FP&A has never been more important—or more misunderstood.
For too long, it was seen as a back-office function, focused on budgets, variance reports, and forecasting spreadsheets. But the game has changed. The best FP&A professionals today aren’t just reporting the numbers—they’re driving the strategy.
💡 Yet, many FP&A professionals spend 75% of their time buried in data collection instead of sharpening their skills.
However, the best in the field know that even their mundane scrolling on LinkedIn can be turned into something more than just browsing — by following the right people, staying ahead of industry trends, and turning their downtime into an advantage.
So, if you’re serious about growing in FP&A, you need to learn from the right people—the ones shaping the future of the profession.
Who’s on This List?
This isn’t a ranking. There’s no “best” FP&A professional.
Instead, this is a collection of voices you should be following if you want to:
✅ Sharpen your financial thinking ✅ Stay ahead of industry trends ✅ Learn from the people leading the shift from finance as a function to finance as a force
From CFOs who believe in AI-led transformation, to educators breaking down complex Excel reports, and analysis concepts, to thought leaders pushing the boundaries of FP&A—these are the names that should be on your radar in 2025.
Let’s dive in.
CJ Gustafson
🌟 Who is CJ Gustafson?
CJ Gustafson is a finance leader, CFO at PartsTech, and the creator of Mostly Metrics, where he breaks down finance, private markets, and valuation strategies in an engaging, relatable way.
With a background in FP&A, investor relations, and M&A advisory, CJ has worked with venture-backed startups and high-growth companies. Through his blog and LinkedIn presence, he simplifies complex financial concepts for CFOs, operators, and investors.
💎 What Makes CJ Gustafson Stand Out?
He educates CFOs on R&D efficiency, IPO strategies, and financial storytelling.
His insights on private markets and SaaS metrics make him a must-follow for startup finance professionals.
He bridges finance and storytelling, showing how narratives drive investor confidence.
He is actively shaping discussions around finance technology and CFO decision-making.
CJ is more than a CFO—he’s an educator, storyteller, and market analyst, helping finance leaders understand the numbers behind the biggest business decisions.
Larysa Melnychuk
🌟 Who is Larysa Melnychuk?
Larysa Melnychuk is a finance transformation leader and Founder & CEO of FP&A Trends Group, a global consultancy that helps organizations improve their financial planning, analytics, and decision-making capabilities.
With a background in strategic finance, FP&A leadership, and AI-driven transformation, she has played a pivotal role in shaping best practices for modern finance teams. Through her work with the International FP&A Board, she has built a global network of finance leaders who share insights on the future of financial planning.
💎 What Makes Larysa Melnychuk Stand Out?
She is a leading voice in AI-driven FP&A, helping organizations combine human expertise with advanced analytics.
Her FP&A maturity models and integrated frameworks are widely used by finance professionals worldwide.
She has built an international community of finance leaders, facilitating discussions on strategy, agility, and digital transformation.
She actively researches and publishes reports on the latest trends in business partnering, scenario planning, and automation.
Larysa is leading the charge in FP&A innovation, helping finance teams navigate digital transformation, enhance strategic decision-making, and build future-proof financial planning models.
Soufyan Hamid
🌟 Who is Soufyan Hamid?
Soufyan Hamid is redefining how finance professionals communicate. As the Founder of The Finance Circle and Chief of the Financial Storytelling Program, he specializes in bridging finance with storytelling, business communication, and strategic influence.
With over a decade of experience in corporate finance, including roles at Proximus and Deloitte, Soufyan has seen firsthand how finance teams struggle to convey their insights effectively. His mission is to transform finance teams into strategic business partners by teaching them how to craft messages that drive decisions.
💎 What Makes Soufyan Hamid Stand Out?
Soufyan is not just a finance expert—he’s a storytelling coach for finance professionals. His approach is centered on clarity, engagement, and business impact.
He has trained countless finance teams to move beyond numbers and present insights that influence leadership decisions.
