Behind the CXO Title: Chris Dardi on Building Something Bigger Than Himself

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Dardi, an alumnus of the CXO Fellows Program who was CFO of Behavioral Innovations at the time of recording and now serves as COO. Chris shares why he left financial due diligence to build something bigger, how he navigated the leap into healthcare, and the mindset shifts that helped him succeed. He reflects on lessons learned during his time as a CXO, the demands of leading through an exit as CFO, and the importance of process, adaptability, and knowing how to focus when everything feels urgent.


Key Takeaways:

• Learning the business from the ground up builds credibility, accelerates impact, and helps new leaders drive meaningful change
• Opportunities often come disguised as problems, and tackling unglamorous challenges creates momentum and visibility in microcap environments
• Process, discipline, and adaptability are essential skills for CXOs stepping into new industries or scaling companies through rapid growth
• Exit readiness is an ongoing effort that starts with how the business is built, not when a banker is hired, and it requires tight operations, clear data, and a compelling story


Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction
• 05:27 - Discovering Purpose in the Mission
• 09:00 - Learning Fast and Building Structure
• 13:40 - Leading Through Change
• 21:04 - Lessons in Leadership


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You’ll also find other Bigger. Stronger. Faster. episodes, alongside our Microcap Moments and Everyday Heroes series—highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique.


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