Yahoo Finance Meet 7 Fortune 500 CFOs under 40
Every year, Fortune publishes its iconic list of the Fortune 500—the world’s biggest companies by revenue. It’s a moment of celebration for firms that top the list like perennial No. 1, Walmart, and also for first time arrivals like DoorDash, which made its debut this year. The Fortune 500 is also an opportunity to take a closer look at the executives helping to steer these giant companies, including some who are holding down the very big job of CFO before their 40th birthday.
The list below offers a snapshot of the youngest CFOs on the Fortune 500, highlighting how they got to this position, and what they do to keep their companies on the right financial track. The list consists of rising stars—some of whom might ascend to the top job of CEO one time—but, in one case, an executive beset by personal troubles.
Here are the CFOs in order of Fortune 500 ranking:
Susan Li, 38, Meta Platforms, No. 30 on the Fortune 500, company earning $134.9 billion
Li began her tenure as CFO on Nov. 1, 2022, replacing David Wehner, who took on a new role as Meta’s first chief strategy officer. Li leads the finance and facilities teams at the tech giant. She was previously the company’s VP of finance and led the teams focused on finance and business planning and treasury. She joined the company, then called Facebook, in 2008.
Jessica Fischer, 39, Charter Communications, No. 76 on the Fortune 500, company earning $54.6 billion
Fischer was named CFO in October 2021. In addition to overseeing accounting and finance functions, she manages Charter’s equity and capital markets strategy and execution, M&A, and investing activity. She most recently served as EVP of finance, joining the company as corporate treasurer in 2017. Before joining Charter, Fischer was a partner in the national tax department at EY, where she advised clients on the tax structuring and implementation of partnership transactions primarily in the media and telecommunications space.
John R. Tyson, 34, Tyson Foods, No. 85 on the Fortune 500, company earning $52.9 billion
Tyson, 34, began his tenure as EVP and CFO of the Arkansas-based meat company on Oct. 2, 2022. He also leads the company's enterprise strategy and corporate development. Tyson is the son of board chairman John H. Tyson and the great-grandson of John W. Tyson, founder of the company. John R. Tyson previously served as the company’s EVP of strategy and as chief sustainability officer. Before joining Tyson Foods in 2019, he held various roles in investment banking, private equity, and venture capital, including at J.P. Morgan.
However, Tyson was suspended from his CFO role on June 13 following his arrest for a DWI. (It was his second arrest in two years.) Curt Calaway, SVP of finance, corporate development, and treasurer, was appointed interim CFO.
Celso L. Goncalves, 36, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., No. 185 on the Fortune 500, company earning $21.996 billion
Goncalves began as EVP and CFO in 2021. Before his present role, he was SVP of finance and treasurer, managing the company’s cash, liquidity, and capital structure, as well as business development initiatives. Before joining Cleveland-Cliffs, Goncalves worked in investment banking at Deutsche Bank and at Jefferies. He is the son of Lourenco Goncalves, chairman, president, and CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs.
Zach Davis, 39, Cheniere Energy, No. 200 on the Fortune 500, company earning $20.4 billion
Davis has been EVP and CFO since 2022. He also serves as a director and EVP and CFO of Cheniere Partners GP, and as a director of the Cheniere Foundation. Davis joined Cheniere in 2013. He was previously SVP of finance and VP of finance and planning, and has over 15 years of finance experience, primarily in the LNG, power, renewable energy, midstream, and infrastructure sectors. Before joining Cheniere, Davis held energy investment banking and project finance roles at Credit Suisse, Marathon Capital, and HSH Nordbank.
Kaes Van't Hof, 37, Diamondback Energy No. 449 on the Fortune 500, company earning $8.4 billion
Before Van't Hof began his career in finance, he was a professional tennis player from 2008 to 2010. He played in the 2008 and 2009 U.S. Open. Van’t Hof has served as president and CFO at Diamondback Energy since February 2022. Before that, he held roles including CFO and EVP of business development, and SVP of strategy and corporate development. Before joining Diamondback, Van't Hof gained experience as a chief executive serving as CEO for Bison Drilling and Field Services.
Shawn Flores, 35, Par Pacific Holdings, No. 454 on the Fortune 500, company earning $8.2 billion
Flores has served as SVP and CFO since January 2023. He joined the company in July 2014, holding a variety of financial leadership roles. Most recently, Flores has been VP of finance, responsible for treasury, risk management, financial planning and strategy, and M&A. Before joining Par Pacific, he worked in finance roles with BG Group in Texas and the United Kingdom.
This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
