Pierluigi Monaco
Episode Summary: The traditional finance function has long been measured by its ability to explain what happened. But as artificial intelligence becomes more deeply embedded in enterprise operations, finance leaders have an opportunity—and growing responsibility—to anticipate what happens next. How can AI help organizations identify risks earlier, improve financial decisions, and move beyond retrospective reporting? And what does this evolution mean for the people responsible for managing credit, working capital, and financial performance?
In this episode of the Emagia AI For Finance Podcast, host Brian Shappell welcomes Pierluigi Monaco, a strategic finance executive and certified CFO. Drawing on real-world applications involving bid management, credit monitoring, and financial analysis, Monaco explores how AI can serve as an “autopilot” for finance—accelerating repetitive processes, revealing insights, and supporting predictive decision-making while keeping experienced professionals firmly in control. He also examines why effective data governance, privacy compliance, clear processes, and human oversight are essential foundations for successful AI adoption.
Looking ahead, Monaco argues that the future value of finance professionals will depend less on managing spreadsheets and more on interpreting information, anticipating business outcomes, and guiding strategic decisions. From practical advice on where to begin with AI to a broader discussion of the skills tomorrow’s finance leaders will need, this conversation offers a grounded perspective on how organizations can measure AI success not simply through speed or efficiency, but through better decisions and meaningful business results.
Speaker highlights: Pierluigi Monaco is a strategic finance executive and certified CFO with 22 years of experience, including leadership roles at OpenText, Micro Focus, and Hewlett Packard.
Monaco specialize Saas finance and AI-drive forecasting, supporting executive decision-making in high-complexity, high-uncertainty environments.
Over his career, Monaco has led and supported $6 billion in governance and transformation initiatives, working closely with CEOs, CFOs, and Global SVPs to translate complexity into clear, decision-ready insight. Monaco’s approach has been to help organizations navigate critical phases by converting financial and operational complexity into practical, data-driven strategies that have measurable business impact.
Monaco currently services as a mentor and faculty advisor in the Executive CFO Program by ANDAF and 24ORE Business School, supporting the next generation of finance leaders in their certification journeys.
