PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Finding AI That Shows Up on the P&L
A two-part facilitated series for CFO Leadership Council members
Are AI tools showing up as a line item or as a return?
Most organizations start by asking what AI tool they should buy. We’ll start a step earlier, with where AI actually belongs in your organization. This two-part series is built to answer that question for your organization specifically, because the use case that transforms one company produces nothing in another. The value is in finding AI opportunities for your specific organization that produce real, measurable ROI.
You’re welcome to register for either session on its own, but the two are designed to work together. Part 1 sets up the thinking and sends you into Part 2 with the right preparation, and Part 2 is where that thinking turns into something you can act on. We strongly encourage attending both.
Part 1: What does an ROI-focused AI journey look like? | October 20 | 8-10 am
We’ll show what AI is already producing inside real organizations, with build cost, hours recovered, and payback attached, and unpack why those returns came from where the work was applied rather than which tool was purchased. You’ll leave with a practical way to think about where the return is hiding in your own operation, and one assignment for Part 2.
Part 2: Build and prioritize your short list | November 10 | 8-10 am
A facilitated working session. We’ll take the friction points you bring, test each against real impact, fit with current systems, and security/compliance requirements, then size and rank them together. You’ll leave with a prioritized short list specific to your organization, framed around outcomes you can measure in revenue generated or hard dollars saved.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Key Takeaways coming soon
SPEAKERS
Rose Fetters | Vice President of Finance | Innovative Incorporated
She leads finance and human resources for a growing managed services organization. With more than 15 years of experience, she has built a career on using data and technology to streamline processes, modernize reporting, and help organizations work more efficiently. Rose holds a B.S. in Accounting from Lock Haven University and will complete her Master of Science in Business Analytics and AI at Villanova University in spring 2027.
Blake Forney | Senior Accountant | Innovative Incorporated
He works across financial reporting, month-end close, and other core accounting functions. He is particularly interested in applying automation and artificial intelligence to accounting processes, with a focus on reducing manual work and improving efficiency. In Q3 2025, Blake was recognized as Innovative’s inaugural Innovator of the Quarter for his contributions to process improvement and innovation. He holds an MBA in Strategic Leadership and a BBA with a minor in Accounting and is currently pursuing his CPA.
Stephanie Hurd | Director of Business Development | Innovative Incorporated
Steph is responsible for lead generation, sales enablement, and new business acquisition. She joined the team in 2018 and has done everything from sales to marketing.
With a professional background in organizational development and workforce training, Steph helped Innovative develop a marketing strategy rooted in a mission to educate the business community on relevant technology trends and best practices.
She is a Certified Program Planner and Certified Contract Trainer with a Bachelor of Arts degree in letters, arts, and sciences. She is also a 2016 graduate of Leadership Frederick County and a 2020 graduate of Leadership Washington County.
Steph’s favorite thing about Innovative is the people. It’s amazing the cool things a diverse team of really smart and talented people can accomplish!
Stephen Schutte | Marketing Manager | Innovative Incorporated
Stephen Schutte is the Marketing Manager at Innovative Incorporated, where he leads marketing strategy, brand development, community engagement, and growth initiatives for the Hagerstown-based technology and managed services company.
Throughout his career, Stephen has held senior leadership and director-level roles spanning marketing, market development, sales strategy, and business growth. Prior to joining Innovative, he served as Director of Field Marketing & Market Development for Point Broadband and previously held leadership positions with Shentel and Glo Fiber. His experience centers on connecting marketing strategy with measurable business growth, building strong community partnerships, and creating programs that strengthen both brand awareness and customer relationships.
Stephen is also deeply engaged in the regional business and nonprofit community. He serves on the Advisory Board of the Washington, D.C. Chapter of the CFO Leadership Council and has held leadership and board positions with organizations including the Washington County Free Library, Western Maryland Regional Library, Maryland State Library Board, Washington County Chamber of Commerce, STAR Community Center, and Children in Need.
Based in Hagerstown, Maryland, Stephen is passionate about helping organizations grow, strengthening the communities they serve, and bringing people together around meaningful partnerships.
Jake Stromecki | vCTO | Innovative Incorporated
Jake Stromecki is the Virtual Chief Technology Officer (vCTO) at Innovative, Incorporated, advising organizations on aligning technology strategy with business goals. Drawing on over 10 years of experience implementing and optimizing enterprise business systems, Jake specializes in translating complex operational processes into technology people actually use, including in compliance-driven environments where security and auditability are non-negotiable.
AI sits at the center of that work. Jake has woven AI into every phase of project delivery, from discovery and requirements through solution design, testing, and documentation, and builds AI-assisted workflows, reusable prompt frameworks, and agent-based automation that free teams from repetitive work. The focus is always practical: helping business leaders cut through the hype, find where AI creates real value, and adopt it responsibly.
EVENT POLICIES AND RESOURCES
Please visit our Events Policies and Resources page for information about chapter leadership, support, CPE, attendance, cancelations and more.
SPONSOR PARTNERS
Thank you to our valued Sponsor Partners. This event is open to members, sponsors, and special guests.
