Scott Powell brings over 25 years of global experience in corporate finance education and financial modeling. He is a founding member of the Corporate Finance Institute, where he has led the creation of impactful learning tools and courses. Based in Vancouver, Canada, Scott has worked with major financial institutions worldwide and is deeply passionate about practical finance education and the power of financial literacy to transform lives.

Expect to Learn:

• Why financial models often fail and how to avoid those pitfalls.

• The importance of balancing technical precision with stakeholder usability.

• How teaching and empathy enhance modeling skills.

• Key Excel techniques and when to avoid overengineering.

• Scott’s insights into using AI and advanced Excel tools to stay current.

Narek Grigorian currently works at US Capital Global, a global investment banking firm focused on real estate and energy projects, particularly in the lower to middle market space. He holds degrees from Georgetown University and the University of Maryland and brings a passion for financial modeling, innovation, and teaching. Narek believes that while all models are inherently imperfect, they still provide valuable guidance, if built with thoughtful assumptions and continual refinement.

Expect to Learn:

• Why can you never fully trust a model just because it looks polished.

• The critical real estate assumptions that are often overlooked, like tenant turnover and escalating costs.

• How to approach energy modeling with real-time data inputs and complex variables.

• Why biotech models are uniquely challenging due to regulatory and clinical uncertainties.

• Tips and shortcuts Narek uses in Excel to make modeling faster and more reliable.

Lauren Pearl is a CFO, startup advisor, and finance educator who specializes in helping early-stage companies build strong financial foundations. With a career that spans startups, venture-backed firms, and a stint in top-tier management consulting, Lauren brings a unique blend of strategic thinking and practical execution. She's also known for her hands-on approach to teaching financial modeling and startup finance through courses, content, and mentorship.

Expect to Learn:

• What happens when you skip currency conversion in a global revenue allocation.

• Why getting the basics right is just as important as the big strategy.

• How one mistake can ripple across budgets, teams, and trust.

• The value of transparency and ownership is when something goes wrong.

• Why it’s crucial to put checks in your models, especially when currencies are involved.

Maria, who has a rich background in financial modeling, discusses her journey in the finance industry, her love for continuous learning, and her adventures living in different countries. She offers practical advice for modelers and professionals, including tips on making financial models dynamic, understanding the business context, and utilizing the right tools like Power BI and XLOOKUP. Maria also touches on her passion for languages and learning, sharing how her diverse experiences contribute to her success as a financial modeler.

Expect to Learn:

• Why financial models are critical for decision-making and how to avoid common pitfalls

• The importance of understanding the context and objectives behind a model

• Tips for inheriting and improving existing financial models

• The benefits of continuous learning, both professionally and personally

• Insights on dynamic financial models and best practices for forecasting

Ian Schnoor is the Executive Director of the Financial Modeling Institute (FMI), the only organization offering globally recognized financial modeling accreditation. He founded The Marquee Group, which was acquired by Training the Street in 2023. Ian has trained thousands of professionals in modeling, valuation, and Excel. He teaches at Queen’s University, holds a CFA charter, and began his career in investment banking with Citigroup and BMO. He’s focused on raising the standard of modeling across the world through education and certification.

Expect to Learn:

• Why financial modeling is essential during market volatility

• How FMI is earning global recognition from top firms

• The impact of adding financial modeling to the CFA program

• Insights from FMI’s expansion into China and India

• Three principles for building a successful business

• A creative use of Excel to solve a real-world inventory challenge

Arta Ramaj is the co-founder of 360 Finance, a boutique consultancy specializing in financial modeling, FP&A, and finance system implementations for private equity and venture-backed companies. With a background in private equity and a passion for bridging financial data with strategic execution, Arta brings a unique entrepreneurial perspective to the finance world.

Expect to Learn:

• How Arta transitioned from studying geography to founding a financial consulting firm.

• The critical importance of structure and design in financial modeling.

• Key strategies for building "investor-ready" financial models.

• Why simplifying assumptions and focusing on key metrics are essential for early-stage modeling success.

