Agenda topics, timing and speakers subject to change.
Sunday, May 18
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Opening Reception
Valencia Ballroom | Conference Center
Get ready to roll the dice at the 2025 Financial Leadership Summit Opening Reception – Vegas style! Kick off the conference with an evening of connection, cocktails, and casino classics. Network with fellow attendees, relax in a lively atmosphere, and try your hand at blackjack, roulette, and craps – all the fun, none of the financial risk! It’s the perfect way to start the 95th Annual Financial Leadership Summit celebration.
Day 1 | Monday, May 19
7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Registration
8:00 am – 9:00 am
Concurrent Breakfast Sessions
1 CPE credit available per session
State of the U.S. Parcel Market 2025
Presented by AFMS
Marquis Salon 1 | Conference Center
EXPERT Carrier Contract Negotiation advice, that will reduce your shipping costs. A lot of changes are happening today with UPS, FedEx, DHL, and TNT, and the levels of complexity surrounding today’s contracts. Gain valuable insight to negotiate better transportation pricing contracts and manage carrier contract changes. Learn how you can achieve best-in-class pricing and reduce overall shipping costs by 15-25%. You will walk away from this informative session with a new perspective on how to negotiate with the carriers and mitigate the impact of the general rate increases.
Session Learning Objectives:
- Tips to negotiate better discounts from former DHL, TNT, UPS and FedEx VPs and pricing managers
- How to establish shipping cost benchmarks before beginning any carrier negotiations (Europe & North America)
- Ways to reduce the impact of accessorial charges and other not-so-obvious contract fees (pricing benchmarks)
- What can a shipper do to offset these new pricing changes?
- Gain a better understanding of the impact these changes are going to have on your company; How much of your transportation spend is in accessorial charges or base rate charges.
Presenter:
Mike Erickson | President & CEO | AFMS
Leveraging Finance Automation to Mitigate Risk in Times of Uncertainty
Presented by Tipalti
Marquis Salon 2 | Conference Center
Finance leaders are actively adjusting to the evolving market landscape to reduce risks, fortify controls, and integrate digital transformation with their organization's growth objectives. In the last three years, the most notable internal transformation within the finance function has been substantial investments in technology. These investments enable finance departments to concentrate on impactful activities like mergers and acquisitions (M&A), globalization, and uncovering strategic efficiencies. What was once viewed as a threat to finance teams is now seen as an opportunity to remove outdated manual back-office processes, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives that drive organizational progress.
In this session, industry experts will discuss: how employing finance automation boosts compliance and mitigates risk; the reasons incorporating automation into your accounting department promotes strategic growth; and how adopting digital transformation can enhance reporting and control capabilities.
Presenter:
Mitch McCaw | Manager | Tipalti
One Connection Away: The Conversation That Could Change Your Career Is Sitting Right Next to You
Presented by Lodestar Solutions, Inc.
Marquis Salon 3 | Conference Center
Think networking is awkward, exhausting, or only useful when you're job hunting?
So did I. As an introverted CEO/CFO turned executive advisor and coach, I used to avoid networking like the plague—until one conversation at a conference changed everything. Then another. And another.
In this real-talk, high-impact session, I’ll share the life-changing power of intentional networking—even for introverts. You’ll learn:
- How to start authentic conversations without sounding rehearsed
- My go-to questions that open doors (and minds)
- How “Networking Bingo” can transform the way you show up (with a chance to win a free executive coaching session!)
You’re not here just to attend. You’re here to connect. Your next breakthrough might be sitting right next to you....
Presenter:
Heather Cole | Executive Coach/Business Analytics Advisor | Lodestar Solutions, Inc.
