Chris is the CEO and founder of Fresh FP&A, a financial strategy firm that supports small and mid-sized businesses with fractional CFO services. With more than 20 years in accounting, FP&A, and finance leadership, Chris has built a career around driving growth, navigating acquisitions, and helping organizations build financial clarity. He’s worked with global companies, led finance teams through complex M&A deals, and now channels that experience into helping others succeed

Expect to Learn:

• Why FP&A needs to evolve from reporting to a real business partnership

• How Chris shifted his mindset from CFO to CEO

• The importance of focusing on the right industries instead of trying to serve everyone

• Why failing early became one of his greatest learning tools

• What to do before you land your first paid client

Adam Rakich has spent over a decade streamlining finance processes across industries, working with top software platforms like Adaptive Insights, Workday, and OneStream. As the author of The Business User’s Guide to Data Integration, he is known for making complex finance concepts accessible, especially to non-technical professionals. At North Texas, Adam helps organizations build better, more collaborative FP&A functions without the pain.

Expect to Learn:

• Why most budgeting processes are broken and how to shift the mindset to fix them.

• The importance of soft skills in elevating finance's strategic impact.

• How to avoid the "Jurassic Park" trap of doing more just because you can.

• The value of driver-based planning and why simplicity often beats complexity.

• The "James Bond Philosophy" of budgeting: when to seduce and when to take a firmer stance.

Alex Holt is the CFO of Milo’s Hamburgers, a beloved 23-unit fast-food chain known for its iconic burgers and sweet tea, based in Alabama. With experience as the Executive Vice President of Finance at Capstone Communities and a background in real estate, Alex brings a wealth of knowledge in finance, data visualization, and process improvement. He is passionate about making data useful and has a strong focus on enhancing financial operations.

Expect to Learn:

• How the role of FP&A extends beyond reporting to driving business change.

• The unique challenges of managing finances in a growing, family-owned restaurant chain.

• The importance of process improvement and documentation when scaling operations.

• How Alex uses technology to improve efficiency and communication.

• Key metrics and strategies for managing finance in the restaurant industry, including labor and food costs.

Raheli Sasson is the Director of FP&A at JFrog, where she partners with executive leadership to deliver financial and operational results. With deep expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and process automation, Raheli is passionate about leveraging technology and AI to drive efficiency in finance. She has managed budgets exceeding $1 billion and spearheaded global initiatives to integrate AI in finance.

Expect to Learn:

• How finance can act as a strategic partner to drive company growth, especially in the early stages.

• The importance of balancing growth with sustainability in high-growth SaaS companies.

• Key metrics and strategies for scaling operations and go-to-market efforts in early-stage startups.

• Insights into how AI is changing the landscape of finance and operations.

• Tips on building trust and accountability within teams to ensure collaborative success.

Rohit Divate is a seasoned finance leader with expertise in high-growth SaaS companies. Having raised over $500 million and driven revenue growth from $20 million to over $500 million, Rohit has a deep passion for improving finance team effectiveness and is especially active in the AI space. He currently serves as the head of operations and finance at Sprig, an all-in-one product experience platform.

Expect to Learn:

• How finance can act as a strategic partner to drive company growth, especially in the early stages.

• The importance of balancing growth with sustainability in high-growth SaaS companies.

• Key metrics and strategies for scaling operations and go-to-market efforts in early-stage startups.

• Insights into how AI is changing the landscape of finance and operations.

• Tips on building trust and accountability within teams to ensure collaborative success.

John Sanchez brings over 20 years of experience in FP&A and corporate finance. He has worked with world-class organizations such as Royal Caribbean Cruises and AutoNation, and now trains finance professionals through his consulting firm, FP&A Group. With a background in accounting and M&A, John brings a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to FP&A, including the importance of business acumen and communication skills for financial professionals.

Expect to Learn:

• How great FP&A professionals go beyond Excel to understand the business.

• The importance of business acumen in making impactful financial decisions.

• Why communication, especially listening, is crucial in FP&A.

• Insights on John’s career journey from accounting to FP&A.

• Practical tips for improving communication and networking in finance.

Clarke Carter is a CPA and CMA working as a senior accountant in the healthcare industry. He supports budgeting and planning and has deep experience with Adaptive Insights and Excel modeling. Landon Cortenbach is a veteran CFO and finance executive who has scaled startups and worked with Fortune 50 companies. With a background in accounting, operations, and enterprise tech, Landon’s passion is in financial transformation and continuous learning. He’s a CPA, Six Sigma Green Belt, and a big advocate for real-world financial education.

Expect to Learn:

• Why mastering Excel is still foundational in FP&A

• The difference between theory and real-world finance training

• How Power Query can save you hours every week

• What separates effective FP&A teams from the rest

• How to choose between certifications like CFA, FMVA, or FPAC

Ramya Krishnaganth is an experienced advisor with a background in cost accounting, financial planning, and enterprise transformations. She holds an executive MBA from Wharton and has helped companies across industries build smarter, more responsive finance functions. Her passion is making data more meaningful and empowering teams to work better together not just through systems, but through clarity, communication, and care.

