How Strategic CFOs Build Trust, Influence Strategy and Lead with AI | Wassia Kamon

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What does it take to become a strategic CFO in the AI era?

Wassia Kamon explains how finance leaders earn boardroom trust, influence business strategy, build visible authority and maintain human accountability as technology accelerates financial work.

Wassia is a CFO, finance educator and 2025 Atlanta Business Chronicle CFO of the Year. In this candid conversation with Ademola Odewade on Diary Of A CFO, she moves beyond technical finance to reveal the judgement, relationships, resilience and intentional visibility that shape trusted financial leadership.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why the modern CFO must understand marketing, HR, technology and the wider business model, not only accounting and reporting.

• How CFOs earn trust by listening first, understanding why existing processes exist and connecting finance with business priorities.

• Why visible expertise can shorten the time required to build credibility before an interview, board meeting or strategic conversation.

• How joining a nonprofit or professional board can reduce boardroom fear and strengthen executive judgement.

• Why founders should treat debt as a strategic financial tool while understanding its cost, risk and purpose.

• Which finance activities AI can automate and why accountability, controls, explanation and final judgement must remain human.

• Why finance professionals who ignore AI may face the same disadvantage as graduates who never learned Excel.

• How executive presence can be developed through observation, listening, composure and disciplined focus.

• Why mentorship, continuous learning and intentional personal branding can accelerate a finance career.

• How ambitious leaders can pursue professional impact without allowing achievement to consume their health, family or identity.

About Wassia Kamon

Wassia Kamon, CPA, CMA, MBA, is Chief Financial Officer at Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs. She was named the 2025 Atlanta Business Chronicle CFO of the Year in the community service category and is a two-time CPA Practice Advisor 40 Under 40 honoree.

She also serves as Guest Faculty for the Wharton Online FP&A Certificate Program and hosts The Diary of a CFO.

Connect with Wassia

Website: https://www.wassiakamon.com

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

The Diary of a CFO: https://thediaryofacfo.com

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