Burning Ledgers Podcast
The Future of AI in Finance is now! Join host and CFO Matthias Steinberg as he explores how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping financial strategy, leadership, and trust. Gain practical insights from CFOs and other industry titans who are transforming their organizations with AI.
Season 1
2025 - 2026
10 episodes
EP09 — The Quintessential CFO-First AI Strategy
Sep 30, 2026
47:16
Host:
Matthias Steinberg — CFO, MindBridge
Guest:
Marko Horvat — CFO of ELB Learning
Topics:
AI Strategy, Finance Transformation, AI in Finance, Office of the CFO, AI Governance
Watch:
Description:
In this episode of Burning Ledgers, Matthias Steinberg is joined by Marko Horvat, CFO of ELB Learning, to explore what an AI strategy looks like from the CFO’s seat. They discuss how finance leaders can connect AI to broader business strategy, drive meaningful transformation beyond productivity gains, strengthen workforce capabilities, and make better decisions with the data they already have.
Marko is a finance executive with more than two decades of experience across finance transformation, strategic planning, AI, and digital transformation. His career spans CFO, controller, and advisory leadership roles, including Vice President at Gartner and Managing Director at E78.
EP08 — The Role of Governance in AI
Jul 24, 2026
29:16
Host:
Matthias Steinberg — CFO, MindBridge
Guest:
Michael Rasmussen — GRC Pundit and founder of GRC 20/20
Topics:
Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC), Enterprise Resilience, AI Strategy, Risk Intelligence
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Description:
In this episode of Burning Ledgers, Matthias is joined by Michael Rasmussen, GRC Pundit and founder of GRC 20/20, to explore how organizations can govern AI responsibly as adoption accelerates. They discuss why effective AI governance requires an integrated, continuous approach that helps organizations manage risk, maintain compliance, and build resilience while unlocking AI’s full potential.
Widely recognized as the “Father of GRC,” Michael Rasmussen pioneered the concept of Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) and has spent more than 30 years advising boards and executives on building resilient, risk-aware organizations. He is a globally respected keynote speaker, author, and host of the Risk is Our Business and Hitchhiker’s Guide to the GRC Technology podcasts
EP07 — AI Adoption Through a Risk Lens
Jun 2, 2026
31:33
Host:
Matthias Steinberg — CFO, MindBridge
Guest:
Heather Holding — Chief Risk Officer at Best Egg
Topics:
AI Governance, Risk Management, AI Adoption, Enterprise AI, Responsible AI
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Description:
In this episode, Heather C Holding, Chief Risk Officer (CRO) at Best Egg, shares insights on how risk management teams are adopting AI, the associated AI risks, and frameworks for safe implementation. She and Matthias go deep into practical use cases and governance strategies you can deploy today.
As the CRO, Heather oversees Enterprise Risk Management, Operational Risk Management, Third-Party Risk Management, and the Bank Partnership Strategy, ensuring the company scales responsibly while maintaining strong consumer and regulatory safeguards.
With more than 20 years of experience across banking and financial services, she has led large-scale risk transformation initiatives and built enterprise frameworks that align innovation with disciplined risk management. She is recognized for her strategic approach to emerging risks, including AI governance, fintech partnerships, and regulatory engagement, and for advancing risk management as a business enabler in high-growth, technology-driven organizations.
Finally, you can catch her video series titled “AI with Heather” where she shows listeners how to practically use AI in their everyday work. Check out Heather’s YouTube channel here! https://www.youtube.com/@aiwithheatherholding
EP06 — The AI Revolution in Finance Transformation
Apr 14, 2026
40:57
Host:
Matthias Steinberg — CFO, MindBridge
Guest:
Jasmine Ahmed — Global Head of Finance Systems, Legends Global; Rutgers adjunct
Topics:
Finance Transformation, AI in Finance, Office of the CFO, Financial Operations, Digital Transformation
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Description:
In this episode, Matthias is joined by Jasmine Ahmed, VP of Finance Systems at Legends Global. They explore how AI is transforming finance and get into examples of strategic insights, practical applications, and leadership tips for leveraging AI to gain competitive advantage and foster innovation.
Jasmine is a CPA, MBA, and a Finance Transformation Executive. She is executively known for unleashing the human potential in a digital economy. Jasmine leans into disruption turning ambiguity into a competitive advantage creating the future of finance empowered to drive better business decisions at speed and scale every day. As a transformational leader, she inspires talent at all levels with a culture of innovation, builds future proof skills augmented by emotional intelligence, and rebuilds outdated operating systems achieving organizational and personal success. Jasmine breaks down silos, makes the complex simple, and challenges conventional methods delivering transformational agendas creating sustainable value at speed. She unites diverse perspectives and builds long-lasting relationships across key stakeholders, suppliers and customers to accelerate strategic decision-making. Over the past decade, Jasmine managed $200M+ budgets, delivered $175M+ annual benefits, led 500+ teams, and changed the way 20K+ people work across 50+ countries. Jasmine’s transformation portfolio includes Pfizer, National Grid, Dentsu, NewsCorp, Coca-Cola, and Blackstone and Sixth Street owned private equity companies.
Jasmine holds a BS from the University of Virginia Commerce School and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University, followed by a Digital Leadership program from Columbia Business School. Jasmine serves as an adjunct professor at Rutgers Business School working with the future of talent in finance and accounting.
EP05 — Digitally Native Audits
Mar 17, 2026
41:28
Host:
Matthias Steinberg — CFO, MindBridge
Guest:
Christina Ho — Former Board Member, PCAOB
Topics:
Digitally Native Audit, Augmented Assurance, AI in Audit, Continuous Assurance, Audit Innovat
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Description:
Matthias is joined by Christina Ho, former PCAOB board member and AI advocate, where they discuss how digital transformation is redefining audits by boosting accuracy and transforming the role of CFOs and auditors alike.
