FEI Podcast

What does it take to become an Icon in finance? In this compelling episode, Heather Cole, Executive Coach and Business Analytics Advisor at Lodestar Solutions, interviews Judy Wright, CFO of BTM Global Consulting, LLC, FEI Board Member, and incoming 2026 President of FEI Twin Cities. Judy’s journey is anything but conventional. Early in her career, she quit her job to test her resilience—borrowing inventory from her father and becoming a street vendor in China. Carrying merchandise by bus, negotiating for market space, and building a wholesale network from scratch, she proved to herself that she could survive—and thrive—under pressure. Today, she brings that same entrepreneurial instinct and composure to the CFO role at a global IT consulting firm. In this episode, Judy shares: Why being an “Icon” means paying it forward and mentoring the next generation of financial leaders The real ROI of networking—and why waiting until you need a job is too late Why finance professionals must develop emotional intelligence to lead effectively How to stay calm when everyone else is panicking (“If finance loses its cool, everyone does.”) The foundational skills future finance professionals must build in an AI-driven world The power of slowing down, finding purpose, and leading with intention Judy speaks openly about mentorship, faith, service, and the importance of personal development beyond the day job. Her message is clear: careers are built not just on technical skill, but on resilience, relationships, and the courage to lead with heart. This conversation is a must-listen for financial leaders who want to elevate their impact—professionally and personally.Special Guest: Judy Wright.

This episode is the second in a special FEI Podcast series spotlighting past speakers from Financial Executives International’s ICONS: Leaders in Finance event – designed to build momentum toward ICONS 2026. Heather Cole, Executive Coach and Business Analytics Advisor at Lodestar Solutions, Inc., interviews Patti Humble, former Chief Accounting Officer at UPS, Institute of Management Accountants board member, and Golden Seeds investor. Patti reframes careers as “jungle gyms, not ladders,” sharing the pivotal moment when she walked into her leader’s office and asked for a promotion—only to learn she wasn’t even being considered. That courageous ask set off a chain reaction that ultimately led her to the C-suite. Together, Heather and Patti explore: Why “don’t ask, don’t get” is a leadership strategy, not a slogan How finance leaders earn influence by shifting from black-and-white answers to business-shaping questions What real transformation leadership requires: hearts, minds, and momentum—not just project plans The power of building an external network to accelerate decisions and reduce friction Patti’s next chapter as a board-ready leader and angel investor supporting women-led startups through Golden Seeds If you’ve ever assumed that hard work alone would get you noticed, this conversation offers a better playbook—because excellence is impressive, but advocacy is what changes your zip code. Learn more about FEI's 2026 ICONS: Leaders in Finance at: https://www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026Special Guest: Patti Humble.

Nobody becomes an icon by staying comfortable. In this special ICONS: Leaders in Finance edition of the FEI Podcast, Heather Cole – Executive Coach and Business Analytics Advisor at Lodestar Solutions – interviews Amber Kinney, Chief Financial Officer of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Amber’s career path is anything but traditional. From a background in the performing arts to executive leadership in nonprofit organizations with life-saving missions — including Mothers Against Drunk Driving — Amber shares how conscious career choices, grit, and faith shaped her leadership journey. In this conversation, Amber and Heather dive into: Taking bold career leaps even when you feel “in over your head” Reframing imposter syndrome as a growth signal The power of networking, mentoring, and asking for help Leading with purpose in nonprofit and healthcare organizations Silencing negative voices and protecting your confidence The importance of balance, self-care, and resilience in high-impact roles This episode kicks off a series spotlighting past speakers from Financial Executives International’s ICONS: Leaders in Finance event, designed to inspire finance leaders and build momentum toward ICONS 2026, taking place on March 25, 2026 at the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel, CA and virtually on April 22, 2026. Learn more at www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026.Special Guest: Amber Kinney.

Nearly half of all companies say their B2B payment processes need major improvement. Over 70% still rely on manual AP workflows, and nearly 60% of suppliers cite high acceptance costs as a top concern. In this episode, based on a recent webinar hosted by Boost Payment Solutions and Financial Executives International (FEI), we explore the current state of B2B payments and the strategic shift toward automation and digitization. Hear directly from Boost executives as they share data-backed insights, lessons learned, and proven strategies to help finance leaders modernize their payment processes. Topics Covered: Common inefficiencies in AP and AR workflows Using automation to enhance operations and relationships Leveraging commercial cards for strategic advantage Advancing payment maturity in a digital-first economy Speakers Seth Goodman, Chief Revenue Officer, Boost Payment Solutions Zach Held, Chief Product Officer, Boost Payment Solutions Special Guests: Seth Goodman and Zach Held.

