CEOs share what they need most from today’s finance leaders and how CFOs can turn strategic goals into investment priorities, operational action, and measurable growth. The conversation will explore when finance should support, challenge, or help redirect enterprise strategy.

The CFO’s mandate now extends far beyond financial stewardship into strategy, technology, talent, risk, and enterprise transformation. Panelists will share how their roles have changed since generative AI entered mainstream business use, the challenges for which they were and and were not prepared, and the specific experiences, skills, and leadership practices organizations need to develop now. Finance leaders will discuss the skills required to succeed, the evolving relationship with the CEO and board, and potential paths from CFO to COO or CEO.

AI-generated voices, video impersonation, deepfakes, and sophisticated social engineering are challenging conventional approval processes and internal controls. This session will explore how finance, audit, technology, and security leaders can strengthen defenses, prepare employees, and respond when attackers convincingly imitate trusted colleagues or executives.

Boards increasingly expect CFOs to provide strategic insight, strengthen governance, oversee enterprise risk, and ensure that investments align with the organization’s objectives. This session will examine how finance leaders can build board confidence through effective oversight, disciplined capital allocation, transparent performance measures, and responsible decision-making—across emerging technologies, transformation initiatives, and other drivers of sustainable business value.