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Join Adam Larson as he sits down with Michael Nagel, author of Flourishing Together and Founder of Collective Breakthroughs, for a candid conversation about what truly drives breakthroughs in organizations. From an unconventional start in social work to performance measurement at KPMG and Balanced Scorecard strategy work with Kaplan and Norton, Michael shares how understanding people in context is just as vital as mastering numbers and systems. They unpack lessons from the Balanced Scorecard for the performance measurement every organization relies on, examine the pitfalls that even top-performing companies face, and explore the hidden power of silence and missed opportunities in the workplace. With a bit of music inspiration, Michael introduces his breakthrough intelligence (BIQ) framework, offering practical wisdom for accounting and finance professionals who want to make an impact in today's changing business environment. If you're ready for fresh takes on leadership, organizational behavior, and how to ask smarter questions, this episode is packed with insights you can put to work right away Readiness Assessment

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Polina Nyer, Senior FP&A Analyst for HP, whose career journey started on the basketball courts before pivoting to international business and ultimately, AI-driven finance transformation. Polina shares her fresh framework for understanding how finance and accounting professionals at different career stages experience and adopt AI—whether you're just starting out, deep into your analyst years, or leading a team through change. You'll hear practical advice on building confidence with AI, accelerating your learning, and creating supportive team cultures that turn uncertainty into opportunity. If you’re curious about real strategies for adapting to AI, managing risk, and blending experience with new technology, this is one episode you don't want to miss!

Join Adam Larson as he sits down with Ilya Ilienko—CFO at Halen®, business scaling expert, and IMA Global Board of Directors member—for a wide-ranging conversation packed with real-world insight. Ilyai Ilienko shares his fascinating journey from hotel restaurant bookkeeper at 17, through big names like Deloitte and Credit Suisse, to helping small and medium-sized businesses build their brands and scale with confidence.   You'll hear practical advice on navigating complex organizations, building a brand identity from scratch, and finding your place in crowded markets. Ilyai Ilienko also opens up about the importance of human connections in the age of AI and what he's learned from his leadership role at IMA. Whether you’re leading a small team or looking to level up your organization, this episode is packed with actionable insights you won’t want to miss.

Get an inside look at how finance leaders weather storms and stay ahead of the curve—even when global markets throw curveballs. In this candid conversation, Rashid AlKhoory (oil & gas finance expert from the UAE) and Nataraja Shateeskhanna (retail and luxury goods finance leader) join host Adam Larson to talk shop about leadership, navigating disruption, and adapting to a world that’s anything but stable.   Learn how these pros tackle everything from supply chain headaches to wild swings in liquidity—and how they make AI, data, and strong communication part of their arsenal. If you’re trying to future-proof your own business, lead through uncertainty, or just want fresh insight on finance and strategy from two seasoned leaders, this episode’s got what you need.   Tune in for advice on real-time decision-making, cross-functional teamwork, and building resilience long before a crisis hits. Perfect for finance, accounting, and business pros who want to grow their edge and up their strategic game!

Get ready for an inspiring and eye-opening conversation as Adam Larson sits down with journalist and broadcaster Tracy Mitchell at IMA26 for a live recording of Count Me In! Tracy shares her fascinating journey from interviewing family members in front of her childhood mirror to covering some of the most emotional and impactful stories in television news.   In this episode, Tracy Mitchell opens up about what it means to truly audit your life, master your mindset, and make tough choices—whether that's negotiating for what you deserve or recognizing when it's time for change. Expect real talk on what it takes to step into your power, embrace two truths at once, and prepare for “yes” in your personal and professional life.   Perfect for accounting, finance, and business professionals ready to level up, this episode is packed with memorable stories, actionable tips, and a good dose of motivation from someone who’s walked the walk. Press play to find out how you can take that first step to becoming who you truly want to be.

Ever had to step into a role where nothing was mapped out and the stakes were sky-high? Eric Lenard, Vice President & CFO, Innovation, Development & Quality at Medtronic, knows exactly what that’s like. In this episode, he joins Adam Larson to share his journey from structured corporate beginnings to standing up a new business in a space he barely knew how to spell (literally).   You’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories about building trust in brand new teams, leading through chaos, and creating a culture of “courageous leadership”—where failing fast and learning even faster is the key to growth. Eric breaks down how finding your North Star, building strong relationships, and embracing change have shaped his career, even when things got scary.   If you’re an accounting, finance, or business professional facing uncertainty, or just want to be inspired by someone who thrives in ambiguity, this episode offers real talk, practical advice, and plenty of motivation to step up and lead—even when the path isn’t clear.

What does it take to move beyond functional expertise and become a leader who can navigate people, businesses, cultures and markets? In the first episode of Count Me In | India, host Arindam Ghosh sits down with Sunil Deshmukh, a seasoned business leader whose 30+ year career has taken him from finance and CFO roles to CEO and group CEO positions across multiple geographies. In a candid conversation, Sunil reflects on the experiences, transitions and lessons that shaped his leadership journey — from learning agility and mentorship to taking risks, navigating cultural differences, building teams and transitioning from corporate leadership to coaching.