He emphasizes that presentations are not just about slides—finance professionals must structure their messaging effectively.
His insights into data visualization help finance teams design clear, digestible reports that drive action.
He champions audience-centric communication, recognizing that executives and technical teams require different messaging styles.
Soufyan is helping finance teams break free from spreadsheets and PowerPoint slides, ensuring they communicate with impact, tell compelling financial stories, and become trusted strategic advisors.
Chris Ortega
🌟 Who is Chris Ortega?
Chris Ortega is a CEO at Fresh FP&A, a fractional CFO company dedicated to helping small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) grow with financial clarity and confidence. With 20+ years of experience in accounting, FP&A, and financial leadership, Chris specializes in helping SMBs grow.
His academic background includes an honors degree in Accounting & Finance from Indiana University – Kelley School of Business and an MBA from the University of Indianapolis. Having worked extensively with SMBs, he understands the unique financial challenges they face and provides actionable solutions that drive growth.
💎 What Makes Chris Ortega Stand Out?
A trusted voice in global CFO community and global CFO thought leader.
He brings the Fresh View on Finance to help SMBs and CFOs understand the importance of technology and value.
He shares his skills, passion, talents, and experiences to help others realize and achieve greatness in their businesses and careers.
He’s a passionate educator, sharing insights on financial leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic planning to empower business owners.
Chris is committed to helping SMBs navigate financial uncertainty, providing scalable strategies and expert financial guidance to drive business growth.
Brian Feroldi
🌟 Who is Brian Feroldi?
Brian Feroldi is a financial educator, investor, and content creator dedicated to simplifying business analysis and investing. With over 20 years of experience, he helps investors understand financial statements and make informed decisions.
Through Long Term Mindset, he teaches essential investing skills, combining his finance background, an MBA from the University of Rhode Island, and experience as a contributor to The Motley Fool. His approachable style makes complex financial concepts easy to grasp.
💎 What Makes Brian Feroldi Stand Out?
He breaks down complex financial topics, making it easier for investors to understand financial statements, valuations, and business analysis.
He shares high-quality content on LinkedIn, YouTube, and his newsletter — covering accounting, financial literacy, and stock analysis.
His experience spans multiple industries, with a strong focus on healthcare and technology investments.
He advocates patience, disciplined investing, and strategic financial decision-making to build lasting wealth.
Brian Feroldi is redefining financial education by making investing approachable for everyone. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced investor, his insights help you make better financial decisions, understand businesses more deeply, and ultimately, invest with greater confidence.
Christian Wattig
🌟 Who is Christian Wattig?
Christian Wattig is an FP&A trainer, educator, and thought leader with over 15 years of experience in finance roles at Unilever, P&G, Squarespace, and Datarails. He specializes in making financial planning and analysis more strategic, efficient, and impactful.
As Director of the Wharton FP&A Certificate Program and Founder of FP&A Prep, he has trained over 1,000 finance professionals through live workshops, online courses, and corporate programs, helping them master budgeting, forecasting, and financial storytelling.
💎 What Makes Christian Wattig Stand Out?
Christian provides practical, real-world training through his FP&A Prep courses, Wharton Online program, and corporate workshops.
He has led FP&A teams at Unilever, P&G, Squarespace, and Datarails, giving him deep insight into real-world financial challenges.
He teaches FP&A professionals how to translate numbers into compelling business insights.
His newsletter, FP&A Tuesday, and LinkedIn content provide actionable insights to thousands of finance professionals worldwide.
Christian Wattig is reshaping FP&A education by making it practical, accessible, and strategic. His insights help finance professionals become better business partners, improve forecasting accuracy, and elevate their careers in financial planning and analysis.
Wassia Kamon
🌟 Who is Wassia Kamon?
Wassia Kamon is a CFO, keynote speaker, and FP&A expert who helps finance and accounting professionals build the leadership skills needed to thrive at the executive level. With over 15 years of experience, she has worked across the manufacturing, technology, pharmaceutical, and nonprofit sectors.
