Beyond the ride: Head of FP&A and investor Relations at Lyft
The opening voice on a Lyft earnings call is that of Aurelien Nolf, VP, FP&A and Investor Relations at the ride-hailing firm. He holds a dual role managing the 60-person FP&A, finance analysts, and investor team with access to billions of data points looking at the mode, price,drivers, frequency and demand for current offerings– and much-anticipated future services – such as robotaxis. In August 2025, the company saw an 11% increase in revenue to $1.59 billion for the quarter ended June 30. Its profit climbed to $40.3 million from $5 million a year earlier, driven by a rise in ridership and bookings. In this episode Nolf opens the hood into the FP&A processes and opportunities at the San-Francisco-based iconic brand.
In this episode:
The metrics that matter with billions of data points
The logic of combining FP&A and investor relations
Finance hackathons, curiosity and the culture of Lyft
Operational vs financial metrics driving Lyft’s success
Using ML in our forecasting, variance analysis, and IR reports
The challenge of hiring for FP&A in the Bay Area
--------
47:58
--------
47:58
Chikako Tyler FP&A lessons getting from CFO to COO at California Bank & Trust
Chikako Tyler is the Chief Operating Officer at California Bank & Trust (CB&T). She began her career at the leading California bank in 2010, starting as risk manager, progressing tos trategic planning and analysis (spanning seven revenue divisions and 150 units), before serving seven years as Chief Financial Officer revealing . Here she reveals the strategic leadership as the bank grew, from $9 billion to $15 billion in assets, and overcoming challenges from the post global financial crisis to COVID.
In this episode:
Math academic to commercial real estate
California Bank and Trust’s stress testing
Efficiency ratios and operating leverage
Differences in the path CFO to COO
Inclusion and leadership in banking
The most company specific fave Excel function answer
--------
51:12
--------
51:12
Fire Drills, Fractional Work, and AI Reality Check: Carl Seidman
As a fractional CFO and financial advisor, Carl Seidman, a returning guest, has worked with finance teams at some of the world’s most recognized companies, helping them strengthen forecasting, cash flow management, and strategic decision-making. He also teaches several top-rated online courses including the FP&A Mastery Signature Program.
My first fire-drill, creating a cash flow in one week
The under $50m revenue opportunity for fractional CFOs
The power of an advanced (live) FP&A course
Expectations and reality for AI in your finance career
The catastrophe if AI gets something wrong
What I learned about Copilot in Excel developing a LinkedIn course
The Power of LET
--------
52:39
--------
52:39
Secrets to a Simple Model: Peter Lynch
Peter Lynch is the founder of ASimpleModel.com and serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Stephen Gould. He has worked in private equity for most of his professional career at Rabobank, JP Morgan, Argenta Partners and Hilltop Holdings. But he’s perhaps best known for turning complex financial concepts into clear accessible lessons through ASimpleModel.com.
JP Morgan in Buenos Aires
Crazy models during the financial crisis
Capital allocation strategy at Stephen Gould
How a Simple Model took off
Most common mistake in building a financial model
Clarifying private equity
Incorporating AI into everything I do
--------
52:32
--------
52:32
From Big Four CPA to Building a Lean Finance Function Driving 500% Growth – Andrew Polito
Andrew Polito is VP, Controller at Go HQ which provides a suite of back office services, including recruiting to delivery companies. The Fort Worth-based company provides back office support for transportation and logistics, seeing 500% growth in five years, earning a spot on the Inc 5,000 list of fastest- growing private companies in America.
In this episode:
From audit to shifting to a private company finance team
Building FP&A from the ground up
Power of the 13 week cash forecast
How I introduced automation in an initial two-person finance team
How our finance tech stack delivers the data and insights to succeed
FP&A Today is the podcast for Financial Planning and Analysis. The weekly show dives into the challenges and opportunities within the world of FP&A, interviewing FP&A leaders, CFOs and other finance pros in order to give you the freshest insights and takeaways. Each week our top guests provide actionable advice about financial planning and analysis – from career goals to navigating challenges, and powerful Excel tips.
Our weekly show provides unrivalled insights for navigating FP&A.
FP&A Today is brought to you by Datarails.
Datarails is the AI-powered Financial Planning and Analysis platform for Excel users.
New Zealand