As AI continues to disrupt industries, Los Angeles finance leaders are stepping up to understand its implications and harness its potential. Nearly 40 CFOs convened at Jonathan Beach Club in Santa Monica earlier this month for an exclusive evening of networking and conversation centered around the hot topic — exploring how AI’s not just a buzzword but a strategic tool reshaping the future of the finance and accounting professions.
In partnership with Mercer and PNC, Century Group’s 2025 CFOLA follows the recruiting and staffing firm’s other proprietary event, Orange County CFO Forum, which catered to the company’s most Southern California-based clients in late February. Both gatherings aim to provide an opportunity for CFOs of varying business sizes and industries to connect over shared challenges and trends in relaxed, high-caliber settings.
CFOLA’s panel featured voices from distinguished area finance leaders, including CBRE Investment Management CFO, Ian Zieger, Tala CFO, Jennifer Loo and Akido Labs CFO, Eric Chin, and was expertly moderated by EVCS CFO, Raj Patel. All have experienced the shift AI tools have introduced to their teams’ roles — and all the unknown and exciting aspects that come with burgeoning technologies.
“The way I see it, financiers aren’t going to be playing a new role, they’re going to be playing their old role, which is evaluating opportunities and mitigating risks,” said Loo.
“The reality is that AI will be in everything, and we have an opportunity to change our customer experience, cut costs in the organization and just make existing teams better.”
Century Group is an executive recruiting and professional staffing firm providing top-tier accounting, finance and human resources talent to start-up, mid-market and Fortune 500 enterprises on a direct hire, temporary and temp-to-hire basis. Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the company aims to continue offering standout events and opportunities to better support the sectors it serves.
