Dennis Jiang is the co-founder and CEO of Rosie, an AI-powered assistant that helps professionals understand, build, and analyze spreadsheets with ease. Dennis started his career as a consultant at Bain & Company, where he became an Excel whiz, so much so that he later worked as a freelance Excel consultant for high-profile clients like Apple. Having seen firsthand how much his clients and colleagues rely on spreadsheets yet struggle with them, Dennis founded Rosie to leverage agentic AI to finally solve that problem and help professionals focus on insights rather than wrestling with formulas.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How Rosie’s AI assistant redefines how professionals use Excel.

• The role of AI in auditing and debugging complex financial models.

• How Rosie saves time for finance teams by automating tedious tasks.

• The difference between Rosie and tools like Microsoft Copilot for advanced users.

• Why Dennis believes that spreadsheets will remain central to finance, even as AI technology evolves

Nicolas Kopp is the founder and CEO of Rillet, the AI-native ERP designed to automate accounting and close books faster. Backed by Sequoia, Rillet empowers accountants by integrating AI seamlessly into financial workflows. Previously, Nicolas served as the US CEO of N26, a fintech bank valued at $9 billion, where he played a key role in leading its expansion into the US market. Prior to N26, he spent five years in investment banking at Morgan Stanley. Nicolas holds a BA from the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland and an MSc in Accounting from the London School of Economics.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How AI-native ERP systems like Rillet are revolutionizing general ledger operations.

• The process of automating complex accounting workflows with AI agents.

• Why finance leaders need to embrace AI and the practical steps to do so.

• The challenges and benefits of shifting from legacy systems to AI-driven platforms.

• How CFOs can leverage AI today, even without a dedicated tech team.

Tariq Munir is a keynote speaker, writer, and digital transformation consultant with over two decades of experience working with Fortune 500 companies. Formerly with PepsiCo, Tariq recently transitioned to full-time entrepreneurship. His work focuses on empowering CFOs and finance teams to lead enterprise-wide digital transformations. He’s also the author of the forthcoming book Reimagine Finance, scheduled for global release with Wiley.

In this episode, you will discover:

• Why mindset, not technical expertise, is the key to digital transformation in finance.

• How AI is changing leadership expectations and essential skillsets.

• What digital twins are and how they can optimize finance processes.

• The challenges of applying reasoning models in financial AI use cases.

• Why critical thinking and human judgment remain vital in an AI-driven world.

Siqi is the founder and CEO of Runway, a modeling platform designed for operators and finance professionals who need flexible, intuitive tools to manage business complexity. He previously served as CEO of Sandbox VR, VP of Product at Postmates, and Head of Product at Zynga. Siqi has also invested in over 100 startups, including Clubhouse, Amplitude, Pipe, and Italic. Early in his career, he worked at NASA, where he was awarded a Congressional Space Act Award while still in school for his work on the Mars Exploration Rover.

In this episode, you will discover:

• Why FP&A platforms often fail to replace spreadsheets for financial modeling.

• How Runway is addressing the core pains of collaboration, complexity, and data integration.

• Why flexibility and speed of thought matter more than workflow automation.

• How Siqi thinks about AI’s role in making finance tools more usable and accessible.

• A remarkable story of how a meme coin helped fund life-saving research for his daughter’s brain tumor.

John is the founder and CEO of Campfire, an ERP platform developed for mid-sized and enterprise finance teams. With prior roles at Adobe and Invoice2Go, where he led strategic finance and corporate development, John has experienced firsthand the limitations of legacy ERP systems. Campfire, backed by Y Combinator and Foundation Capital, is rethinking the general ledger using AI to accelerate financial reporting, reduce manual work, and help finance professionals focus on strategic insights.

In this episode, you will discover:

• Why companies are replacing legacy ERPs like NetSuite and what they look for in a modern solution.

• What a modern general ledger looks like, and how AI can support, not replace finance teams.

• Why finance leaders need systems that enable real-time visibility and decision-making.

• How strategic accounting is becoming a core part of modern finance.

