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.

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SPOTLIGHT: AI and Upskilling

The Financial Executives Journal

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the modern workplace—expanding roles, accelerating learning, and amplifying human strategy and creativity. This spotlight explores how AI-driven tools are redefining upskilling and how leaders—especially finance executives—can leverage AI to build data-driven strategies, empower teams, and unlock new insights. In an economy defined by rapid change, the advantage belongs to those who learn, adapt, and lead with AI as a partner.

Read the Spotlight Articles
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PODCAST: Healthcare Trends

The Financial Executives Edge

Unpack the forces shaping America’s healthcare and pharmaceutical systems—from soaring costs and opaque drug pricing to employer benefits and breakthrough innovation. Experts from The FENG, Bloomberg Intelligence, and Lockton break down why healthcare costs keep rising, how employers are navigating premiums, HSAs, and wellness incentives, and what the drug development lifecycle reveals about transparency—or the lack of it. AI, robotics, and biotech innovation are poised to redefine modern medicine. Can innovation and affordability truly coexist?

Listen to the Podcast
The State of AI in Finance

The State of AI in Finance

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how finance teams operate—from forecasting and reporting to compliance and strategic decision-making. Yet, adoption across finance remains uneven, and many organizations are still figuring out where to start. Explore the current state of AI adoption in finance, drawing on recent research and real-world examples. Look at the technologies driving change, how large language models are evolving into practical CFO assistants, and the regulatory frameworks shaping responsible use in the U.S. and Europe. Gain a clear view of where the industry stands today, what risks and opportunities lie ahead, and a practical roadmap for implementing AI safely and effectively within their own finance function.
Watch on YouTube

Career Management Editorials

Stress reduction in networking

I suppose it is hard to believe, but those on the receiving of networking calls actually experience more stress than you do. Yes, I know that picking up that 400-pound phone isn’t easy, but neither is responding to phone calls from those who have been trained in the NFL approach to networking. (That’s where they tackle you and won’t let you up until you give them 3 names.) Is it any wonder that your phone call or visit can strike fear in their hearts? The stress comes from the fear of disappointing you and/or disappointing the friend who sent you their way by appearing not to be able to help you. If you want the process to work as well as it can, you need to take steps to reduce the fear and dread. A good part of this process is to come prepared to those meetings or phone calls with specific requests and to start with questions that are easy to answer in the affirmative. (In selling terms this is analogous to “getting to yes.”) Of course, you should have your 90 second elevator speech down pat. That part of your presentation is key to providing a quick overview of who you are and how they can best help you. The next step is NOT to ask if they know about any open jobs. In fact, asking if they know about open jobs is almost a guaranteed conversation ender. Very few people actually know about jobs that might fit you on the given day that you call. It is far better to start with easy questions. For example, do they know any search professionals who you might be able to contact? Sure, recruiters aren’t all that helpful, but on the other hand, everyone knows several very well and they are relieved that you have asked them such an easy question. It also causes them to get out their address book and start paging through it. That’s good, because they are going to need it for the next part of your “interrogation.” To ensure that the next part of the process goes well and appears easy, you need to come to your encounter with a target company list and/or marketing plan. I like target company lists over target industry lists because I find most folks are more familiar with the names of companies. They may not even know for sure which firms fall into which industries. Your target company list may even include the names of individuals at those firms that you would like to meet. Now, you shouldn’t really expect that your networking contact knows folks at those specific firms. And you don’t need to actually want to work at one of those companies. The purpose of the list is to give your networking contact something appropriate to focus on. In addition to getting the mental wheels turning, it gives them something to hang onto, sort of like a nervous speaker hangs onto a podium. You will be surprised that they may know someone who knows the person you want to meet. That’s close enough. Or they may know an officer at a company that is SIMILAR to one of the companies on your list. In any case, these are much more open ended questions and ones that can generate flexible thinking. You will be surprised how often this kind of a process generates valuable next networking contacts. The key is taking the stress out of the encounter and making your networking contact successful. They will feel good about your meeting and so will you. An additional tip would be to follow up with this contact by reporting back on your success or failure. The reason is that as soon as you left their office, they thought of more contacts for you, but then they got busy and put it aside. If you call or write with a report, you can pick up these valuable additions. It is also possible that the first set of contacts was a test to see how well you do. No one is going to risk his/her whole book on one person they don’t really know. The road to success is networking, networking and more networking. I hope these tips make you more successful in your efforts. Regards, Matt
Apr 21, 2026

A fair fight

One of the most over-rated things in this world is a fair fight.
Apr 20, 2026

25 words or less

The resume format is sure constraining. If only the world was willing to listen to us rattle on. Unfortunately, they aren’t.
Apr 19, 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

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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.

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