The GENCFO Summit 2025: A Line in the Sand for Finance

From burnout to AI, talent to transformation, we didn’t pull any punches. And that’s exactly what we needed. Because if we’re serious about directing the disruption — not just reacting to it — then it’s time for some real talk.

Here’s what stood out:

AI: Enough Hype. Let’s Talk ROI.

Right out the gate, we set the tone: AI is here, and if you’re still waiting for the perfect case study before you act, you’ve already missed the starting gun.

“AI doesn’t replace finance leaders. It frees them to lead.”
— Chris Argent

We heard from teams using GENai to cut reporting cycles, build training journeys, even write audit responses. Not in theory. In real life. Today.

If you’re not testing AI tools in your workflows, you’re not being cautious — you’re falling behind.

Leadership Isn’t What It Used to Be

One of the most powerful threads that ran through the Summit? Leadership is changing.

It’s no longer about spreadsheets and control. It’s about trust, empathy and the courage to be real.

“Your credibility doesn’t come from the numbers — it comes from how you show up.”
— Ilana Esterrich, CFO, Planned Parenthood

And then there was burnout — the unspoken killer. We heard brutally honest stories about the mental toll of transformation. Not the crash moments, but the slow erosion. The leader who stops laughing. The 'I’m fine' said too fast.

That’s why we’re talking about wellbeing not as a perk, but as part of the job. Baked in, not bolted on.

The Digital Finance Function: From Buzzword to Blueprint

We brought the Digital Finance Function (DFF) front and centre — and it’s clear the time for debate is over.

You all showed up ready to ask the real questions:

How do we build agility into our ops?

How do we move past one-off pilots and start embedding GENai for real?

How do we lead data conversations instead of just producing reports?

These are the questions that signal maturity. That the finance function is no longer supporting change — it’s driving it.

Masterclasses: Grit > Gloss

The Masterclasses this year? Raw, relevant, and exactly what this community needed. No fluff, no theory — just real finance leaders sharing what works (and what doesn’t).

We covered:

• Burnout: How to see it, say it, stop it.
• AI: Quiet revolutions happening in the most unexpected places.
• Change Fatigue: People don’t hate change — they hate feeling powerless.
• Authentic Leadership: If your team doesn’t trust you, your transformation won’t land.

These weren’t easy conversations. But they were essential.

Talent & Culture: Time to Rethink the Finance Org

Let’s stop pretending we can attract Gen Z with a dated org chart and a ‘wait your turn’ culture.

The finance team of the future is flat, fluid and digital. It values thinking as much as doing.

This is where we talked about the Pi-shaped CFO, the new capabilities required, and how to build a finance culture that thrives in ambiguity.

And yes — it’s hard. But it’s doable. And it’s already happening.

So What Now?

This Summit was a checkpoint. A line in the sand. A community-wide reality check.

We’re not waiting for change. We are the change.

But here’s the kicker: none of this means anything if we go back to business as usual.

So here’s my ask:

👉 Pick one thing from this Summit and act on it. This month. Not next quarter.
👉 Share what you learn with your team. Let them see you experiment.
👉 Stay close to the community. We’ve got your back — and your blueprint.

🎥 All Replays Available Now

Members, watch every session, on demand here! 👉 Watch the sessions here

📅 What’s Next?

Join us at GENCFO Academy (Nov 5–6) for deep dives and live problem-solving. Same energy. More action.