Jack McCullough on Inspiring Change Through Community

In this powerful episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we sit down with financial leadership expert Jack McCullough, founder of the CFO Leadership Council. Are you a leader battling imposter syndrome, navigating personal setbacks, or trying to build a career that goes beyond the numbers? Jack’s story is a masterclass in turning personal challenges into empathetic leadership. From being a wimpy kid (his words!) to leading a global network of thousands, he reveals how his journey forged a deep commitment to community, mentorship, and building a safe space for others.

Jack McCullough is a recognized financial leadership expert and the founder of the CFO Leadership Council, a global network of over 2,500 senior financial executives. A former CFO for multiple organizations, he has played a key role in helping CFOs expand their influence beyond finance to become strategic business leaders. Jack has published three books, including MBA for Lunch earlier this year, and serves a senior contributor to the Forbes CFO Network, and host of the Secrets of Rockstar CFOs podcast. His insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, CNBC, and he has appeared on Fox Business Network and Your World with Neil Cavuto. Jack earned his MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management.

Key Takeaways:

• The Scars That Build Empathy: Jack shares how being a bullied, socially awkward kid gave him a lifelong mission to stand up for others and taught him that niceness is a sign of strength, not weakness.
• Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Learn how Jack, despite his achievements, felt like an admissions error at MIT Sloan. He discovered that his unique background was a valuable asset that his classmates respected and sought advice from.
• From Personal Pain to Purpose: Hear how the defining challenge of his life—raising two autistic sons—made him a more patient, kinder, and empathetic leader, inspiring him to mentor others going through similar struggles.
• Building a Community from Rejection: Discover the origin story of the CFO Leadership Council, which was born after Jack was rejected by another professional group. He created the network he needed, fostering a judgment-free community of operators.

Jack’s story proves that a leader's true strength is not in a perfect background, but in the lessons they learn from their personal journey. 

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Theme Song: Pedal to the Medal by Martin Luther (Spotify | Apple Music)