Ned Harding is the Chief Product Officer at Enso Analytics, a platform that helped define the self-service analytics category. He started coding at eight years old, taught himself from PDP-11 manuals, and has spent the last two decades creating tools used by hundreds of thousands of analysts worldwide. He’s a product guy through and through, and he’s on a mission to help teams work smarter with their data.

Expect to Learn:

• Why most data tools fall short when it comes to real team collaboration

• The importance of repeatability and testing in FP&A workflows

• How to avoid common pitfalls with AI and overfitting in forecasting

• Why Excel is both a lifesaver - and a landmine

• How to build a true “culture of analytics” across your entire org

Jeffrey is a Senior Managing Director and Head of Capital Markets Advisory at Riveron, a leading advisor to the Office of the CFO and Private Equity. Early in his career, Jeff was a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs, where he helped execute IPOs in the technology sector for over a decade. Afterward, he spent more than 15 years as a portfolio manager investing in disruptive public and private companies. For the last eight years, Jeff has served as a trusted strategic advisor to pre-IPO companies, guiding them toward successful public exits.

Expect to Learn:

• Why finance professionals play a crucial role in the IPO process

• How to prepare a company financially for a successful public listing

• The importance of building financial trust with public investors

• How to evaluate the readiness of your financial systems and team for the IPO process

Bryan Lapidus is the Director of FP&A Practice at AFP, where he serves as a subject matter expert on financial planning and analysis. With more than 20 years in FP&A and treasury at organizations like American Express and Fannie Mae, Bryan brings deep knowledge of corporate finance. At AFP, he develops thought leadership, leads advisory councils, and curates content that helps professionals thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.

Expect to Learn:

• The two core competencies every great FP&A professional must master

• Why “getting out from behind the screen” matters for business insight

• How AFP curates learning and networking experiences for finance professionals

• What to expect from AFP’s FP&A Forum and Annual Conference

• How to avoid low-value work and focus on driving business impact

Ben Pierce is an experienced executive with over two decades of experience in the enterprise software industry. Currently, he leads Workday Adaptive Planning’s global strategy, growth, and innovation efforts. Prior to joining Workday, Ben held senior roles in several companies, including River Logic, Tidemark, and IBM, where he honed his expertise in analytics, financial software, and business leadership. His career has been shaped by his passion for leveraging technology to improve business operations and drive impactful change.

Expect to Learn:

• Why Ben believes the future of FP&A is in AI and analytics

• The importance of challenging the business with actionable insights

• How to make FP&A tools work for you, not just as a data repository

• What to consider when choosing and implementing FP&A software

• The balance between strategic planning and flexible budgeting processes

Noam Sever is a seasoned finance executive with over 15 years of leadership across global tech and manufacturing firms. At Cellebrite, he leads a multinational FP&A team overseeing full P&L ownership, strategic planning, and operational excellence. His expertise includes business modeling, systems implementation, and data-driven decision-making. Known for his structured approach and people-first mindset, Noam is passionate about building agile finance organizations that deliver real business impact.

Expect to Learn:

• How Kate Gulliver’s non-linear career led her to the CFO role

• Why today’s CFOs must lead people, not just finances

• How an entrepreneurial mindset drives impact inside large companies

• What finance leaders gain from owning talent and culture

• How to balance senior leadership with life outside work

Jordan is an entrepreneur, event producer, author, and Microsoft Excel MVP based in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. He is widely known for his work helping professionals master Excel, data analysis, and modern spreadsheet practices. Jordan has authored several well-known books, including Advanced Excel Essentials, Dashboards for Excel, and Becoming a Data Head. In addition to his work in Excel education, he produces global events that bring together leaders across finance, technology, and entrepreneurship.

Expect to Learn:

• How Jordan’s career twists shaped his approach to Excel, data, and problem-solving

• Why most professionals only scratch the surface of Excel’s capabilities

• Jordan’s perspective on why VBA is outdated and what could replace it

• Why vertical learning beats beginner, intermediate, and advanced training paths

Glenn Snyder brings years of experience in finance and FP&A, focusing on budgeting, strategy, and improving financial processes. Rosemary Linden is the founder and president of Momentum CFO, where she provides fractional CFO services and FP&A consulting. With over 25 years in the industry, she recently won CFO of the Year from the San Diego Business Journal and is passionate about mentoring women in finance.

