How Innovation and Automation Transformed Treasury at a Leading University

From Treasury Analyst to Healthcare Treasurer: Lessons in Leadership

A treasury career isn’t built on technical skills alone - it’s shaped by storytelling, decision-making, and mastering complexity. In this episode, Tony (Phong) Vu [https://www.linkedin.com/in/phongvu305/], Treasurer of Broward Health [https://www.linkedin.com/company/broward-health/], shares how these elements have defined his journey from treasury analyst to leading treasury in a complex healthcare environment. Tony (Phong) Vu [https://www.linkedin.com/in/phongvu305/] is the Treasurer of Broward Health [https://www.linkedin.com/company/broward-health/], with extensive experience across public sector treasury roles, including higher education. From Treasury Analyst to four-time Treasurer, he has built deep expertise in managing cash, investments, and debt while navigating complex stakeholder environments. In this episode, we explore his career journey from corporate finance to leading treasury in healthcare, highlighting the shift from specialization to broad leadership. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of strong fundamentals, along with how storytelling and data drive better decision-making. We also examine the differences between corporate and public sector treasury, the complexity of healthcare finance, and why curiosity and decision-making are critical skills in an increasingly AI-driven environment. What We Cover in This Episode: * Transitioning from treasury analyst roles into senior leadership positions * Moving from corporate treasury into public sector and healthcare * Managing cash, investments, and debt across large, complex organizations * Building and implementing internal banking and centralized investment structures * Navigating stakeholder management in decentralized institutions * The complexity of tax-exempt debt and public finance * Differences between corporate “margin” focus and public sector “mission” focus * Using dashboards and data to improve cash visibility and decision-making * Simplifying treasury processes by returning to first principles * The evolving role of treasury with technology and AI * The importance of storytelling in explaining treasury to stakeholders You can connect with Tony (Phong) Vu on LinkedIn. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/phongvu305/] --- 🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform: CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify Podcasts [https://open.spotify.com/show/641KUrhdoQPynLc1q2Guqn] CLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/treasury-career-corner/id1436647162] 📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. Tradeweb changes that! 🎓 Save $150 on CTP & FPAC– Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners. 🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership 🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen 🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way 👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/ [https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/]

Building Global Treasury Impact Through Data and Analytics

Building global treasury impact requires more than technical skills - it demands data-driven insight, strong relationships, and the ability to influence across the business. This week’s guest is Takachida Kuhudzai [https://www.linkedin.com/in/takachida-kuhudzai-fct-2855b711/], Head of Treasury at Avon. [https://www.linkedin.com/company/avon/] With a career spanning banking, corporate treasury, and global leadership roles, he has developed deep expertise in analytics, working capital optimisation, and navigating complex international markets. In this episode, Takachida Kuhudzai [https://www.linkedin.com/in/takachida-kuhudzai-fct-2855b711/], Head of Treasury at Avon [https://www.linkedin.com/company/avon/] shares his journey from starting in banking to leading global treasury functions. He reflects on how early experience in FX trading shaped his ability to operate in fast-moving environments, and how transitioning into corporate treasury gave him a broader understanding of how businesses operate. A key highlight is his work in building a global working capital analytics platform, which became a central tool for decision-making and helped unlock significant cash flow across the organisation. He also discusses the importance of stakeholder relationships, tailoring treasury strategies to different markets, and managing complexity in volatile environments. The episode also explores his current role at Avon, where he has been instrumental in transforming treasury operations and supporting the company’s transition to private equity ownership. What We Cover in This Episode: * Career journey from banking into corporate treasury * Experience in FX trading and fast-paced financial markets * Transition to corporate treasury and understanding business operations * Building and scaling a global working capital analytics platform * Using data to unlock cash flow and drive decision-making * Stakeholder management and influencing across global teams * Adapting treasury strategies to local market constraints * Managing volatility and risk in emerging markets * Leading treasury transformation during organisational change at Avon * The role of technology and data in the future of treasury * Developing leadership, communication, and influence You can connect with Takachida Kuhudza on LinkedIn. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/takachida-kuhudzai-fct-2855b711/] --- 🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform: CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify Podcasts [https://open.spotify.com/show/641KUrhdoQPynLc1q2Guqn] CLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/treasury-career-corner/id1436647162] 📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. Tradeweb changes that! 🎓 Save $150 on CTP & FPAC– Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners. 🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership 🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen 🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way 👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/ [https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/]

