In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst (aka The FP&A Guy) and Glenn Hopper welcome Carlos Vega, fintech founder, investor, and AI enthusiast. Carlos shares his unique path from investment banking to co-founding Tesorio, an AI-powered financial operations platform helping companies optimize cash flow and unlock real working capital. Carlos reveals how his frustration with traditional finance workflows led him to build tools that empower finance teams to move at AI speed - with smarter forecasts, automated collections, and deeper financial visibility.

Carlos Vega is the co-founder and CEO of Tesorio, an AI-powered financial operations platform. He has over a decade of experience in finance, including investment banking at Lazard and co-founding a factoring business. Carlos holds an MBA from Wharton, where he created a custom focus in “Innovation Through Analytics” He’s passionate about turning data into actionable insights and making cash flow more predictable. At Tesorio, he helps companies automate collections and optimize working capital using AI.

In this episode, you will discover:

• Why Carlos created his own MBA path at Wharton focused on analytics
• Why cash flow forecasting isn’t just a finance problem - it’s a data problem
• The hidden reasons businesses turn to factoring (and why that’s risky)
• How Tesorio uses AI to clean up messy financial data
• Why actionable insights are way more valuable than fancy reports

Carlos Vega gave us a fresh look at why cash flow is so critical and how using AI to clean, structure, and act on financial data can change the way businesses operate. From building smarter forecasts to creating better cash management habits, Carlos showed that real success isn’t just about growing fast, it’s about being predictable and staying in control.

Follow Carlos:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-r-vega/

Website - https://www.tesorio.com/

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

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] - Guest Intro

[01:58] - Innovation and AI MBA

[05:51] - Telecom Data Insights

[06:41] - MBA as a Career Catalyst

[07:19] - From Factoring to Forecasting

[09:26] - Cash Flow vs Budgeting Focus

[13:48] - Unlocking Cash Flow Insights

[15:28] - Three Pillars of Data

[17:57] - Final Takeaway

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst (aka The FP&A Guy) and Glenn Hopper welcome Carlos Vega, fintech founder, investor, and AI enthusiast. Carlos shares his unique path from investment banking to co-founding Tesorio, an AI-powered financial operations platform helping companies optimize cash flow and unlock real working capital. Carlos reveals how his frustration with traditional finance workflows led him to build tools that empower finance teams to move at AI speed - with smarter forecasts, automated collections, and deeper financial visibility.

Carlos Vega is the co-founder and CEO of Tesorio, an AI-powered financial operations platform. He has over a decade of experience in finance, including investment banking at Lazard and co-founding a factoring business. Carlos holds an MBA from Wharton, where he created a custom focus in “Innovation Through Analytics” He’s passionate about turning data into actionable insights and making cash flow more predictable. At Tesorio, he helps companies automate collections and optimize working capital using AI.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How Carlos designed a custom MBA in “Innovation Through Analytics”
• Why cash flow forecasting is more of a data problem than a finance one
• The real reason so many businesses rely on factoring (and what it reveals)
• How Tesorio uses AI and ML to clean and structure financial data
• Why actionable insights matter more than predictive reports

Carlos Vega shared practical insights on why cash flow is one of the most overlooked-yet critical-parts of running a business. With his background in finance and experience building Tesorio, he brought a real-world perspective to the conversation. He emphasized the importance of understanding where your money is coming from and when, and how small changes can make a big difference. At the heart of it all: clear processes, good habits, and staying on top of the details.

Follow Carlos:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-r-vega/

Website - https://www.tesorio.com/

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

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:

[01:28] - Welcome to the Episode

[02:54] - Creating a Custom MBA

[09:46] - Lessons from a Factoring Business

[10:50] - Why People Ignore Cash Flow

[12:27] - Building in Panama vs. the U.S.

[14:12] - Cash Flow Is a Data Problem

[19:21] - Is Cash Flow Forecasting Overlooked?

[21:01] - Building Accurate Collection Models

[23:53]...

In this episode of Future Finance, host Paul Barnhurst (aka The FP&A Guy) welcomes Karan Sood, a global pricing expert with over a decade of experience in revenue management and pricing strategies. Karan shares his knowledge on the impact of tariffs on global trade and pricing models. He talks about the complexities of tariffs, offering advice on how businesses can effectively manage the financial implications and adapt their pricing strategies during these uncertain times. Karan discusses the importance of collaboration across departments and creating flexible models that can quickly adjust to changing market conditions.

Karan Sood is a global pricing expert and the Director of Sales Operations with a wealth of experience overseeing revenue management for over $6 billion across a wide range of industries. He is passionate about using pricing as a powerful tool to drive profitability and improve business performance. Karan has worked across industries including automotive, digital marketing, consumer goods, and more, developing pricing strategies that create real business value.

