Brian Kuethe

About Brian Kuethe

I caught the innovation bug and never looked back. In my second role at Google, I led Finance for an R&D lab focused on developing cutting-edge mobile technology. The team’s motto was to “innovate at velocity” and I took it to heart. I really enjoy building new things. I’m passionate about solving meaningful problems, especially when doing so means finding new and creative solutions that benefit society. Innovating at velocity requires having the right mindset from a Finance perspective. You need to move with agility and GSD. You need to be adaptable. You need to dive into ambiguity and take on unstructured problems. And, most of all, you need to be comfortable taking informed risks in order to move the needle. I’ve developed this mindset over my time with Google and Microsoft’s world-class FP & A teams and while leading Finance at VC-backed startups (spanning AI, SaaS, and marketplace companies). Here are a few other skills I bring to the table: Leadership: I strive to embody strong leadership qualities - acting with integrity, leading by example, and demonstrating empathy, level-headedness, and resilience. Versatility: I’m a startup Swiss Army knife, with experience owning not only the Finance function, but also Business Analytics, Pricing, and negotiating strategic partnerships. Visibility: I simplify finance, offering critical insights into key metrics for stakeholders—from Senior Leadership to the Board to the broader organization. Strategic Planning: I build models that clearly explain complex businesses and spotlight the company’s trajectory as well as identify available levers/trade-offs for improvement. Team Building: I cultivate high performing teams, bringing in people that are highly capable and collaborative, with a strong sense of ownership. Team Player: I prioritize a strong company culture and cross-functional collaboration when tackling challenges. Legal: I’m a logical thinker, a persuasive storyteller, and adept at identifying key issues and prioritizing accordingly.

Experience

1. Chief Financial Officer

   The Purpose-Driven Cfo

   Nov 2024 — Present

   Fractional CFO services empowering impact-focused startups to achieve purpose with profitability.

Education

• Duke University - The Fuqua School of Business

  Master of Business Administration, Corporate Finance

  2008 — 2010

• University of Iowa

  Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance

  1995 — 1999

• University of Iowa College of Law

  Juris Doctor, Graduated with Distinction

  1999 — 2002

• HEC Paris

  Master of Business Administration, Exchange

  2009