9:00 am – 10:30 am
Welcome & Opening Remarks + Opening Keynote
Marquis Ballroom 4-8 | Conference Center
Molly's Game
The True Story of the Woman Behind the Most Exclusive, High-Stakes Underground Poker Game in the World
What’s it like to run an exclusive poker game for the rich and famous? Molly Bloom went from Olympic-level skier who didn’t know a thing about poker or Hollywood to building and operating the largest and most notorious private poker game in the world. In this motivational talk, Bloom will show the sales and marketing skills she used to attract hundreds of millions of dollars to the game and spark the interest of players like Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, A-Rod, and Ben Affleck. Audiences will get the inside story not shown in the film as Bloom shares true-life tales of her experience.
Presenter:
Molly Bloom | Entrepreneur, Bestselling Author, Former U.S. Ski Team Member,
one of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women
10:30 am – 11:15 am
Networking Break in Exhibit Hall
Grand Ballroom | Conference Center
11:15 am - 12:15 pm
General Session
Risk Management Strategies: Navigating Challenges in Sin City
Marquis Ballroom 4-8 | Conference Center
In today’s high-stakes world of finance, C-Suite leaders face an ever-evolving landscape of risks that demand proactive and innovative approaches. This session offers cutting-edge strategies to help you identify, assess, and mitigate potential threats to your organization’s financial health. From tackling economic uncertainty to addressing cybersecurity challenges, you’ll learn how to build a robust risk management framework that safeguards your bottom line and ensures business continuity.
Join us for a dynamic panel discussion featuring industry leaders from sectors such as hospitality, entertainment, and major league sports. Together, they’ll explore the unique challenges and opportunities of managing risk in the vibrant, fast-paced environment of Las Vegas. Discover how businesses in this rapidly growing city navigate regulatory complexities, operational risks, and compliance requirements while implementing tailored strategies to thrive in one of the most distinctive markets in the world. Gain actionable insights that will empower you to elevate your risk management practices and drive success in any environment.
Moderator:
Bret Lawson | Former Chairman | FEI Board of Directors
Panelists:
Michael Crome | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | Las Vegas Raiders
Susan Hitch | Chief Financial Officer | Circa Resort & Casino Las Vegas
Lisa Motley | Vice President, Sports and Special Events | Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
Lori Nelson-Kraft | Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs | Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix
12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
Concurrent Thought Leadership Sessions
1 CPE credit available per session
Embracing Change: How Financial Executives Can Lead with Agility and Confidence
Presented by Forvis Mazars
Marquis Salon 1 | Conference Center
Join Forvis Mazars as they delve into recent developments impacting the office of the CFO and how market, customer, and geopolitical changes are forcing financial executives to constantly adapt. This session will provide an update on the 2025 Financial Executives Priorities Report and offer insights into areas of opportunity and challenges for leaders in the second half of the year.
Presenters:
Chris Brown, CPA | Managing Director, CFO and Business Consulting Services | Forvis Mazars
Frank Cesario | CFO | SigmaTron International
Nicholas Koutouras | Head of Finance for Wealth Management | U.S. Bank
Anthony Reggiannini, CPA | | Partner, CFO and Business Consulting Services | Forvis Mazars
The Modern Threat Landscape: What A Financial Executive Should Know and How To Approach It
Presented by OakTruss Group
Marquis Salon 2 | Conference Center
This panel discussion explores today's evolving threat landscape, examining cyber threats, AI concerns, IT challenges, insider and external risks, and where financial executives should direct their focus. The panel will address pressing topics, including real-world examples of threats affecting organizations globally and their responses – both successful and unsuccessful.
Presenters:
Marla Beckham | President and CFO | OakTruss Group
Lane Duncan | Director of Finance | OakTruss Group
Clay Gooch | Senior Director | OakTruss Group
Jude Sunderbruch | Managing Director | OakTruss Group
AI in Accounting and Finance: Risk, Reward & the Road Ahead
Presented by Planful
Marquis Salon 3 | Conference Center
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing finance and accounting at unprecedented speed, presenting both transformative opportunities and complex challenges for professionals. This session demonstrates how AI is fundamentally reshaping financial operations—streamlining close and consolidation cycles, delivering predictive-level forecasting precision, and building intelligent risk mitigation—all to enable faster, more confident strategic decisions at every level.