Expect to Learn:

• How clarity, influence, and foresight define great FP&A work

• The importance of empathy and communication in leadership roles

• Real-world lessons from career failures and how to bounce back

• Best practices for budgeting and data governance

• How to make sure your financial forecasting is both transparent and trustworthy

Omar Choucair brings over 25 years of experience in corporate finance, accounting, governance, and FP&A. His background spans private equity, public company software businesses, and M&A deals, having successfully navigated over 40 major transactions. With expertise in financial software solutions, he leads Trintech in helping businesses automate and streamline critical financial processes.

Expect to Learn:

• The evolving responsibilities of CFOs and the strategic value they provide in today's organizations

• How AI and technology are revolutionizing finance and FP&A functions

• The critical role of FP&A in helping companies understand and act on data

• Why intellectual curiosity and technology expertise are essential for modern FP&A professionals

• Key insights on hiring and developing top FP&A talent

John Glasgow is the CEO and co-founder of Campfire, leading the charge in AI-native ERP innovation for modern finance teams. CJ Gustafson, the founder of Mostly Metrics and a former CFO, brings real-world insights on scaling, AI adoption, and the shift from executive to creator. Libby Francke, Head of Finance at Klarity, shares her experience modernizing data infrastructure and running a lean, high-impact finance function with Campfire. Kevin Neary, VP of Finance at Brainly, reflects on managing global finance operations and how AI is helping his team boost efficiency and productivity.

Expect to Learn:

• Why Campfire is building an AI-native ERP with its own large accounting model

• How to identify when legacy systems like QuickBooks are holding your company back

• What makes great FP&A beyond technical skill: EQ, storytelling, and sniff tests

• How to think tactically about AI adoption, agents, and automation

John Glasgow is the CEO and co-founder of Campfire, leading the charge in AI-native ERP innovation for modern finance teams. CJ Gustafson, the founder of Mostly Metrics and a former CFO, brings real-world insights on scaling, AI adoption, and the shift from executive to creator. Libby Francke, Head of Finance at Klarity, shares her experience modernizing data infrastructure and running a lean, high-impact finance function with Campfire. Kevin Neary, VP of Finance at Brainly, reflects on managing global finance operations and how AI is helping his team boost efficiency and productivity.

Expect to Learn:

• Why Campfire is building an AI-native ERP with its own large accounting model

• How to identify when legacy systems like QuickBooks are holding your company back

• What makes great FP&A beyond technical skill: EQ, storytelling, and sniff tests

• How to think tactically about AI adoption, agents, and automation

James Myers has led multiple large-scale planning system implementations for global organizations. He specializes in modeling and financial planning solutions that help companies reduce reliance on spreadsheets, improve collaboration, and achieve scalable performance management. His consulting work spans industries including manufacturing, technology, and retail, where he focuses on aligning processes, people, and systems for long-term success.

Expect to Learn:

• The signs your FP&A system is broken and ready for replacement

• How to select the right planning or modeling tool for your company's size

• The real cost behind system implementation (and how to plan for it)

• Why clean data and cross-functional collaboration are essential

• Best practices for RFPs, vendor selection, and proof of concept testing

Moataz Mukhaimer is a strategic and financial advisor with over 20 years of experience supporting SMEs across the MENA region. A graduate of McGill University (MBA) and Boston University (BA in Accounting & Finance), he specializes in helping businesses identify challenges and align strategy with execution. His client portfolio spans sectors including retail, med-tech, e-commerce, ed-tech, manufacturing, and software.

Expect to Learn:

• Why cash from operations is the true measure of business value

• How to design KPIs that align with both strategy and financial outcomes

• Why most pricing problems are rooted in poor positioning, not high costs

• How to diagnose problems through both numbers and conversations

• The two most important habits for connecting finance with strategy

Carl Seidman is a seasoned management consultant, fractional CFO, and educator. With over 20 years of experience advising companies from startups to Fortune 500s, Carl also teaches at Rice University and runs finance training programs for corporate teams. He brings a unique blend of technical mastery, business strategy, and teaching skill, making him the perfect voice to discuss why FP&A must go beyond the spreadsheet and into the realm of influence.

