Listen "S2, EP 23: Beyond the Balance Sheet: Vladen Potapenkov’s Global Path to CFO"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode, we sit down with Vladen Potapenkov, Chief Financial Officer at Nutrano Produce Group, to explore his remarkable 20-year journey through the global food and beverage industry. Born in Ukraine and raised in Russia, Vladen’s story is one of adaptability, curiosity, and leadership across continents.Beginning his career in a comprehensive graduate program with Agrana Fruit, Vladen quickly rose through a series of finance and operational roles across Europe before relocating to Australia - where he ultimately became CFO for the region. After 15 successful years at Agrana, he took on a new challenge within a Private Equity-backed company, continuing to drive transformation and growth.In this conversation, Vladen shares his pathway to CFO, his approach to leadership beyond finance, and how he’s led large-scale system implementations that deliver lasting impact. He discusses his belief in team-based leadership, how he’s helped stabilize even the most challenging teams, and his deep passion for mentoring and developing young talent.Whether you’re an aspiring finance leader, a people-focused executive, or someone fascinated by global business journeys, Vladen’s insights reveal what it truly means to lead with purpose, resilience, and a belief in people as the ultimate driver of success.
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