Session 06

Innovative AR Strategies when it comes to Your Credit Card Acceptance (I)

Real-Time Treasury: Coexistence with Treasury Best Practices? (I)

Geoffrey Gursel, 13. Head of NAM Business Development Sales, Citi Commercial Bank - Citibank N.A.
Kelvin Ang, CFA CPA, Director, Client Advisory Group - Citibank N.A.

Tuesday, April 14th
11:30am - 12:30pm
Escondido 1

Session Description

Just when Treasurers thought they had settled into a high level of treasury efficiency and effectiveness, the recent introduction of Real-time treasury (RTT) threatens to disrupt the structural stability and organizational balance of established treasury best practices. While a cash concentration structure sweeps cash on a batch basis at the end of each day, RTT deals with individual transactions throughout the day (24/7) via Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and instant payments.

Many companies have relentlessly pursued tried and tested treasury best practices whereas leading-edge companies have in recent years started exploring APIs and instant payments to assess if there are practical applications within treasury. Can Treasurers find synergies and commonalities for RTT and established treasury best practices to co-exist? Or does it mean choosing one over the other?

Session Outcomes

Technology advancements have proliferated in recent years within the technology sector and the broader adoption and application of APIs (and other real-time guard rails) have reached the banking sector, resulting in the possibility of RTT. This was unthinkable in the treasury world even as recently as 10 years ago. Yet, these advancements in technology can help bring costs down in a meaningful way. This session will help treasurers understand how to weave RTT into the treasury best practice of an IHB to reach another level of structural stability and organizational balance.

Learning Objectives

Apply best practices for developing RTT strategies into existing treasury structures
Learn proven and practical tips for tweaking established treasury best practices to allow RTT to coexist

Speaker Information

Geoff Gursel has been with Citi for over 20 years and previously held leadership positions in Treasury-Sales, Transactional Banking Product and Onboarding, across the U.S., U.K., South Africa, Kenya, and Zambia. Since 2023, he helped to create and drive the Treasury Sales strategy for Citi Commercial Bank (CCB) Clients – with focus on new clients and new solutions for sustainable, scalable global growth. As of July 2025, Geoff now leads a new NAM Sales Business Development team across North America for Services focused on driving quality end-to-end solutioning for new CCB acquisitions into the firm.

Kelvin Ang is the New York based Principal for Citi’s client and treasury advisory engagements. He joined Citi in April 2015 with extensive corporate experience, having been based in Asia, the US, and the Middle East in positions managing regional treasury centers, in-house banking, investments, financing, cash management bank selection, FX and interest rate risk management, supply chain financing, and financial control. Kelvin spent 7 years at Caterpillar (CAT), most recently at its US HQ as Corporate Treasury Manager and, prior to that, in Singapore as Regional Treasury Manager. His responsibilities at CAT have spanned managing Asia FX exposures; regional treasury operations in Singapore, China and India; In-house Banking in Europe Middle East Africa (EMEA); and implementing supply chain financing programs in China and India. Prior to CAT, Kelvin was at United Parcel Service (UPS) regional treasury in Singapore, responsible for treasury operations processes spanning 19 Asia Pacific countries and managing several bank rationalization projects. He has also worked for a Singapore-headquartered local large corporate in M&A Corporate Finance and as Financial Controller for the Middle East.

Practical Recommendations for Businesses Adopting Instant Payments (I)

Tariffs and Trade Disruptions: Turning Challenges into Opportunities (I)

Sandra Vazeen, International Advisor - PNC Bank
Jonathan Szucs, President - Advanced Super Abrasives Inc.
Tom Cook, Managing Director - Blue Tiger International

Tuesday, April 14th
11:30am - 12:30pm
Escondido 3

Session Description

Tariffs and global trade disruptions are the new normal – and they may create opportunities for strategic advantage! This session explores how cash management tools can complement existing corporate tariff mitigation approaches, helping businesses maintain liquidity, reduce risk and costs, and stay competitive in a volatile global market.

This panel brings together diverse perspectives from the president of an Asheville manufacturing company, a global trade and supply chain expert, and a global cash management and trade professional, all appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to the National Association of District Export Council. Through their leadership within the organization, they’ll share with participants valuable insights informed by the U.S. Commercial Service and related trade and federal agencies. Learn how to capitalize on recent geopolitical developments and what to expect throughout 2026.

