What Managing $20B in Crisis Liquidity Taught Me - and What Every Treasury Professional Should Know

What do you get when a classically trained percussionist trades the concert hall for the corporate boardroom? In this episode, we uncover the extraordinary journey of Evan Bertrand from performing orchestral music to leading treasury and investor relations at major corporations during times of crisis, growth, and transformation.This is an inspiring story of reinvention, resilience, and the real-world impact of finance at the highest level.Evan Bertrand is the Director of Investor Relations at Forward Air Corporation, a leading international logistics and trucking company. With a career spanning ExxonMobil, Solera, and Six Flags, Evan has carved out a unique path from classical music to high-stakes corporate finance, specializing in treasury operations, cash management, and capital markets.His cross-industry experience and dual expertise in treasury and investor relations offer valuable insights for finance professionals navigating change and complexity.Main topics discussed:How Evan transitioned from a professional music career to finance and ultimately to treasury and investor relations.His early roles at ExxonMobil and the importance of rotational programs and mentorship.Managing a $20B commercial paper program during an oil price collapse.Challenges and strategies while constructing a global treasury function from scratch post-LBO at Solera.Navigating Six Flags through the pandemic and implementing ERP-banking integration.What it takes to manage investor expectations and build relationships on Wall Street.The benefits of combining treasury and investor relations into one strategic role.Trends shaping treasury today, including the rise of automation and fraud prevention.Key decisions and mindset shifts that shaped Evan’s career trajectory.You can connect with Evan Bertrand on LinkedIn. ❓Quick Link to CTP quiz for Evan’s Episode❓https://treasuryrecruitment.com/?post_type=ays-quiz-maker&p=7460---🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Hit subscribe on your favourite platform:🍏Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/treasury-career-corner/id1436647162🎧Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/641KUrhdoQPynLc1q2Guqn🎓 Save $150 on CTP, FPAC & AFP Boston 2025 - Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners.🧠 Leadership Under Pressure - Practical tools and coaching that actually work – from the team at Gazing Leadership.🤝 Support for Your Treasury Career - From education to events, tech to training – meet the partners helping treasury professionals like you grow and succeed.👉 Explore your support network here - https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/