Are you leveraging AI to its full potential in your finance department? In this episode, we dive into the practical application of AI in finance with Anton Medvedev , former Senior Product Manager at Vena and CPA/CFA. With his unique blend of finance and tech expertise, Anton offers a roadmap for effectively adopting AI in your financial operations. Anton shares insights on training AI models, understanding AI agents, and effective prompting techniques. He provides real-world examples that demys...
Jul 01, 2025•34 min•Ep. 75
In this episode, host Melissa Howatson welcomes Steve Browning , VP of Data Privacy and Corporate Security at Vena , and Kaz Takemura , Managing Director of FP&A Technologies at Modelcom , to explore how finance teams can adopt AI safely and strategically. Steve and Kaz share practical, cross-functional strategies for embedding AI into business operations, from building the right teams to creating scalable governance frameworks. They also unpack the emotional and organizational barriers to A...
Jun 17, 2025•38 min•Ep. 74
Is your finance team truly driving strategic value, or are you stuck in reactive mode? Host Melissa Howatson, welcomes Peter Emerling , Director in the Digital Transformation Practice at Citrin Cooperman , to explore the finance maturity model, the four stages of finance maturity and what it takes to move from reaction to transformation. With over 18 years of experience advising businesses across industries and lifecycle stages, Peter breaks down the key components of a modern maturity model—fro...
Jun 03, 2025•44 min•Ep. 73
The era of reactive supply chain management is over. Are you ready for predictive resilience? Nick McKeehan, Managing Director at Protiviti, shares CFO-focused insights on modern supply chain disruptions, from cybersecurity to geopolitical tensions. With 25 years in finance transformation, Nick guides the shift from reactive to predictive, tech-enabled decision-making. Learn how visionary leaders collaborate across the C-suite, invest in digital twins and AI, and redefine supply chain resilience...
May 20, 2025•37 min•Ep. 72
What’s driving finance leaders’ strategic planning in 2025—and its future trajectory? In this data-packed episode, we welcome back Craig Schiff, CEO of BPM Partners to unpack the findings from Vena’s 2025 State of Strategic Finance Report . From AI adoption to strategic business partnering, Craig dives into key insights on how finance leaders are navigating change, deploying technology, and building more connected and capable teams. Drawing from the report’s insights, Craig reveals the critical ...
May 06, 2025•27 min•Ep. 71
In today's unpredictable real estate market, CFOs are facing complex decisions that could significantly impact their bottom line. In this episode, Scot Ginsburg , Executive Managing Director at Hughes Marino and author of ‘It's Not All About the Rent’, breaks down the current commercial real estate landscape and what finance leaders need to know to make smart, strategic choices. From the office space downturn to industrial overbuilds, Scot explains why now the time is to rethink lease renewals, ...
Apr 22, 2025•37 min•Ep. 70
As the startup funding landscape evolves, is your financial strategy keeping pace? In this changing environment, a well-crafted financial strategy has become increasingly crucial for startups. Janelle Gorman , CFO of York IE , York IE, an advisory and investment firm that helps technology companies grow, shares valuable insights on crafting financial strategies that can make or break a startup's success. Drawing from her extensive experience with high-growth startups, Janelle explores key topics...
Apr 08, 2025•37 min•Ep. 69
Revolutionizing tax functions is no longer a distant dream—it's happening now. This episode delves into the groundbreaking transformation of tax departments from cost centers to strategic powerhouses. Dave Helmer , EY Global Tax and Finance Operate Leader, and Daren R. Campbell , EY Americas Tax Technology and Transformation Leader, share their expertise on how Generative AI or GenAI and other cutting-edge technologies are elevating tax departments from mere cost centers to strategic business pa...
Mar 25, 2025•38 min•Ep. 68
The AI revolution is here, and it’s transforming business as we know it. In this episode, Hugh Cumming , Chief Technology Officer of Vena , discusses the new industrial revolution powered by artificial intelligence. With over 20 years of experience as a product and technology leader, Hugh offers insights into how AI is reshaping the modern business landscape. The conversation delves into AI’s impact on finance and productivity, offering a glimpse into the future of work. Hugh outlines the emergi...
Mar 11, 2025•39 min•Ep. 67
The art of corporate debt management has become a critical balancing act for CFOs, who must simultaneously fuel company expansion and preserve financial robustness. Debt is a critical tool that, when leveraged effectively, can drive operational efficiency and business expansion. By structuring debt strategically, organizations can optimize liquidity, mitigate financial risk, and enhance overall capital efficiency. Tom Panther , former Chief Financial Officer of Corpay , a leading S&P 500 cor...