How Treasurers Move from Operational Roles to Strategic Impact

Most treasury careers don’t follow a plan - they evolve through unexpected opportunities, bold decisions, and continuous reinvention. Recorded LIVE from our Treasury Career Corner event in New York, this episode brings together three senior treasury leaders - Bob Kane [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-kane-78014656/], Deepali Chawla [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chawlad2/], and Keith Gaub [https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-gaub-30884111/] to share how their careers evolved from chance beginnings into strategic leadership roles. In this LIVE session in New York, three experienced treasury leaders share how their careers evolved - often unexpectedly - into senior strategic roles. From accidental entries into treasury to leading global teams and influencing enterprise decisions, the discussion explores how treasury has shifted from an operational function to a critical strategic partner. Meet the Guests: * Bob Kane [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-kane-78014656/] (Vice President, Corporate Treasurer at Neptune Retail Solutions [https://www.linkedin.com/company/neptune-retail-solutions/]) - transitioned from FP&A and finance roles into treasury, building expertise through experience and professional networks. * Deepali Chawla [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chawlad2/] (Chief Treasury Officer at Moody’s Corporation [https://www.linkedin.com/company/moodys-corporation/]) - began in finance operations before moving into treasury, progressing through global roles and leadership positions across multiple organisations. * Keith Gaub [https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-gaub-30884111/] (Vice President & Assistant Treasurer at Bristol-Myers Squibb [https://www.linkedin.com/company/bristol-myers-squibb/]) - started in banking and moved into corporate treasury, where he helped build treasury functions and lead major capital markets activities. The panel highlights the importance of adaptability, internal and external relationship management, and maintaining a forward-looking mindset in a rapidly changing environment shaped by technology, AI, and global business dynamics. Key topics discussed: * Non-linear treasury career paths: Careers shaped by chance rather than structured planning * From operations to strategy: Treasury evolving into a key driver of enterprise decision-making * Learning through experience: On-the-job development as a core driver of career growth * Enterprise mindset and internal influence: Building cross-functional relationships and business understanding * Managing banking relationships: Using transparency and communication to balance partnerships and outcomes * Leading global teams: Driving ownership and alignment across regions in a hybrid environment * AI and technology in treasury: Embracing innovation while maintaining control and judgment * Career progression strategies: Leveraging networking, visibility and intentional career planning * Execution and credibility: Delivering consistently and producing decision-grade outputs --- 🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform: CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify Podcasts [https://open.spotify.com/show/641KUrhdoQPynLc1q2Guqn] CLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/treasury-career-corner/id1436647162] 📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. Tradeweb changes that! 🎓 Save $150 on CTP & FPAC– Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners. 🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership 🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen 🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way 👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/ [https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/]