Expect to Learn:

• Why teaching is an essential skill for every FP&A professional

• How to tailor your message to different audiences, from analysts to executives

• Why oversharing details can derail your influence

• How to spot when your audience is confused (and how to pull them back in)

• Practical strategies for teaching finance without using jargon or acronyms

Matt Brattin is a finance leader turned entrepreneur. After serving as a CFO, Matt launched two startups: Siplify, which helps automate and streamline sales commission processes, and Close Pack, a tool aimed at making financial reporting more efficient. He’s also writing The Art of Analytics, a book that ties together strategy, storytelling, and behavioral insights. Matt brings a deep understanding of finance, technology, and human behavior to every conversation.

Expect to Learn:

• Why most commission plans fail, and how to fix them

• The value of simplicity in finance systems and processes

• How behavioral insights and empathy can improve analytics

• Why storytelling matters more than models at the executive level

• Tips for building tools that actually make a difference for finance teams

Willian Gomes is a seasoned FP&A and data analytics professional currently supporting EMEA supply chain operations at a global consumer goods company. Based in Brazil, he holds an MBA in Project Management and advanced certifications in machine learning from Stanford. Willian brings deep expertise in automation, process improvement, and financial storytelling, having saved tens of thousands of work hours through custom-built tools and insights-driven analysis.

Expect to Learn:

• How to evaluate whether an automation project is worth pursuing

• The challenges of implementing machine learning in corporate environments

• How Python enables scalable automation over Excel

• How cultural awareness enhances business partnering across global teams

Todd Niemann is the Treasurer at Varo Bank, where he oversees treasury and FP&A functions. A CFA charterholder with an MBA from Brigham Young University and a BA from Utah State University, Todd has helped build treasury and FP&A teams for three startup banks. His background spans banking, investing, and corporate finance, making him an authority on financial analytics and modeling in regulated industries.

Expect to Learn:

• How to build and scale FP&A and treasury functions at startup banks

• Why speed and accuracy are essential hallmarks of effective FP&A

• How to forecast effectively when historical data doesn’t exist

• The benefits of learning Python for finance automation and analytics

Alex Fabry is the founder and managing partner of KFA, a private investment and advisory firm focused on growing and scaling businesses in Saint Louis. Before founding KFA, Alex started his career in FP&A roles at Saber, where he supported multi-billion dollar business units, managed complex budgets, and played a pivotal role in the $1.2 billion sale of Active Network to Global Payments. Alex also has experience as a Vice President at Charles Bank Capital Partners, where he worked closely with CEOs and CFOs on value creation projects within the $18 billion firm. He holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Expect to Learn:

• How FP&A provides a solid foundation for leadership and investing roles.

• The significance of automation in improving FP&A efficiency and enabling more strategic analysis.

• Why private equity and FP&A require different skill sets but can work in tandem to drive business growth.

• Key skills FP&A professionals need to transition into private equity.

• The value of relationships and trust in both FP&A and private equity environments.

Nate is a Senior Managing Director at Riveron Consulting, where he leads the private equity practice. With extensive experience supporting portfolio companies, Nate brings a sharp understanding of how to structure FP&A functions that drive value from early investment to exit. Jamie is Director of Financial Operations at Trivest Partners, a middle-market private equity fund. Jamie works closely with FP&A teams across Trivest’s portfolio, guiding companies through growth, transformation, and exit, with a clear focus on data-driven decision-making and operational excellence.

Expect to Learn:

• How private equity firms are shifting from financial engineering to operational value creation.

• Why FP&A is becoming a core strategic partner in PE-backed companies.

• The importance of early investment in data, tech stacks, and FP&A infrastructure.

• The difference between corporate FP&A and PE-backed FP&A environments.

• What skills and traits do PE firms value most when hiring FP&A professionals?