Expect to Learn:

• How tariffs impact different industries and pricing strategies.
• Why a one-size-fits-all approach to tariffs is flawed and the importance of tailored strategies.
• The role of cross-functional collaboration in managing tariff impacts.
• How to create flexible pricing models that can quickly adjust to shifting market conditions.
• The importance of transparency with customers when adjusting prices due to tariffs.

Karan Sood shared meaningful strategies for managing the complexities of tariffs in today’s global trade environment. His advice to stay calm, work collaboratively, and prioritize flexibility in pricing models is invaluable for finance professionals looking to navigate the challenges posed by tariffs. By emphasizing the importance of cross-departmental communication and transparency with customers, Karan offers actionable steps that can help businesses succeed in a volatile market.

Follow Karan:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/soodkaran/?originalSubdomain=ca

Website - https://substack.com/@karansood

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:

[02:08] - Introduction of Episode

[03:05] - Karan’s Journey into Pricing

[06:45] - The Global Impact of Tariffs

[12:05] - Why One-Size-Fits-All Doesn’t Work

[16:00] - Managing the Impact of Tariffs

[20:04] - Building Flexible Pricing Models

[23:09] - Transparency with Consumers

[28:46] - Short-Term vs. Long-Term Strategy

[34:34] - Cross-Department Collaboration

[39:06] - Book recommended by Karan

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper are joined by Joyce Li, a CFA, AI strategist, and former investor. Joyce shares her journey from managing multi-billion dollar portfolios to advising businesses on AI strategy and governance. She offers a thoughtful take on how AI is transforming decision-making, the importance of trust in technology, and why being human in a tech-driven world still matters more than ever.

Joyce Li is a CFA, board director, AI strategist, and entrepreneur with a background in managing multi-billion dollar investments and advising corporate leaders. With an MBA from Wharton and a master's in computer science, she bridges the worlds of finance and technology. Joyce is a recognized voice in AI and advises companies on how to develop practical, trusted AI strategies for long-term value.

Expect to Learn:

• How Joyce transitioned from finance and investing into AI strategy
• Why trust and governance are essential for AI adoption
• How SMBs and large companies can adopt AI more effectively
• Tips for building AI readiness in your company
• Why generative AI adoption is moving faster than past tech waves
• Why “human in the loop” matters now more than ever

Joyce Li brought clarity, experience, and a grounded view on what it really takes to adopt AI in a meaningful way. From building trust and transparency to thinking critically about end goals, her perspective helps bridge the gap between tech hype and business value. Whether you're leading a large company or a growing startup, Joyce’s insights make it clear: real AI success starts with the right questions and ends with thoughtful execution.

Follow Joyce:

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

Website - https://averanda-ai.com/

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

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] - Intro and Guest Welcome

[01:04] - Joyce’s Shift Into AI

[03:46] - Guiding Leaders on AI Strategy

[06:42] - Lessons from an AI Startup

[09:24] - Trust and AI in Finance

[11:07] - Why Governance Matters in AI

[12:57] - Replacing Legacy Tech

[15:00] - AI Myths in Small Business

[16:32] - Enterprise Hesitation with AI

[17:58] - Speed of Generative AI Adoption

[19:53] - Final Thoughts and Takeaways

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst (aka The FP&A Guy) and Glenn Hopper welcome Joyce Li, a seasoned investor, AI strategist, and entrepreneur. Joyce shares her fascinating journey from being a CFA and managing multibillion-dollar investments to transitioning into AI and tech strategy. With nearly two decades of experience, Joyce now helps board directors and business leaders develop AI strategies and governance frameworks.

Joyce Li is a seasoned investor, entrepreneur, and AI strategist. With an MBA from Wharton and a master’s in Computer Science from the University of Virginia, Joyce has spent almost 20 years managing investments and guiding businesses in technology adoption. She now advises leaders on developing AI strategies and governance frameworks. Joyce also co-founded an AI-powered financial planning platform, where she learned the challenges and opportunities AI can bring to business.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How Joyce’s background in finance led her to focus on AI
• The real challenges businesses face when adopting AI
• Why trust is crucial when introducing AI into decision-making
• The speed at which AI is changing business models
• How to build a successful AI strategy without getting lost in the tech
• Why businesses need to focus on their goals before diving into AI tools

Joyce Li shared valuable insights on how AI is transforming business strategy and decision-making. Her experience in both finance and technology has given her a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities businesses face when adopting AI. Trust, transparency, and a clear understanding of business goals are essential when integrating AI into decision-making.

Follow Joyce:

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

Website - https://averanda-ai.com/

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

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:

[01:46] - Welcome to the Episode

[04:02] - Shifting Focus to AI Strategy

[10:52] - Lessons from Co-Founding an AI Platform

[12:42] - Building AI with Limited Resources

[16:12] - Generative AI and the Future of Robo-Advisors

[20:44] - AI’s Role in Startup Growth

[23:23] - Why Startups Are Winning Big Clients

[25:03] - Redesigning Workflows for the Future

[32:26] - Why Big Companies Hesitate

[38:24] - Describe AI’s Personality

[42:58] - Wrapping Up the Conversation

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper are joined by Geoff Robinson, founder of TheInvestmentAnalyst.com and former Managing Director at UBS. Geoff shares his passion for innovation in finance and technology, diving deep into how AI, digital avatars, and automated agents are reshaping the way we learn, invest, and deliver financial advice.

