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While most CFOs climb the ranks through finance-related roles, Steinfort\u2019s path took a significant detour\u2014one that saw him leading a company as CEO before unexpectedly stepping into the CFO role.

Steinfort\u2019s transition from CEO to CFO occurred when he was approached by Dan Caruso, a long-time mentor and successful entrepreneur. The two had a history of working together, starting at Level 3 Communications and continuing through various ventures. When Steinfort was leading Envision, a software company he co-founded, Caruso was simultaneously building Zayo Group. Although their roles were in separate companies, they shared an office space, fostering a close working relationship.

When Zayo\u2019s CFO decided to retire, Caruso saw an opportunity for Steinfort. Despite his lack of a traditional finance background, Steinfort had accumulated significant experience in corporate strategy during his years as a consultant for Bain & Company, and meanwhile his business-building tenure as a CEO made him more than a little familiar with the complexities of strategic budgeting and resource allocation. These experiences, combined with the trust and confidence he had built with Caruso and the board, positioned him as an unconventional yet highly capable candidate for the CFO role at Zayo.

Steinfort\u2019s move from CEO to CFO, while rare, highlights the importance of adaptability and leveraging one\u2019s broad skill set. His success in the CFO role, first at Zayo and now at DigitalOcean, underscores the value of diverse experiences in shaping a holistic approach to financial leadership.