Mark Shank
Episode Summary: In this episode of the Emagia AI for Finance Podcast, Host Brian Shappell welcomes back Mark Shank, Principal at KPMG, for a timely discussion on the rapid evolution of Agentic AI and what it means for finance organizations.
As enterprises move beyond experimentation and pilot programs, agentic AI is emerging as a powerful new operating model—one that extends far beyond traditional automation and RPA. Mark explains how AI agents are becoming more resilient, proactive, and capable of handling complex business processes, enabling finance teams to focus less on repetitive execution and more on strategic decision-making, insight generation, and value creation.
The conversation explores practical applications across finance operations, including credit, collections, dispute resolution, working capital management, and end-to-end process orchestration. Mark also shares his perspective on governance, operating model transformation, workforce implications, and why organizations should focus on business outcomes rather than isolated AI use cases. For finance leaders navigating the next phase of digital transformation, this episode provides valuable guidance on how to move from automation initiatives to truly intelligent, AI-enabled operations.
Speaker highlights: Mark is a senior technology leader at KPMG who specializes in helping organizations unlock value through artificial intelligence (AI), cloud technologies, and digital transformation, with a particular emphasis on the banking sector. As the KPMG US Google Cloud Platform leader, he works with clients to design and implement modern, scalable methodologies that address complex operational, risk, and regulatory challenges.
With over 20 years of experience, Mark has extensive knowledge of enterprise-grade AI, including generative and agentic AI, enabling clients to modernize their capabilities and achieve tangible business results. Renowned for his collaborative approach, he works with leading technology companies—such as Microsoft—to create innovative assets and oversee large-scale implementations that deliver lasting impact.
