Press Release
The Future of FPandA: Leveraging AI and Advanced Analytics for Strategic Decision-Making
Minneapolis, MN, 24th February 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, In an era where financial planning and analysis (FP&A) play a crucial role in shaping business strategies, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics is revolutionizing traditional financial processes. As industries increasingly embrace AI-driven solutions, finance leaders like Mike Pocrnich are at the forefront of this transformation, helping organizations navigate complex financial landscapes with data-driven precision.
The Evolution of FP&A in an AI-Powered World
Financial planning and analysis have long been essential to business success, but the traditional methods of forecasting and budgeting are rapidly being replaced by more sophisticated, AI-enhanced approaches. Emerging technologies, such as machine learning, real-time data analysis, and automated forecasting, are allowing businesses to anticipate market trends, mitigate risks, and optimize financial decision-making.
“AI is reshaping the FP&A function by offering predictive capabilities that go beyond historical data analysis. With machine learning algorithms, businesses can now forecast trends with a higher degree of accuracy, adapt to economic shifts in real-time, and streamline financial operations,” says Mike Pocrnich, a seasoned financial expert specializing in non-profit accounting and strategic financial management.
Key Technologies Driving Change in FP&A
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Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics
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Machine learning models can analyze vast amounts of financial data, identifying patterns and predicting outcomes with greater precision than manual methods. These insights help finance professionals make proactive decisions rather than reactive ones.
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Real-Time Data Analysis
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Traditional FP&A processes rely on historical data, which often leads to delayed insights. With AI-powered real-time data analysis, businesses can monitor financial performance on the go, allowing for more agile decision-making.
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Automated Forecasting
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AI-driven tools enable automatic forecasting based on various internal and external factors, reducing human error and increasing efficiency. This advancement allows finance teams to allocate resources more effectively and improve financial planning strategies.
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Data Integration and Cloud Computing
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The seamless integration of AI-powered FP&A solutions with cloud-based platforms enhances accessibility and collaboration. Finance teams can access centralized, real-time financial data, making it easier to conduct scenario planning and risk assessment.
Challenges and Opportunities in AI-Driven FP&A
Despite its advantages, AI adoption in FP&A comes with challenges, including data integration, system compatibility, and the need for upskilling finance professionals.
“One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that financial data from different sources is integrated seamlessly for AI-driven analytics,” Pocrnich explains. “Organizations must invest in robust data governance and training programs to maximize the benefits of AI-powered FP&A.”
Additionally, as AI takes on more analytical tasks, the role of FP&A professionals is evolving. While automation is reducing manual workloads, finance professionals must now focus on strategic decision-making, data interpretation, and cross-functional collaboration.
Mike Pocrnich: A Visionary in Financial Strategy and AI Integration
With over two decades of experience in financial management, Mike Pocrnich has established himself as a leading expert in accounting and strategic financial planning. A graduate of St. John’s University, he has built a career centered around meticulous financial forecasting, auditing, and regulatory compliance.
Pocrnich has held key roles at prestigious financial firms, including CliftonLarsonAllen, where he led non-profit audits and implemented rigorous internal controls. His expertise in grant management, GAAP, FASB, and GASB principles has been instrumental in shaping financial strategies for both government and non-profit organizations. Currently serving as a Finance Manager at Element Financial Advisory, Pocrnich provides expert CFO and Controller services, guiding organizations through financial complexities with precision and strategic foresight.
Beyond his technical acumen, Pocrnich is known for his exceptional leadership and mentorship skills. His ability to articulate complex financial strategies to executive teams and stakeholders has positioned him as a trusted advisor in the financial sector.
The Future of FP&A: Embracing AI for Long-Term Success
As AI continues to redefine financial planning, organizations that embrace these technologies will gain a competitive edge in strategic decision-making. Finance professionals must adapt by leveraging AI-driven insights to enhance business performance and long-term financial sustainability.
“AI isn’t here to replace finance professionals; it’s here to enhance their capabilities,” Pocrnich emphasizes. “By integrating AI and advanced analytics into FP&A, we can create more resilient financial strategies and drive sustainable growth.”
About Mike Pocrnich
Mike Pocrnich is a distinguished financial expert with over 20 years of experience in accounting, auditing, and financial strategy. Specializing in non-profit sector finances, he has played a pivotal role in streamlining financial operations, implementing AI-powered financial tools, and mentoring finance professionals. Currently based in Minneapolis, MN, Pocrnich enjoys balancing his career with outdoor pursuits and family life. His insights into AI-driven FP&A continue to shape the future of financial decision-making for organizations nationwide.
