app01 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 22:35:37 +0000 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) FEI Podcast - Episodes Tagged with “Fei Podcast” https://feipodcast.fireside.fm/tags/fei%20podcast Mon, 13 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Financial Executives International presents the FEI Podcast: an audio digest focusing on the ideas and strategies in finance and accounting. en-us episodic Discussions and thought-provoking ideas from Financial Executives International Financial Executives International Financial Executives International presents the FEI Podcast: an audio digest focusing on the ideas and strategies in finance and accounting. no business, finance, accounting, strategy Financial Executives International info@financialexecutives.org From CPA to Founder: Why This CFO Says It's Time to Take More Risk – with Chrissy O'Hara https://feipodcast.fireside.fm/186 4306e205-0142-418f-a043-b28629241f69 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Financial Executives International full Financial Executives International Chrissy O'Hara, CFO of SoftLedger, shares what entrepreneurial freedom really costs and why more finance and accounting professionals need to take bigger risks. 33:20 no <p>What happens when a CFO trades the structure of a traditional corporate finance career for the unpredictability of a startup? In this episode, recorded live at FEI's <em><strong>Financial Leaders Forum</strong></em> in San Antonio, host Heather Cole sits down with <strong>Chrissy O'Hara, CFO of SoftLedger</strong>, to talk about the real tradeoffs of entrepreneurial freedom: cash flow stress, family members who keep asking when the “real job” is coming, and the discipline it takes to keep pivoting when plans change. O'Hara also shares how she learned to let go of the perfectionism her CPA training instilled, how she and her team use AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT day to day, and why she believes more finance and accounting professionals need to step into entrepreneurship and be in the room shaping the next generation of tools, rather than waiting for someone else to make those decisions for them. Special Guest: Chrissy O'Hara.</p> CFO entrepreneurship, startup CFO, SoftLedger, career transition, financial leadership, accounting software, AI in accounting, FEI Podcast, cash flow management, FP&A, risk taking, financial executives What happens when a CFO trades the structure of a traditional corporate finance career for the unpredictability of a startup? In this episode, recorded live at FEI's Financial Leaders Forum in San Antonio, host Heather Cole sits down with Chrissy O'Hara, CFO of SoftLedger, to talk about the real tradeoffs of entrepreneurial freedom: cash flow stress, family members who keep asking when the “real job” is coming, and the discipline it takes to keep pivoting when plans change. O'Hara also shares how she learned to let go of the perfectionism her CPA training instilled, how she and her team use AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT day to day, and why she believes more finance and accounting professionals need to step into entrepreneurship and be in the room shaping the next generation of tools, rather than waiting for someone else to make those decisions for them.

Special Guest: Chrissy O'Hara.

]]> What happens when a CFO trades the structure of a traditional corporate finance career for the unpredictability of a startup? In this episode, recorded live at FEI's Financial Leaders Forum in San Antonio, host Heather Cole sits down with Chrissy O'Hara, CFO of SoftLedger, to talk about the real tradeoffs of entrepreneurial freedom: cash flow stress, family members who keep asking when the “real job” is coming, and the discipline it takes to keep pivoting when plans change. O'Hara also shares how she learned to let go of the perfectionism her CPA training instilled, how she and her team use AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT day to day, and why she believes more finance and accounting professionals need to step into entrepreneurship and be in the room shaping the next generation of tools, rather than waiting for someone else to make those decisions for them.

Special Guest: Chrissy O'Hara.