A two-time 40 Under 40 Honoree by CPA Practice Advisor, Wassia is also a guest faculty member for the Wharton Online FP&A Certificate program, the Host of ‘The Diary of a CFO’ podcast, and the creator of The Office of the CFO Bootcamp, a leadership development program designed to help high-potential finance leaders transition into executive roles.
💎 What Makes Wassia Kamon Stand Out?
She built an FP&A function from the ground up.
She led both accounting and FP&A teams before stepping into the CFO role.
She always provides actionable advice that helps finance professionals develop skills that accelerate their careers and drive organizational success.
She was featured in publications like The Wall Street Journal, Strategic Finance Magazine, and Accounting Today for her expertise in finance leadership.
Wassia Kamon is redefining financial leadership by equipping professionals with the skills and strategies needed to excel in finance, strategy, and executive roles. Her insights empower finance leaders to build confidence, drive change, and thrive in today’s evolving business landscape.
Carolina Lago
🌟 Who is Carolina Lago?
Carolina Lago is an FP&A and financial modeling specialist with a strong background in corporate finance, data analytics, and strategic planning. With over 15 years of experience in multinational corporations, she builds intuitive financial models with automated reporting processes, and leads financial strategy initiatives across multiple industries.
As Managing Director at Tactic Financial and a Gartner Peer Ambassador, Carolina is a recognized expert in financial modeling and FP&A. Her philosophy revolves around simplifying financial models to make them accessible and actionable rather than overly complex. She is passionate about transforming financial data into insights that drive business decisions.
💎 What Makes Carolina Lago Stand Out?
She specializes in creating robust yet easy-to-use financial models, forecasting systems, and valuation frameworks.
She focuses on financial modeling and FP&A, ensuring her insights help businesses improve their strategic planning.
She has led P&L management, cost analysis, and automation initiatives at companies like Educational Testing Service, Avon Cosmetics, and Redecard.
As a speaker at global finance events, she shares insights on data-driven decision-making and FP&A best practices.
Carolina Lago is a trailblazer in financial analytics, empowering professionals with cutting-edge financial modeling techniques. Her expertise helps businesses optimize decision-making, enhance forecasting accuracy, and drive financial success.
Matt Brattin
🌟 Who is Matt Brattin?
Matt Brattin is a finance executive, FP&A expert, and data analytics leader known for helping professionals accelerate their careers through Excel mastery and strategic financial planning. With over 20 years of experience, he has climbed the corporate ladder, earning eight promotions across four companies and reaching the C-suite in his 30s.
As Chief Financial Officer at Aplos and Founder of TMB Analytics, Matt blends his deep financial expertise with hands-on analytics to teach professionals how to drive business impact. His content, including Excel-based FP&A strategies, forecasting insights, and financial modeling techniques, has made him a sought-after thought leader in the industry.
💎 What Makes Matt Brattin Stand Out?
He simplifies complex financial concepts, helping professionals master Excel, forecasting, and data analytics.
His journey from an entry-level analyst to CFO in a competitive environment fuels his insights on career acceleration.
His Excel 4 Academy equips finance professionals with real-world Excel and analytics skills tailored for business impact.
He shares practical FP&A insights, forecasting techniques, and data-driven strategies with thousands of finance professionals on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Matt Brattin is redefining how finance professionals learn and grow by combining technical excellence with career-building insights. His work helps finance professionals sharpen their FP&A skills, master Excel, and fast-track their careers in financial analytics.
Brian Egger
🌟 Who is Brian Egger?
Brian Egger is a financial modeling expert, industry analyst, and educator with an impressive career spanning Wall Street, academia, and media. As the Global Head of Financial Modeling and Senior Gaming & Lodging Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, he leads financial modeling initiatives while providing expert analysis on gaming and lodging equities.
