AI Redefining the CFO Role in Africa
A high-impact executive dialogue on AI, finance transformation and the future of finance leadership.
The CFO AI Roundtable convenes a select group of senior finance leaders for a focused discussion on what this transformation means for the CFO function in Africa — and how leaders can respond with clarity and intent.
25 September 2026 | Lagos, Nigeria
Beyond AI Adoption. What Does It Mean for the CFO?
To convene a select group of Africa's most senior finance leaders for a closed-door, high-impact dialogue on the AI-driven transformation of the CFO role, equipping participants with peer insight, expert perspectives, and actionable clarity on how artificial intelligence can be deployed to strengthen finance functions, improve decision-making, and future-proof their organisations in an increasingly technology-driven business environment.
Finance
Transformation
Governance
& Risk
Decision-Making
Talent & the
Future of Finance
Designed for dialogue, not presentations.
The Roundtable is intended to create space for practical exchange between finance leaders — examining what is changing, what organisations are learning, and where CFOs need to lead differently as AI becomes embedded in business.
Laura Bisesto
Chief of Staff to the CFO, OpenAI
Ms. Bisesto has served as Chief of Staff to the Chief Financial Officer of OpenAI Group PBC (d/b/a "OpenAI"), an artificial intelligence research and deployment company, since August 2024. In this role, Ms. Bisesto leads finance strategy and operations and OpenAI's AI-native finance transformation. Since June 2026, she has also served on the Board of Directors of Tripadvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP), a global travel and experiences company, and as a member of its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Previously, Ms. Bisesto served as Head of Policy and Privacy and Head of Corporate Counsel at Nextdoor Holdings, Inc., a hyperlocal social media platform, from September 2020 to August 2024. From January 2024 to August 2024, she also served as Chair of the Board of Directors of Internet Works, a middle-tech advocacy organization. Prior to that, Ms. Bisesto served as Director of Policy at Checkr, Inc., an AI-powered background check and screening company, from December 2019 to July 2020, and as Head of U.S. State Public Policy at Verizon Media Inc. (now Yahoo Inc.) from June 2018 to December 2019. She previously held various public policy leadership roles at Lyft, Inc. from November 2015 to June 2018.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Bisesto served as an Assistant District Attorney in the San Francisco District Attorney's Office from July 2011 to October 2015. She earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles and a J.D. from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly the University of California, Hastings College of the Law).
Introducing the CFO AI Council
A continuing forum for finance leaders navigating the AI transformation.
The CFO AI Roundtable is not intended to be a one-off conversation.
The CFO AI Council is envisioned as an exclusive community and recurring forum bringing together CFOs and senior finance leaders to explore the practical application of artificial intelligence across finance and business leadership.
Through quarterly discussions, the Council will create opportunities for members to exchange perspectives, examine emerging developments and continue the conversation around AI, governance, transformation, talent and the future of the finance function.
