Welcome to the 4th Annual Future of Finance Summit!
“A human first approach to finance transformation”
We are standing at a pivotal moment. Technology is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, artificial intelligence is moving rapidly from theory to practice, and the expectations placed on finance leaders is redefining how they create insight, deliver impact and guide business
performance. Yet amid all this change, one truth remains constant: transformation succeeds only when people are empowered to lead it.
However, research shows that transformation efforts frequently fall short not because the technology is inadequate, but because organizations underinvest in people—especially in upskilling, change readiness, and the mindsets required to thrive in a digital era. Forwardlooking finance functions are shifting from linear career ladders to dynamic growth paths, cultivating T-shaped professionals, and building cultures where curiosity and continuous learning drive innovation.
This year’s Future of Finance Summit explores this moment —bringing together senior leaders who are not only adapting to the future but actively shaping it.
This Summit is designed to help every participant move from aspiration to action. Whether through sessions on leadership agility, data-driven strategy, modern planning, M&A readiness, AI-enabled finance, or workforce transformation, attendees will leave with practical insights and personalized next steps to accelerate their own journey.
As we embark on this year’s program, we invite you to reflect not only on where finance is going, but on the capabilities, people, and partnerships that will get us there. The future of finance is not simply automated or intelligent—it is human-centered, insight-led, and strategically bold. Welcome to the conversations and collaborations that will shape what comes next.
Welcome to Denver!
FFLAG & Barry Payne, RVP - Americas, AICPA & CIMA
“A human first approach to finance transformation”
We are standing at a pivotal moment. Technology is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, artificial intelligence is moving rapidly from theory to practice, and the expectations placed on finance leaders is redefining how they create insight, deliver impact and guide business
performance. Yet amid all this change, one truth remains constant: transformation succeeds only when people are empowered to lead it.
However, research shows that transformation efforts frequently fall short not because the technology is inadequate, but because organizations underinvest in people—especially in upskilling, change readiness, and the mindsets required to thrive in a digital era. Forwardlooking finance functions are shifting from linear career ladders to dynamic growth paths, cultivating T-shaped professionals, and building cultures where curiosity and continuous learning drive innovation.
This year’s Future of Finance Summit explores this moment —bringing together senior leaders who are not only adapting to the future but actively shaping it.
This Summit is designed to help every participant move from aspiration to action. Whether through sessions on leadership agility, data-driven strategy, modern planning, M&A readiness, AI-enabled finance, or workforce transformation, attendees will leave with practical insights and personalized next steps to accelerate their own journey.
As we embark on this year’s program, we invite you to reflect not only on where finance is going, but on the capabilities, people, and partnerships that will get us there. The future of finance is not simply automated or intelligent—it is human-centered, insight-led, and strategically bold. Welcome to the conversations and collaborations that will shape what comes next.
Welcome to Denver!
FFLAG & Barry Payne, RVP - Americas, AICPA & CIMA
Keynote & Workshop: Finance of the Future – Redefining the CFO role
Keynote & Workshop: Finance of the Future - Redefining the CFO Role
The pace of change is faster than ever with no slowdown in sight. As AI, digital transformation, stakeholder expectations, and regulatory pressures continue to shape the business landscape, the role of the CFO and finance leadership appears to be changing daily. Through a blend of key insights and leadership frameworks, the session will challenge participants to rethink what finance leadership must look like in 2025 and beyond. Attendees will leave with practical ideas for how to grow their own leadership skills, empower their teams, and elevate finance’s role as a strategic driver of innovation, value, and resilience.
Sindy Wilson
Kickstarter, CFO
Sindy Wilson is the Chief Financial Officer for Kickstarter, the go-to crowdfunding platform for creative projects. Sindy is a strategic and transformational finance executive with over 20 years of experience. She specializes in performance improvement and building finance, transformation, and analytics organizations that unlock scalable growth through partnership and shared accountability. Most recently, Sindy was the VP, Finance Transformation & Analytics at Lyft. Prior to joining Lyft, she led finance for Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book, led business transformation and accounting operations for Oldcastle Infrastructure, and was in strategic finance management consulting at EY. Sindy holds a BS in Business Administration from Limestone College, received her MBA in Finance from Emory University, and pursued her Master of Accounting at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business School. Sindy was the recipient of the Emory Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 Award. She serves on the Emory University Board of Visitors where she is the past chair and executive committee member.