In this episode of the FEI Podcast, we explore key insights from a recent webinar hosted by the Financial Education & Research Foundation (FERF) and CohnReznick, focused on Financial and Accounting Outsourcing in the Age of AI. Based on new research, this conversation highlights how finance leaders are using outsourcing to overcome resource constraints, drive strategic priorities, and adapt to a rapidly changing business environment. We’ll examine how outsourcing practices are evolving, what finance professionals expect for the future, and how technology, especially AI, is reshaping best-in-class approaches to working with providers. Whether you're a CFO, finance executive, or strategic decision-maker, this episode will equip you with the knowledge to evaluate and evolve your outsourcing strategy for maximum impact. Key Takeaways: Strategic Value & Talent Resourcing: How CFOs are refocusing internal teams on high-value initiatives and accessing specialized expertise. Technology & Innovation: The role of AI and machine learning in improving data processing, accuracy, and decision-making. Risk Management & Compliance: How outsourcing enhances regulatory compliance and risk mitigation. Market Trends & Insights: Fresh data on outsourcing adoption, emerging technologies, and future expectations. Speakers: Michelle Voyer, MBA – Director, Client Advisory Services, CohnReznick Advisory LLC Kane Polakoff – Partner, Practice Leader, Client Advisory Services (CAS), CohnReznick Advisory LLC Special Guests: Kane Polakoff and Michelle Voyer.

In this episode of the FEI Podcast, Sam Peterson, EY’s Global Innovation Leader for Financial Accounting Advisory Services, explores the transformative impact of generative AI on the finance function. From the evolution of AI since its breakout moment to real-world use cases in FP&A, treasury, and financial reporting, Sam shares insights on how finance leaders can harness AI to drive efficiency, accuracy, and strategic value. The conversation also dives into emerging trends like agentic AI and reasoning models, and how professionals can prepare their teams for the future of work.Special Guest: Sam Peterson.

In this deep-dive conversation, Isaac Heller (CEO, Trullion) and Shlomo Agishtein (Director of AI, Trullion) share how AI is reshaping the future of finance and accounting. From their origin stories to the development of Trulli, Trullion’s domain-specific AI, they break down what AI agents can really do, and what’s just hype. You’ll learn: How Trullion evolved AI specifically for accounting workflows What separates Trulli from generic large language models Real-world use cases of AI agents in daily financial operations The future of AI in audit, compliance, and reporting Why accountants will lead, not lose, in an AI-driven industry This episode offers finance professionals a clear-eyed look at what AI means for your role today and where it's heading next.

Matt Waters unpacks the key insights from the 2025 Lease Accounting Outlook report, offering expert predictions on the future of compliance, technology, and regulatory change. Listen to Matt's podcast The Lease Report.Special Guest: Matt Waters.

In this episode, we’re diving into the fast-changing world of global ESG reporting and regulation. FERF’s Managing Director of research, Dillon Papenfuss, sits down with Kevin O’Connell, PwC Sustainability Assurance Services Leader, to break down the latest EU sustainability proposals—including the two-year delay to CSRD reporting—and what it all means for U.S. companies with overseas operations. From long-term strategic planning and technological transformation to data-driven insights and AI integration, this discussion provides finance leaders with practical steps to navigate the complexities of global ESG requirements and achieve business success. Additional PwC resources: Sustainability News Brief The CFO’s sustainability playbook for driving growth Don’t wait for the Omnibus proposals approval to start preparing for CSDDD European Commission publishes ‘Omnibus’ proposals ⁠PwC's Sustainability reporting guide (Register for free access) Special Guest: Kevin O'Connell.

This episode explores key considerations for AI-related SEC disclosures, including how companies can avoid regulatory pitfalls, tailor risk disclosures to their specific AI applications, and enhance board oversight of AI adoption.Special Guests: Ryan Adams and Scott Lesmes.

Discover why finance professionals have been disappointed by generative AI in the past, how they are leveraging unstructured data today, why this landscape is shifting, and how to capitalize on a new paradigm.Special Guest: Kris Bennatti.