Expect to Learn:

• Why great FP&A is about being the “nervous system” of a company, not just reporting numbers.

• How a CFO used one simple metric to drive company-wide cost discipline.

• Why fixing data issues means looking beyond tech and starting with people and processes.

• How to build credibility in finance by solving one problem at a time.

• What it means to approach data with empathy and why it changes how you solve problems.

Ramya Krishnaganth is an experienced advisor with a background in cost accounting, financial planning, and enterprise transformations. She holds an executive MBA from Wharton and has helped companies across industries build smarter, more responsive finance functions. Her passion is making data more meaningful and empowering teams to work better together not just through systems, but through clarity, communication, and care.

Expect to Learn:

• Why great FP&A is about being the “nervous system” of a company, not just reporting numbers.

• How a CFO used one simple metric to drive company-wide cost discipline.

• Why fixing data issues means looking beyond tech and starting with people and processes.

• How to build credibility in finance by solving one problem at a time.

• What it means to approach data with empathy and why it changes how you solve problems.

Nate Saperia is a finance veteran with a background spanning economic consulting, corporate finance at companies like GE and Hess, and advising private equity-backed firms on financial planning and analysis. Recently, Nate launched his own consulting firm, focusing on helping businesses navigate strategic finance challenges and achieve smarter growth. Known for his clear and pragmatic approach, Nate is passionate about helping FP&A professionals elevate their role beyond reporting into true business partnering.

Expect to Learn:

• Why truly great FP&A means understanding the business and enabling better decision-making.

• How to break down high-level financial goals into clear, measurable, and actionable KPIs.

• The nuanced difference between traditional FP&A and strategic finance roles.

• What it’s like working in private equity-backed companies, including the heavy reporting demands and rapid pace.

• The top technical and interpersonal skills FP&A professionals should prioritize now.

Wassia Kamon is a finance powerhouse with over 15 years of experience across various industries, including manufacturing, technology, pharmaceuticals, and nonprofits. As CFO at ACE, a nonprofit lending institution, she plays a key role in providing capital to entrepreneurs. Wassia has also been recognized as a 40 Under 40 honoree by CPA Practice Advisor and is the host of the podcast The Diary of a CFO. She's passionate about helping high-potential finance leaders step into executive roles and shares her expertise through coaching, speaking engagements, and teaching at the Wharton Online Certificate Program.

Expect to Learn:

• How Wassia transitioned from FP&A to CFO and the unexpected challenges she faced along the way.

• The power of trust and relationships in becoming a key business partner, not just a number cruncher.

• Why being invited into decision-making conversations early is a game changer for finance teams.

• What it was really like dealing with the board of directors for the first time as a CFO.

• How to expand your influence and take a broader view of business to become a true strategic partner.

Parker Gilbert is the CEO and Co-founder of Numeric, a financial close platform designed to make accounting teams faster, more accurate, and more collaborative. With a background in investment banking and hands-on experience as Head of Finance at Hearth, Parker understands both the strategic and operational challenges finance teams face. Frustrated by the limitations of traditional accounting tools, Parker set out to build Numeric, software purpose-built to simplify and streamline the month-end close.

Expect to Learn:

• Why Parker and his team started Numeric to solve overlooked pain points in accounting.

• How traditional tools like Excel and legacy ERP systems are failing modern accounting teams.

• What it means to build software specifically for the financial close process.

• Why visibility and collaboration are essential in reducing close errors.

• How Numeric empowers teams to understand what’s been done, what’s left, and where issues arise.

Anders is the co-founder and partner at the Business Partnering Institute, where he helps finance teams transform into strategic business partners. With over 10 years of experience as a business partner at Maersk, Anders has firsthand knowledge of what it takes to create value through finance. He is the co-author of Create Value as a Finance Business Partner and is about to release his new book, Communicating Financials to Executives. He is also a top LinkedIn voice with over 400,000 followers, where he shares valuable content for finance professionals looking to grow their careers and impact.

Expect to Learn:

• How FP&A can go from just reporting numbers to playing a strategic role in the company.

• The best way to present financial insights so executives can act on them.

• Why synthesizing data is important for decision-making, and how it's different from just summarizing it.

• Practical steps to improve communication between finance teams and business leaders.

• How to build strong relationships with stakeholders, even when they’re hesitant to work with finance.

Cassie is the Vice President of FP&A at Ultradent Products, a dental manufacturing company, where she played a key role in building the company’s first FP&A team from the ground up. Marcus serves as the Senior Finance Director at Wellpath, a healthcare company, where he is passionate about making finance accessible across all departments. Mario is the Senior Director of Finance at E.W. Scripps Company, brings over 25 years of experience in FP&A. He was part of the first cohort to earn the credential and shares valuable insights on how the certification helped him stand out and advance in his career.

