In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper are joined by Shannon Nash to discuss how finance roles are evolving and how AI is changing the way businesses operate. They talk about Shannon’s career journey, the importance of understanding operations, and how companies are handling AI at different levels.

Shannon Nash is a CPA, attorney, and experienced C-suite leader. She has worked as CFO at companies like Wing, Reputation.com, and Inside Source. She is now a Partner at Alpha AI, focusing on AI governance for executives and boards.

In this episode, you will discover:

• Why career paths are not linear anymore
• Why finance leaders need to understand operations
• How AI is being used across companies
• The gap between AI usage and leadership awareness
• What CFOs need to manage when it comes to AI
• Key questions boards should ask about AI

AI is becoming part of everyday business, but many companies are still catching up when it comes to managing it properly. Understanding where AI is used and how it’s controlled is becoming essential for leaders.

Follow Shannon:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonknash/

Podcast: https://www.noboxesjustverses.com/

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[01:03] – Shannon Nash Background

[05:54] – Why Switching Careers Is the New Normal

[09:00] – Finance Leaders & Operations Mindset

[08:33] – From AI Tools to AI Strategy

[14:26] – The Challenge of Catching Up with AI

[20:00] – How Boards Should Approach AI Oversight

In this episode of Future Finance, host Paul Barnhurst is joined by Glenn Hopper and special guest Shannon Nash to explore how AI is transforming the role of finance leaders and boardrooms. The conversation dives into AI adoption, governance, and the shift from traditional finance responsibilities to more strategic, decision-driven roles.

Shannon Nash is a global C-suite leader, CPA, attorney, and board director with over 30 years of experience across finance, technology, and governance. She is a Partner at Alpha AI, where she helps organizations strengthen AI governance and strategic decision-making. Shannon has served as CFO at companies like Wing, Reputation.com, and Inside Source, and currently sits on multiple boards, including SoFi Bank and NetScout Systems.

In this episode, you will discover:

• Why finance professionals must continuously retool in the age of AI
• How AI is changing the role of CFOs and decision-making
• The importance of AI governance at the board level
• How to manage AI investment alongside “AI sprawl.”
• What key questions boards should be asking about AI

AI is rapidly evolving from a tool that supports workflows to one that actively drives decisions. As Shannon highlights, this shift requires stronger governance, better alignment between leadership and operations, and a proactive approach from both CFOs and boards. The future of finance will belong to those who can balance innovation with control and strategy with execution.

Follow Shannon:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonknash/

Podcast: https://www.noboxesjustverses.com/

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[02:37] – Shannon Nash Background

[04:53] – Career Journey & Non-Linearity

[09:00] – Finance Leaders & Operations Mindset

[11:44] – AI & Alpha AI

[17:47] – AI Across Companies

[24:32] – AI Governance & Board Questions

[31:31] – AI in Decision-Making

[35:26] – Shannon’s Podcast

[42:22] – AI Questions & Closing

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Glenn Hopper and Paul Barnhurst are joined by John Thomas Foxworthy, the founder and CEO of the Global Institute of Data Science (GIDS). John discusses the role of augmented intelligence in the future of AI, particularly in finance, and shares his insights from his book The Augmented Intelligence Revolution: How Leaders Win in the AI Century.

John Thomas is the Founder and CEO of the Global Institute of Data Science (GIDS), a consulting and professional development organization focused on helping organizations successfully implement AI and data science initiatives. He serves as a Fractional Chief AI Officer for Fortune 500 companies and teaches AI and machine learning courses at Caltech CTME and UC San Diego Extended Studies.

In this episode, you will discover:

1. The role of augmented intelligence in finance
2. How GIDS helps companies implement AI
3. Overcoming AI adoption challenges and cognitive biases
4. The evolution of machine learning and AI terminology
5. How AI enhances decision-making and operations in finance

John highlights how the rapid evolution of AI can create challenges in its adoption, especially within complex industries like finance. The Global Institute of Data Science addresses these issues by focusing on feasibility studies, AI strategy, and tackling cognitive biases, ensuring the successful integration of AI in business operations.

