SPOTLIGHT: AI + Cybersecurity

The Double-Edged AI Shield: Stronger Defenses, Smarter Attacks, Higher Stakes

9 mins read
Introduction Artificial intelligence (AI) has become both one of the most powerful tools in cybersecurity and one of its greatest emerging risks. On one hand, AI enables organizations to analyze massive volumes of data, identify patterns, automate threat detection, and predict potential security breaches before they occur. On the other hand, the same technology is empowering cybercriminals to launch more sophisticated attacks through hyper-personalized phishing campaigns, deepfakes, synthetic identities, and automated social engineering that exploit human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities. As machine identities—including workloads, APIs, and AI agents—now vastly outnumber human identities, organizations face an expanding attack surface and…

CFO & Leadership Catalyst

Gamification as a Strategic Lever: Driving KPI Impact Through Engagement

8 mins read
What if your next earnings call success started with a leaderboard? You know, the kind of visual graphic that ranks progress, sparks friendly competition, and keeps people coming back for more. What if similar mechanics that drive engagement in games could also drive the KPIs that matter most to business? Recently, the CEO of one of our customers was on an earnings call getting push back from investors on Free Cash Flow (FCF) which had dropped to about 50% coming out of their first big challenge with a major post-acquisition corporate integration. For a company that focuses on R&D, it was critical to be able to reinvest in their business and also in their people who create their ‘next best innovations’. With Wall Street watching closely, the CEO set an ambitious goal to increase free cash flow conversion…

The Game-Changing Power of a CFO with Business Development Skills: Bridging Finance and Strategic Growth

6 mins read
Traditionally, the CFO’s role has been centered around core financial responsibilities such as reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and ensuring regulatory compliance. While these responsibilities remain crucial, today’s CFOs are stepping into a more strategic, forward-thinking role that drives business development, fosters growth, and fuels innovation. This article explores how combining financial expertise with a business development acumen can drive growth, optimize strategic investments, and align a company’s financial strategy with its long-term business goals.…

The AI-Enabled CFO

SPONSORED BY AIDENTIFIED. An AI-enabled CFO is a finance leader who transforms intelligence into strategic advantage. They don’t simply rely on automation; they redesign the finance function around predictive insight, real-time…

Technology & AI

The AI Landscape, Distilled: Key Updates (April 2026) and What to Do Next

12 mins read
Last month, I wrote about Claude Cowork, OpenAI Codex, and Skill Packs. Angela Liu and I also covered deeper dives of this on the Gaapsavvy podcast (Claude & Antigravity). My intent for those articles and podcasts was to show you the potential impact of one tool, used well, along with how to begin implementing those tools for your teams. I take a different approach in this article, where I will cover the breadth of all of the key AI updates that impact applied business use-cases, while stressing the urgency to begin to understand these updates and utilize these tools. The…

I Asked 150 Finance Students What They Want From AI. They Rejected All of It.

15 mins read
If you log onto LinkedIn right now, you'll see dozens of posts promising that “AI can build an entire app for you in 5 minutes.” They aren't lying. AI can build an app in 5 minutes. But that is exactly the problem. We have entered an era where writing code is no longer a competitive advantage. When the barrier to creating software drops to zero, the market instantly floods with…

Financial Strategies & Management

Are We Heading for Another 2008?

3 mins read
Finance leaders should be vigilant in seeking to understand where systemic risks are building, and how resilient their organization is in navigating volatile markets. Should we be concerned about current events? There are several pressing financial issues facing our society today that parallel some of the conditions leading up to the 2008 financial crash. Before drawing direct comparisons, it is important to outline the current challenges.…

Powered by The Financial Executives Networking Group

Letter From the Editor – Spring 2026

2 mins read
The Financial Executives Journal is dedicated to advancing industry thought leadership, elevating career progression, and strengthening professional development. More than an online digital publication, it delivers perspective and clarity to help financial executives grow with intention and impact. Featured Spotlight The current edition spotlights AI + Cybersecurity: A Double-Edged Sword? Cybersecurity is evolving faster than ever, powered by artificial intelligence. What was once a largely reactive discipline is now becoming predictive, adaptive, and increasingly strategic. AI is reshaping…

Celebrating the Women Who Contribute to The Financial Executives Journal (FEJ)

1 min read
Women’s History Month provides an opportunity to recognize the achievements, impact, and leadership of women across industries and communities. Among these contributions, women who share their expertise through thought-leadership articles play a critical role in shaping conversations, influencing decision-making, and driving innovation. Throughout this month, as Editor for FEJ, I’m proud to celebrate the women who have generously shared their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives through their published articles and commentary.…