]]> From Job Fear to Competitive Edge: How One CFO Is Leading with AI – with Kevina Purmanund https://feipodcast.fireside.fm/185 c963727a-de3e-4d86-960b-c4351d379304 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Financial Executives International full Financial Executives International Kevina Purmanund, CFO of the 1826 Group, joins host Heather Cole to share how she turned early AI anxiety into a competitive advantage for herself and her finance team. 26:44 no <p>What happens when a CFO realizes AI could replace her job, and decides to master it instead? In this episode, host Heather Cole sits down with Kevina Purmanund, CFO of the 1826 Group, live from the FEI Financial Leaders Forum in San Antonio. Purmanund shares how a single conversation with an investor sparked her AI journey, how she now runs ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot side by side to compare results, and how a revenue-per-head report that used to take a week now takes 30 minutes. She also opens up about the mistakes AI has caused, the review process she built to catch them, and how she brought a skeptical accounting team along with weekly demos and hands-on projects. Along the way, they cover data security and compliance, what to look for in AI training, and why investing in coaching and peer networks has been just as important to her growth as any AI tool. Whether you are just starting to experiment or already building your own tools, this conversation offers a candid look at what it takes to lead through change. Special Guest: Kevina Purmanund.</p> CFO AI adoption, AI in finance, AI for financial leaders, finance transformation, AI governance, AI training for CFOs, financial leadership, 1826 Group, FEI Podcast, AI implementation, AI dashboards, finance automation, executive coaching What happens when a CFO realizes AI could replace her job, and decides to master it instead? In this episode, host Heather Cole sits down with Kevina Purmanund, CFO of the 1826 Group, live from the FEI Financial Leaders Forum in San Antonio. Purmanund shares how a single conversation with an investor sparked her AI journey, how she now runs ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot side by side to compare results, and how a revenue-per-head report that used to take a week now takes 30 minutes. She also opens up about the mistakes AI has caused, the review process she built to catch them, and how she brought a skeptical accounting team along with weekly demos and hands-on projects. Along the way, they cover data security and compliance, what to look for in AI training, and why investing in coaching and peer networks has been just as important to her growth as any AI tool. Whether you are just starting to experiment or already building your own tools, this conversation offers a candid look at what it takes to lead through change.

Special Guest: Kevina Purmanund.

]]> What happens when a CFO realizes AI could replace her job, and decides to master it instead? In this episode, host Heather Cole sits down with Kevina Purmanund, CFO of the 1826 Group, live from the FEI Financial Leaders Forum in San Antonio. Purmanund shares how a single conversation with an investor sparked her AI journey, how she now runs ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot side by side to compare results, and how a revenue-per-head report that used to take a week now takes 30 minutes. She also opens up about the mistakes AI has caused, the review process she built to catch them, and how she brought a skeptical accounting team along with weekly demos and hands-on projects. Along the way, they cover data security and compliance, what to look for in AI training, and why investing in coaching and peer networks has been just as important to her growth as any AI tool. Whether you are just starting to experiment or already building your own tools, this conversation offers a candid look at what it takes to lead through change.

Special Guest: Kevina Purmanund.

]]> Why CFOs Can't Just Layer AI on Broken Processes – with CohnReznick https://feipodcast.fireside.fm/184 d48e9e94-cf66-48ba-864c-2b5c66840abe Mon, 22 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 Financial Executives International full Financial Executives International Jennifer Witts and Kyle Vroegh of CohnReznick join host Heather Cole to explore why AI adoption requires more than technology – it requires process readiness, cultural safety, and responsible governance. 39:06 no <p>What if the biggest AI challenge for CFOs is not the technology itself, but the culture and processes required to use it well? In this episode, host Heather Cole sits down with Jennifer Witts (Partner) and Kyle Vroegh (Director) of CohnReznick's Client Advisory Services Practice to unpack what separates financial leaders seeing real AI results from those spinning their wheels. They cover where CFOs should start with AI adoption, why layering automation on broken processes backfires, how to build a psychologically safe culture around experimentation, what governance and security questions to ask when evaluating outside firms, and how the role of the financial executive is shifting toward advisory and strategic work. Whether you are excited, overwhelmed, or somewhere in between, this episode offers a practical, no-hype path forward – one bite-sized use case at a time. Special Guests: Jennifer Witts and Kyle Vroegh.</p> CFO AI adoption, AI in finance, AI strategy, financial leadership, process automation, AI governance, finance transformation, outsourced accounting, organizational culture, AI implementation, CohnReznick, FEI Podcast What if the biggest AI challenge for CFOs is not the technology itself, but the culture and processes required to use it well? In this episode, host Heather Cole sits down with Jennifer Witts (Partner) and Kyle Vroegh (Director) of CohnReznick's Client Advisory Services Practice to unpack what separates financial leaders seeing real AI results from those spinning their wheels. They cover where CFOs should start with AI adoption, why layering automation on broken processes backfires, how to build a psychologically safe culture around experimentation, what governance and security questions to ask when evaluating outside firms, and how the role of the financial executive is shifting toward advisory and strategic work. Whether you are excited, overwhelmed, or somewhere in between, this episode offers a practical, no-hype path forward – one bite-sized use case at a time.