This session will also explore emerging AI innovations poised to reshape finance and accounting functions, such as real-time AI assistants and AI-driven compliance tools. Through real-world examples and practical takeaways, attendees will leave with a clear roadmap for leveraging AI to elevate their finance and accounting functions.
Session Learning Objectives:
- Learn how AI enhances forecasting accuracy, improves anomaly detection, and streamlines operations to drive strategic decision-making. Identify common barriers such as trust-building, data security, and stakeholder alignment, and discover strategies to overcome them.
- Explore real-world examples of AI in action, including predictive analytics, scenario simulations, and compliance tools.
- Gain actionable insights on starting small, experimenting with guardrails, and ensuring human oversight to scale AI initiatives successfully.
- Discover emerging trends and technologies to reshape the finance and accounting function and position finance teams as strategic enablers.
Presenter:
Kevin Beckberger | Vice President, Product Marketing | Planful
1:15 pm – 2:30 pm
Networking Luncheon in Exhibit Hall
Grand Ballroom | Conference Center
2:30 pm – 3:45 pm
Concurrent Thought Leadership and Demonstration Sessions
1 CPE credit available per session
Optimizing Reporting, Analytics, and AI to Strengthen Financial Resilience
Presented by Oracle NetSuite
Marquis Salon 1 | Conference Center
Building a resilient finance organization requires more than just financial acumen - it demands AI-driven systems and processes capable of delivering accurate, real-time insights. By optimizing reporting, analytics, forecasting, planning, and more through AI, finance teams can not only improve operational efficiency but also strengthen their ability to respond to market fluctuations, regulatory changes, and unforeseen challenges. In this session, you’ll learn how to leverage financial processes to become more agile, transparent, and adaptable - setting your organization up for success in everything from getting a bank loan to navigating tariffs to attracting investors.
- Learn how AI integration strengthens financial resilience through improved data insights and adaptability.
- Optimize financial operations with AI to enhance efficiency in reporting, analytics, and planning.
- Leverage AI for strategic agility and increased transparency, enabling quicker responses to market changes.
Presenter:
Tom Kelly | Director Product Marketing/Management | Oracle NetSuite
The First-Ever Agentic AI for Finance: Not Just Smart—Self-Driving
Presented by Trullion
Marquis Salon 2 | Conference Center
As finance and accounting functions face increasing complexity, evolving standards, and heightened demands for transparency, traditional automation is no longer enough. Enter agentic AI—intelligent systems with the capacity to act, adapt, and collaborate with limited human oversight. In this session, you'll learn more about agentic AI and how it's gaining ground in the accounting world, and how Trullion, an AI-powered accounting platform, is leveraging agentic AI to transform key accounting & audit functions. Through real-world use cases, we’ll demonstrate how Trullion’s agentic capabilities go beyond surface-level automation to actively interpret data, map it to GAAP & IFRS accounting standards, and generate compliant answers & insights.
- Understand the concept of agentic AI and its growing role in the accounting and audit industry.
- Explore how Trullion utilizes agentic AI to enhance core accounting functions beyond basic automation.
- Learn how agentic AI can interpret financial data and align it with GAAP and IFRS standards.
- Examine real-world use cases demonstrating how AI can generate compliant accounting insights and streamline audit workflows.
Presenter:
Isaac Heller | CEO | Trullion
The Rise of Autonomous Finance: Real-World AI in Action
Presented by Vic.ai
Marquis Salon 3 | Conference Center
AI is changing the finance function — but not in the way most vendors claim. While some organizations are still stuck on basic automation, others are moving toward a smarter, more autonomous future. In this session, we’ll cut through the buzzwords to show what AI is really doing in finance today — and where it’s going next.
You’ll hear how AI is evolving from simple rules-based automation to agentic systems capable of independent decision-making. We’ll explore how finance leaders can embrace this shift to free up teams from repetitive tasks and empower more strategic, real-time decision-making.