Natalia Toronyi is a finance executive with nearly two decades of experience leading financial transformations across various sectors, particularly in Fortune 500 global industrial manufacturing companies. Known for her problem-solving mindset and focus on data-driven decision-making, Natalia has led numerous automation and digital transformation projects. Her passion for people-first leadership, integrity, and innovation has made her a trusted leader in the finance space.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How AI is transforming the finance function, from internal audits to treasury management.

• The importance of creating well-defined processes and SOPs as AI continues to integrate into business functions.

• How automation and AI tools can optimize working capital, cash flow forecasting, and financial risk management.

• The evolving role of talent in the finance industry and how leaders should focus on developing strategic and critical thinking skills.

• Key considerations when evaluating AI tools for finance teams, including scalability, security, and ROI.

Kam Star is a visionary in AI and technology, with a rich background blending computer science, psychology, and architecture. He has led significant business growth initiatives, including scaling Blue Prism’s product portfolio and founding ventures with revenues exceeding £100 million. Kam holds a PhD in Computer Science and Psychology, alongside advanced studies in AI from MIT, Sloan, and LSE. Passionate about emerging tech, Kam currently focuses on predictive analytics to support better decision-making in private equity-backed companies.

In this episode, you will discover:

• The history and evolution of AI from rule-based expert systems to modern neural networks.

• How gamification and motivation impact team performance and customer engagement.

• The role of predictive analytics in supporting strategic business decisions.

• Challenges and opportunities in democratizing advanced AI tools for mid-market companies.

• Kam’s vision of AI’s future impact on decision-making, creativity, and personalization.

David is the creator behind Piggybank Accountant, a fast-growing YouTube channel that teaches Excel and Copilot to accountants and finance professionals. Before diving into content creation full-time, David helped raise $30 million for a SaaS startup and supported its successful exit. Today, he’s known for making even the most technical topics feel approachable. Whether he’s talking about conditional formatting or Python in Excel, David’s mission is simple: help people learn skills that matter in the most engaging way possible.

In this episode, you will discover:

• What it means to be a Microsoft MVP and how it’s opened doors in David’s career.

• Why Copilot is ideal for Excel beginners and how it’s starting to serve power users too.

• How finance professionals can actually use Copilot today to save time and improve workflows.

• Where Copilot shines, where it falls short, and what to expect next.

• Why David walked away from a corporate role to pursue content full time.

Ahikam Kaufman is the Co-Founder and CEO of Safebooks AI, a platform focused on ensuring the integrity and accuracy of financial data for organizations. With a strong track record in leadership roles across finance and technology, Ahikam brings deep insight into the challenges companies face in managing financial data at scale. Prior to Safebooks AI, he held key positions in companies like Buildup and ScanModul, giving him a well-rounded view of both startup growth and enterprise needs.

In this episode, you will discover:

• Why paying people in different countries is way more complicated than it sounds

• How finance teams can shape a company’s strategy-not just track expenses

• What makes Papaya Global stand out in the crowded HR and payroll space

• How to deal with the endless maze of international tax and labor laws

Carlos Vega is the co-founder and CEO of Tesorio, an AI-powered financial operations platform. He has over a decade of experience in finance, including investment banking at Lazard and co-founding a factoring business. Carlos holds an MBA from Wharton, where he created a custom focus in “Innovation Through Analytics” He’s passionate about turning data into actionable insights and making cash flow more predictable. At Tesorio, he helps companies automate collections and optimize working capital using AI.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How Carlos designed a custom MBA in “Innovation Through Analytics”

• Why cash flow forecasting is more of a data problem than a finance one

• The real reason so many businesses rely on factoring (and what it reveals)

• How Tesorio uses AI and ML to clean and structure financial data

• Why actionable insights matter more than predictive reports

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.
  

