Hey there, CFOs! 💼

This week, we’re diving into a powerful theme that’s quietly transforming finance: imagination. Yep, you read that right. It turns out the modern CFO isn’t just a spreadsheet wizard—they’re part strategist, part storyteller, and, more than ever, a human connector.

From Dallas Clement’s take on people-first leadership at Cox Enterprises to Stacey Ryan-Cornelius’s soulful reflection on the art of financial guidance, we’re seeing the CFO role evolve in real time. Add in the rapid rise of GenAI (with a few missing puzzle pieces), and it’s clear—finance is no longer just about the numbers.

Let’s explore what that means for the future.

📰 Upcoming in this issue

• “Finance Needs More Imagination” — Why the CFO Role Just Got a Lot More Interesting 🧠

• Beyond the Numbers: The CFO as Artist, Strategist, and Human Connector 🎨

• Procurement’s AI Moment — Held Back by Missing Guardrails 🤖

📈 Trending news

• What Midcap CEOs Secretly Want in Their Next CFO

• Inside the CFO Playbook: How Brian McClintock Is Rebuilding Operations to Last

• Who’s Really in Charge? The CFO’s Guide to Smarter Delegation

“Finance Needs More Imagination” — Why the CFO Role Just Got a Lot More Interesting 🧠 read the full 1,828-word article here

Article published: April 14, 2025

In The CFO's candid interview with Dallas Clement, President and CFO of Cox Enterprises, we get a rare peek into how today’s top finance leaders are evolving from spreadsheet stewards into strategic storytellers.

Clement doesn’t just crunch numbers—he mentors, innovates, and leads capital strategy like a chess master.

From cleantech to digital media, Clement explains how Cox balances long-term bets with financial discipline, and why building a resilient business today means empowering people first.

He also shares how CFOs must master the art of translating real-time data into insight—without losing their human-centered leadership style.

Key Takeaways:

• 🧭 “CFOs must be more than numbers people.” Today’s CFOs are strategists, tech adopters, storytellers, and cultural stewards all in one.

• ⚡ AI is revolutionizing finance—but people still matter: Cox uses predictive analytics, but never forgets that talent drives every success.

• 📉 The real metric? Deliverability, not just ROI: CFOs who panic over AI hype cycles or rate shifts miss the long game.

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Empowered teams > perfect models: Clement insists financial strength comes from leaders who think critically and act decisively.

Beyond the Numbers: The CFO as Artist, Strategist, and Human Connector 🎨 read the full 1,272-word article here

Article published: April 15, 2025

In her moving piece for CFO, Ogilvy Global CFO Stacey Ryan-Cornelius redefines what it means to lead in finance.

Gone are the days when CFOs were just the "rainstorm on creativity’s parade."

Ryan-Cornelius reveals how science, art, and soul are now the essential elements of modern financial leadership—especially in creative industries where understanding human behavior is just as critical as knowing your KPIs.

From behavioral science to self-validation, she explains how real leadership isn’t just about forecasts—it’s about trust, conviction, and showing up with your whole self.

Key Takeaways:

• 🧬 “Numbers are human.” Finance is more than data—Ryan-Cornelius reads between the rows to understand morale, anxiety, and momentum.

• 🎭 “Great leadership is artful.” CFOs in creative industries must co-create value by aligning vision with conviction—even when others don’t yet see it.

• 🧠 “Finance needs behavioral science.” Understanding the why behind people’s decisions makes strategy smarter and more balanced.

• 💖 “Lead with soul, not just spreadsheets.” Self-belief and authenticity aren’t optional—they’re power sources for navigating doubt and inspiring others.

Procurement’s AI Moment — Held Back by Missing Guardrails 🤖 read the full 609-word article here

Article published: April 16, 2025

In The CFO’s latest breakdown of enterprise AI trends, generative AI is emerging as a powerful ally in transforming procurement—but with a major caveat: no one’s quite sure of the rules.

According to PYMNTS Intelligence’s March 2025 CAIO Report, 73% of enterprises are exploring how GenAI can supercharge procurement workflows.

CFOs aren’t just looking for efficiency—they want intelligence. GenAI promises insights like identifying rogue spend and predicting sourcing alternatives.

But here’s the catch: 4 in 10 CFOs see murky governance and unclear standards as a top concern. Until questions around auditability, data privacy, and algorithmic bias are addressed, most finance leaders are cautiously optimistic—not fully committed.

Key Takeaways:

• 🧠 “Efficiency is table stakes.” CFOs want GenAI not just to automate, but to provide strategic procurement insights—like supplier consolidation opportunities.

• 📉 “No clarity, no confidence.” 39% of CFOs cite lack of transparent standards as a major blocker to AI adoption in procurement.

• 🔍 “Auditability matters.” Finance leaders hesitate to deploy GenAI tools that can’t explain or defend their outputs in an audit.

• 🏗️ “Standards will drive scale.” CFOs aren’t abandoning GenAI—they’re demanding industry-wide frameworks for responsible, scalable innovation.

Why It Matters

Finance isn’t just about profit margins or procurement efficiency anymore—it’s about leading with vision, communicating with heart, and building systems that work for people and progress. As AI reshapes what’s possible, and as companies place greater value on trust, insight, and adaptability, the CFO is becoming one of the most pivotal players in the room.

Whether you're in finance, strategy, or just love understanding how the world of business is evolving, these shifts are worth watching closely.

Because when CFOs start thinking like artists and acting like innovators, the whole company wins.

Vanessa Carter
Editor-in-Chief
CFO Executive Insights