FEI Podcast

In this FEI Podcast Icons episode, Dana Bober, retired EY partner and C-suite advisor, discusses how financial leaders can bridge the gap between strategy and execution, lead through influence, and adapt to the rapid rise of AI. Drawing on decades of global experience, she explores the importance of listening, stakeholder alignment, and building future-ready finance teams. This episode is part of FEI’s Icons series and supports the virtual replay of the ICONS: Leaders in Finance event on April 22, 2026. Learn more and register here: https://www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026-virtualSpecial Guest: Dana Bober.

In this special Icons edition of the FEI Podcast, Teri Reinseth, Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller, and Chief Accounting Officer at 3M discusses how financial leaders can keep pace with rapid change by simplifying processes, strengthening cross-functional alignment, and enabling finance teams to move faster without sacrificing accuracy or compliance. She also shares insights on preparing finance organizations for AI, building influence across the business, and developing the next generation of financial leadership. This episode is part of FEI’s special series featuring speakers from the upcoming ICONS: Leaders in Finance event on March 25, 2026, at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel.Special Guest: Teri Reinseth.

In this special edition of the FEI Podcast leading up to Financial Executives International’s ICONS: Leaders in Finance event, Heather Cole interviews Alice Jolla, Chief Accounting Officer at Microsoft and Board Director at Rockwell Automation. Jolla reflects on her journey from counting cash for her father’s businesses as a child to leading finance at one of the world’s largest technology companies. Along the way, she shares lessons on saying yes to opportunities before you feel ready, understanding your professional value, scaling leadership through others, and building relationships that support long-term career success. This conversation offers actionable insights for today’s financial leaders navigating complex organizations and evolving leadership responsibilities.Special Guest: Alice Jolla.

In this special Icons edition of the FEI Podcast, Heather Cole interviews Catherine Hoovel, former SVP, Chief Accounting Officer, and Controller of McDonald’s Corporation. Hoovel shares insights from her nearly 30-year career, including how articulating long-term aspirations reshaped her leadership trajectory, why AI is redefining entry-level finance roles, and how financial leaders must rethink talent development in an automated world. She also provides a practical framework for retirement and transition planning – centered on continued growth, meaningful work, and paying it forward. This episode is part of FEI’s special Icons series promoting the 2026 ICONS: Leaders in Finance event on March 25, 2026 at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, CA. Learn more and register here: https://www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026Special Guest: Catherine Hoovel.

In this special edition of the FEI Podcast, Heather Cole interviews Muneera Carr, Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, and Controller of Wells Fargo & Co. Carr shares her journey from minimum wage jobs to senior-level financial leadership, emphasizing performance, advocacy, and building career “range.” She also offers insights into the future of finance, the integration of accounting and finance disciplines, and how AI should be treated as an enabler supported by strong operating models. This episode is part of a special FEI Podcast ICONS series featuring past speakers from FEI’s ICONS: Leaders in Finance event, designed to spotlight the leadership lessons and real-world strategies shaping today’s finance profession. Learn more about FEI's 2026 ICONS: Leaders in Finance at: https://www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026Special Guest: Muneera Carr.

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.