About
Glen Leibowitz
Finance Leadership and IPO Readiness: Glen Leibowitz has over 20 years of finance leadership experience, having guided multiple organizations through major financial milestones and transformations. A New York-based Certified Public Accountant, Glen began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), where he spent nearly a decade leading global IPO teams and handling complex financial reporting for multinational clients. At PwC he helped companies prepare for going public, honing his skills in IPO readiness and regulatory compliance early on. He then joined Apollo Global Management in 2007, where he took on key finance roles and served as the accounting lead in taking Apollo public in 2011. During his tenure at Apollo, Glen implemented Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) controls and built out the public company reporting framework, gaining hands-on experience in finance process transformation and the rigorous demands of a newly public company. This period cemented his reputation for expertly managing the private-to-public company transition process.
CFO Roles and Financial Transformation: Glen’s expertise led him to serve as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for several organizations. In 2018, he became CFO of Acreage Holdings (formerly High Street Capital Partners), a rapidly growing multistate company in the cannabis industry. There, he overhauled finance operations and prepared the company for its anticipated IPO, instilling public-company discipline in budgeting, controls, and SEC reporting. Under his financial leadership, Acreage scaled its accounting systems and improved transparency as it positioned for a public listing. Following Acreage, Glen served as CFO at Bitcoin Depot until November 2024, helping steer the company through a complex SPAC merger and IPO process, making it the first crypto ATM company to list on a major U.S. exchange. Glen’s tenure at Bitcoin Depot saw the implementation of robust financial controls and reporting structures to meet public company standards, exemplifying his strength in finance transformation. Throughout these roles, he has managed teams across disciplines, upgraded processes, and ensured compliance — all while keeping a strategic eye on growth and shareholder value. Since November 2024, I have been an independent consultant, advising on IPOs, financial transactions, and transformation.
Thought Leadership and Personal Reflections: Beyond his formal roles, Glen is passionate about thought leadership in the finance community. He frequently shares insights drawn from his experience with IPO preparation, M&A, and corporate turnarounds. An advocate of continuous learning, he has spoken at industry events (such as CFO leadership conferences) and contributed perspectives on navigating the costs of an IPO, optimizing financial systems, and designing an effective exit strategy for founders. Now, through this blog, Glen writes in a personal yet authoritative voice about the challenges and solutions in today’s finance landscape. He reflects on lessons learned—from managing high-pressure IPO deadlines to transforming finance departments—and offers guidance to fellow CFOs, startup founders, and finance professionals. Glen also mentors up-and-coming finance talent and fosters a culture of integrity and innovation in the teams he leads.
On a personal note, Glen’s commitment to excellence is matched by his commitment to community. He serves as a trusted advisor and has sat on boards of nonprofit organizations, believing in using his expertise to give back. Glen earned his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Information Systems from Queens College, CUNY, and remains a proud New Yorker. When he’s not delving into financial statements or writing for his blog, you might find him advising startups, reading about the latest fintech trends, or spending time with family. Glen Leibowitz’s blend of big-firm experience, startup agility, and thoughtful reflection position him as a respected voice on how to successfully bridge the gap between entrepreneurial vision and financial rigor.