When automation sweeps through a company overnight, what’s really at stake? In this thought-provoking episode, Adam Larson sits down with Dr. Zahida Daruwala—an academic, researcher, and author—for a candid conversation on the true impact of rapid AI adoption in business.   Dr. Daruwala pulls back the curtain on what doesn’t get talked about enough—the hidden costs like declining morale, loss of institutional memory, and the risk of turning innovative teams into echo chambers. With relatable examples and real talk, she shares why leadership can’t afford to treat people as just another line on the balance sheet, even as shareholder pressure mounts.   Packed with practical stories, sharp insights, and key takeaways for accounting, finance, and business professionals, this episode will challenge you to ask: Is your organization using AI to make people more valuable, or just less expensive? Tune in for an engaging discussion that balances AI’s opportunities with the human judgment every business needs to stay ahead—responsibly.

Step into a candid conversation at IMA26 with Kristie Stocker, whose 20 years of experience at Blue Cross Blue Shield offer a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to transform company culture—beyond lip service and buzzwords. Kristie shares practical insights into the real obstacles leaders and teams face when trying to build a positive workplace, from the myth that only big budgets or small teams can make culture work, to the power of small everyday actions like genuine appreciation and listening.   Whether you’re a leader, a team player, or somewhere in between, Kristie’s stories and strategies make workplace transformation feel possible—and even simple. Expect to walk away with a fresh take on self-leadership, how to measure the impact of culture, and why everyone, from the C-suite to individual contributors, plays a role in shaping the office vibe. If you’ve ever wondered how to spark meaningful change at work (or checked out during a half-day workshop), this episode brings the inspiration and actionable tips you need.

Join Jill Eubank, Executive Vice President at Randstad, as she shares her journey from finance grad to leading teams that support businesses across multiple industries. In this engaging conversation, Jill opens up about discovering her passion for people, balancing technical skills with human connection, and why mastering the art of storytelling is a must for today’s accounting and finance professionals.   Whether you want to boost your executive presence, get tips on commanding a room (virtual or in-person), or build true strategic partnerships at work, Jill’s advice is packed with relatable, real-world wisdom. You’ll hear candid stories, practical suggestions for growth, and encouragement to embrace feedback—not fear it. Perfect for anyone aiming to up their game in both technical and soft skills in today’s fast-changing business environment.

Join us live from IMA26 for an engaging conversation with executive coach Rachel Kourakos! With her impressive background at Morgan Stanley and Google, Rachel brings fresh insights on what it really means to lead—not just from the head, but from the heart. She shares how understanding yourself and your emotions is the real superpower that transforms workplaces and builds stronger teams, especially as AI and new tech shake things up.   Discover why emotional intelligence, human connection, and genuine presence are more important than ever for professionals in accounting, finance, and business. Rachel’s honest take on leadership, work-life boundaries, and staying grounded in a rapidly changing world is full of relatable stories, practical tips, and a few laughs. If you’re looking to level up your communication, self-awareness, and people-first skills at work, you won’t want to miss this episode!

Carla Aranda is a global finance executive with more than 25 years of experience building a finance career across continents, industries, and company sizes, from a small shop in Argentina to global fashion and beauty brands like L’Oreal and Revlon. In this episode, she joins host Adam Larson to talk about simplicity, not as a mindset, but as a discipline you practice again and again.   You will hear how Carla built her "subtraction mentality," why she believes complexity piles up through habit rather than necessity, and why she tells teams to simplify a process before they automate it. She shares how finance leaders can move past being known as the department of no and instead offer no with context, and how small, consistent wins build the momentum needed to shift a stubborn culture.   If you want practical steps for questioning your own recurring tasks and meetings, and finding the courage to challenge "the way we have always done it," this conversation gives you a place to start. Carla's LinkedIn articles that were mentioned during the conversation: Simplicity at work: The discipline of subtractionThe Complexity Paradox

Live from IMA26, this episode of Count Me In features an eye-opening conversation with Bret Hood, a former FBI special agent who brings a fresh approach to ethics in accounting and finance. Bret shares fascinating real-world stories, like how small, seemingly harmless decisions can snowball into major ethical failures—sometimes without anyone realizing it’s happening. Drawing on his 25 years of experience with the FBI, Bret breaks down why even good people can make bad choices and explores practical steps for professionals to recognize—and avoid—the classic pitfalls that lead to fraud and poor judgment.   From psychological distance and motivated blindness to actionable tips for staying true to your values under pressure, Bret’s insights aren’t just for ethics classes—they’re for anyone navigating everyday decisions at work. Tune in for a candid, relatable discussion that challenges everything you think you know about honesty and personal accountability.

Ever wondered what it’s really like to serve on a nonprofit board—especially as an accounting or finance professional? Join Barbara Uggen-Davis, an experienced board member, and Tala Khalifeh, operations manager for PHG Advisory, for an honest conversation about the challenges, the must-have skills, and the ethical dilemmas that come with board service.   Hear firsthand advice on spotting red flags, managing board oversight (without burning out), and why passion for the mission truly matters. If you’re curious about how you can use your professional skills to make a real impact, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to ask the right questions before you join a board.

Join Adam Larson as he sits down with Kapil Arora, a leader at Grant Thornton with deep experience in global finance and accounting. Kapil Arora shares his unique journey from studying ACCA in the UK to making an impact back home in India. You'll hear firsthand insights on how the finance and accounting profession is shifting—what skills today's graduates and seasoned pros need to stay ahead, the real story behind the growing skills gap, and how technology and AI are shaking up the industry.   From navigating new certifications and global standards to helping teams embrace just-in-time learning, Kapil offers practical advice for anyone looking to future-proof their career. Whether you’re an aspiring accountant, a finance leader, or just curious about making your skills relevant in a rapidly changing world, this episode packs inspiration, hard-won lessons, and actionable tips you won’t want to miss.