The Evolving Role of the Modern CFO
We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
This week, we’re jumping back in and highlighting insights from the 2025 MIT Sloan CFO Summit, where top finance leaders shared how they’re navigating a rapidly evolving business landscape and are redefining their roles to meet the challenges and opportunities of the year ahead.
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Preparing for Change: Insights from the 2025 MIT Sloan CFO Summit
Change is a constant in business, and today’s CFOs face more frequent and complex shifts than ever. With the rise of artificial intelligence, evolving regulatory landscapes, and economic pressures, finance leaders must be prepared to manage risk while steering their organizations toward growth.
At the 2025 MIT Sloan School of Management CFO Summit, top finance executives, including FedEx CFO John Dietrich and Hasbro CFO and COO Gina Goetter, discussed how the role of the CFO is evolving and what strategies can help finance leaders navigate today’s challenges.
AI: Opportunities and Cautions
Artificial intelligence remains at the forefront of discussion for CFOs. While new AI tools offer opportunities to streamline workflows, leaders emphasized the importance of understanding where these technologies are effective and where they are not.
CFOs also highlighted that AI’s potential is maximized when combined with human analytical, interpretive, and creative skills. Organizations that leverage both technology and skilled talent are better positioned to manage risks, enhance efficiency, and maintain competitive advantage.
“Many of the tools present are currently more automation than AI, and it’s essential to understand where I can trust [the LLM] and where I can’t.”
– Jason Child (EVP & CFO, Arm Holdings)
The Rise of Social and Storytelling Skills
As finance roles expand and AI automates repetitive tasks, soft skills such as communication, storytelling, and adaptability are increasingly valuable. CFOs are expected to translate complex financial information for diverse audiences, including boards, investors, and internal teams, requiring nuanced communication and strong interpersonal skills.
Organizations also face challenges in change management, as static processes may clash with the demands of dynamic environments. Finance leaders stressed that understanding workflows and encouraging flexibility among employees are crucial to navigating these changes successfully.
CFOs Absorbing Operational Responsibilities
Increasingly, CFOs are taking on operational responsibilities alongside traditional finance duties. Dual roles, such as CFO/COO combinations, are becoming more common, requiring finance leaders to balance strategy, operations, and risk management simultaneously.
“One of the hardest things that I had to learn as a C-suite executive…was, ‘you know the answer, don’t give it.’ You’ve got to develop people, and let them run.”
– Scott Roe (CFO & COO, Tapestry)
Preparing for the Unexpected
The frequency of so-called “black swan” events continues to rise, highlighting the need for agile forecasting and scenario planning. CFOs noted that unexpected disruptions, from supply chain shocks to global crises, require flexible strategies and rapid response capabilities.
As Goetter summarized from her experience at Harley Davidson during the height of the pandemic, finance leaders must remain agile and plan for multiple scenarios, avoiding “analysis paralysis” while ensuring organizations are prepared for anything. FedEx’s Dietrich echoed the sentiment, noting that supply chain considerations, once peripheral, are now central to strategic planning.
The summit underscored a consistent theme:
Today’s CFOs need to be versatile, tech-savvy, and strategic communicators, prepared to navigate a rapidly evolving business landscape while fostering strong, capable teams.
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