Managing Partner & CFO, VAI Consulting
Nathan Bell is a business transformation leader who helps CFOs and finance executives modernize how they operate—by aligning finance, technology, and data around a common strategy. With deep expertise in data governance, master data management (MDM), and advanced analytics, he empowers finance teams to lead digital transformation, not just react to it.
As Managing Partner and Co-Founder of VAI Consulting, Nathan partners with CFOs, CTOs, and CIOs to design and implement data-driven operating models that improve forecasting, planning, and decision-making. He focuses on helping clients build enterprise-wide trust in data—establishing clear governance frameworks, harmonizing master data across systems, and deploying AI/ML in finance workflows. His ability to bridge business goals with data realities makes him a critical ally for executive teams navigating complexity.
Prior to founding VAI, Nathan was Managing Director of Data & Analytics at Embark, where he led large-scale data strategy, MDM implementation, and governance initiatives. He worked hands-on with finance teams to build scalable foundations for analytics maturity—ensuring data integrity, ownership, and impact across functions.
At Gartner, Nathan served as a Senior Director Analyst in the Finance Practice, specializing in data strategy, analytics, AI, and governance. He advised hundreds of CFOs and finance executives on how to build a high-trust data environment—enabling AI and advanced analytics while maintaining rigorous control and stewardship. His research covered topics like aligning metrics with governance strategy, defining truth in data, and recession-proofing analytics investments.
Earlier, Nathan held a combined executive role at Digital Trends Media Group as CFO, SVP of Operations, and SVP of Data & Business Analytics. He oversaw finance, HR, AdOps, and data, launching a proprietary 1st-party data platform, chairing the data governance council, and serving as Data Privacy Officer. His integrated leadership helped scale the company’s operations while embedding data fluency throughout the business.
3:30 am – 4:15 pm ET
TRUST: Data Governance, Security and Compliance in an AI-Driven Finance Function
General Partner, Born Capital
Wouter Born is an investor, entrepreneur, and AI specialist with over two decades of experience in CFOTech, focused on transforming the finance function through advanced technologies. As General Partner at Born Capital, Wouter invests in disruptive finance tech startups, emphasizing AI-driven solutions for Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Close, Reporting, and Finance Automation.
He began his career as a CPM consultant, later co-founding CXO Software, which was successfully acquired by insightsoftware. Post-acquisition, Wouter spearheaded innovation and M&A initiatives, significantly scaling the CFOTech portfolio.
Wouter is also the founder of finstory.ai, an innovative financial storytelling platform leveraging AI to automate report generation and narrative insights, dramatically improving clarity and decision-making for finance teams. He shares his deep expertise through CFOOffice.io, a respected newsletter and content platform dedicated to senior finance professionals navigating AI, tech disruption, and strategic finance transformation.
An advisor to numerous CFOTech founders and an active contributor to CFO advisory boards, Wouter combines his robust technological background—holding a bachelor’s in Computer Science and an MBA from IESE—with strategic insight and product vision.
Based near Barcelona, Spain, Wouter balances his professional commitments with personal passions, including competitive open-water swimming and aquabike events.
1:15 pm – 1:45 pm ET
CPA — Financial Controls, Fractional and Interim CFO
Rachel is a seasoned CPA with 25+ years of experience in numerous Accounting and Finance activities and leadership roles, ranging from Interim CFO, Audit Readiness, SEC reporting, accounting research and month end GL close, to SOX/FDICIA and other regulatory controls in the banking industry. In the 8 years prior to joining Eventus, Rachel focused on Financial Governance and SOX/ FDICIA controls. She implemented multiple end-to-end financial controls programs, installed financial governance programs, and developed finance third party service provider reviews and controls, refining her expertise in operational efficiency and in strengthening controls in accounting processes.
Rachel loves to spend time with her family and their pet bunny, and frequently hosts get-togethers with family and friends. Rachel is a voracious reader of fiction and literature and loves to learn new languages. She also enjoys exercising and cooking, as well as attending Broadway musicals with her children. Rachel is an active member of her synagogue and community, helping to support people through life-cycle events.
