1048: Strategic Growth and Leadership in Hard Tech Finance | Sandra Wallach, CFO, Amprius Technologies

Sitting quietly at the back of a crowded GE conference room, a young Sandra Wallach diligently took notes during an executive briefing. As one of the newest inductees into GE's esteemed Financial Management Program (FMP), she was eager to absorb every detail. Unbeknownst to her at the time, this moment marked the beginning of a transformative 17-year journey with General Electric. "FMP allowed me to figure out what I really like to do, what I gravitate towards, and what I'm not as interested in," she reflects. From aircraft leasing to manufacturing finance, each rotation broadened her expertise and honed her adaptability. GE's approach to talent development was immersive and expansive. Wallach continues, "I had 10 different roles in nine different physical locations over my time." This constant movement not only built her resilience but also provided her with a holistic understanding of GE's diverse businesses. The culture emphasized being an integral part of the senior leadership team and driving change. "They expected me to be able to speak to the business almost as well as the leader that I was supporting," she notes. This high standard pushed her to develop skills beyond traditional finance roles. Along the way, Wallach says GE's culture exposed her to the personal attributes that would become increasingly critical as she advanced into leadership positions. "Do you have personal edge? Can you make the tough calls? Do you have personal energy?" she explains. Serving as a Master Black Belt and later as a pricing executive, she stepped outside traditional finance roles, gaining valuable insights that would later prove essential in the C-suite. Beyond GE, Wallach tells us there were still a few boxes to check before she could step into a CFO role. Positions at Intuit and MiaSole provided her with exposure to Silicon Valley's fast-paced culture and the opportunity to work directly with boards and investors. These experiences, coupled with her GE foundation, ultimately paved the way for her appointments as CFO of Amprius Technologies.