AI for Senior Financial Professionals: What You Need to Know

Join us for a session designed to enhance your understanding of Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI. This event will equip you with the essential knowledge to navigate the AI revolution. We'll cover topics such as exploring real-world AI applications and their impact on jobs and labor costs.

You'll gain insights into how AI is reshaping finance, learn about potential risks and investment considerations, and discover strategies to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving field. Don't miss this opportunity to future-proof your career and harness the transformative potential of AI in finance.

• Landscape of AI in business today

• Sector Applications

• How are people using AI?

• AI’s impact on jobs and labor cost

• Examples of how AI can benefit finance

• Basic Understanding: Machine Learning and Generative AI

• Considerations for Companies Investing in AI

• Risks inherent in working with AI

• Learning More about GenAI and Staying Current

Bios

Susan Youngblood

Susan is a technology CHRO and AI consultant who has launched, transformed and acquired companies. At Fortune 50 and FTSE 100 companies such as IBM, BNY Mellon and London Stock Exchange Group as well as an AI software startup, she enabled high growth and faster time to market by navigating teams through the human capital agenda at critical inflection points: new company launch, digital transformation, M&A, global expansion and rapid scaling.

Susan helped implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in a 9,000-person global operations organization. She also remediated critical cybersecurity and resiliency deficiencies by rapidly upskilling a 13,000-person global technology team. Her combination of technical savvy and human capital management expertise positions her to advise boards and leaders on preparing for the AI-enabled workplace.

Susan architected the human capital strategy for the launch of the AI software firm Ascendion, where she was the Chief People Officer. Earlier, she worked with Blackstone to prepare for the $27B sale of fintech Refinitiv to LSEG and led integration planning. At IBM she successfully managed eight global acquisitions and integrations totaling $1B Enterprise Value. Susan's strategic approach to workforce management has consistently delivered multi-million-dollar savings, evidence of her approach to driving high ROI.

Susan serves on the Board of Directors for Cornell University’s ILR school and is an angel investor. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Vassar College and a Master of Industrial and Labor Relations (MILR) degree from Cornell University, where she was also the assistant coach of the women’s tennis team.

Robert (Bob) Pravder

Following a 22-year corporate career that included Paramount Pictures Corporation, Dun & Bradstreet and The Nielsen Company, Bob transitioned to early-stage/entrepreneurial companies as co-founder of a health & wellness business that was acquired by Whole Foods Market.

Bob then served as CFO for middle market companies primarily in health & wellness, organic foods, eLearning and manufacturing, all businesses notable for the rapid changes they were undergoing, primarily in response to growth. Bob also served as CFO for private equity owned companies and guided a health & beauty aid company through a successful $375 million exit to a strategic buyer.

Bob is presently an active member on the Board of Directors of the Angel Investment Forum (AIF) in Connecticut, and a member of the Chicago Booth Angel Network (CBAN), the Angel Capital Association (ACA), the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) and Private Directors Association (PDA). Bob is presently engaged in a start-up venture in the film production industry and mentors early-state companies. As an angel investor, Bob has taken an interest in AI as more early-stage companies are incorporating AI into their business models.

Bob earned his MBA from of University of Chicago Booth School of Business with distinction and BSBA from Washington University in St. Louis.