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm ET
Innovation Strategist, Amazon Web Services
Syed Hoda is an Innovation & Strategy Advisor at Amazon Web Services, where he helps companies drive innovation to achieve business impact, market growth, and happier customers. Prior to AWS, he served in a variety of leadership roles, including President, Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at four different software companies. Previously, Syed held global leadership roles at Cisco, most recently as GM of Emerging Solutions. Outside of Amazon, he serves on the Silicon Valley Board for Human Rights Watch. Syed has worked and lived on three different continents and currently lives in Palo Alto, California. He earned an M.B.A. from Emory University and a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Case Western Reserve University.
12:25 pm – 1:15 pm ET
Focus Building An AI Strategy Worth Building
Innovation Strategist, Amazon Web Services
Glenn Holland is an Innovation Strategist at Amazon Web Services, helping customers solve their most significant challenges through innovative approaches and cloud technologies. Drawing from Amazon’s culture of customer obsession and inventive thinking, Glenn employs a forward-thinking approach to help organizations reimagine their business models and customer experiences. His methods enable customers to enhance decision-making, streamline operations, and create personalized experiences.
Previously, Glenn played a key role in developing Salesforce’s Ignite digital innovation program, pioneering transformative strategies to drive customer engagement and growth. His extensive experience in solution architecture and strategic partnerships is grounded in a deep understanding of how technology can enhance customer service and business value.
“We’re at a unique intersection of opportunity and disruption, where entire industries are being reinvented. The organizations that thrive will be those bold enough to define the future rather than wait for it to be defined for them.”
Glenn resides in Southlake, Texas, with his wife, and two Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
12:25 pm – 1:15 pm ET
Focus Building An AI Strategy Worth Building
Author, Amazon best-selling book Deep Finance: Corporate Finance in the Information Age (2021) and AI Mastery for Finance Professionals (2024)
Glenn Hopper, author of the Amazon best-selling book Deep Finance: Corporate Finance in the Information Age (2021) and AI Mastery for Finance Professionals (2024), is focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence and corporate finance.
With over two decades of finance and technology leadership experience, Glenn has been instrumental in transforming finance operations through the integration of AI and machine learning technologies.
He is an instructor at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, and teaches AI courses for the Corporate Finance Institute, AICPA/CIMA, and LinkedIn Learning, and has trained professional organizations and executives on the intersection of corporate finance and artificial intelligence.
Glenn is the Head of AI at VAi Consulting, where he leads the development of AI-powered solutions for the finance and accounting sectors. A former chief financial officer, Glenn lead finance in the startup space for more than two decades, where his professional focus was on transforming finance operations through improved technology.
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm ET
TRUST: Data Governance, Security and Compliance in an AI-Driven Finance Function
Developer Advocate, Ascend.io & Data Science Educator
Shifra Williams is a data scientist, technical writer, and educator who currently works as Developer Advocate at Ascend.io, the Agentic Data Engineering platform. With a strong background in financial data analytics, including experience at JP Morgan Chase, Shifra brings unique expertise in bridging the gap between finance and technology teams.
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm ET
EXECUTION: The CFO as AI Leader: A Fireside Chat on Turning AI Insight Into Financial Impact
Growth Lead, Agent.ai
Sam Mallikarjunan is a growth strategist, entrepreneur, and the General Manager at agent.ai. He is the former CEO and co-founder of OneScreen.ai, a marketplace for out-of-home advertising, and previously served as Chief Revenue Officer at Flock.com and Head of Growth at HubSpot Labs, where he drove significant customer acquisition and revenue growth. Sam is a former instructor at Harvard University, where he taught Advanced Digital Marketing and Innovation, and he currently shares his expertise as a LinkedIn Learning Instructor. He is also the co-author of the bestseller Inbound Commerce – How to Sell Better than Amazon and frequently offers insights on AI, marketing, and business strategy.
2:15 pm – 2:45 pm ET
AGENTS: The Agentic Revolution: Using Autonomous Tools to Change Finance Work
Co-Founder, Preql
1:45 pm – 2:15 pm ET
DATA: From Chaos to Clarity: How Clean Metrics Unlock AI ROI