Welcome to The 6 a.m. CFO, where finance chiefs share how they jump-start their days and engage with the tasks that are in front of them.
Today, Heritage Bank’s CFO, Anna Kilcannon, shares her morning routine.
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Heritage Bank
- A community-focused financial institution
- Year founded: 1969
- Number of employees: 95
MORNING ROUTINE
Walk us through your workday morning routine. My perfect morning starts with a cup of coffee and Squawk Box on CNBC while I catch up on emails and map out my to-do communications for the day.
In reality, many mornings are hectic; I often feel like I’ve already run a marathon before I even start work. In addition to being a CFO, I’m also a mom of two and a dog owner, so mornings involve packing lunches, getting the kids out the door, driving them to school and walking the dog. By 9 a.m., the home chaos is usually behind me, and I can finally focus on my work. I try not to take too many calls while driving my kids to school, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. I also think it’s a good lesson for them to see me balancing responsibilities, even though it’s not always easy.
Tell us about a recent morning where things didn’t go according to plan. Honestly, I don’t know a world where things do go according to plan. Every day I set out with a clear list of priorities, but as soon as the morning begins, I get pulled in multiple directions. The key is having the right team behind you, people who can make decisions without you being in the room. That’s what allows me to adapt and still move things forward.
How do you structure your first few hours after you log on at work? My company operates on the Entrepreneurial Operating System, which is a framework that helps businesses clarify their vision, establish goals (“rocks”) and create accountability across the organization. Everyone has both company-wide and personal rocks to work toward. My mornings typically begin with reviewing my meeting schedule, jotting down my to-do list in my notebook and preparing for the first call of the day. Weekly check-ins and progress reviews are a regular part of our culture.
LEADERSHIP AND INSPIRATION
What is your favorite quote or mantra? Two of my favorites are: “Be in the now” and “Don’t look back; you’ll trip over.” I believe people often let their past experiences hold them back from innovating and moving forward. At the same time, many of us don’t take enough time to reflect and appreciate how far we’ve come. To me, being present is just as important as looking ahead.
What is your favorite leadership lesson? Every opportunity is a lesson, big or small, and we learn something new every day. Being a great leader means seeing the bigger picture and uniting your team around a shared purpose. Purpose is powerful. Equally important is agility, the willingness to learn, to fail fast and to step outside your comfort zone.
The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that knowing what you don’t like or aren’t good at saves a lot of time and energy. It keeps you from ending up in a job you’d despise, no matter how great the paycheck. Once you cross those things off the list, everything else becomes a new opportunity.
What is something important to know about you that you wouldn’t know from your business bio? I have a great sense of humor. Once, at a leadership academy, the rule was that if you were late, you had to perform in front of the class. I ended up doing a stand-up comedy routine and discovered that if this banking thing doesn’t work out, comedy might be my fallback career.
In addition to my corporate role, my husband and I own a resort in Pepin, Wisconsin. It was always our “retirement dream,” but since nothing in life goes exactly according to plan, we decided to start a decade early.
What was the last job you did at your company that fell outside your traditional scope of work? I often joke that I’m a unicorn because throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to choose roles where I could make the biggest impact. When people realize you’re someone who “makes things happen” and “leads with purpose,” you often get called into the toughest situations.
There were times I’d go home, study the organizational chart and sketch out where I could make the biggest impact. The next day, I’d bring those ideas to my leader, outlining what I could take on and the results I could deliver. I’ve never believed in sticking rigidly to a “traditional” scope of work, if we’re all working toward the same goal, I’ll roll up my sleeves and step in wherever I’m needed.
How have you learned to manage work-induced stress? Wine helps! But on a serious note, I’ve learned the importance of having a personal “board of directors,” a group of friends or fellow leaders I trust to listen, offer perspective and provide guidance. No one can do this alone.
On a personal level, I also manage stress by writing down my to-do list and physically crossing items off as I complete them. Watching the list shrink is both calming and motivating.
What is your favorite number? Seven. As a child, my dad told me about psychologist George Miller’s 1956 research, which suggested that the human brain can retain about seven items at a time. That idea stuck with me, and I still apply it today. Whether leading a team or structuring meetings, I often think in terms of seven because it’s a manageable number for focus, communication and collaboration.
What are the most noteworthy items in your workspace? Photos of my family. Family is more important than anything else in life; spending time with loved ones and making memories is what truly matters.
Do you have a pet sitting in your office right now? Yes, our Old English Bulldog, Bax.
What is your favorite phone app that is unrelated to work? Podcasts. Podcasts are a great way to learn or just take a break, from fintech trends to parenting tips or a quick laugh. My favorite [podcast is] Is That Cashmere? And yes, I co-host it with Becca Hoeft. We explore personal stories, leadership lessons and cultural insights, sparking conversations that connect head, heart and human connection.
What was the make and model of your first car? A Mazda 626.
Can you share the most important book you’ve recently read? Two recent reads had a big impact on me: “Don’t Look Back, You’ll Trip Over” by Michael Caine, a reminder to live in the present and keep moving forward and “The Ikigai Journey: A Practical Guide to Finding Happiness and Purpose the Japanese Way” by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles, a thoughtful exploration of finding meaning and joy in both work and life.
Both books ground me, remind me what really matters, and help me align daily work with deeper purpose