Special Guests: Jennifer Witts and Kyle Vroegh.

]]> What if the biggest AI challenge for CFOs is not the technology itself, but the culture and processes required to use it well? In this episode, host Heather Cole sits down with Jennifer Witts (Partner) and Kyle Vroegh (Director) of CohnReznick's Client Advisory Services Practice to unpack what separates financial leaders seeing real AI results from those spinning their wheels. They cover where CFOs should start with AI adoption, why layering automation on broken processes backfires, how to build a psychologically safe culture around experimentation, what governance and security questions to ask when evaluating outside firms, and how the role of the financial executive is shifting toward advisory and strategic work. Whether you are excited, overwhelmed, or somewhere in between, this episode offers a practical, no-hype path forward – one bite-sized use case at a time.

Special Guests: Jennifer Witts and Kyle Vroegh.

]]> Evolution of the Finance Function: Leading Strategy, AI, and Transformation https://feipodcast.fireside.fm/183 f3012459-2f98-4d35-a737-e25d920a27aa Tue, 21 Apr 2026 05:30:00 -0400 Financial Executives International full Financial Executives International Financial leaders are being asked to do more than ever before. This episode explores new research on how the finance function is evolving and what leaders must do to keep pace with AI, governance, and strategic demands. 44:10 no <p>In this episode of the FEI Podcast, <strong>Tom Alexander and Scott Peck of CrossCountry Consulting</strong> discuss findings from the <strong><em>Evolution of the Finance Function Report</em></strong> by Financial Education &amp; Research Foundation (FERF).</p> <p>The conversation explores how the role of finance is expanding beyond reporting to include strategy, transformation, and enterprise leadership. It also highlights key challenges, including low confidence in AI, gaps in governance, and the need for stronger collaboration between finance and IT.</p> <p>Listeners will gain practical insights on how to build transformation capability, start with focused AI use cases, and position finance teams for long-term success in a rapidly changing environment.<br> Special Guests: Scott Peck and Tom Alexander.</p> finance transformation, CFO leadership, AI in finance, finance strategy, financial executives, FEI podcast, FERF report, digital finance, governance, business transformation In this episode of the FEI Podcast, Tom Alexander and Scott Peck of CrossCountry Consulting discuss findings from the Evolution of the Finance Function Report by Financial Education & Research Foundation (FERF).

The conversation explores how the role of finance is expanding beyond reporting to include strategy, transformation, and enterprise leadership. It also highlights key challenges, including low confidence in AI, gaps in governance, and the need for stronger collaboration between finance and IT.

Listeners will gain practical insights on how to build transformation capability, start with focused AI use cases, and position finance teams for long-term success in a rapidly changing environment.

Special Guests: Scott Peck and Tom Alexander.

]]> In this episode of the FEI Podcast, Tom Alexander and Scott Peck of CrossCountry Consulting discuss findings from the Evolution of the Finance Function Report by Financial Education & Research Foundation (FERF).

The conversation explores how the role of finance is expanding beyond reporting to include strategy, transformation, and enterprise leadership. It also highlights key challenges, including low confidence in AI, gaps in governance, and the need for stronger collaboration between finance and IT.

Listeners will gain practical insights on how to build transformation capability, start with focused AI use cases, and position finance teams for long-term success in a rapidly changing environment.

Special Guests: Scott Peck and Tom Alexander.