Follow John:

GIDS: https://gidsco.substack.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-thomas-foxworthy-m-s-data-science-1718073/

Future Alpha Event: https://www.alphaevents.com/events-futurealphaglobal/agenda-page/filter?_gl=1*1j0347f*[…]ovIhoCWOYQAvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAAomEzrlLzh-epjUJjbfXNnASlChga

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[01:50] – John’s Background and Expertise

[03:11] – The Augmented Intelligence Revolution

[05:40] – Machine Learning vs. Augmented Intelligence

[08:45] – The Global Institute of Data Science

[11:04] – Feasibility Studies in AI Projects

[15:17] – Managing AI Expectations

[17:18] – Closing Thoughts and Book Release

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper explore how leaders can cut through the hype around artificial intelligence and focus on real-world impact. The conversation dives into why so many AI initiatives fail, how cognitive biases affect AI adoption, and why finance professionals must learn to ask better questions before deploying models.

John Thomas is the Founder and CEO of the Global Institute of Data Science (GIDS), a consulting and professional development organization focused on helping organizations successfully implement AI and data science initiatives. He serves as a Fractional Chief AI Officer for Fortune 500 companies and teaches AI and machine learning courses at Caltech CTME and UC San Diego Extended Studies.

In this episode, you will discover:

1. Why 85% of AI projects fail and how to avoid
2. The difference between AI hype and real implementation
3. How augmented intelligence improves human decision-making
4. Why asking the right questions about AI models matters most
5. How AI can help with risk analysis and financial decision-making

This episode highlights that successful AI adoption is not about chasing the latest technology trends but about asking better questions, understanding assumptions, and focusing on real business problems. As AI continues to evolve, finance leaders who combine human judgment with intelligent systems will be best positioned to turn AI from hype into measurable results.

Follow John:

GIDS: https://gidsco.substack.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-thomas-foxworthy-m-s-data-science-1718073/

Future Alpha Event: https://www.alphaevents.com/events-futurealphaglobal/agenda-page/filter?_gl=1*1j0347f*[…]ovIhoCWOYQAvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAAomEzrlLzh-epjUJjbfXNnASlChga

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[03:05] – Meet John Thomas

[04:11] – Augmented intelligence explained

[11:21] – Global Institute of Data Science

[15:18] – Why AI projects fail

[21:29] – Understanding AI models

[24:45] – AI in portfolio risk analysis

[30:16] – Best advice for finance leaders

[32:15] – Rapid-fire questions & wrap-up

In this highlights episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper chat with Riya Grover about how AI is transforming order-to-cash workflows. Riya shares insights into billing automation, revenue operations, and the evolving role of finance teams. She also discusses her entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of Sequence, the first agentic AR platform, which is revolutionizing B2B pricing and contracts.

Riya Grover is the Co-founder and CEO of Sequence, an AI platform automating accounts receivable for B2B companies. Backed by a16z with $40M raised, Sequence streamlines quoting, billing, invoicing, and revenue recognition. Before Sequence, Riya founded Feedr, a venture-backed company acquired by Compass Group in 2020. She holds an MBA from Harvard and a BA from Oxford University.

In this episode, you will discover:

1. The role of AI in automating order-to-cash workflows
2. How Sequence helps B2B companies with custom pricing and revenue operations
3. Insights into building and scaling a venture-backed company
4. Why talent density is key to scaling businesses

Riya explains how complex contracts, usage-based pricing, and custom deal structures create massive billing challenges for growing companies. Sequence solves this by combining deterministic billing foundations with AI-powered workflow agents.

Follow Riya:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riya-grover-a22a4822/

Website: https://www.sequencehq.com/

Sequence Series A Fundraising: Announcement

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[00:26] – Riya’s background

[04:05] – Challenges of a Two-Sided Marketplace

[05:57] – Building Sequence: AI for AR

[10:00] – Human Oversight vs. AI Automation

[12:52] – Revolutionizing Billing & Invoicing

[14:18] – Defining Workflow Rules for AI

[19:23] – Final Thoughts

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Riya Grover to explore how AI is transforming order-to-cash workflows. The conversation explores billing automation, revenue operations, and the evolving role of finance teams. Riya shares her entrepreneurial journey and how Sequence is building the first agentic AR platform. This episode is packed with practical insights for modern finance leaders navigating AI adoption.