Geoff Robinson is an investment analyst and former Managing Director at UBS, with years of experience in financial modeling and research. After a successful corporate career, he founded theinvestmentanalyst.com, a platform designed to deliver high quality financial training using AI-driven avatars and cutting edge technology. Geoff is at the forefront of exploring AI’s impact on financial education, advisory services, and market predictions.

Expect to Learn:

• How digital avatars are revolutionizing financial education
• Why traditional institutions struggle with tech adoption
• The power of combining AI agents and personalized content
• How Geoff is building a fully AI-generated financial podcast
• What the future holds for AI in finance, training, and recommendations

In this episode, Geoff Robinson offers a glimpse into the near future of finance where AI-generated avatars, real-time advisory bots, and metadata-driven recommendations shape how professionals learn and interact with data. His message is clear: those who stay closest to the technology frontier will be the first to innovate, adapt, and lead.

Follow Geoff:

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

Website - https://theinvestmentanalyst.com/

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

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:

[02:12] - Starting the Platform

[03:30] - Digital Avatars and AI

[05:25] - AI Agents in Action

[07:12] - Personalized AI Experiences

[08:45] - AI-Generated Podcast

[10:53] - Managing AI Risks

[11:38] - Favorite Tech Tools

[13:18] - AI Recommendations

[14:10] - Final Thoughts

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Glenn Hopper and Paul Barnhurst welcome Geoff Robinson, a financial expert, tech enthusiast, and founder of theinvestmentanalyst.com. Geoff shares his insights on the intersection of AI, financial markets, and digital avatars, discussing how technology is reshaping finance, training, and investment strategies.

Geoff Robinson is an investment analyst and former Managing Director at UBS, with years of experience in financial modeling and research. After a successful corporate career, he founded theinvestmentanalyst.com, a platform designed to deliver high quality financial training using AI-driven avatars and cutting edge technology. Geoff is at the forefront of exploring AI’s impact on financial education, advisory services, and market predictions.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How AI powered digital avatars are transforming financial education
• Why traditional financial institutions struggle to keep up with tech innovation
• The role of AI agents in real time investment advice and analysis
• How banks like JP Morgan are integrating AI into their operations
• The ethical and reputational risks of AI generated financial content

In this episode, Geoff Robinson shared how AI, digital avatars, and automation are transforming finance. He discussed the power of AI driven training and the rise of digital investment advisors. Geoff emphasized the need for finance professionals to embrace technology and adapt quickly. Staying ahead in banking, investing, and education requires leveraging AI tools. Those who innovate will lead the future of the industry.

Follow Geoff Robinson:

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

Website - https://theinvestmentanalyst.com/

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

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:

[01:55] - Introduction to the Episode

[06:39] - Innovation Challenges in Finance

[10:49] - AI in Financial Training

[15:16] - AI Avatars in Advisory Services

[19:36] - AI in Investment and Risk

[22:19] - AI-Generated Podcasts

[26:50] - Managing AI Risks and Reputation

[37:08] - Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts

[48:55] - Main Takeaway

In this episode of Future Finance, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper talk about the latest AI developments impacting the finance and technology sectors. They discuss Perplexity AI’s rise, OpenAI’s new AI agent pricing, and how finance professionals can leverage cutting-edge AI tools to stay ahead. The growing AI browser wars, with Perplexity challenging Google and Microsoft, and the role of AI-powered financial tools like Lucid Now in transforming forecasting and decision-making for finance professionals.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How Perplexity AI is competing with ChatGPT and Gemini in AI-powered search
• The impact of AI-driven networking tools like Boardy on business connections
• OpenAI’s AI agent pricing and why some models cost up to $20,000 per month
• The AI browser wars and Perplexity’s challenge to Google and Microsoft
• How finance professionals can use AI to enhance efficiency and decision-making

AI is advancing rapidly, and finance leaders must adapt to remain competitive. Whether it’s leveraging AI for research, forecasting, or automation, staying informed is key to success in this evolving landscape. As new AI tools emerge, understanding their strengths and limitations will be crucial for making informed decisions. Those who embrace AI early will gain a significant edge in efficiency, strategy, and innovation.

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

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:

[00:32] - Perplexity AI’s rise and its impact on AI-powered search

[04:19] - Boardy’s AI networking tool and its implications for professionals

[05:51] - The risks of AI-generated content and best practices for using AI

[16:11] - AI-powered financial tools like Lucid Now and their impact on forecasting

[18:53] - Deep Research AI and how finance professionals can use it

[28:52] - Final thoughts on AI adoption in finance