our mission is simple and human: to support one another through every chapter of a financial career — working, searching, transitioning, consulting, and even into retirement. We are a community built on lifelong networking, knowledge-sharing, and the understanding that no executive should navigate their career alone.
And at the heart of it all is reciprocity. We have a shared expectation that every member gives as much as they receive. This ethos has guided our community from day one and continues to shape who we are today: a network of leaders lifting one another up, one connection at a time.

Our Story

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