Based in the Minneapolis area, he holds a BA in Accounting from St. John’s University. In his early career as a Senior Auditor at CliftonLarsonAllen, Mike managed non-profit audits, developed internal controls, trained junior staff, and presented financial reports to leadership. He is known for his financial forecasting, reporting, and analytical skills, as well as his proficiency in various ERP and CRM software, including the Microsoft suite. Currently, as a Finance Manager at Element Financial Advisory, Mike Pocrnich provides CFO and Controller services for a range of clients, from government and non-profit organizations to entities with revenues exceeding $20 million.
He specializes in financial forecasting and manages all aspects of state and federal grant administration. His prior role as Controller at Beltz, Kes, Darling & Associates (now BerganKDV) involved similar duties and the leadership of annual audits and client financial facilitation. Mike’s professional skill set includes staff management, client relations, and a high emotional IQ, making him a strong communicator and customer service expert. He efficiently oversees accounts payable, payroll, and financial compliance, leading his team effectively.
Mike Pocrnich’s extensive use of accounting principles like GAAP, FASB, and GASB throughout his career demonstrates his commitment to financial accuracy and strategic leadership. His experience and approach position him as a key resource for organizations looking to strengthen their financial practices and oversight.
Mike Pocrnich
https://mikepocrnich.com/
http://www.elementfinancial.com
Element Financial Advisory
1500 E 66th St, Minneapolis, MN 55423, United States
Phone: +1 612-605-3177
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
Press Release
From Code to Compassion: Rathi Murthy’s Journey of Mindful Leadership
California, US, 8th October 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, Rathi Murthy is widely recognized as one of the most visionary technology leaders of her generation, a trailblazer whose career spans some of the most influential companies in the world and whose impact continues to redefine what is possible at the intersection of artificial intelligence, financial inclusion, and mindful leadership. Named among the Top Women in Tech, Murthy’s influence stretches far beyond the boardroom. She embodies a rare blend of technical mastery, business acumen, and human-centered leadership, positioning her as a role model for the next generation of innovators.
Today, Murthy serves as the Chief Technology Officer at Varo Bank, the first nationally chartered, all-digital consumer bank in the United States. In this role, she leads Varo’s end-to-end technology strategy, advancing its mission to deliver secure, scalable, and AI-powered digital banking platforms. Her vision is bold yet deeply practical: to build real-time, inclusive, and accessible financial solutions for millions of consumers who have historically been underserved by traditional banking systems. For Murthy, AI is not just a technology, it is a tool for social transformation, a force that can dismantle barriers and create pathways for financial empowerment.
A Career Forged at the Crossroads of Innovation
Murthy’s career trajectory is as impressive as it is inspiring. Before joining Varo Bank, she held senior leadership positions at some of the most dynamic organizations in technology, media, and financial services.
As Chief Technology Officer and President of Expedia Services at Expedia Group, Murthy led critical technology pillars across artificial intelligence, e-commerce, payments, and customer experience. She played a central role in modernizing Expedia’s global platform, helping the company reimagine the infrastructure that powers millions of bookings worldwide. Her leadership was instrumental in bringing agility, personalization, and innovation to a highly competitive travel industry.
Earlier, as CTO at Verizon Media, Murthy spearheaded global technology initiatives, driving innovations in 5G, AI, and media platforms. She also served as SVP and CTO at Gap Inc., where she created the digital transformation roadmap for the company’s family of brands, ensuring that the future of retail would be as immersive and data-driven as it was customer-focused.
Her prior roles include CIO of Enterprise Growth at American Express, where she built technology capabilities to support new business models, as well as senior positions at eBay, Yahoo, Sun Microsystems, and WebMD. Each role added new dimensions to her leadership philosophy, sharpening her expertise in scaling technology platforms while keeping people and experiences at the center.
Recognition and Influence
Murthy’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. She has been consistently celebrated as a force in global technology leadership.
• Top 100 Executive Women in Tech to Watch (2023) by WomenTech Network
• Top Woman in Cloud Innovation (2014)
• Most Influential Women in Payments (2015)
These honors reflect more than her accomplishments. They acknowledge her courage in breaking barriers, her commitment to mentoring other women in tech, and her determination to build a more equitable industry.
