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t a recent executive team dinner, several Acorns executives were reminiscing about their childhood professional aspirations. While many had had career dreams that had long ago lost their luster\u2014Seth Wunder told his colleagues that he never gave much thought to being anything other than an investor. \u201cI grew up in a household and family that was focused on investing and on the growth of the markets,\u201d Wunder recalls. As a teenager, he was already engrossed in financial markets, which would set the stage for a career path that would eventually lead him to the CFO office at Acorns, a pioneering investment platform.

Wunder\u2019s journey began in investment banking, where he honed his analytical skills and developed a keen eye for financial opportunities. His transition to running an investment fund further solidified his investing credentials, allowing him to delve deep into the intricacies of market dynamics and company valuations. It was here that Wunder cultivated his strategic mind-set, learning to balance short-term gains with long-term value creation.

Still, the transition from investor to operator is a pivotal career chapter. He noted that one of the everyday challenges in this is to translate financial concepts. \u201cWhen you\u2019re in finance, everyone around you understands the technical language, but as a CFO, you have to communicate in a way that everyone can understand, regardless of their domain expertise,\u201d Wunder explains. This insight has led him to make clear communication a priority, although he admits that optimizing the skillset needed to break down complex ideas into simple building blocks remains a work in progress.

Upon joining Acorns, Wunder quickly found his footing during the acquisition of GoHenry, which expanded Acorns into international markets. This transaction showcased his ability to integrate teams and drive synergies, ultimately enhancing the company\u2019s growth trajectory.

On the home front, Wunder, a father of three, says that he is committed to instilling sound financial habits in his children. He believes in the power of early financial education and is determined to help shape their financial futures\u2014much like he aims to do for Acorns users.