Finance Leaders in the Age of AI

What has been a pivotal moment in your career?

I started out studying to be a CPA, but during an internship, I realized I was more drawn to the analytical, business side of things than just audit or controllership.

A friend of mine mentioned an opening for a business planning analyst role, and it became a great opportunity to truly understand business. It was in the sales department, partnering with salespeople handling millions of dollars in deals. It was incredibly challenging but also very rewarding. I learned that as a business partner, the most important thing is to build mutual trust.

More recently, I initiated a learning program for our finance teams focused on generative AI. I was so excited about AI tools that I couldn’t stop experimenting with them, and I knew we needed to do something. I pitched the idea to my manager and launched small learning groups and sessions, some of which I led, while others were handled by software engineers. The response was amazing —people were eager to learn and apply AI to their work.

We even hosted a Shark Tank-style event where teams pitched ideas on how to use AI in finance. It was a huge success, with the winning idea getting funded and others gaining recognition and traction. This initiative not only showcased AI’s potential but also earned me recognition as a "finance star."

Any advice you'd give to someone that would want to follow your steps but is 5 years behind?

Be proactive.

Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you—if you see a chance to improve something, take the extra step. This will make an impact and position you as a professional who takes initiative.

Also, never stop learning.

Right now, AI is at the forefront, but a few years ago, it was all about BI (business intelligence).

Staying curious and adaptable is key to staying relevant in an ever-changing field.

What has been your greatest success, and what are the 3 key things you think helped you achieve it?

One of my greatest successes has been leading my team through the incredibly tough times we’ve faced as a country. It’s been challenging but deeply rewarding to keep things moving and maintain focus even when everything around us is uncertain. The three key things that helped me achieve this are:

1. Leadership skills – Ensuring I could guide and support my team.
2. Resilience – Pushing through tough situations and staying strong for others.
3. Persistence and focus – Staying committed to our goals no matter the challenges.

What is one thing about ai for finance that you would want to know but have never asked?

What will be the next phase of AI in finance beyond just automation and streamlining processes? I’m curious about the potential for predictive analytics and strategic decision-making—how AI could move from supporting tasks to driving higher- level strategy.

What is one thing about ai for finance that you wish others know?

There’s a big misconception that AI will replace us or that it’s some kind of magic. That’s not true. AI won’t replace us; it will elevate us—if we’re willing to upskill and adapt.

However, it’s essential to maintain your human traits, like relationship-building and business partnering. Those qualities are irreplaceable, and combining them with AI will make us stronger, not obsolete.

If you don’t embrace AI and keep learning, you risk falling behind, but the opportunity to grow is immense.