David Perla has an extraordinary background at the intersection of law, entrepreneurship, and finance. He’s a former president of Bloomberg Law, co-founder of legal outsourcing pioneer Pangea3 (acquired by Thomson Reuters), and was named a top 50 innovator by The American Lawyer. At Burford Capital, David is helping reshape how the legal world accesses and deploys capital.

Expect to Learn:

• What legal finance actually is and how it works

• How Burford structures deals and evaluates legal risk

• The modeling techniques used to forecast legal outcomes

• Why Monte Carlo simulations are central to their underwriting process

• How AI is used (and misused) in legal finance

Karan Sood is a global pricing expert and the Director of Sales Operations with a wealth of experience overseeing revenue management for over $6 billion across a wide range of industries. He is passionate about using pricing as a powerful tool to drive profitability and improve business performance. Karan has worked across industries including automotive, digital marketing, consumer goods, and more, developing pricing strategies that create real business value.

Expect to Learn:

• How tariffs impact different industries and pricing strategies.

• Why a one-size-fits-all approach to tariffs is flawed and the importance of tailored strategies.

• The role of cross-functional collaboration in managing tariff impacts.

• How to create flexible pricing models that can quickly adjust to shifting market conditions.

• The importance of transparency with customers when adjusting prices due to tariffs.

Carl Olson is a finance consultant and strategic advisor with more than 20 years of experience in FP&A, startup modeling, and enterprise finance. His background includes roles at Jamba Juice, Yelp, Unity, and several startups. Carl specializes in building operating and strategic models, guiding fundraising efforts, and helping businesses link financial modeling to real-world execution.

Expect to Learn:

• How financial models differ for startups vs. large companies

• Why listening to business partners is essential for model effectiveness

• How to test assumptions when historical data is limited

• The danger of over-automation in modeling

• What makes a model usable vs. impressive

Dave Hallwood is the Finance Director of a group of independent fashion retailers in the UK. After spending years in retail and hospitality management, Dave transitioned into finance in his 30s, becoming a fellow of ACCA and earning his Certified Financial Modeler (CFM) designation from the Financial Modeling Institute. With a passion for practical financial modeling, Dave has built and managed models for nearly every scenario a small retailer can face, from budgeting and forecasting to store openings, closings, and insolvency planning.

Expect to Learn:

• How to model retail cash flow when weather drives sales

• The importance of simplicity and storytelling in financial models

• What it’s like to manage an insolvency and restructure a business

• Why Dave believes gut instinct still plays a big role in decision-making

• How Dave uses modeling to support store openings, closures, and growth

• Practical advice for switching into a finance career later in life

Myles Arnott is a CMA-qualified accountant, Excel trainer, and fractional finance director. He leads Clarity Consultancy Services and co-founded Full Stack Modeller, a platform built to provide finance professionals with a full toolkit of modern Excel and modeling skills. Myles blends operational finance experience with teaching, making complex modeling concepts accessible through real-world insights and practice.

Expect to Learn:

• The power of simplicity in model design

• How to effectively prepare for the AFM exam

• Best practices for managing data flow in Excel

• Why Power Query is one of Excel’s most powerful tools

• How Full Stack Modeler is helping professionals level up in finance

• The value of designing with clarity and reviewing with confidence

• Myles’s journey from complex automation to clean, intuitive spreadsheets

Emma Chieppor started her career as an actuary before launching Excel Dictionary, a platform dedicated to providing quick and practical Excel tips. Through social media, Emma has built a massive following by sharing 30-second Excel tutorials. Her expertise has helped professionals worldwide enhance their Excel skills efficiently.

Expect to Learn:

• How Emma transitioned from actuary to Excel influencer

• The challenges of learning Excel while starting a corporate job during COVID

• Why pivot tables in financial models can be a nightmare

• How Emma grew her social media following to over 9 million in less than a year

• The most underrated Excel shortcuts that can save hours of work

Sean Mooney is the founder of SJ Finance, a consultancy specializing in financial modeling automation for professional services firms. With 12+ years of executive finance experience in the UK and Australia, Sean has built financial models that have helped businesses secure millions in funding. He is an expert in Power Query, Excel automation, and M&A financial modeling, helping companies save up to 75% of reporting time through smart automation.