]]> Building Resilience and Relevance: Brenda Zamzow on Leadership and Relationships https://feipodcast.fireside.fm/182 02775ee7-d7d0-4731-bbb1-55567620c0d3 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400 Financial Executives International full Financial Executives International Brenda Zamzow shares leadership lessons on resilience, trust, and relationship-building, offering practical insights for senior-level financial leaders navigating change. 39:49 no <p>In this special Icons edition of the FEI Podcast, <strong>Brenda Zamzow, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles</strong>, discusses how financial leaders can stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.</p> <p>Drawing on decades of experience across public accounting, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit leadership, Zamzow shares how to transform finance from a gatekeeping function into a strategic partner, the importance of building meaningful professional relationships, and how resilience is developed through real-world challenges.</p> <p>This episode is part of FEI’s special Icons podcast series highlighting past speakers from the <strong><em>ICONS: Leaders in Finance</em></strong> virtual event. Join us on <strong>April 22, 2026</strong> to hear from distinguished financial leaders shaping the future of finance.</p> <p>Learn more about the <strong><em>ICONS: Leaders in Finance</em></strong> event virtual replay here:<br> <a href="https://www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026-virtual" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026-virtual</a></p> <p>Special Guest: Brenda Zamzow.</p> Brenda Zamzow, FEI Podcast, finance leadership, resilience, CFO leadership, nonprofit finance, relationship building, leadership development, ICONS event, Financial Executives International In this special Icons edition of the FEI Podcast, Brenda Zamzow, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles, discusses how financial leaders can stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Drawing on decades of experience across public accounting, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit leadership, Zamzow shares how to transform finance from a gatekeeping function into a strategic partner, the importance of building meaningful professional relationships, and how resilience is developed through real-world challenges.

This episode is part of FEI’s special Icons podcast series highlighting past speakers from the ICONS: Leaders in Finance virtual event. Join us on April 22, 2026 to hear from distinguished financial leaders shaping the future of finance.

Learn more about the ICONS: Leaders in Finance event virtual replay here:
https://www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026-virtual

Special Guest: Brenda Zamzow.

]]> In this special Icons edition of the FEI Podcast, Brenda Zamzow, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles, discusses how financial leaders can stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Drawing on decades of experience across public accounting, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit leadership, Zamzow shares how to transform finance from a gatekeeping function into a strategic partner, the importance of building meaningful professional relationships, and how resilience is developed through real-world challenges.

This episode is part of FEI’s special Icons podcast series highlighting past speakers from the ICONS: Leaders in Finance virtual event. Join us on April 22, 2026 to hear from distinguished financial leaders shaping the future of finance.

Learn more about the ICONS: Leaders in Finance event virtual replay here:
https://www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026-virtual

Special Guest: Brenda Zamzow.

]]> Dana Bober on Strategy, AI, and Leading Finance Transformation https://feipodcast.fireside.fm/181 a828d9c2-48a5-4380-b33d-1bb82137f0a4 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0400 Financial Executives International full Financial Executives International Dana Bober shares leadership insights on executing strategy, navigating AI disruption, and building alignment across global finance organizations. 36:17 no <p>In this FEI Podcast Icons episode, <strong>Dana Bober, retired EY partner and C-suite advisor</strong>, 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. </p> <p>This episode is part of FEI’s Icons series and supports the virtual replay of the <strong><em>ICONS: Leaders in Finance</em> event on April 22, 2026</strong>. Learn more and register here:<br> <a href="https://www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026-virtual" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026-virtual</a> Special Guest: Dana Bober.</p> Dana Bober, finance leadership, AI in finance, strategy execution, CFO insights, leadership development, global finance, transformation, FEI Icons, EY leadership 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-virtual

Special Guest: Dana Bober.

]]> 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-virtual

Special Guest: Dana Bober.