Mindful Leadership: The Art of Living
Beyond her corporate roles, Murthy is also a teacher of The Art of Living, a global movement dedicated to cultivating mindfulness, resilience, and community well-being. This practice is more than a personal pursuit, it informs her leadership style and her belief that technology must be aligned with humanity’s highest values.
For Murthy, mindful leadership is not a trend but a necessity. In a world where technology evolves at breathtaking speed, she believes that leaders must balance innovation with intention, ensuring that progress does not come at the expense of peace, well-being, or ethical responsibility. Her integration of mindfulness into her executive leadership is one of the qualities that set her apart in the tech industry. She leads with clarity, empathy, and purpose.
Board Service and Mentorship
Murthy is also deeply committed to shaping the future of education and innovation. She serves on the Board of Directors for PagerDuty, on the Board of Governors at Sri Sri University, and as an advisor to the University of San Francisco. She is also an active angel investor, supporting mission-driven startups in fintech, enterprise technology, and social impact. Through these roles, she empowers the next generation of entrepreneurs, ensuring that their ideas and innovations are nurtured with both resources and mentorship.
A Life Rooted in Purpose
Murthy’s journey is not just one of professional triumphs, it is a testament to living a life rooted in purpose. Her story reflects the power of resilience, adaptability, and continuous growth. Whether leading global teams at Fortune 500 companies, advising academic institutions, or teaching mindfulness to communities, Murthy approaches every role with the same conviction: technology must serve humanity, and leadership must serve others.
She holds a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Santa Clara University, where she honed the technical foundation that would fuel her ascent in the tech world. Yet her education did not end there. Her lifelong learning through corporate leadership, spiritual practice, and mentorship continues to shape her evolving vision of what technology and leadership can achieve.
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
Press Release
Darius McGrew Leads Frontier’s AI-Powered Push for Hurricane Preparedness Across Florida
Canton, Michigan, 8th October 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, As Florida braces for another turbulent hurricane season, telecommunications executive Darius McGrew is stepping into the spotlight with innovative AI-powered strategies that are redefining how businesses and communities prepare for natural disasters. As an Enterprise Account Executive with Frontier Communications, McGrew has become a trusted partner to organizations across the healthcare, government, finance, and nonprofit sectors, ensuring they remain connected when storms threaten to disrupt everything.
A Local Leader in the Eye of the Storm
Tampa sits at the heart of one of America’s most hurricane-prone regions. For McGrew, storm season is not just another quarter on the sales calendar. It is a call to safeguard critical infrastructure. By utilizing AI-driven analytics, he has developed a system that categorizes enterprise clients based on risk zone, infrastructure resilience, and historical outage patterns. This allows him to design customized readiness packages that anticipate client vulnerabilities before disaster strikes.
“Enterprise businesses are facing several challenges at this time of year, but we are too,” McGrew said. “At an internet service provider, we must identify and develop replicable systems that can be quickly implemented across particular audiences. Resilient communications are not just about uptime. They are about safety.”
Delivering Resilience in Healthcare
Healthcare organizations, where downtime can endanger lives, are at the forefront of McGrew’s work. MedFleet, a regional medical transport provider, partnered with him to implement redundant internet connectivity, a step that ensures dispatch operations remain uninterrupted throughout storm season. At CoreRX, a Clearwater-based healthcare manufacturer, previous storms had exposed weaknesses in their landline system. During Hurricane Helene, intermittent connectivity created risks for essential operations. McGrew and the Frontier team addressed the issue by introducing cost-effective landline redundancy, a solution that transformed a vulnerable system into one built for reliability and long-term safety.
Municipalities Gain Strength Through Redundancy
Local governments, often on the front lines of disaster response, are also benefiting from McGrew’s approach. The City of Zephyrhills collaborated with him to implement landline redundancy, which enhances communication during severe weather while delivering long-term cost savings. The City of Aledo made a similar investment, ensuring that municipal operations can remain stable and reliable even in the face of heavy storms. These measures allow cities to maintain essential services and communicate with residents without interruption.
Financial Institutions and Nonprofits Benefit
Financial and nonprofit organizations have also sought McGrew’s expertise. Legend Bank, which was expanding with a new branch, relied on him to provide dedicated internet access that secures and stabilizes its financial operations. Meanwhile, Champions for Children, a Tampa-based nonprofit focused on abuse prevention, partnered with McGrew to enhance its inbound call system using RingCentral’s voice solutions. The upgrade ensures that donation calls are never missed, even during periods of high demand or storm-related disruptions, protecting vital revenue streams that fund the organization’s mission.