She shares groundbreaking insights into what a truly digitally native audit looks like, explaining how AI and cloud platforms are enabling 100% population testing, continuous auditing, and faster risk assessment. Discover how emerging tools like agentic AI are already changing the game and offering immense ROI while reducing human error.
Christina is a finance and technology transformation executive who excels at working at the intersection of finance, technology, and policy. She recently completed her tenure as a Board Member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), where she promoted the use of AI in auditing to enhance audit quality and public trust, and chaired a working group on emerging technologies. A sought-after thought leader, an engaging public speaker and published expert, her work has appeared in the Journal of Accountancy and other leading industry publications. She was profiled in The Wall Street Journal and has been quoted by Bloomberg, Reuters, The Financial Times, and The Wall Street Journal.
Earlier in her career, Christina held senior roles at the U.S. Treasury, the University of Maryland, and Elder Research (acquired by Mantech). She spent her early career at Deloitte & Touche rising to audit senior manager and holds CPA and CISA certifications.
EP04 — Scaling AI Projects in Finance
Feb 10, 2026
36:25
Host:
Matthias Steinberg — CFO, MindBridge
Guest:
Carla Aranda — CFO of L’Oréal’s Professional Products Division in North America
Topics:
Finance Transformation, AI Adoption, Office of the CFO, Machine Learning, Leadership & Change Management
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Description:
In this episode of Burning Ledges, Matthias Steinberg speaks with Carla Aranda, CFO of L’Oreal’s Professional Products Division in North America. They discuss the transformative impact of AI on finance and Carla’s journey in leveraging AI technologies at L’Oreal, emphasizing the importance of fostering a culture of curiosity and innovation. Finally, Carla shares insights on overcoming challenges in implementing AI projects, the significance of simplicity in work processes, and the evolving role of the CFO.
Carla Aranda is a global finance executive and the “Chief Simplifier” who advocates for the discipline of subtraction to drive organizational excellence. With over 25 years of experience leading operations for global corporations, Carla specializes in leveraging technology to automate the routine and illuminate the strategy. Having lived and worked in the U.S., Brazil, and Argentina, she is a passionate advocate for empowering high-performing multicultural teams and the next generation of finance leaders.
For more content from Carla, check out LinkedIn article where she expands on her philosophy titled “Simplicity at Work.”
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/simplicity-work-joinblend-au7qe/
EP03 — The Role of AI for CFOs in 2026
Jan 13, 2026
58:02
Host:
Matthias Steinberg — CFO, MindBridge
Guest:
Mark McDonald — Founder, FinanceNext; ex-Gartner Senior Director
Topics:
AI Strategy, Autonomous Financial Oversight, Finance Leadership, ERP Modernization, AI Governance
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Description:
In this episode of Burning Ledgers, Matthias Steinberg is joined by Mark McDonald, founder of Finance Next, to unpack how AI is reshaping the finance function today and what CFOs need to be preparing for by 2026.
Drawing on Mark’s experience leading finance operations at Siemens and establishing AI capabilities in the finance practice at Gartner, the conversation explores where AI is delivering real ROI, where expectations often outpace reality, and why cultural and organizational readiness matter as much as technology.
This episode is a practical discussion for finance leaders navigating AI adoption, investment decisions, and the evolving role of the CFO in an AI-enabled enterprise.
EP02 — The Future of Audit
Dec 9, 2025
40:12
Host:
Matthias Steinberg — CFO, MindBridge
Guest:
Rachel Kirkham — CTO, MindBridge (ex-UK National Audit Office)
Topics:
Augmented Assurance, Continuous Audit, AI Governance, Audit Innovation, Explainable AI
Watch:
Description:
Listen to Matthias Steinberg’s conversation with Rachel Kirkham, Chief Technology Officer at MindBridge, as they explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping public accounting, external audit, and assurance services.
Rachel leads MindBridge’s AI product strategy and data science teams. Before joining the company, she served as Head of Data Analytics Research at the UK National Audit Office, where she built advanced analytics capabilities for financial auditors. She is an ACA-qualified chartered accountant and holds an MBA from Imperial College.
EP01 — CFOs as Transformation Architects
Nov 18, 2025
39:41
Host:
Matthias Steinberg — CFO, MindBridge
Guest:
Marie Myers — CFO, Hewlett Packard Enterprise; Geoffrey Moore — Author, Crossing the Chasm
Topics:
Finance Transformation, AI in Finance, Office of the CFO, Financial Operations, Digital Transformation
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Description:
In this episode, guest co-host Stephen DeWitt joins Matthias Steinberg to explore the transformative impact of AI in finance with Marie Myers, CFO of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Geoffrey Moore, best-selling author and renowned business advisor.
Together, they examine the evolving role of the CFO, the importance of trust and integrity in financial operations, and why embracing AI is essential for improving productivity and accelerating decision-making.
EP00 — Welcome to Burning Ledgers
Nov 3, 2025
14:42
Host:
Matthias Steinberg — CFO, MindBridge
Guest:
Ernest Anunciacion — Head of Product Marketing, MindBridge
Topics:
Autonomous Financial Oversight, AI in Finance, Office of the CFO, Finance Strategy, Financial Integrity
Watch:
Description:
AI is reshaping financial leadership. In this kickoff episode of Burning Ledgers, host Matthias Steinberg, CFO of MindBridge, sits down with Ernest Anunciacion, Head of Product Marketing at MindBridge, to explore how AI and data intelligence are transforming finance from the inside out.
Together, they unpack what’s driving this shift, why traditional approaches fall short, and how finance leaders can harness AI to make smarter, faster, and more confident decisions.