Riya Grover is the Co-founder and CEO at Sequence. Sequence, backed by a16z with $40M raised, is building the first agentic platform for accounts receivable. The company helps B2B businesses automate quoting, billing, invoicing, and revenue recognition, especially for complex pricing and custom contracts. Prior to Sequence, Riya founded Feedr, a venture-backed company that exited to Compass Group in 2020. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Economics and Management from Oxford University.

In this episode, you will discover:

1. Why building a two-sided marketplace is incredibly difficult
2. How modern B2B pricing models break traditional billing systems
3. The difference between deterministic systems and generative AI in finance
4. Why human-in-the-loop design is critical for financial AI agents
5. What the future finance tech stack will look like in the next five years

Riya explains how complex contracts, usage-based pricing, and custom deal structures create massive billing challenges for growing companies. Sequence solves this by combining deterministic billing foundations with AI-powered workflow agents. The discussion highlights where AI should and should not be used in finance operations. Trust, auditability, and human oversight remain central to successful AI implementation.

Follow Riya:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riya-grover-a22a4822/

Website: https://www.sequencehq.com/

Sequence Series A Fundraising: Announcement

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[02:05] – Riya’s Startup Journey

[06:55] – Marketplace Challenges

[08:28] – Modern Billing Gaps

[10:46] – AI in Finance

[13:10] – Human-in-the-Loop Design

[18:35] – ML vs. Gen AI

[24:26] – Series A & Scaling

[30:11] – Future Finance Stack

[35:15] – Rapid Fire & Wrap-Up

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper discuss their latest experiences in the finance world. They explore how tools like Claude and Copilot are transforming workflows, and Glenn shares how he tackled personal finance challenges, from tracking expenses to handling journal entries. Glenn also highlights a real-world example of using these tools for bookkeeping and expense tracking, giving listeners insights into how these technologies can streamline financial tasks.

In this episode, you will discover:

1. How tools are changing workflows in finance and accounting
2. Real-world use of tools for bookkeeping and expense tracking
3. The speed of technology development and its impact on financial tasks
4. How small businesses can leverage Excel for planning and reporting
5. The challenges and benefits of using financial assistants for business workflows

Paul and Glenn discuss how tools like Claude and Copilot are transforming finance workflows, saving time, and improving efficiency. The future of finance is evolving rapidly, and businesses of all sizes should embrace these innovations to stay ahead.

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[00:45] – Glenn's Recent AI Breakthroughs

[02:24] – Frustration with ChatGPT & Switching to Claude

[04:22] – Using Claude for Personal Finance

[07:00] – Organizing Expenses & Journal Entries

[09:45] – Claude’s Role in Financial Workflow Automation

[11:15] – Copilot vs. Claude: A Quick Comparison

[14:00] – AI’s Influence on Financial Planning Tools

[16:45] – Rapid AI Advancements and Global Competition

[19:15] – Closing Thoughts & Final Remarks

In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper explore how AI tools like Claude, Copilot, and Excel agents are transforming financial workflows in 2026. As the finance industry continues to evolve, AI is playing an increasingly crucial role in automating routine tasks, improving accuracy, and boosting efficiency.

Paul and Glenn discuss their firsthand experiences with AI-driven tools, from tracking expenses and managing journal entries to building financial models. They also dive into the ways small and medium businesses are utilizing AI-powered Excel agents to streamline their financial processes without the need for expensive, traditional planning tools.

In this episode, you will discover:

1. The impact of AI agents in finance and how they simplify workflows.
2. Personal experiences with Claude and Copilot in real-world finance tasks.
3. How to integrate AI into your finance team’s daily tasks.
4. The benefits and challenges of AI-powered automation in finance.

