Finance has long carried the stereotype of being the “team of no.” Donald Ewing flips that narrative, arguing that today’s finance leaders are connectors—translating risk, strategy, and numbers into business action.

Key takeaways:

• From “no” to connector: Finance has a unique vantage point across silos—its superpower is connecting leaders and guiding decisions.
• Empathy in action: Donald’s ride-along with field teams reshaped how he reported and communicated.
• Storytelling, not stats: Finance must move beyond “lazy reporting” and deliver insights with clarity and narrative impact.
• AI as time-giver: Practical examples show how AI can strip away grunt work so finance can focus on strategy.
• Rip up month-end: He challenges the value of static reports, calling for rolling, scenario-led conversations instead.
• What makes a great partner: Find the “right yes,” coach the room, invest in people, and nail the basics.

Why it matters: in volatile times, finance’s role as connector—across people, data, and decisions—is a competitive advantage.

Listen in for: practical AI hacks, a new way to write board papers, empathy in leadership, and a radical rethink of the month-end ritual.