Keynote & Workshop: Finance of the Future - Redefining the CFO Role
The pace of change is faster than ever with no slowdown in sight. As AI, digital transformation, stakeholder expectations, and regulatory pressures continue to shape the business landscape, the role of the CFO and finance leadership appears to be changing daily. Through a blend of key insights and leadership frameworks, the session will challenge participants to rethink what finance leadership must look like in 2025 and beyond. Attendees will leave with practical ideas for how to grow their own leadership skills, empower their teams, and elevate finance’s role as a strategic driver of innovation, value, and resilience.
Sindy Wilson
Kickstarter, CFO
Sindy Wilson is the Chief Financial Officer for Kickstarter, the go-to crowdfunding platform for creative projects. Sindy is a strategic and transformational finance executive with over 20 years of experience. She specializes in performance improvement and building finance, transformation, and analytics organizations that unlock scalable growth through partnership and shared accountability. Most recently, Sindy was the VP, Finance Transformation & Analytics at Lyft. Prior to joining Lyft, she led finance for Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book, led business transformation and accounting operations for Oldcastle Infrastructure, and was in strategic finance management consulting at EY. Sindy holds a BS in Business Administration from Limestone College, received her MBA in Finance from Emory University, and pursued her Master of Accounting at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business School. Sindy was the recipient of the Emory Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 Award. She serves on the Emory University Board of Visitors where she is the past chair and executive committee member.
Closing Keynote: Winning through Uncertainty
FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2025 | 10:00 – 12:30 PM
Closing Keynote: Winning through Uncertainty
Uncertainty isn’t just inevitable—it’s a hidden opportunity waiting to be unlocked. Where disruption is the new normal, this session will equip leaders and organizations with the tools to adapt, innovate, and thrive under pressure. Sam Goodwin’s renowned keynotes inspire a transformative shift in mindset, empowering teams to face complexity with clarity, confidence, and bold action.
Sam Goodwin
Sam Goodwin International (SGI), President, Professional Keynote Speaker & Coach
Sam Goodwin is an American entrepreneur, bestselling author and international
keynote speaker known for his thought leadership on embracing uncertainty. A
former Division I hockey player, Sam co-founded a tech company and NGO in
Singapore and is one of the few people to have travelled to all 193 countries in
the world. His book, Saving Sam, recounts his experience of being taken hostage
and wrongfully imprisoned in Syria. Sam speaks to audiences worldwide, from
large corporate events to intimate leadership retreats, inspiring others to embrace
challenges with resilience. He holds a bachelor’s from Niagara University, a
master’s from Washington University in St. Louis and a doctorate from Johns
Hopkins SAIS.
FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2025 | 10:00 – 12:30 PM
Closing Keynote: Winning through Uncertainty
Uncertainty isn’t just inevitable—it’s a hidden opportunity waiting to be unlocked. Where disruption is the new normal, this session will equip leaders and organizations with the tools to adapt, innovate, and thrive under pressure. Sam Goodwin’s renowned keynotes inspire a transformative shift in mindset, empowering teams to face complexity with clarity, confidence, and bold action.
Sam Goodwin
Sam Goodwin International (SGI), President, Professional Keynote Speaker & Coach
Sam Goodwin is an American entrepreneur, bestselling author and international
keynote speaker known for his thought leadership on embracing uncertainty. A
former Division I hockey player, Sam co-founded a tech company and NGO in
Singapore and is one of the few people to have travelled to all 193 countries in
the world. His book, Saving Sam, recounts his experience of being taken hostage
and wrongfully imprisoned in Syria. Sam speaks to audiences worldwide, from
large corporate events to intimate leadership retreats, inspiring others to embrace
challenges with resilience. He holds a bachelor’s from Niagara University, a
master’s from Washington University in St. Louis and a doctorate from Johns
Hopkins SAIS.
“A human first approach to finance transformation”
We are standing at a pivotal moment. Technology is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, artificial intelligence is moving rapidly from theory to practice, and the expectations placed on finance leaders is redefining how they create insight, deliver impact and guide business
performance. Yet amid all this change, one truth remains constant: transformation succeeds only when people are empowered to lead it.
However, research shows that transformation efforts frequently fall short not because the technology is inadequate, but because organizations underinvest in people—especially in upskilling, change readiness, and the mindsets required to thrive in a digital era. Forwardlooking finance functions are shifting from linear career ladders to dynamic growth paths, cultivating T-shaped professionals, and building cultures where curiosity and continuous learning drive innovation.
This year’s Future of Finance Summit explores this moment —bringing together senior leaders who are not only adapting to the future but actively shaping it.
