Designing Smarter Finance Models with Siqi Chen at Runway
CFO Weekly
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Siqi's COVID-era realization
Siqi Chen describes how COVID exposed spreadsheet limitations and sparked Runway's founding.
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Transcript
Transcript
Episode notes
In this episode of CFO Weekly, Siqi Chen, CEO & CFO at Runway, joins Megan Weis to explore how modern CFOs are transforming their finance operations by moving from manual spreadsheet-based processes to real-time, AI-powered forecasting systems. Siqi brings unique insights as a serial entrepreneur and former CEO at Sandbox VR, where, during COVID-19, he experienced firsthand the painful inadequacy of traditional planning tools when rapid scenario planning became critical for survival.
With his extensive background spanning founder, CEO, product leader, and now CFO roles, Siqi shares how finance teams can leverage technology to automate data integration, implement real-time forecasting, and build systems that make financial intelligence accessible across entire organizations. Currently serving as CEO & CFO of Runway, Siqi oversees the development of connected financial systems that help companies transition from months-long implementation cycles to getting up and running in six weeks or less, with integrations to nearly 800 data sources.
What You'll Learn:
- Why traditional FP&A platforms create new problems while solving old ones
- How to connect operational intent with financial outcomes for the first time
- The critical role of flexibility in building finance systems that teams actually trust
- Strategies for making financial models accessible to non-finance stakeholders
- How connected data systems transform the CFO from controller to strategic partner
- The future of the CFO role as it becomes more technical and strategic
Learn more about Siqi:
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Previous guests include: Tom McDermott, CFO at Career Certified, Claire Bramley, CFO at Teradata, Chris Miles, Founder of Money Ripples, Ranil DeSilva, CFO & COO at CARE, Jordan Grumet, Financial Independence Expert & Host of Earn & Invest & William Washington, Global CFO at Baker McKenzie
Check out some of our most recent episodes:
- Driving Value Beyond Finance with Tom McDermott
- Why CFOs Are the Chief Everything Officers with Claire Bramley
- Why Traditional Financial Advice Fails and What To Do Instead with Chris Miles
- NGO Finance Secrets: CARE’s $900M Strategy with Ranil DeSilva
- What Lights You Up? with Jordan Grumet
- Become a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with William Washington
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