This session isn’t all theoretical. We’ll walk through real-world applications of AI across four core finance use cases, highlight organizations already leveraging AI successfully today in AP, and demonstrate the Vic.ai platform live to show how autonomous finance works in day-to-day AP processes.
You’ll also gain insight into:
- The state of AP today: Common challenges for teams, and increasing demands on modern finance leaders.
- The journey of automation in finance: Where we started, what’s changed, and what’s next.
- The hybrid AI-human model: Why the future of finance isn’t replacing people, but empowering them with AI.
- AI’s role in day-to-day AP operations: How leading teams are streamlining invoice processing, payments, and approvals.
- What it takes to get started: Practical advice for identifying your use case and selecting the right AI-powered tools.
Join us for an honest, forward-looking session on the real applications of AI in finance, and what it takes to lead through the next wave of transformation.
Presenter:
Max Kearney | Enterprise Account Executive | Vic.ai
3:45 pm - 4:45 pm
Afternoon Keynote
AI Governance: Balancing Innovation with Responsibility
Presented by Deloitte
Marquis Ballroom 4-8 | Conference Center
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into business operations is transforming internal processes, offering increased efficiencies and insights. However, AI presents unique challenges and opportunities related to trustworthiness and governance. This session delves into the critical aspects of AI governance, emphasizing the alignment of people, processes, and technologies to foster trustworthy AI solutions. Financial executives will learn the foundations of AI governance, including key principles and frameworks, and explore practical applications such as stakeholder engagement, role delineation, and risk management. Attendees will also discover leading practices for integrating AI into board agendas and enhancing AI literacy within their organizations. Join us to understand how effective AI governance can help organizations navigate complexities, mitigate risks, and realize the value of AI responsibly and sustainably.
Presenter:
Cam Andriola | Audit & Assurance –Accounting & Reporting Advisory Senior Manager | Deloitte & Touche LLP
Bradley Niedzielski | Finance Transformation and Generative AI Leader; Partner – Audit & Assurance | Deloitte & Touche LLP
4:45 pm – 6:00 pm
Networking Reception in Exhibit Hall
Grand Ballroom | Conference Center
Sponsored by
Day 2 | Tuesday, May 20
8:00 am – 9:00 am
Concurrent Breakfast Sessions
1 CPE credit available per session
Standing Out in a Board Search: The CFO’s Guide
Presented by Point Road Group
Marquis Salon 1 | Conference Center
Are you exploring the idea of serving on a corporate board but unsure where to begin? Already started your board journey and want to sharpen your approach? Or perhaps you’re planning for a future board role and want to set the foundation now? Join us for a candid and engaging fireside chat with a finance executive and an expert who has coached hundreds of leaders on how to strategically pursue for-profit board opportunities. This session will offer practical advice, insider insights, and actionable tools to help you stand out in today’s highly competitive board landscape. Whether you’re just beginning your board journey or looking to elevate your candidacy, this session will help you clarify your direction and refine your approach.
Attendees will gain insights on how to:
- Identify board opportunities that align with your experience and aspirations
- Articulate your unique board value proposition
- Reframe your professional story from operator to strategic advisor
- Develop a standout board resume, bio, and LinkedIn profile
- Network authentically and avoid common missteps in the board search process
Presenters:
Alyssa Gelbard | Founder and CEO | Point Road Group
Nicholas Koutouras | Head of Finance for Wealth Management | US Bank
One Connection Away: The Conversation That Could Change Your Career Is Sitting Right Next to You
Presented by Lodestar Solutions, Inc.
Marquis Salon 2 | Conference Center
Think networking is awkward, exhausting, or only useful when you're job hunting?
So did I. As an introverted CEO/CFO turned executive advisor and coach, I used to avoid networking like the plague—until one conversation at a conference changed everything. Then another. And another.
In this real-talk, high-impact session, I’ll share the life-changing power of intentional networking—even for introverts. You’ll learn:
- How to start authentic conversations without sounding rehearsed
- My go-to questions that open doors (and minds)
- How “Networking Bingo” can transform the way you show up (with a chance to win a free executive coaching session!)