With decades of experience in equity research, financial modeling, and data analysis, Brian has contributed to top institutions like Credit Suisse, BMO Capital Markets, and Goldman Sachs, earning recognition as an Institutional Investor-ranked analyst. He has also shared his knowledge as an Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School, making him a respected thought leader in financial strategy and valuation.
💎 What Makes Brian Egger Stand Out?
Leads Bloomberg Intelligence’s financial modeling efforts, including the Bloomberg Interactive Calculator, helping finance professionals improve their forecasting and valuation techniques.
A former Managing Director and Research Head at BMO Capital Markets, Topeka Capital Markets, and Credit Suisse, covering gaming, lodging, and travel sectors.
Wrote Social Media Strategies for Investing (Simon & Schuster) and taught Securities Analysis at Columbia Business School.
A frequent guest on Bloomberg Radio, TV, and financial panels, covering topics like financial modeling, sports betting, and market strategy.
Recognized by the Financial Modeling Institute (FMI) for his expertise and contributions to the financial modeling community.
Brian Egger is redefining financial modeling by blending Wall Street expertise, academic insights, and practical applications. His work helps finance professionals make better forecasts, analyze markets, and build robust financial models that drive strategic decision-making.
Amit Kumar
🌟 Who is Amit Kumar?
Amit Kumar is a Fractional CFO, finance innovator, and tech-driven strategist who helps businesses optimize financial planning with AI and automation. As the Founder of Accrual Authority, he specializes in reshaping FP&A for startups and SMEs, ensuring data-driven financial efficiency.
With over 10 years of experience in corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, and strategic leadership, Amit has worked with major firms like PwC and has supported businesses across various industries in leveraging AI for better financial decision-making.
💎 What Makes Amit Kumar Stand Out?
He integrates AI, automation, and data analytics to modernize financial planning.
Helps businesses scale by offering high-level financial strategy without the full-time cost.
Shares in-depth expertise on LinkedIn, covering cash flow management, financial strategy, and pricing optimization.
Provides hands-on finance solutions tailored to small and medium-sized businesses.
Amit Kumar is redefining financial leadership with AI and automation, helping businesses transform their FP&A strategies for the future. His expertise enables startups and SMEs to scale with confidence, ensuring smarter, more efficient financial operations.
Brett Hampson
🌟 Who is Brett Hampson?
Brett Hampson is a senior finance leader and FP&A expert dedicated to driving business performance through financial forecasting, operational strategy, and modern analytics. Currently serving as Finance Director at Allstate Insurance, Brett brings nearly a decade of experience in financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting, helping businesses scale and optimize decision-making.
Beyond corporate leadership, Brett is the Founder of Forecasting Performance, a weekly newsletter that educates finance professionals on FP&A best practices, leadership, and data-driven decision-making.
💎 What Sets Brett Hampson Apart?
Brett has held key finance roles at Allstate and OrthoFi, mastering FP&A, budgeting, and financial strategy.
He advocates for best-in-class forecasting methodologies to improve business outcomes.
Brett has expertise in financial tools like Power BI, Tableau, SAP, and Hyperion, integrating modern analytics into FP&A processes.
Through his LinkedIn content and newsletter, Brett mentors finance professionals on forecasting, leadership, and financial decision-making.
Brett Hampson is redefining FP&A with a modern, strategic approach. His insights empower finance professionals to enhance forecasting accuracy, embrace technology, and elevate their leadership skills in financial planning and analysis.
Laurent Saurel
🌟 Who is Laurent Saurel?
Laurent Saurel is a seasoned Fractional CFO for Startups, specializing in gaming, mobile, media, and consumer apps. With a career spanning over two decades in financial leadership, he helps startup founders navigate complex financial decisions, secure funding, and optimize business strategies for scalable growth.
As the Founder of L90S, Laurent empowers CEOs with ROI-driven decision-making, financial planning for high-growth companies, and investor-ready financial modeling. His expertise extends to securing capital, optimizing cash flow, and implementing financial strategies that drive long-term success.