Expect to Learn:

The role of Power Query in automating financial modeling processes

Key revenue forecasting challenges in law firms and service businesses

How financial modeling influences business strategy and decision-making

Frank David is the Founder and Managing Director of Pharmagellan, a consulting firm specializing in biotech financial modeling and valuation. With a background as a physician scientist, Frank has extensive experience advising biopharma teams and investors. He also teaches at Tufts University and is the lead author of The Pharmagellan Guide to Biotech Forecasting and Valuation and The Pharmagellan Guide to Analyzing Biotech Clinical Trials.

Expect to Learn:

How patient segmentation impacts drug development strategy.

The importance of risk-adjusted modeling and scenario planning.

How financial modeling supports strategic decision-making in biotech investments.

Babatope Agbeyo is a financial modeling expert and corporate trainer who has worked across multiple industries, including telecom, manufacturing, oil & gas, and tech. With experience at Deloitte and D Brown Consulting, he has reviewed and audited countless financial models, refining his approach through his "SIMPLE" modeling framework. Babatope is a certified AFM and FMVA and is passionate about making financial modeling more structured and effective.

Expect to Learn:

Babatope’s SIMPLE modeling framework and how it improves modeling efficiency

How to effectively audit financial models using the PAINS approach

The best industries for financial modeling and which ones are the most challenging

Andres Klaric is the co-founder and co-CEO of Fuse, a next-generation loan origination system designed to streamline lending for financial institutions through self-serve customization, a low-code API builder, and personalized agent portfolios. He provides insights into financial modeling for startups, securing venture capital, and the critical lessons he’s learned from Wall Street.

Expect to Learn:

How startup financial models differ from corporate M&A models.

The key factors venture capitalists look for in startup projections.

Lessons from private equity and investment banking that shaped Andres as a CEO.

Brian Feroldi is a financial educator, investor, and author dedicated to demystifying the stock market. With nearly two decades of investing experience, Brian has written over 3,000 articles on stocks, personal finance, and investing. His best-selling book “Why Does the Stock Market Go Up?” explains market fundamentals in simple terms. Through his YouTube channel, social media presence, and educational content, Brian helps investors make smarter decisions by focusing on business quality, valuation, and long-term investing strategies.

Expect to Learn:

The biggest mistakes investors make and how to avoid them

How Brian analyzes financial statements and what metrics he prioritizes

How to build an investing checklist to guide stock selection

Kenny Whitelaw-Jones who is the founding partner at Gridlines joins the show. As a leading expert in project finance modeling, Kenny has played a pivotal role in shaping financial modeling standards globally. With over a decade of experience training blue-chip clients and developing complex models, he brings invaluable insights into how AI is poised to revolutionize financial modeling.

Expect to Learn:

How AI is expected to significantly impact financial modeling, with Kenny's recent industry survey.

The current limitations of AI tools like ChatGPT in financial modeling and where they excel.

The future skills financial modelers will need to stay ahead in an AI-driven world.

Joel Steendam is a global Excel expert and educator with a passion for helping professionals create better financial models. As a key member of PerfectXL, he develops software to improve spreadsheet quality, mitigate risks, and promote best practices in Excel. With a multicultural background and years of experience in financial modeling, Joel blends technical expertise with a deep understanding of how culture influences collaboration and problem-solving.

Expect to Learn:

Why named ranges and documentation are essential in financial modeling.

Practical advice on staying curious and learning new Excel skills.

The role of tools like PerfectXL in auditing and improving spreadsheet quality for financial modeling.

Tim Vipond began his career as an investment banking analyst and later transitioned to wealth management, corporate development, and e-commerce finance. As the co-founder of the Corporate Finance Institute, Tim has trained over 2 million students and introduced practical certifications that reshape how finance professionals develop their skills. Tim’s blend of financial expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and focus on strategy makes him a compelling guest for this conversation.

Expect to Learn:

Why aligning financial models with business strategy is critical.

The journey of building the Corporate Finance Institute and insights into e-learning success.

The role of assumptions, execution, and scenario analysis in effective modeling.