Paul and Glenn emphasize the importance of embracing AI in finance, highlighting how tools like Claude, Copilot, and Excel agents are transforming everyday workflows. They encourage finance professionals to experiment with AI, even if it means starting small.

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[00:00] – AI’s Role in Finance

[03:47] – AI Agents in Excel

[06:12] – Claude vs. Copilot

[09:27] – Automating Expenses & Journal Entries

[15:56] – AI for Financial Models

[21:21] – Future of AI in Small Business Finance

[26:26] – Workflow Automation in Finance

[35:28] – AI & Human Collaboration

[39:31] – Experimenting with AI in Finance

[41:45] – Data Quality & Governance

[43:07] – Key Takeaway

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper talk with Kevin Thomas and Drew Hyatt, co-founders of Omniga, about solving persistent issues in bookkeeping and the monthly close process for small and mid-sized businesses. They discuss how finance leaders often struggle with unreliable data and how Omniga is creating a more structured, review-ready accounting workflow.

Kevin Thomas brings a background in corporate FP&A and a CFA perspective. His hands-on experience with messy books and data integrity problems in SMBs led him to co-found Omniga. Drew Hyatt is a technology leader with a background in FinTech integrations and data pipelines. He previously worked in construction finance and medical supply chains, building systems that manage high-volume, rule-based transactions.

In this episode, you will discover:

1. Why clean financial data is essential for any finance function to scale.
2. What makes SMB accounting workflows difficult and how Omniga is addressing it.
3. How Omniga uses automation to classify, normalize, and escalate accounting entries.
4. The structure of a scalable, review-focused operating system for fractional CFOs.

Kevin and Drew share how Omniga is tackling the core challenges of bookkeeping and monthly close for SMBs. Their approach brings structure, control, and scalability to finance operations where it’s needed most.

Follow Kevin:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-a-thomas/

Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/omniga-ai/

Follow Drew:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-a-hyatt/

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[00:15] - Meet Kevin and Drew

[01:28] - Why Omniga Started

[04:38] - Drew’s Tech Background

[07:04] - The Name “Omniga”

[10:33] - Controlling AI Output

[13:57] - Guardrails and Escalation

[16:18] - Final Thoughts

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Kevin A.Thomas and Drew Hyatt, the co-founders of Omniga, to discuss the often-overlooked but critical challenges facing small business finance teams. While enterprise companies get most of the attention, Kevin and Drew are focused on the backbone of the economy, businesses under $30 million in revenue—and the unique struggles they face when it comes to closing the books, managing data, and generating strategic insight.

Kevin A.Thomas, CFA, is the founder of Omniga and a seasoned strategic finance leader focused on scaling digital businesses. Kevin is passionate about rebuilding the back office to help businesses make smarter decisions, faster. Drew Hyatt is the Co-Founder and CTO of Omniga. He plays a key role in architecting Omniga’s infrastructure, translating complex workflows into scalable technology for finance teams.

In this episode, you will discover:

1. Why clean books are the foundation for strong financial decisions
2. The hidden risks in small business bookkeeping and how to fix them
3. The difference between replacing tasks and supporting human judgment
4. How to expand from bookkeeping to full finance strategy support
5. How to structure a finance workflow that scales with your business

Kevin and Drew leave us with a clear message: better finance starts with a stronger foundation. By focusing on clean books and scalable workflows, Omniga is reshaping how small businesses manage finance. It’s not about replacing people, it’s about empowering them to do more with less.

Join hosts Glenn and Paul as they unravel the complexities of AI in finance.

Follow Kevin:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-a-thomas/

Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/omniga-ai/

Follow Drew:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-a-hyatt/

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[00:00] –Trailer

[03:39] – Why They Started Omniga

[07:11] – Drew’s Tech Journey

[09:28] – What "Omniga" Means

[11:26] – Rules vs. Suggestions

[14:33] – How the Workflow Scales

[19:28] – Above the Ledger

[25:40] – From Inputs to Entries

[29:50] – Real-World Use Cases

[35:05] – When to Add FP&A

[37:45] – Closing Fun Segment