You’re not here just to attend. You’re here to connect. Your next breakthrough might be sitting right next to you....
Presenter:
Heather Cole | Executive Coach/Business Analytics Advisor | Lodestar Solutions, Inc.
Safeguarding Your Organization: Preventing and Mitigating Risks from Cyber Attacks
Presented by Orbis Solutions, Inc.
Marquis Salon 3 | Conference Center
This session will provide you with essential knowledge and strategies to protect your organization from the ever-evolving cyber threats.
Key Highlights:
- Understanding Cyber Threats: Learn about the various types of cyber threats, including ransomware, data breaches, and deepfakes, and their potential impact on your business .
- Real-Life Examples: Hear about real-life incidents involving major companies like Caesars and MGM, and understand the financial and reputational damage caused by cyberattacks.
- Best Practices for Cybersecurity: Discover best practices for mitigating cyber risks, including being prepared, recognizing the signs of an attack, and ensuring robust security measures are in place.
- Call to Action: Take advantage of a free third-party cybersecurity assessment to identify vulnerabilities and improve your security posture.
Presenter:
Sean Connery | Chief Security Officer | Orbis Solutions, Inc.
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Welcome Back Remarks
Navigating the Complexities of Deals: Opportunities, Risks, and Reporting
in M&A and IPOs
Presented by PwC
In today’s dynamic market, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and initial public offerings (IPOs) present both significant opportunities and complex challenges for finance leaders. Join PwC specialists for a comprehensive discussion on key risks, financial reporting requirements, and benefits surrounding these transactions.
Topics include:
- Opportunities for companies exploring M&A and IPOs: Understand how technology and digital transformation can unlock new opportunities and drive innovation, as well as the potential benefits of adopting a proactive, tech-enabled deals strategy.
- Key risks in M&A transactions: Explore strategic, financial, and regulatory challenges companies often face and strategies for effective risk mitigation.
- Financial reporting complexities: Examine the evolving regulatory requirements and best practices in financial reporting for M&A deals.
- Roadmap for an IPO: Delve into critical considerations for IPO readiness, including financial reporting obligations and compliance.
Presenters:
Mike Bellin | IPO Services Leader | PwC
Erin Bennett | Deals Partner | PwC
Doug Chu | Capital Markets Advisory Leader | PwC
10:00 am – 10:30 am
Networking Break in Exhibit Hall
Grand Ballroom | Conference Center
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Concurrent Thought Leadership Sessions
1 CPE credit available per session
How to Prevent Health Benefits from Crushing Your Cash Flow
Presented by Ambetter Health
Marquis Salon 1 | Conference Center
Health insurance is typically the second-largest expense for companies, right after salaries. The uncertainty and risks tied to annual renewals can disrupt budgeting and forecasting, making it a constant challenge for finance leaders. Allies for Health + Wellbeing's CFO, Carrie Reighard, was faced with this exact challenge for her large nonprofit. She will share her experience switching from a group health plan to ICHRA, while Lauren Niebruegge, Regional Vice President & Marketplace Chief Financial Officer, from Centene, and Wayne Scott, CFO, Take Command, share actionable strategies to regain control of benefits budgets.
Presenters:
Lauren Niebruegge | Regional Vice President and Marketplace CFO | Centene Corporation
Carrie Reighard | CFO | Allies for Health + Wellbeing
Wayne Scott | CFO | Take Command
Leverage AI + Automation to Reduce Cost and Uplevel Operational Success
Presented by Nintex
Marquis Salon 2 | Conference Center
AI promises organizations numerous benefits including greater efficiency, speed, reduced cost and overall time-to-value. Finance leaders are uniquely positioned to lead their companies in leveraging AI's potential to transform operations. Particularly as finance leaders know all too well how today’s state of manual processes and disconnected data silos lead to delays, human error, compliance challenges and audit mistakes – draining efficiency, increasing risk and causing AI adoption to fall into the common trap of “garbage in, garbage out”.
