Designing Smarter Finance Models with Siqi Chen at Runway

Dec 2, 2025

Siqi Chen, CEO & CFO of Runway and a serial entrepreneur, shares his insights on transforming finance operations. He discusses how the pandemic highlighted the limitations of spreadsheets, prompting his mission to create real-time, AI-driven forecasting systems. Siqi emphasizes the importance of connecting operational intent with financial models and designing user-friendly platforms that are accessible to all stakeholders. He envisions a future where CFOs become strategic partners, leveraging technology to enhance transparency and impact across organizations.

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ANECDOTE

COVID Triggered A Finance Rebuild

Siqi Chen recalls becoming CEO of Sandbox VR when COVID hit and needing rapid scenario planning.
That crisis revealed spreadsheets couldn't handle fast, complex planning and sparked Runway's creation.

INSIGHT

Three Emotional Roots Of FP&A Failure

Traditional FP&A pain falls into data integration, stakeholder alignment, and model complexity.
These pains create frustration, resentment, and anxiety that undermine trust in forecasts.

ADVICE

Model Plans As Real Events

Connect operational intent (plans/projects) directly to model variables so changes carry context.
Treat plan changes as objects/events that link actions to KPI outcomes for clearer forecasting.

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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:

Siqi Chen on LinkedIn
Runway Website

Episode resources:

Personiv's Website
Personiv on LinkedIn
Personiv on Facebook
Personiv on Twitter

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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

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