Mar 04, 2025•27 min•Ep. 66
Intellectual property (IP) is revolutionizing how companies build value. For many businesses, the key to sustainable growth lies not in their balance sheet, but in the ideas they own. Erin-Michael Gill , founder of M&A firm Genaesis, LLC , and Chairman of a Federal Advisory Committee on Intellectual Property and Trade, shares his expertise in this episode. With over $1.2 billion in M&A and capital formation investments under his advisory, Gill is consistently recognized as one of the wor...
Feb 25, 2025•44 min•Ep. 65
The CFO-COO partnership is undeniably one of the most powerful alliances that can make or break a company's success. When working in perfect harmony, this duo creates a formidable force that drives strategic decisions, enhances operational efficiency, and propels growth. In this installment of our finance business partnering series, host Melissa Howatson welcomes Sandra Clarke , Former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Blue Shield of California . Sandra, who spent the major...
Feb 11, 2025•32 min•Ep. 64
Healthcare costs continue to be the most unpredictable expense for businesses, creating a challenging dilemma for CFOs. While healthcare benefits serve as a powerful tool for recruiting and retaining employees, the escalating costs are forcing many finance leaders to seek innovative ways to reduce expenses without compromising the quality of care or the attractiveness of their benefits packages. Anisha Sood is the Chief Financial and Strategy Officer at First Choice Health , with more than 20 ye...
Jan 28, 2025•50 min•Ep. 63
The journey from being a solo finance expert to architecting a robust finance function is complex. Knowing where to begin and how to proceed can shape the future of your department and company. In this episode, host Melissa Howatson welcomes Amy Ward , CFO of Blue River PetCare , to discuss the intricacies of building a finance function from the ground up. Amy shares her journey from Senior Accountant to CFO, offering valuable insights into the strategic approach required to align finance with o...
Jan 14, 2025•30 min•Ep. 62
The best leaders are insatiable learners, constantly seeking knowledge to fuel their growth. They forge connections with peers, stay attuned to industry trends, and eagerly embrace fresh perspectives. In this special episode, host Melissa Howatson shares three of her top book recommendations, complemented by a curated selection of favorite reads from some past CFO Show guests. Discover what CFOs and business leaders are reading to advance their skills, step outside their comfort zones, and bring...
Dec 31, 2024•18 min•Ep. 61
In an era of rapid change and growing complexity, CFOs are turning to Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) to unlock deeper insights, enhance decision-making, and align operations with strategic goals. John Hagerty is a Distinguished Analyst at Dresner Advisory Services , an industry research firm that specializes in data, analytics, and performance management. He also has more than 40 years experience working at the intersection of finance and technology, in roles at Gartner, IBM and Oracle,...
Dec 17, 2024•30 min•Ep. 60
Compliance and risk management thrive on a robust partnership between finance and legal departments. When CFOs and CLOs collaborate effectively, they cultivate a culture of trust and ethical business practices that enhance corporate governance and drive superior business outcomes. This episode explores the crucial alliance between finance and legal departments, focusing on the CFO and Chief Legal Officer (CLO) dynamic. Megha Parekh , Executive Vice President and CLO of the Jacksonville Jaguars ,...
Dec 10, 2024•36 min•Ep. 59
As the global push for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices and sustainability gains momentum, CFOs face the challenge of translating complex mandates into actionable strategies that simultaneously satisfy regulators, investors, and the company's bottom line. Mark Lumsdon-Taylor , Partner and Head of Sustainability at MHA (an independent member of Baker-Tilly International) guides UK and global business leaders through the process of integrating environmental, social and governa...
Dec 03, 2024•28 min•Ep. 58
As the global push for ESG and sustainability gains momentum, CFOs find themselves translating complex mandates into actionable strategies that satisfy regulators, investors, and the bottom line alike. Mark Lumsdon-Taylor , Partner and Head of Sustainability at MHA (an independent member of Baker-Tilly International) guides UK and global business leaders through the process of integrating environmental, social and governance considerations into their operations. Mark joins host Melissa Howatson ...
Nov 26, 2024•28 min•Ep. 57
During times of uncertainty, CFOs must serve as the guiding compass for their organizations, helping business leaders move beyond reactive decisions toward sustainable, long-term strategies. Myles Corson , leader of EY ’s Global and Americas Strategy and Markets, Financial Accounting Advisory Services and the host of The Better Finance Podcast , has engaged with numerous CFOs about the complexities of navigating turbulent economic landscapes. Myles joins host Melissa Howatson to discuss why CFOs...
