How Innovation and Automation Transformed Treasury at a Leading University

How do you transform a treasury function from manual processes into an AI-powered, automation-driven strategic partner?

In this episode, we’re joined by Karen Kearney, Treasurer at Stanford University. She leads treasury across one of the world’s most complex and innovative institutions, overseeing areas including capital markets, cash management, and financial strategy within a large, mission-driven environment.

On the episode Karen Kearney, Treasurer at Stanford University shares her unconventional journey into treasury, from starting in audit to exploring a career in the culinary world before returning to finance and ultimately leading treasury at Stanford.

The conversation dives into how treasury can evolve into a strategic function through innovation, automation, and collaboration. Karen explains how her team implemented predictive cash forecasting, automated complex processes, and developed in-house solutions that outperform market offerings.

She also discusses the unique challenges of operating in a nonprofit, consensus-driven environment, the importance of institutional understanding, and how AI will shape the future of treasury.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• Transitioning from audit to treasury through a non-linear career path
• The complexity of managing finances in a large research university
• Differences between corporate and nonprofit treasury environments
• Driving transformation through automation and process optimisation
• Managing a multi-billion-dollar debt portfolio and internal banking structure
• Creating a scalable merchant services solution and winning a major industry award
• The role of innovation and Silicon Valley influence on treasury strategy
• Elevating treasury as a strategic partner within an organisation
• The growing importance of AI, data quality, and upskilling in finance
• Future skills required for treasury professionals
• Career advice: embracing opportunities and continuous learning

You can connect with Karen Kearney on LinkedIn.

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