Expect to Learn:

• The impact of continuing education on staying up-to-date in the field of FP&A.

• The value of the credential and how it can impact your career in FP&A.

• Key insights on how to prepare for the exam and tips for success.

• The importance of continuous learning and staying updated in the financial industry.

• The role of FP&A in driving business strategy and decision-making.

Alfredo Kinanga is a finance and trade marketing professional with 14+ years of experience in accounting, planning, and commercial finance.He’s passionate about driving business growth and using FP&A to connect strategy and execution. Jihane Mochamad is a CPA from Canada with over 10 years in payroll, financial reporting, and budgeting.She works in the senior living industry, focusing on automation and preparing for the future of finance.

Expect to Learn:

• What Alfredo and Jihane gained from the strategy and AI modules

• How financial modeling and data storytelling helped transform their work

• The power of co-creation and business partnering in FP&A

• Why communication, empathy, and stakeholder relationships are must-have skills

• How the program helped them reconnect with foundational finance knowledge

Alfredo Kinanga is a finance and trade marketing professional with 14+ years of experience in accounting, planning, and commercial finance.He’s passionate about driving business growth and using FP&A to connect strategy and execution. Jihane Mochamad is a CPA from Canada with over 10 years in payroll, financial reporting, and budgeting.She works in the senior living industry, focusing on automation and preparing for the future of finance.

Expect to Learn:

• What Alfredo and Jihane gained from the strategy and AI modules

• How financial modeling and data storytelling helped transform their work

• The power of co-creation and business partnering in FP&A

• Why communication, empathy, and stakeholder relationships are must-have skills

• How the program helped them reconnect with foundational finance knowledge

Dan Cotoia is a Senior Finance Director in the pharmaceutical industry with 18+ years of FP&A experience across commercial finance, R&D, and cost accounting.Anh Tran is a finance professional with a background in investment banking and regulatory finance, recently returning to corporate finance after completing the Wharton FP&A Certificate Program.

Expect to Learn:

• Why Dan and Anh chose the Wharton FP&A Certificate over other programs

• What makes the program stand out, from live interaction to practical content

• Key takeaways they applied directly to their jobs

• How much time you’ll actually spend on the coursework

• How the program supports career transitions and networking

• The role of AI and Power Query in modern FP&A training

Elias Apel is the CEO of Lucanet, a global provider of “Office of the CFO” software solutions for enterprises and SMEs. Founded in 1999, Lucanet offers tools for financial planning, consolidation, ESG reporting, tax compliance, and treasury management. The company supports nearly 6,000 customers in over 50 countries, with offices across Germany, Europe, the UK, Asia, and North America. Elias previously served as Lucanet’s CFO and VP of International Go-to-Market. He is also the co-founder of Argonas Corporate Finance Advisors, specializing in complex M&A and financing transactions.

Expect to Learn:

• What makes FP&A truly impactful and strategic

• How to build trust across finance functions

• Leveraging AI to boost financial operations

• Transitioning from advisor to successful CEO

• Integrating data analytics under finance leadership

• Strategy behind Lucanet’s acquisition of Causal

Glenn Snyder is a Senior Director at Riverrun Consulting, specializing in interim financial leadership. With a career spanning financial services, fintech, SaaS, private equity, and more, he has held leadership roles at Franklin Templeton, Visa, Charles Schwab, and Digital Realty. Glenn is also an author, educator, and board member, passionate about mentoring finance professionals and improving FP&A effectiveness.

Expect to Learn:

• The key elements of great FP&A and how it drives executive decisions

• How to balance company goals with employee career development

• Strategies for building strong business partnerships in FP&A

• The role of automation and efficiency in FP&A reporting and analysis

• How to successfully transition into a new leadership role

• Overcoming resistance from business leaders and earning trust in finance

• The importance of storytelling and data visualization in financial reporting

Jeff Casale is the CEO of Board, a leading FP&A software company. With previous leadership roles at MarkLogic, Dell Technologies, VMware, and EMC, Jeff has a deep understanding of enterprise technology and how finance functions can drive business growth. Rich Wagner is the Field CTO at Board and the former CEO & Founder of Prevedere, a predictive analytics company that leverages external data for accurate forecasting. With over 20 years of experience in technology, consulting, and Fortune 500 leadership, Rich brings valuable expertise in the intersection of AI, finance, and business strategy.

Expect to Learn:

• How AI is transforming financial planning, reducing manual work, and improving decision-making.

• Why integrating external data is essential for more accurate forecasting and risk management.

• Why traditional budgeting cycles are outdated and how real-time, agile forecasting is becoming the new norm.

• How CEOs and finance leaders rely on FP&A teams for strategic decision-making.

• How finance professionals can improve their skills and become more valuable business partners.