Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry?

With 24 years of international expertise in technology, finance, and company transformation, I am a strategic storyteller. My area of expertise is using data-driven storytelling to explain complicated concepts and match the market disruption with enterprise strategy. I facilitate the agile transition of organizations from vision to execution by utilizing research, design thinking, and innovation frameworks. My main goals are to promote cooperation, establish credibility, and develop win-win situations that have quantifiable effects.

Q2. How do you see the role of AI, analytics, and automation reshaping finance operating models globally? 

AI and Analytics are transforming the Finance operating models by changing the focus from looking into the past to looking into the future and making the entire business transaction cycle predictive.

Q3. How is sustainability influencing long-term growth strategies and capital allocation decisions across sectors? 

Sustainability, and ESG compliance is a driving force behind capital investment decisions now, due to the wide awareness, investor and stakeholder interest, and mandates across many regions to showcase dual materiality impacts- not just the commercial, but overall ESG impacts. Compliance will increase penetration and become more widespread and stringent. Investing today to create liabilities for the future is something stakeholders are shying away from. 

Q4. When you look at the industries you’ve worked closely with, which ones are showing the strongest growth momentum, and what figures stand out to you in terms of projected market size? 

Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, CPG, and Industrial will be growing more and more. 

Q5. In your view, how do purchasing priorities diverge between mature markets and high-growth markets — is it just a cost equation, or do you see different strategic filters at play? 

Value outcome lever is becoming the priority, instead of the cost equation. There are different strategic levers at play- high-growth markets are still eager for cost optimization, mature markets seek value differentiation. 

Q6. Who are the newer entrants you believe clients are starting to take seriously, even if they aren’t yet on par with established players?

There are many new entrants in finance AI - Pinaka AI, Stampli, and ZipHQ are some examples. 

Q7. If you were an investor looking at companies within the space, what critical question would you pose to their senior management? 

What is the value outcome delivered to the clients in the last 18 months- not ARR, value outcome to the clients. AI and Analytics can unlock newer operating models like Gain Share and Outcome-based constructs, which will rule in the future.