This Summit is designed to help every participant move from aspiration to action. Whether through sessions on leadership agility, data-driven strategy, modern planning, M&A readiness, AI-enabled finance, or workforce transformation, attendees will leave with practical insights and personalized next steps to accelerate their own journey.
As we embark on this year’s program, we invite you to reflect not only on where finance is going, but on the capabilities, people, and partnerships that will get us there. The future of finance is not simply automated or intelligent—it is human-centered, insight-led, and strategically bold. Welcome to the conversations and collaborations that will shape what comes next.
Welcome to Denver!
FFLAG & Barry Payne, RVP - Americas, AICPA & CIMA
“A human first approach to finance transformation”
We are standing at a pivotal moment. Technology is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, artificial intelligence is moving rapidly from theory to practice, and the expectations placed on finance leaders is redefining how they create insight, deliver impact and guide business
performance. Yet amid all this change, one truth remains constant: transformation succeeds only when people are empowered to lead it.
However, research shows that transformation efforts frequently fall short not because the technology is inadequate, but because organizations underinvest in people—especially in upskilling, change readiness, and the mindsets required to thrive in a digital era. Forwardlooking finance functions are shifting from linear career ladders to dynamic growth paths, cultivating T-shaped professionals, and building cultures where curiosity and continuous learning drive innovation.
This year’s Future of Finance Summit explores this moment —bringing together senior leaders who are not only adapting to the future but actively shaping it.
This Summit is designed to help every participant move from aspiration to action. Whether through sessions on leadership agility, data-driven strategy, modern planning, M&A readiness, AI-enabled finance, or workforce transformation, attendees will leave with practical insights and personalized next steps to accelerate their own journey.
As we embark on this year’s program, we invite you to reflect not only on where finance is going, but on the capabilities, people, and partnerships that will get us there. The future of finance is not simply automated or intelligent—it is human-centered, insight-led, and strategically bold. Welcome to the conversations and collaborations that will shape what comes next.
Welcome to Denver!
FFLAG & Barry Payne, RVP - Americas, AICPA & CIMA
Keynote & Workshop: Finance of the Future - Redefining the CFO Role
The pace of change is faster than ever with no slowdown in sight. As AI, digital transformation, stakeholder expectations, and regulatory pressures continue to shape the business landscape, the role of the CFO and finance leadership appears to be changing daily. Through a blend of key insights and leadership frameworks, the session will challenge participants to rethink what finance leadership must look like in 2025 and beyond. Attendees will leave with practical ideas for how to grow their own leadership skills, empower their teams, and elevate finance’s role as a strategic driver of innovation, value, and resilience.
Sindy Wilson
Kickstarter, CFO
Sindy Wilson is the Chief Financial Officer for Kickstarter, the go-to crowdfunding platform for creative projects. Sindy is a strategic and transformational finance executive with over 20 years of experience. She specializes in performance improvement and building finance, transformation, and analytics organizations that unlock scalable growth through partnership and shared accountability. Most recently, Sindy was the VP, Finance Transformation & Analytics at Lyft. Prior to joining Lyft, she led finance for Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book, led business transformation and accounting operations for Oldcastle Infrastructure, and was in strategic finance management consulting at EY. Sindy holds a BS in Business Administration from Limestone College, received her MBA in Finance from Emory University, and pursued her Master of Accounting at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business School. Sindy was the recipient of the Emory Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 Award. She serves on the Emory University Board of Visitors where she is the past chair and executive committee member.
Keynote & Workshop: Finance of the Future - Redefining the CFO Role
The pace of change is faster than ever with no slowdown in sight. As AI, digital transformation, stakeholder expectations, and regulatory pressures continue to shape the business landscape, the role of the CFO and finance leadership appears to be changing daily. Through a blend of key insights and leadership frameworks, the session will challenge participants to rethink what finance leadership must look like in 2025 and beyond. Attendees will leave with practical ideas for how to grow their own leadership skills, empower their teams, and elevate finance’s role as a strategic driver of innovation, value, and resilience.
Sindy Wilson
Kickstarter, CFO
Sindy Wilson is the Chief Financial Officer for Kickstarter, the go-to crowdfunding platform for creative projects. Sindy is a strategic and transformational finance executive with over 20 years of experience. She specializes in performance improvement and building finance, transformation, and analytics organizations that unlock scalable growth through partnership and shared accountability. Most recently, Sindy was the VP, Finance Transformation & Analytics at Lyft. Prior to joining Lyft, she led finance for Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book, led business transformation and accounting operations for Oldcastle Infrastructure, and was in strategic finance management consulting at EY. Sindy holds a BS in Business Administration from Limestone College, received her MBA in Finance from Emory University, and pursued her Master of Accounting at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business School. Sindy was the recipient of the Emory Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 Award. She serves on the Emory University Board of Visitors where she is the past chair and executive committee member.
FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2025 | 10:00 – 12:30 PM
Closing Keynote: Winning through Uncertainty
Uncertainty isn’t just inevitable—it’s a hidden opportunity waiting to be unlocked. Where disruption is the new normal, this session will equip leaders and organizations with the tools to adapt, innovate, and thrive under pressure. Sam Goodwin’s renowned keynotes inspire a transformative shift in mindset, empowering teams to face complexity with clarity, confidence, and bold action.
Sam Goodwin
Sam Goodwin International (SGI), President, Professional Keynote Speaker & Coach
Sam Goodwin is an American entrepreneur, bestselling author and international
keynote speaker known for his thought leadership on embracing uncertainty. A
former Division I hockey player, Sam co-founded a tech company and NGO in
Singapore and is one of the few people to have travelled to all 193 countries in
the world. His book, Saving Sam, recounts his experience of being taken hostage
and wrongfully imprisoned in Syria. Sam speaks to audiences worldwide, from
large corporate events to intimate leadership retreats, inspiring others to embrace
challenges with resilience. He holds a bachelor’s from Niagara University, a
master’s from Washington University in St. Louis and a doctorate from Johns
Hopkins SAIS.
FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2025 | 10:00 – 12:30 PM
Closing Keynote: Winning through Uncertainty
Uncertainty isn’t just inevitable—it’s a hidden opportunity waiting to be unlocked. Where disruption is the new normal, this session will equip leaders and organizations with the tools to adapt, innovate, and thrive under pressure. Sam Goodwin’s renowned keynotes inspire a transformative shift in mindset, empowering teams to face complexity with clarity, confidence, and bold action.
Sam Goodwin
Sam Goodwin International (SGI), President, Professional Keynote Speaker & Coach
Sam Goodwin is an American entrepreneur, bestselling author and international
keynote speaker known for his thought leadership on embracing uncertainty. A
former Division I hockey player, Sam co-founded a tech company and NGO in
Singapore and is one of the few people to have travelled to all 193 countries in
the world. His book, Saving Sam, recounts his experience of being taken hostage
and wrongfully imprisoned in Syria. Sam speaks to audiences worldwide, from
large corporate events to intimate leadership retreats, inspiring others to embrace
challenges with resilience. He holds a bachelor’s from Niagara University, a
master’s from Washington University in St. Louis and a doctorate from Johns
Hopkins SAIS.
Expert Encounter - Sponsored by SC&H
Expert Encounter - Sponsored by EY
Driving the Business Forward with Analytics
David Bogard, Oracle, Senior Director of OCI Finance
Presentation
Handouts
Business Planning Processes in Uncertain Times
Kate Hearns, PPL Corporation, Senior Director, Portfolio Management
Brian Grzesiuk, RI Energy, Sr Manager
Presentation
World-Class Leadership Development Program – Keys to Success
Jenny Wyttenbach, Kyndryl
Danielle Schmitz, Kyndryl, Associate Director, Enablement and Transformation Program Manager
Presentation
Participant Guide
The Acquisition Playbook: Preparing Your Business for M&A Success
Allie Briggs Owens Corning Director of Finance, North America Building Insulation
Presentation
Group Questions
M&A Pipeline Rank
Managing Change & Talent in the Midst of a Merger
Katherine Lok, DSV, Region Americas Finance Business Partner
Presentation
Value Partnering – How Accountants Can Add Value Across Their Entire Company
David DeFreitas, Caterpillar Inc., Retired
Presentation
FAME Model Handout
Beyond the Deal: Piloting yourself & teams through the emotional & operational demands of Mergers, Acquisitions, & going public
Lindsay Alexovich, Metromile (former), Chief Accounting Officer
Presentation
Strategic Succession Planning: Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Today
Steve Saah, Robert Half, Executive Director for Finance & Accounting
Kathy Burton, Robert Half, Vice President of Global Learning and Development
Presentation
Worksheets
Going from Hype to Reality – Build a Digital Finance Function is NOT a Choice
Jasmine Ahmed Elevate for Impact Finance Transformation Leader
Presentation
Modern Finance in the Age of AI: Building the Frontier Firm
Tristan Breyer, Microsoft, Finance Lead, Professional Service Operating Unit
Presentation
AI Business Case Materials
Expert Encounter - Sponsored by EY
Transformation realized: perspectives on the CFO’s role in driving business value