]]> How 3M’s Corporate Controller Leads Finance at Hyperspeed https://feipodcast.fireside.fm/180 1b16c180-7e62-4aaa-87fb-88204342bb51 Mon, 23 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0400 Financial Executives International full Financial Executives International 3M SVP and Corporate Controller Teri Reinseth shares how finance leaders can reduce complexity, align across the enterprise, and deliver faster insights in an era of AI and digital transformation. 42:41 no <p>In this special Icons edition of the FEI Podcast, <strong>Teri Reinseth, Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller, and Chief Accounting Officer at 3M</strong> 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.</p> <p>She also shares insights on preparing finance organizations for AI, building influence across the business, and developing the next generation of financial leadership.</p> <p>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.</p> finance leadership, financial leaders, corporate controller, chief accounting officer, finance transformation, AI in finance, financial leadership development, FEI podcast, FEI ICONS 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 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.

]]> Leadership Lessons from Microsoft CAO Alice Jolla https://feipodcast.fireside.fm/179 c5000d4f-3e89-4711-ade7-1c1df204866d Mon, 16 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0400 Financial Executives International full Financial Executives International Microsoft Chief Accounting Officer Alice Jolla shares career insights on leadership, embracing opportunity, and building relationships. 45:16 no <p>In this special edition of the FEI Podcast leading up to Financial Executives International’s <strong><em>ICONS: Leaders in Finance</em></strong> event, Heather Cole interviews <strong>Alice Jolla, Chief Accounting Officer at Microsoft and Board Director at Rockwell Automation</strong>.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>This conversation offers actionable insights for today’s financial leaders navigating complex organizations and evolving leadership responsibilities.<br> Special Guest: Alice Jolla.</p> FEI Podcast, Alice Jolla, Microsoft finance leadership, Chief Accounting Officer Microsoft, financial leadership podcast, leadership lessons, senior-level financial leaders, FEI ICONS Leaders in Finance, executive leadership, accounting leadership 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 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.

]]> Catherine Hoovel: AI, Empathetic Leadership, and Designing a Purpose-Driven Next Chapter https://feipodcast.fireside.fm/178 980f5d62-a82f-4492-aa7b-624b4b18f58f Fri, 27 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500 Financial Executives International full Financial Executives International Former McDonald’s Chief Accounting Officer Catherine Hoovel discusses career strategy, AI’s impact on finance talent, empathetic leadership, and how senior-level financial leaders can intentionally design life after the C-suite. 38:56 no <p>In this special Icons edition of the FEI Podcast, Heather Cole interviews <strong>Catherine Hoovel, former SVP, Chief Accounting Officer, and Controller of McDonald’s Corporation</strong>. 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. </p> <p>This episode is part of FEI’s special Icons series promoting the <strong><em>2026 ICONS: Leaders in Finance</em></strong> event on <strong>March 25, 2026 at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, CA</strong>. Learn more and register here:<br> <a href="https://www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026</a> Special Guest: Catherine Hoovel.</p> Catherine Hoovel, FEI Icons Podcast, Financial Executives International, senior-level financial leaders, AI in finance, chief accounting officer, finance leadership, leadership development, finance talent strategy, retirement planning, women in finance 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/icons2026

Special Guest: Catherine Hoovel.

]]> 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/icons2026

Special Guest: Catherine Hoovel.

]]> From Grit to Leadership: Muneera Carr on Range, Results, and the Future of Finance https://feipodcast.fireside.fm/177 4667c5ed-a0be-4e0a-85a4-b4811f7dac9d Fri, 20 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0500 Financial Executives International full Financial Executives International Wells Fargo EVP, CAO, and Controller Muneera Carr joins Heather Cole to discuss grit, range, emotional intelligence, and how financial leaders should approach AI and the future of finance. 32:38 no <p>In this special edition of the FEI Podcast, Heather Cole interviews <strong>Muneera Carr</strong>, Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, and Controller of Wells Fargo &amp; 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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Learn more about FEI's 2026 <strong><em>ICONS: Leaders in Finance</em></strong> at: <a href="https://www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.financialexecutives.org/icons2026</a> Special Guest: Muneera Carr.</p> Muneera Carr, Wells Fargo, FEI Podcast, ICONS Leaders in Finance, accounting leadership, CFO insights, AI in finance, finance transformation, emotional intelligence, financial leadership development 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/icons2026

Special Guest: Muneera Carr.

]]> 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/icons2026

Special Guest: Muneera Carr.

]]>