Redefining finance leadership

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Finance leadership is changing rapidly. So how are leaders adapting to these changes and redefining traditional finance roles to enhance operational efficiency? In this episode of PEI Group’s Spotlight podcast, we conclude our three-part New Faces of Finance miniseries by talking to three 2025 honorees about the changes they are making at their respective firms.

Joining us are Dorothy Walter, partner and CFO at Alpine Investors, Pete Keenan, vice president of finance at 645 Ventures, and Jessica Shearer, partner at Proskauer Rose, who discuss what it takes to modernize traditional finance functions and how finance professionals are adapting to the demands of emerging technologies that are transforming the industry.

The role of finance leaders is evolving in several ways and will continue to do so in the years to come. Keenan explores the evolution of finance roles, from a backward-looking reporting function into a more proactive data-driven decision-making engine, and stresses the role of keeping up with emerging technologies. Walter highlights her philosophy on building a team with a diverse skill set and hiring from non-traditional backgrounds. Shearer emphasizes the importance of actions individual leaders are taking at their respective firms. Additionally, all speakers discuss how to overcome challenges in scaling operations and how they’re future-proofing financial processes.

In this episode

Dorothy Walter is a partner and CFO at Alpine Investors

Pete Keenan is vice-president of finance at 645 Ventures

Jessica Shearer is a partner at Proskauer Rose