Iowa
Technology
Summit
LEADERSHIP TRACK
The Business Case Behind Financial Approvals: CFO Perspectives on Technology Spend - Getting to Yes
APR. 7 / 11:25 AM - 12:15 PM / AUDIENCE-DRIVEN PANEL
About
Unlock CFO Thinking: Gain the Edge in Tech Funding Decisions. Join technology leaders for a candid conversation with CFOs on what truly moves the needle in tech funding. You’ll decode approval criteria across operations, technical debt, and modernization—and leave with practical frameworks to build finance‑fit business cases that secure budget and accelerate delivery.
Takeaways
- CFO Decision Frameworks. Understand the financial principles and ROI metrics CFOs use to evaluate technology investments, covering operations, technical debt, and modernization priorities.
- How to Position Tech Initiatives. Learn practical strategies to frame your proposals in language that resonates with finance leaders, increasing approval rates and accelerating funding.
- Building Stronger Partnerships. Gain insights on fostering collaboration between technology and finance teams to align budgets with business goals and reduce friction in decision-making.”
Speakers
Ann Collins
Executive Vice President - Chief Financial Officer
EMC Insurance Companies
Ann is a member of EMC’s Strategic Leadership Team, serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. She joined EMC in 2021 as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. As EVP, Ann oversees Finance, Commercial Lines Underwriting (including Corporate and Field teams, Loss Control, Premium Audit, and Bond), Field Support (Rating and Billing), Actuarial, Investments, Facilities and Administration, and EMC Re.
Prior to joining EMC, Ann was CFO for three of W.R. Berkley’s domestic property and casualty insurance profit centers, based in Des Moines, Iowa. Ann also worked at a national property and casualty carrier as the Financial Planning and Analysis Manager. Ann began her career in public accounting with KPMG.
Ann received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Northwest Missouri State University, and a master’s degree in business administration from Drake University in Des Moines. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Currently, Ann volunteers as the Treasurer for the Des Moines Symphony and is on the Budget and Stewardship Committee for her church. Ann and her husband Rod have two adult children and love spending time outdoors, especially at the lake.
Natalie Merrill
CFO & COO
Bound
Natalie Merrill serves as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Bound, overseeing financial strategy, operations, and human resources. She brings extensive experience as a senior executive, dealmaker, and company builder, having spent 15 years at Renewable Energy Group (NYSE: REGI) — a $2.5B+ revenue publicly traded company — where she led corporate finance, investment banking, mergers and acquisitions, supply chain, ESG, and communications. She played a central role in the company’s $3.0B acquisition by Chevron in 2022, subsequently serving as Senior Vice President of Business Development and Strategy at Chevron Renewable Energy Group. Earlier in her career, Natalie was a consultant and auditor at Deloitte and holds an MBA in Finance and Strategy from Washington University in St. Louis, a Master of Accountancy from Truman State University, and is an inactive CPA. At Bound, Natalie is responsible for establishing the financial and operational strategies necessary to scale the business, including capital raises, personnel planning, and the execution of the growth initiatives supported by this project.
Heidi Leavengood
CFO
Ruan Transportation Management Services
Heidi joined Ruan in 2022 and currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In her role, Heidi is responsible for leading Ruan’s financial strategy and leads the Accounting, Business Unit Support, and Legal teams.
With over 20 years of experience in accounting, finance, and treasury, Heidi brings a wealth of expertise to her position. Before joining Ruan, she served as Senior Vice President of Accounting and Finance at Lifespace Communities, Inc. Her career began at KPMG, where she audited private and public companies across various industries.
Heidi earned her bachelor’s degree from Simpson College and is a graduate of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute. Dedicated to community service, she serves as the treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Waukee Community Schools Foundation, is a member of the Audit Committee for the Food Bank of Iowa, acts as Deputy to the Iowa Business Council, and serves on the board of the Common Sense Institute, Iowa Chapter.
MODERATOR
Chris Wright
Managing Director
Protiviti
Chris Wright, from Protiviti’s New York office, is the firm-wide Managing Director of the CFO Solutions and Business Performance Improvement teams, and is the sponsor of the firm’s ESG Client Service Steering Committee. He has over thirty-five years of experience serving clients as an external auditor, including 6 years as a partner at two global accounting firms (Arthur Andersen and KPMG), and as an internal auditor and financial reporting risk consultant.
At Protiviti, Chris has provided internal audit, Sarbanes-Oxley readiness and compliance services, and significant assistance to companies undertaking significant business transactions, financial restatements, regulatory inquiries, financial investigations and difficulties in implementing new accounting pronouncements. Chris earned his Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Accounting from Franciscan University, a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Quinnipiac University and a Doctorate in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University.
Chris serves on the boards of several charitable, civic, educational and business organizations.
Interested in Sponsorship Opportunities?
Amplify your brand, strengthen your marketing efforts, and connect with new audiences across Iowa’s technology community.
Join us as a sponsor:
Keep Up with Iowa Tech News
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter for updates on events, industry insights, and new ways to engage.
It’s the easiest way to stay connected to Iowa’s tech community.