2026 Chicago CFO Community Inner Circle

CFOChicago CFO CommunityChicago CFO Programs

Collaborate with your peers

Join Chicago's top CFOs for an intimate networking dinner and facilitated discussion on key business challenges. Enjoy a relaxed evening of dinner and drinks with your peers to share best practices, make new connections and build professional relationships.

Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CFOs today:

Driving strategic insights and measurable value through technology investments

Establishing yourself as a catalyst for enterprise agility and resilience

Building future-ready finance teams

Governing Body Co-Chairs

Travis George

Molex
CFO

Pat Jermain

Plexus
EVP & CFO

Dee Merriwether

Grainger
SVP & CFO

Agenda

May 14, 2026

4:30pm - 5:30pm Executive Networking Reception

5:30pm - 6:30pm Discussion Topics

Accelerating Finance Transformation – Strategies for Resilience and Impact

Paul Davis

Managing Director Finance NA, Regional CFO, Allianz Commercial

Allianz

Brad Feitl

CFO

NOW Health Group

Andrea Marin

CFO

Logicalis

John Morris

Chief Financial Officer

Metra Rail

Tyler Steel

CFO & EVP

Brookfield Residential

Jason Kurtz

CEO

Basware

As the boundaries of the finance function expand, digital acceleration and AI adoption have become central to the CFO agenda. With 84% of finance teams in planning or deployment with AI as of 2025, today’s finance leaders are uniquely positioned to drive cost-efficient growth and build resilient, future-ready teams. However, they must do so while balancing enterprise cost discipline and accelerating strategic investments amid persistent economic headwinds, regulatory shifts, and technological evolution.

The challenge: making every investment count, accelerating transformation with limited technology budgets, and ensuring finance remains the engine of strategic insight and innovation.

How are you prioritizing and scaling AI to deliver measurable business value in today’s finance environment?
What steps are you taking to evolve team skills and structures for digital acceleration and transformation?
How do you balance cost discipline with bold investments in technology and talent?
What approaches are most effective for managing risk and compliance while enabling innovation and sustainable growth?

6:30pm - 7:00pm Networking Break

7:00pm - 8:00pm Summary Discussion & Dinner

8:00pm - 9:00pm Social Hour

Apply to Participate

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Apply to participate in the Chicago CFO Community Inner Circle.

Gartner facilitates exclusive, C-level communities by personally qualifying and understanding the priorities, challenges and interests of each member.

Our selective approach maintains the high quality of the network and ensures top-level discussions with peers from the world’s leading organizations.

Each application will be reviewed, and once your participation is confirmed, you will have access to year-round community programs.

Community Member Criteria

To ensure peer connections and conversations at the highest level, members must meet the following criteria:

- C-level or senior most executive for respective function

- Organization revenue of $500M+

Exceptions are considered.

I meet the criteria above

I would still like to be considered

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Step

Location

Venue

The Metropolitan

More Information

Parking validation by Gartner for "Traders Self Park Garage"

329 S Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60606

3 min walk to Willis Tower

Arrival Directions

We look forward to welcoming you to The Metropolitan, located in the Willis Tower at 233 S. Wacker Drive.
For the most convenient access, please enter through the 232 S. Franklin Street Lobby.

Once inside, stop by the Security Desk to check in with a valid, government-issued photo ID. Security will guide you through a brief screening process, where any items you’re carrying will be scanned. Afterward, the security team will direct you to the appropriate elevator bank for your visit.

Proceed to the 66^th floor and follow signage to your room

Please note: A visitor badge will be provided at check-in. Kindly keep this with you throughout your visit, especially if you plan to step out and return to the building.