Over the past several years, the debate around the 150-hour requirement for CPA licensure has centered on the need to streamline the accounting talent pipeline. But behind that discussion lies a broader, more ideological narrative—one that has been building over the past two decades—about the role of occupational licensing in general, and the CPA license in particular. In this episode of the FEI Weekly Podcast, we speak with Dr. Edward Timmons, Associate Professor of Economics and Founding Director of the Knee Regulatory Research Center at West Virginia University. As you’ll hear, Dr. Timmons offers a unique perspective on the CPA licensure debate and breaks down the costs, consequences, and possible alternatives to the 150-hour rule—along with what reforms could mean for the future of accounting talent.Special Guest: Dr. Edward Timmons.

With trade and tariffs top of mind for many corporations, we thought it was the perfect time to get insight from a professional who’s spent more than two decades in the field. In this episode of the FEI Weekly Podcast, we speak with James Daly, the outgoing CEO of Allianz Trade Americas, a leader in trade credit insurance. Daly, who is retiring after a 22-year tenure with the company, shares the key lessons he’s learned in the global trade arena—and how financial leaders can prepare for the uncertainty ahead.Special Guest: James Daly.

Ayan Adam. We talk about Microsoft's role in integrating AI into finance and supply chain management, particularly through its Copilot tool. To learn more about impact of AI on financial and accounting governance and on workforce dynamics, register for FEI’s virtual conference AI in Finance and Accounting 2025: Managing Governance, Adapting the Workforce. Special Guest: Ayan Adam.

In part one of our conversation with Dr. Suzanne Morsfield, we explored the fast-changing crypto regulatory landscape. Now, in part two of this FEI Weekly Podcast series, we turn to crypto payments—a growing focus for businesses as customers demand alternatives to cash and ACH. With stablecoins, CBDCs, and blockchain-based payments gaining traction, what should CFOs and finance teams consider? Dr. Morsfield breaks down key challenges, from accounting and tax implications to risk management and compliance. Subscribe to FEI Weekly Become an FEI memberSpecial Guest: Suzanne Morsfield.

Despite their volatility and recent price decline, it’s hard to ignore the role of cryptocurrencies in today’s financial landscape. More importantly, it’s almost impossible to overlook them given the current administration’s focus on establishing a more favorable regulatory, accounting, and market framework—allowing institutional players to enter the sector with confidence. In this two-part series of the Financial Executive Podcast, we speak with Dr. Suzanne Morsfield, Global Head of Accounting Solutions at Lukka—a financial software and data services provider specializing in the cryptocurrency and digital asset ecosystem—as well as the Head of Policy at Crypto UK. In this first part of the discussion, we explore the rapid regulatory changes shaping the crypto space and their implications for financial executives tasked with assessing its potential role on their companies’ balance sheets. Join FEI Subscribe to FEI WeeklySpecial Guest: Suzanne Morsfield.

ICONS: Women of Note 2025 speaker Dr. Sarah Skidmore shares insights on the key differences between leadership and management, the importance of intentional time management, and how finance professionals can develop their leadership voice beyond operational oversight.Special Guest: Dr. Sarah Skidmore.

With ongoing changes in Washington, D.C.—including shifts in staffing and resources at some of the largest government agencies—financial executives are particularly focused on the future of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). However, unlike other agencies, the new administration has yet to reveal any plans for change. Still, we can take stock of where the PCAOB has been, particularly in terms of audit enforcement actions. Late last month, Cornerstone Research—a consulting firm specializing in economic and financial analysis for complex legal and regulatory matters—released its report on PCAOB enforcement activity in 2024, showing the highest level of enforcement since 2017. In this episode of the podcast, we speak with Cornerstone’s Jean-Philippe Poissant and Russell Molter about the report and whether past enforcement trends truly reflect a new regulatory and political reality. Cornerstone's report Join FEI Subscribe to the FEI Weekly newsletterSpecial Guests: Jean-Philippe Poissant and Russell Molter.

As FEI prepares for its annual ICONS: Women of Note conference next month, the podcast revisits one of its most popular episodes featuring Moody's Caroline Sullivan, who discusses how networking took her career to the next level. Join ICONS: Women of Note 2025 (Hybrid Event).Special Guest: Caroline Sullivan.

After a four-year hiatus, this report returns to offer a comprehensive overview of the evolving priorities, challenges, and strategies shaping the global and U.S. finance and accounting landscape for 2025.. This year’s survey data offers a rare opportunity for comparative analysis, linking the last pandemic-era survey conducted at the beginning of 2021 with the realities of today’s post-inflationary and geopolitically complex environment. This comparison sheds light on the significant trends and challenges that financial leaders now face. Get this year's surveySpecial Guests: Anthony Reggiannini, Chris Brown, and Julie Girard.