January 7, 2026

Using AI Without Exposing Your Crown Jewels: A Practical Guide for C-Suite Leaders

Artificial intelligence has moved from “interesting experiment” to “board-level priority” with remarkable speed. Most CEOs and executive teams now believe AI can materially improve efficiency, decision-making, and growth. At the same time, many share a quieter concern:

How do we use AI safely so we don’t put our most sensitive data, IP, and competitive advantage at risk?

The good news is that companies can unlock real value from AI without putting proprietary information at risk — and they can do so without rushing into a costly, permanent hire before they’re ready.

Here’s how.

Read More

January 7, 2026

The AI Questions CEOs Should Ask to Avoid the Wrong Executive Hire

Most CEOs know something’s not working — but they can’t always articulate what they need, or who they need in the seat.

Enter Artificial Intelligence.

Lately, we’ve noticed more CEOs coming to us with excellent summaries of their business situation — often generated with AI. Honestly? We love it. A clear brief = faster, better match to the right interim leader.

The worst place to be as a CEO is knowing something is off… but not being able to name it.

AI helps you find the language.

A proven interim executive helps you fix the problem.

This guide (written with the assistance of AI!) gives you the exact ChatGPT prompts you need to help clarify:

• your situation
• your problems
• the outcomes you want
• whether you need an interim, fractional, or full-time leader

Read More

January 6, 2026

Private Equity Operating Partner vs Interim Executive: Which Do You Need?

Private equity firms are under pressure from high interest rates, longer hold periods, and more complex portfolio operations. In response, fund managers are rethinking how they create value.

A recent PwC study found that more than 80% of private equity funds now rely on operating partners to drive transformation inside portfolio companies. Yet many small and mid-market funds lack the operating partner bench they need to succeed in challenging times.

That’s where interim and fractional executives come in.

Read More

December 29, 2025

Should Every Employee Have Ownership in Your Company?

From Silicon Valley startups to legacy manufacturers, business leaders are asking a fundamental question: Should employees have ownership in the companies they help build?

Employee ownership has long been associated with stronger cultures, better financial performance, and more secure retirements for workers. Yet despite these advantages, new ESOP creation has remained steady at roughly 250 plans per year—suggesting that many leaders are still uncertain about how employee ownership works or whether it’s right for their organization.

According to Mary Josephs, founder and CEO of Verit Advisors and a nationally recognized expert in ESOPs, the opportunity is far larger than many realize. Having advised on more than 300 middle-market ownership transitions, Josephs believes employee ownership represents one of the most underutilized tools in American business today.

“The broad range of employee ownership opportunities has the power to transform our economy as they continue to become more widely adopted,” says Josephs.

Read More

December 29, 2025

Virtual CFO vs. Interim CFO: Why Leadership, Not the Label, Determines Outcomes

On paper, a virtual CFO looks like the fastest solution to a financial leadership gap. In practice, many executives discover too late that what they hired is a service, not a leader. When your company faces investor scrutiny, cash pressure, or a pivotal transition, the real decision executives face isn’t virtual versus in-house, it’s transactional support versus decisive leadership.

InterimExecs CEO Robert Jordan discussed the differences — and asked for insights on when an embedded CFO is the right move — in conversations with two successful interim Chief Financial Officers, Vic Datta and Mike Winer. Here’s what their years of experience have taught them.

Read More

October 17, 2025

Interim Executives vs. Consultants: The Complete Comparison Guide

In today’s fast-paced business landscape, organizations face critical decisions about external expertise. If you’re frantically Googling “interim executive vs consultant,” “difference between consultant and interim manager,” or even “consultant alternative,” you’re not alone. Leaders of organizations in need of expertise grapple with whether they simply require the strategic advice a consultant brings or if they need more and should hire an interim executive to drive real change.

This complete comparison guide serves as your big-picture resource, exploring definitions, key differences, when to use each, and practical tips to choose the right fit for your needs.

At InterimExecs, we specialize in placing top-tier interim executives who go beyond advice to deliver results. Whether you’re navigating a crisis, growth phase, or transition, understanding the “management consultant versus interim” distinction can save time, money, and frustration.

Let’s break it down.

Read More

August 25, 2025

Interim CFOs for Nonprofits: Balancing Mission and Money

Running a nonprofit is a balancing act. On one side, there’s the passion that fuels your mission. On the other is the practical need to keep the books balanced and the bills paid. Both matter. When they’re aligned, your organization can thrive for years to come.

But balancing the mission with the money is never easy, especially in these unpredictable times. From changing funding streams to tight budgets, managing money in the nonprofit world comes with unique challenges. Those challenges are exacerbated in times of transition, growth, or crisis. That’s when it makes the most sense for nonprofits to hire an experienced interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

At InterimExecs, we specialize in connecting nonprofits with experienced interim leaders who know how to steady the ship and plan for the future.

Here’s why interim CFOs are becoming such a valuable resource and how they can help you find the money to meet the mission.

Read More

July 31, 2025

Fractional vs. Interim vs. Full-Time CFO: What’s the Right Fit for Your Company?

When your company is in financial flux — whether due to growth, fundraising, or leadership gaps — it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the range of CFO options. Should you hire full-time? Go fractional? Bring in someone on an interim basis?

The titles may sound similar, but the structure of each is very different. Choosing the wrong one can stall momentum or cost you more than it saves. Here’s how to compare your options — fractional vs. interim vs. full-time — and decide which type of Chief Financial Officer is right for your company’s stage and situation.

Read More

July 31, 2025

From Full-Time Tech Exec to Interim CIO: 5 Key Steps for Making the Leap

Veteran tech executives are increasingly drawn to the flexibility and fresh challenges of interim and fractional CIO roles. Whether you’re seeking more control over your time, eager to solve complex problems at scale, or simply ready for a new phase in your career, the interim path offers an exciting opportunity to make a high-impact difference across organizations.

But making the leap from a traditional, full-time C-suite role to interim work isn’t as simple as updating your resume. It requires a mindset shift, new strategies, and a clear value proposition. In a panel hosted by Robert Jordan, CEO of InterimExecs, seasoned interim leaders Dominic Luzi, Tom Murray, and John Matthesen shared their hard-won insights on what it takes to succeed as an interim or fractional CIO. Here’s what you need to know.

Read More

July 9, 2025

The Ultimate Guide to Hiring an Interim CIO

Technology can make or break your business. Whether you’re navigating a high-stakes digital transformation, cleaning up an IT disaster, or preparing your company for sale, you need smart, decisive leadership. But what happens when your organization can’t wait six months to recruit the perfect permanent CIO?

That’s where an interim CIO comes in.

Unlike a full-time hire, interim CIOs bring speed, clarity, and deep experience — often stepping in after a CIO departs, during a crisis, or ahead of a major initiative.

This guide breaks down what every CEO, board member, or private equity investor should know about hiring an interim CIO—how to recognize when you need one, what they actually do, how they differ from CTOs and fractional executives, and what traits to look for.

Read More