💎 What Makes Laurent Saurel Stand Out?
Laurent specializes in financial planning, fundraising, and modeling for startups in fast-evolving industries.
He has led multimillion-dollar fundraising efforts, including a $13M financing round at Smule.
Having worked with companies like Smule, Ubisoft, and KIXEYE, he understands the financial challenges in gaming, media, and tech startups.
His approach focuses on maximizing ROI, forecasting with precision, and helping startups make informed financial choices.
Laurent shares insights on financial modeling, profitability, and growth strategies through LinkedIn and industry events.
Laurent Saurel is redefining startup finance by making it strategic, data-driven, and investor-ready. His expertise helps founders secure funding, optimize financial operations, and scale their businesses with confidence.
Ernie Humphrey
🌟 Who is Ernie Humphrey?
Ernie Humphrey is a respected leader in the treasury and finance space, known for his expertise in cash flow management, treasury innovation, and financial leadership. With a track record of helping finance professionals and organizations optimize cash management strategies, Ernie is dedicated to elevating the role of treasury in driving business success.
As a renowned speaker and educator, Ernie has delivered insights on financial best practices, AI in treasury, and cash forecasting at industry conferences and webinars. His experience spans corporate finance, financial technology, and treasury operations, making him a sought-after thought leader in the field.
Ernie Humphrey is a visionary in treasury and financial leadership, helping organizations navigate financial complexities, optimize cash flow, and leverage technology for smarter decision-making.
Kathy Svetina
🌟 Who is Kathy Svetina?
Kathy Svetina is a Fractional CFO and FP&A Expert dedicated to helping growing businesses build financially sustainable and scalable operations. As the Founder of NewCastle Finance, she provides business owners with strategic financial insights that are typically reserved for large corporations, empowering them to make informed decisions for long-term success.
Beyond finance, Kathy is a thought leader and educator, frequently sharing her expertise on financial planning, forecasting, and cash flow management. She is also the host of the Help! My Business is Growing podcast, where she provides actionable advice to entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of business finance.
💎 What Makes Kathy Svetina Stand Out?
Specializes in financial strategy for companies with $5M+ in annual revenue.
Breaks down complex financial data into clear, strategic insights for business growth.
Has led financial strategy at Discover Financial Services, Wolters Kluwer, and Aon.
Passionate about supporting female entrepreneurs with financial guidance tailored to their growth journeys.
Runs Help! My Business is Growing, offering financial literacy insights to business owners.
Kathy Svetina is on a mission to make finance accessible, strategic, and empowering for growing businesses. Through her fractional CFO services, thought leadership, and podcast, she helps entrepreneurs build financial confidence and achieve sustainable growth.
Key Trends Shaping FP&A in 2025
Beyond the individuals shaping FP&A, major trends are defining the future of finance. Here are a few that every finance professional should be paying attention to:
AI-Driven Forecasting Is Becoming the Standard – Businesses are no longer relying on static financial models. AI-powered FP&A tools are now providing dynamic, real-time financial insights that adapt as market conditions change.
The Rise of Finance Storytelling – Data means nothing if leadership teams don’t understand it. FP&A professionals are increasingly becoming storytellers, using visualization and narrative techniques to turn data into strategic action.
Cross-Functional Finance Leadership – FP&A is no longer just a finance department function. Finance leaders are working more closely with marketing, sales, and operations to ensure business-wide alignment.
The Demand for Faster, More Agile Decision-Making – Companies need finance teams that can provide immediate insights rather than waiting for end-of-quarter reports. This is leading to a major shift in how FP&A teams operate.
These trends are reshaping the FP&A landscape, and the professionals on this list are the ones driving that change.
The world of FP&A is evolving fast, and these professionals are at the forefront of that transformation. If you’re in finance, leadership, or even tech, these are the people you should be following, learning from, and engaging with.
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