Joyce Li is a seasoned investor, entrepreneur, and AI strategist. With an MBA from Wharton and a master’s in Computer Science from the University of Virginia, Joyce has spent almost 20 years managing investments and guiding businesses in technology adoption. She now advises leaders on developing AI strategies and governance frameworks. Joyce also co-founded an AI-powered financial planning platform, where she learned the challenges and opportunities AI can bring to business.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How Joyce’s background in finance led her to focus on AI

• The real challenges businesses face when adopting AI

• Why trust is crucial when introducing AI into decision-making

• The speed at which AI is changing business models

• How to build a successful AI strategy without getting lost in the tech

• Why businesses need to focus on their goals before diving into AI tools

Geoff Robinson is an investment analyst and former Managing Director at UBS, with years of experience in financial modeling and research. After a successful corporate career, he founded theinvestmentanalyst.com, a platform designed to deliver high quality financial training using AI-driven avatars and cutting edge technology. Geoff is at the forefront of exploring AI’s impact on financial education, advisory services, and market predictions.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How AI powered digital avatars are transforming financial education

• Why traditional financial institutions struggle to keep up with tech innovation

• The role of AI agents in real time investment advice and analysis

• How banks like JP Morgan are integrating AI into their operations

• The ethical and reputational risks of AI generated financial content

Tom Hinkle is a Microsoft MVP with 20+ years of experience in analytics, data science, and business intelligence. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Tom has worked with major financial institutions, including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and TIAA.

In this episode, you will discover:

How AI is revolutionizing Excel and what that means for finance professionals.

The role of AI in data cleansing and automation, making finance and analytics work more efficient.

Insights on Copilot in Microsoft 365 and how it’s changing financial modeling and reporting.

Adam Shilton is the founder of Shilton Digital, a TEDx speaker, and a digital systems architect specializing in automation, AI tools, and no-code solutions. With a background in finance and technology, he helps leaders streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and replace manual work with meaningful work. He is also the Head of Partnerships at GrowCFO, supporting SME finance leaders, and a course facilitator for AI and automation.

In this episode, you will discover:

The role of AI in finance and why understanding data science is crucial.

The risks of synthetic AI training data and its potential long-term impact.

The best ways to integrate AI into workflows without losing human creativity.

Ben is a serial entrepreneur, author, and advocate for leveraging technology efficiently and sustainably. Through his companies, Fortified Data and Fortified, he helps organizations streamline data management and tech investments. Ben also hosts the Tech Evaluation podcast, where he discusses pressing tech challenges with industry leaders.

In this episode, you will discover:

How technology spending has shifted from 2-3% of revenue to a major line item in company budgets.

The concept of “tech debt” and how it silently eats into company resources.

Why understanding the true cost of digital services is critical for CFOs.

The environmental impact of AI and cloud computing, and how efficiency can mitigate it.

Jason Pikoos is a seasoned expert in accounting and operational transformation and has over 18 years of experience working with high-growth and tech-driven companies. Currently at The Connor Group, Jason has supported over 40 businesses in IPO preparations and implementing transformative governance systems. He has co-authored a framework addressing the challenges and risks of AI adoption. Jason’s extensive background includes roles at McAfee, KPMG, and collaborations with industry giants like Google and Sony.

Expect to Learn:

Why AI governance can accelerate adoption instead of slowing it down.

The risks and opportunities in using generative AI for finance and accounting.

How companies can prepare for audits and compliance in the AI era.

In this special episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper take a reflective look back at the year 2024. They explore the biggest moments in technology and finance, share personal milestones, and make bold predictions for 2025.

In this episode, you will discover:

Key technological advancements of 2024, including AI tools and quantum computing breakthroughs.

The challenges and opportunities in integrating generative AI into financial workflows.

Predictions for 2025 in AI, finance, and beyond, including the potential of AI agents and quantum computing.

The evolution of tools for fractional CFOs and the future of scalable financial solutions.

Gabi Steele is a graphic designer turned data visionary and entrepreneur. She is the co-founder of Data Culture and Preql, a platform streamlining data metrics for businesses. With a background in data visualization at The Washington Post and a passion for making data accessible, Gabi brings valuable insights on transforming data into actionable business strategies.

In this episode, you will discover:

How finance teams can leverage AI tools to reduce manual data processes and improve accuracy.

Ways to foster a data-driven culture within organizations of all sizes.

The future of low-code/no-code tools in democratizing data analytics.

Nathan Bell, is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in steering organizations through complex financial and digital transformations. His career spans roles in credit management, banking, venture capital, and corporate finance, with expertise in data governance, analytics, and strategy.

In this episode, you will discover:

The importance of getting your “data house” in order before implementing AI.

How self-service BI tools can both empower teams and create challenges in organizations.

Practical insights into scaling finance operations for mid-market companies looking to grow.