How Innovation and Automation Transformed Treasury at a Leading University

How do you transform a treasury function from manual processes into an AI-powered, automation-driven strategic partner? In this episode, we’re joined by Karen Kearney [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-kearney-380359/], Treasurer at Stanford University [https://www.linkedin.com/school/stanford-university/]. She leads treasury across one of the world’s most complex and innovative institutions, overseeing areas including capital markets, cash management, and financial strategy within a large, mission-driven environment. On the episode Karen Kearney [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-kearney-380359/], Treasurer at Stanford University [https://www.linkedin.com/school/stanford-university/] shares her unconventional journey into treasury, from starting in audit to exploring a career in the culinary world before returning to finance and ultimately leading treasury at Stanford. The conversation dives into how treasury can evolve into a strategic function through innovation, automation, and collaboration. Karen explains how her team implemented predictive cash forecasting, automated complex processes, and developed in-house solutions that outperform market offerings. She also discusses the unique challenges of operating in a nonprofit, consensus-driven environment, the importance of institutional understanding, and how AI will shape the future of treasury. What We Cover in This Episode: * Transitioning from audit to treasury through a non-linear career path * The complexity of managing finances in a large research university * Differences between corporate and nonprofit treasury environments * Driving transformation through automation and process optimisation * Managing a multi-billion-dollar debt portfolio and internal banking structure * Creating a scalable merchant services solution and winning a major industry award * The role of innovation and Silicon Valley influence on treasury strategy * Elevating treasury as a strategic partner within an organisation * The growing importance of AI, data quality, and upskilling in finance * Future skills required for treasury professionals * Career advice: embracing opportunities and continuous learning You can connect with Karen Kearney on LinkedIn. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-kearney-380359/] --- 🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform: CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify Podcasts [https://open.spotify.com/show/641KUrhdoQPynLc1q2Guqn] CLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/treasury-career-corner/id1436647162] 📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. Tradeweb changes that! 🎓 Save $150 on CTP & FPAC– Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners. 🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership 🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen 🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way 👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/ [https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/]

How to Build a Treasury Function and Drive Strategic Value

Building a treasury function from scratch is only the beginning - turning it into a strategic engine is where the real impact happens. This week, we welcome back Ben Loper [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benloper/], Senior Vice President & Corporate Treasurer at Hilton Grand Vacations [https://www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-grand-vacations/]. A returning guest to the podcast, Ben joins us for an update episode, sharing how his role and treasury itself has evolved since his first appearance, now overseeing a multi-billion-dollar financing business alongside treasury operations. In this follow-up conversation, Ben Loper [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benloper/details/experience/], now Senior Vice President & Corporate Treasurer at Hilton Grand Vacations [https://www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-grand-vacations/] walks through his journey from banking and equity research into corporate treasury, and how he helped build a treasury function from scratch within a newly independent company. He shares how treasury has evolved from a back-office function into a strategic partner in capital allocation, risk management, and growth, and reflects on the realities of scaling teams, navigating acquisitions, and operating in an increasingly complex global environment. The discussion also explores the future of treasury, including technology, payments, remote working challenges, and why treasury professionals must think beyond operations to deliver real business value. Key topics discussed: * Transitioning from banking and equity research into corporate treasury * Building a treasury function from scratch in a newly spun-out company * Scaling treasury through acquisitions and rapid business growth * The role of treasury in capital allocation and strategic decision-making * How banking experience translates into corporate treasury success * The shift from operational treasury to strategic treasury leadership * Navigating post-pandemic challenges, including inflation and market uncertainty * The growing importance of payments, customer experience, and technology in treasury * Remote working challenges and training the next generation of treasury professionals * The evolving role of certifications and experience in hiring treasury talent You can connect with Ben Loper on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benloper/] or for more info check out www.benrloper.com [http://www.benrloper.com]. --- 🎙️ Subscribe to the Treasury Career Corner podcast - Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your favourite platform: CLICK HERE for 🎧Spotify Podcasts [https://open.spotify.com/show/641KUrhdoQPynLc1q2Guqn] CLICK HERE for 🍏Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/treasury-career-corner/id1436647162] 📊 Managing short-term cash and investments - Without the right technology is a huge risk for modern treasurers. Tradeweb changes that! 🎓 Save $150 on CTP & FPAC– Exclusive discounts for treasury professionals – thanks to our trusted partners. 🧠 Leadership Under Pressure – Practical tools and coaching that work – from the team at Gazing Leadership 🧩 What if your whole team had one clear view of your group structure - Fuseable makes it happen 🔐 Managing signatory lists manually? Cygnetise gives treasury teams a smarter, safer way 👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/ [https://treasuryrecruitment.com/partners/]