This session will dive into how applying AI with process automation drives operational excellence, alleviates risks, and helps organizations become more efficient. Attendees will also walk away with a roadmap on how to leverage generative AI to quickly create purpose-built solutions that address their unique finance challenges instead of trying to piece together and customize off-the-shelf applications.
Explore how finance leaders can guide their organizations toward a foundation of AI and automation to connect data, people, and systems.
Learn how AI-powered automation optimizes cross-functional processes and mitigates risk – from vendor management to contract generation to budgeting and capex approvals to compliance audits.
Walk away with tangible takeaways on how generative AI helps easily create purpose-built applications to address unique business challenges, remove friction from work, and reduce the burgeoning cost of system proliferation.
Presenters:
Andy Hayes | Manager, Pre-Sales | Nintex
Brian Kuettel | Head of Strategy and Operations | Nintex
Spend Optimization Reinvented: Next-Generation Strategies to Unlock Hidden EBITDA
Presented by SIB Fixed Cost Reduction
Marquis Salon 3 | Conference Center
Join Eric Steele from SIB, a leading cost reduction and business optimization firm, for an insightful session at where you will discover untapped opportunities to drive substantial EBITDA growth without compromising operational excellence. Learn how strategic vendor spend optimization identifies profit-leaking issues such as hidden fees, billing errors, and overlooked inefficiencies. In this session, attendees will gain best practices for pinpointing financial inefficiencies and deploying tailored cost-saving solutions across all indirect spend categories, supported by real-world examples and SIB’s advanced AI-driven spend analytics platform.
- Maximize EBITDA growth through strategic operational efficiencies
- Eliminate hidden and unnecessary expenses while maintaining quality and compliance
- Leverage vendor quality assurance for enhanced financial control
- Attendees will leave with actionable insights and a renewed perspective on optimizing indirect spending to drive meaningful financial performance.
Presenters:
Sean Fox | VP of Private Equity | SIB Fixed Cost Reduction
Eric Steele | CRO | SIB Fixed Cost Reduction
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Navigating the Financial Horizon: Reporting, Regulatory Shifts, & the Looming Tax Cliff
Presented by KPMG
Marquis Ballroom 4-8 | Conference Center
Join KPMG to gain critical insights into current financial reporting standards, emerging regulatory changes, perspectives on AI in financial reporting, and impending tax challenges. You will gain practical knowledge to adapt to evolving financial landscapes, ensure compliance, and strategically plan for potential fiscal obstacles.
Presenters:
Francois Chadwick | Partner-in-charge, Emerging Giants | KPMG US
Christian Peo | National Managing Partner – Audit Quality & Professional Practice | KPMG US
12:30 pm - 1:45 pm
Networking Luncheon in Exhibit Hall
Grand Ballroom | Conference Center
Post-Conference Workshops
Additional registration + fee required | CPE credits available
4-Hour Workshop | 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Chief Capital Officer: Catalyst for Board Director and CEO Excellence
Marquis Salon 1 | Conference Center
Historically, the role of the board of directors was mostly ceremonial, summed up by the phrase, “noses in, fingers out.” All that changed with the collapse of Enron. From that point forward, board directors have been expected to function as strategic assets and sources of sustainable competitive advantage to the firms they serve. This includes ensuring CEOs are extraordinary.
Attending this workshop will teach you how the Chief Capital Officer, as the CFO of the Future, equips and engages with the board and CEO to consistently achieve extraordinary levels of sustainable value for shareholders and all other stakeholders.
Attendees can expect to emerge from this session with the skill set to support board directors and CEOs in performing as strategic assets and sustainable competitive advantages to their firms, optimizing sustainable value for shareholders and other stakeholders, and managing effective communications with analysts, institutional investors, shareholder activists, and individual shareholders.
Presenter:
Mark Sickles | CEO | SuperOrg, Inc.
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