Nov 19, 2024•39 min•Ep. 56
A severe talent shortage is threatening the foundation of the finance function: accounting. The accounting profession is facing a critical talent shortage, threatening the foundation of financial operations across accounting firms and businesses of all sizes. Mark Maurer , reporter for The Wall Street Journal ’s CFO Journal team, joins host Melissa Howatson to explore this pressing issue. Drawing from his extensive coverage of the shrinking talent pipeline, Maurer discusses the factors driving t...
Nov 12, 2024•29 min•Ep. 55
Financial data alone can’t drive a company’s success; it’s the CFO’s ability to turn that data into a compelling narrative that moves the needle. Whether engaging investors, rallying the board, or inspiring internal teams, the power lies in transforming raw data into stories that align with the company’s vision and steer it through both challenges and opportunities. In this episode, Stephen Bates , Chief Financial Officer of Canford Healthcare Ltd. shares his more than 20 years of experience in ...
Nov 05, 2024•26 min•Ep. 54
Filmed at Vena’s Excelerate Finance 2024 Summit , this episode features insights from FP&A and accounting leaders about the demands and rewards of their work. Join us as we dive into the importance of cross-functional collaboration, the art of balancing strategic vision with daily tasks, and the leadership skills that make a difference. Discover how teamwork and a purpose-driven mindset are shaping the future of finance. Featured Guests in Order of Appearance: [00:00], [01:03] Blake Dunaway ...
Oct 29, 2024•15 min•Ep. 53
The CEO-CFO partnership is arguably the cornerstone of an organization’s success, shaping not only its financial health but its strategic trajectory. This relationship is a delicate balance of mutual respect, candid dialogue, and aligned vision. A thriving CEO-CFO dynamic goes beyond simple collaboration; it involves a continuous cycle of challenging each other’s perspectives, reinforcing financial discipline, and driving innovative strategies. Our host and CFO of Vena, Melissa Howatson, shares ...
Oct 22, 2024•45 min•Ep. 52
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has been in effect since 2018, reshaping how businesses handle personal data across the globe. While many view GDPR as solely a legal or IT challenge, its impact ripples far beyond those departments—it touches every aspect of an organization. For CFOs, GDPR isn’t just about compliance; it’s about safeguarding the financial health of the company, managing operational risks, and ensuring long-term sustainability. CFOs must be at the forefront of creati...
Oct 15, 2024•30 min•Ep. 51
Filmed at Vena’s Excelerate Finance 2024 Summit , we had the opportunity to engage with a range of FP&A leaders, discussing the current state of business operations and their financial priorities as they strategize for 2025 and beyond. Learn what’s top of mind for CFOs, finance leaders and Microsoft, and how they plan to support business growth in the year ahead. Featured Guests in Order of Appearance: [00:00], [01:53] Dan Crumb , Chief Financial Officer, Kansas City Chiefs [00:48], [11:40] ...
Oct 08, 2024•14 min
Today's CFOs must excel at both driving organizational productivity while ensuring operational efficiency. Brian Krause is CFO at Community First Solutions , and has over 20 years of experience building and leading financial teams, a VP of Finance, Controller, and three-time CFO. Brian joins host Melissa Howatson to delve into the distinction between productivity and efficiency, exploring how CFOs can strike the perfect balance between to drive optimal results. Learn how to maximize productivity...
Oct 01, 2024•40 min
The ability to transform raw complex financial data into a compelling narrative has become a critical skill. Mastering the art of finance data storytelling enables finance professionals to distill complex information into strategic insights, driving pivotal boardroom decisions and shaping business strategy. Akash Kapoor is the CFO at ColdBlock Technologies and has been advising finance leaders on operations and strategy for the last 25 years. Host Melissa Howatson welcomes Akash to explore the t...
Sep 24, 2024•44 min
In today's customer-centric business landscape, a leadership team that truly understands its customers is crucial. Everyone on the C-Suite should be learning from one another, and challenging one another to be more customer-focused. April Oman , the Chief Customer Officer at Resilinc , brings a unique perspective to the leadership team. While her primary role is championing customer success, she's gained invaluable insights about her customers from unexpected sources—including the company's CFO....
Sep 17, 2024•43 min
Agile isn't just a buzzword—it's the key to unlocking your finance team's full potential in a changing market. While annual budgeting and planning can be daunting, adopting Agile methodologies can transform this process into a dynamic, collaborative effort that propels your business forward, replacing rigid forecasts with flexible, data-driven strategies that adapt to market shifts in real-time. Dominic DiBernardo is a Partner at Citrin Cooperman , where he helps middle-market businesses optimiz...
Sep 10, 2024•26 min
