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Eric is a versatile finance executive who combines a rigorous analytical mindset with practical operational experience in developing and leading organizations. He specializes in working with CEOs and COOs to articulate their strategic vision, translate it into tangible action steps, and drive execution.
Eric has worked with companies ranging from small startups to large multinationals and has helped navigate them both through rapid growth and through periods of industry disruption.
Eric W. Muhlheim Bio
Eric has 30 years of experience in finance and administration including roles as a corporate development and strategy executive at a Fortune 50 company and as a Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer to companies ranging from less than $20 mil to more than $300 mil of revenues.
He has driven performance in markets ranging from SaaS services and real-time bidding marketplaces to media and entertainment, consumer products licensing, and education.
Eric has an AB in mathematics from Princeton University and an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, with honors from both institutions.
As a full-stack financial executive, he is equally comfortable with producing detailed financial models and reports, driving process, negotiating M&A and financing transactions, and collaborating on business ideation and longterm strategy.
He has driven performance in markets ranging from SaaS services and real-time bidding marketplaces to media and entertainment, consumer products licensing, and education.
Eric has an AB in mathematics from Princeton University and an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, with honors from both institutions.
As a full-stack financial executive, he is equally comfortable with producing detailed financial models and reports, driving process, negotiating M&A and financing transactions, and collaborating on business ideation and longterm strategy.
Career
Eric is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Mozilla Corporation, where he is responsible for leading financial operations for the company as it scales its mission impact with new and existing products, technology and business models to better serve users and advance its agenda for a healthier, more joyful internet.
Eric started his career at the Walt Disney Company, where he held various leadership roles over more than 15 years. In Disney’s Corporate Strategic Planning Department, he provided consulting support for Disney’s Studio and Cable divisions, developing the programming investment strategy that drove the Disney Channel to #1 position within the kids’ TV market. In his capacity as an M&A advisor, he managed the acquisition of Saban Entertainment, Fox Kids Europe, and the Muppets character franchise. At Disney Publishing, he founded the company’s Disney English division and spent three years as an expatriate in China managing the expansion of the company’s China-based learning centers. At Disney Consumer Products, he also spearheaded the development of Disney Playmation, a visionary platform marrying IoT toys with innovative entertainment experiences.
Following his tenure at Disney, in 2013 Eric pivoted to the CFO seat at Helix Education, a provider of technologies and services to power data-driven higher education growth. His first role at Helix was as CFO of its predecessor company Altius Education, where he managed its acquisition by Helix. Afterwards at Helix he focused on strategy, controls, and change management, including the acquisition and integration of the Institute for Professional Development, which doubled the company’s size.
In 2016 Eric became CFO at the programmatic advertising exchange OpenX Technologies, where he managed the company’s accounting, financial planning and analysis, and business intelligence functions. There he implemented the company’s first enterprise business planning system and a machine-learning enabled revenue warning system.
In 2018, Eric became the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer at BuzzFeed, the world’s leading tech-powered media company. At BuzzFeed, Eric oversaw the restructuring of the company to drive profitability by rightsizing investment in content, creating of a unified sales organization, and providing integrated management of previously siloed operational support teams (Finance, Accounting, HR, Legal, IT, Facilities, and Security). This restructuring drove BuzzFeed to record revenue and profitability.
Eric joined the advisory board of Deep Knowledge Investing in 2021 and is a member of the CFO Leadership Council.
Eric started his career at the Walt Disney Company, where he held various leadership roles over more than 15 years. In Disney’s Corporate Strategic Planning Department, he provided consulting support for Disney’s Studio and Cable divisions, developing the programming investment strategy that drove the Disney Channel to #1 position within the kids’ TV market. In his capacity as an M&A advisor, he managed the acquisition of Saban Entertainment, Fox Kids Europe, and the Muppets character franchise. At Disney Publishing, he founded the company’s Disney English division and spent three years as an expatriate in China managing the expansion of the company’s China-based learning centers. At Disney Consumer Products, he also spearheaded the development of Disney Playmation, a visionary platform marrying IoT toys with innovative entertainment experiences.
Following his tenure at Disney, in 2013 Eric pivoted to the CFO seat at Helix Education, a provider of technologies and services to power data-driven higher education growth. His first role at Helix was as CFO of its predecessor company Altius Education, where he managed its acquisition by Helix. Afterwards at Helix he focused on strategy, controls, and change management, including the acquisition and integration of the Institute for Professional Development, which doubled the company’s size.
In 2016 Eric became CFO at the programmatic advertising exchange OpenX Technologies, where he managed the company’s accounting, financial planning and analysis, and business intelligence functions. There he implemented the company’s first enterprise business planning system and a machine-learning enabled revenue warning system.
In 2018, Eric became the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer at BuzzFeed, the world’s leading tech-powered media company. At BuzzFeed, Eric oversaw the restructuring of the company to drive profitability by rightsizing investment in content, creating of a unified sales organization, and providing integrated management of previously siloed operational support teams (Finance, Accounting, HR, Legal, IT, Facilities, and Security). This restructuring drove BuzzFeed to record revenue and profitability.
Eric joined the advisory board of Deep Knowledge Investing in 2021 and is a member of the CFO Leadership Council.
Community involvement
Eric is an active member of the Los Angeles community.
Independent Shakespeare Co. of Los Angeles. The Independent Shakepeare Co. of Los Angeles is re-defining theater in Los Angeles and re-defining Los Angeles through theater. It brings Los Angeles together through exuberant, surprising productions of classical plays as well as new works; addresses the inequity of access to the performing arts through free and low-cost programming; and creates theater that is dynamic, inclusive and accessible, enriching our community and reaching new theater audiences.
Eric has served on the Board of ISC since 2014 – as treasurer from 2014-2020 and Chair starting in 2021.
Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills. Temple Emanuel is a modern Reform congregation and synagogue in Los Angeles, taking its inspiration from learning and Torah in order to discover what is relevant and enriching to our lives.
Eric has served on the Board of TEBH since 2015 as Treasurer.
Center for Democracy and Technology. CDT works to strengthen individual rights and freedoms by defining, promoting, and influencing technology policy and the architecture of the internet that impacts our daily lives.
Eric served on the advisory board of CDT from 2018-2020.
Independent Shakespeare Co. of Los Angeles. The Independent Shakepeare Co. of Los Angeles is re-defining theater in Los Angeles and re-defining Los Angeles through theater. It brings Los Angeles together through exuberant, surprising productions of classical plays as well as new works; addresses the inequity of access to the performing arts through free and low-cost programming; and creates theater that is dynamic, inclusive and accessible, enriching our community and reaching new theater audiences.
Eric has served on the Board of ISC since 2014 – as treasurer from 2014-2020 and Chair starting in 2021.
Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills. Temple Emanuel is a modern Reform congregation and synagogue in Los Angeles, taking its inspiration from learning and Torah in order to discover what is relevant and enriching to our lives.
Eric has served on the Board of TEBH since 2015 as Treasurer.
Center for Democracy and Technology. CDT works to strengthen individual rights and freedoms by defining, promoting, and influencing technology policy and the architecture of the internet that impacts our daily lives.
Eric served on the advisory board of CDT from 2018-2020.