AI Turns Sales into Safety
Rather than relying on reactive measures such as mobile failovers, McGrew has pioneered an AI-powered outreach strategy that turns storm preparedness into a proactive campaign. By predicting which clients are most vulnerable, he can initiate conversations before disaster strikes. The result is tailored packages that keep hospitals, banks, city halls, and nonprofits connected when hurricanes threaten to sever lifelines.
“Every deal I close is more than a contract,” McGrew emphasized. “It is about making sure a hospital can reach its patients, a city can update its residents, or a nonprofit can answer a critical call for help. Connectivity becomes survival in the middle of a storm.”
Frontier’s Role in Storm Preparedness
Frontier’s extensive telecommunications infrastructure is the foundation of McGrew’s work. From redundant circuits and dedicated internet to cloud-based voice platforms, Frontier offers the tools required for business continuity in storm-prone regions. McGrew’s ability to combine these services with predictive AI models has positioned him as a leader in Florida’s disaster readiness efforts.
“AI-powered outreach and predictive planning have completely reshaped our ability to serve customers,” said McGrew. “By combining Frontier’s technology with forward-thinking strategies, we are not just meeting demand. We are anticipating it.”
Looking Ahead
As climate change fuels longer and more severe storm seasons, McGrew remains focused on expanding his work with businesses and municipalities throughout Florida. His vision is to ensure that no organization has to gamble with its connectivity when disaster looms. From MedFleet ambulances and CoreRX manufacturing lines to city governments and nonprofits serving families in need, his clients share a common goal: They have the confidence that their systems will stay connected when it matters most.
As Florida heads deeper into hurricane season, McGrew stands as a reminder that resilience is not simply about recovering after a storm. With the right strategies, it is about staying connected through it.
About Frontier
Frontier Communications is a leading telecommunications provider delivering high-speed internet, advanced voice services, and enterprise-grade connectivity across the United States. With a focus on reliability, innovation, and community resilience, Frontier helps businesses, governments, and nonprofits prepare for and overcome the challenges of natural disasters.
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Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
Press Release
Dr. Khadija Lilley Crowned Moroccan Caftan Ambassador at Queen Arab Worldwide – Celebrating Heritage, Empowerment, and Global Impact
Morocco, 8th October 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, International model, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Dr. Khadija Lilley has once again made Morocco proud by winning the prestigious title of Moroccan Caftan Ambassador at the Queen Arab Worldwide pageant. She will soon represent Morocco on the grand stage in Egypt, wearing the iconic Moroccan caftan, a proud emblem of her country’s artistry, culture, and timeless heritage.
This honour adds to a long list of global achievements that define Dr. Lilley’s inspiring journey. Her pageant titles include:
- Mrs. Georgia Globe 2023
- Mrs. Morocco Universe Middle East 2024
- Mr. South East Globe 2025
- 1st Runner-up, Mrs. USA Curve
Beyond her beauty and grace, Dr. Khadija Lilley is celebrated for her humanitarian spirit and entrepreneurial leadership. In 2024, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Construction Management, recognising her dedication to innovation and social development. That same year, she received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from U.S. President Joe Biden, honouring her outstanding contributions to society and service to humanity.
Deeply committed to giving back, Dr. Lilley has devoted her success to meaningful causes. She personally funded a water well in her home village, ensuring access to clean water for local families, and continues to support education, books, and healthcare initiatives for children and schools in her community. Her work reflects her lifelong belief that true success is measured not by crowns, but by compassion.
Speaking about her latest recognition, Dr. Lilley shared:
“Being named the Moroccan Caftan Ambassador is not just about fashion, it’s about identity, pride, and the beauty of our Moroccan heritage. The caftan represents centuries of craftsmanship and resilience, and I’m honoured to carry that legacy to an international stage.”
Today, Dr. Khadija Lilley continues to inspire as a model, influencer, entrepreneur, healthcare professional, wife, mother, and philanthropist. Her journey stands as a testament to the power of ambition rooted in purpose, embodying what it means to be both a queen on stage and a leader in life.
About Dr. Khadija Lilley
Dr. Khadija Lilley is an internationally recognised model, entrepreneur, and humanitarian leader. With a background in construction management and healthcare, she has built a diverse career dedicated to empowerment, education, and philanthropy. Her global recognition in pageantry and her commitment to community upliftment continue to inspire women worldwide to lead with heart, heritage, and hope.
Www.queenarabworldwide.com
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Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
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