Whether you’re a treasury leader or a corporate strategist, this session will equip you with actionable insights to navigate geopolitical challenges and strengthen your organization’s financial resilience.

This session equips participants with actionable insights to navigate today’s complex geopolitical environment. Attendees will analyze how tariff changes impact key industry sectors and uncover leading strategies companies use to mitigate risk and safeguard profitability.

The discussion will highlight treasury tools that strengthen tariff mitigation efforts and reduce the financial burden of trade barriers. Additionally, participants will gain clarity on current trade deals, initiatives, and frameworks, with a focus on practical steps small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) can take to maximize benefits.

Attendees will leave the session with a clear understanding of how to integrate financial and strategic measures to protect margins and seize opportunities in a shifting global landscape.

This session provides financial professionals and business leaders with practical risk-mitigation approaches and clear insights into how geopolitical trends affect U.S. businesses—plus what lies ahead in the global trade landscape. Attendees will leave this session with a clear understanding of why corporate finance and treasury teams are critical drivers of an organization’s geopolitical strategy and risk mitigation efforts.

Speaker Information

As an international advisor at PNC Bank, Sandi Vazeen provides strategic guidance on international cash management and trade. She has brought over 19 years of diverse experience spanning across retail banking, domestic treasury, and international advisory. Appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Sandi is an enthusiastic executive committee member of the North Carolina District Export Council and the Secretary of The National Association of District Export Councils. Their shared mission is to inform, educate, and advocate for international trade to strengthen U.S. SMEs and the economy. Sandi holds both the CTP designation and the Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) credential which specializes in global business management, global marketing, supply chain management and trade finance. She enjoys being an instructor of the trade finance portion of the NASBITE certification exam through the North Carolina World Trade Association. Beyond her professional role, she is the founder of a Charlotte based nonprofit dedicated to uniting the community and raising funds to support local animal rescues (Charlotte Weenie Walk). "

Jonathan Szucs is a manufacturer and an exporter. He is the current President of Advanced Superabrasives Inc. and the former Chair of the National Association of District Export Councils. Jonathan also serves as the Vice Chair for the North Carolina District Export Council. Under Jonathan’s leadership in successfully developing global distributors, Advanced Superabrasives earned the 2013 Presidential “E” Award for Exporting Excellence. In 2019 the Small Business Administration awarded Advanced Superabrasives its North Carolina Small Business Exporter of the Year Award. In 2020 Governor Cooper awarded Advanced Superabrasives the “Governor’s Award of Excellence in Exporting”. He received his Electrical and Computer Engineering Degree from Western Carolina University. In June of 2018 the Carolina World Trade Association awarded Jonathan their Leadership in International Commerce award. One of his biggest achievements is the exporting of a Superabrasive wheel to Mars on the Curiosity Rover. He currently spearheads all new markets for ASI and oversees all international sales teams that ASI is forming. As part of Jonathan’s drive to improve Western North Carolina, he is also a member of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy board for Land of Sky. His latest project is on a leadership board for the newly formed RAMP initiative. RAMP stands for Raising Awareness of Manufacturing Possibilities, which is designed to reach out to middle, and high school students in helping them choose a career in Advanced Manufacturing. In 2019 Jonathan was appointed to the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Businesses (ITAC9).

Tom Cook is a global trade and supply chain expert dedicated to helping organizations reduce risk, optimize spend, and improve performance to drive profitability. With deep expertise in import/export operations, tariff mitigation, trade compliance, sourcing, and freight management, Tom empowers cross-functional teams and leaders to strengthen supply chain resilience. As Managing Director of Blue Tiger International, Tom brings over 30 years of experience advising companies, trade associations, and organizations worldwide on business models, supply chain strategies, purchasing, vendor management, and global trade operations. A frequent keynote speaker and webinar host, Tom collaborates with industry groups and educational associations to advance best practices in leadership, transportation, and risk management. Previously, Tom served as CEO of American River International in New York and Apex Global Logistics Supply Chain Operations in Los Angeles. As Director of the National Institute of World Trade, Tom provides corporate training and educational services to U.S. and international clients. An accomplished author, Tom has published over 19 books on global trade and business development, including the acclaimed Global Warrior series and Enterprise Risk Management in the Global Supply Chain. Passionate about giving back, Tom co-founded Soldier On at Home, a nonprofit supporting wounded veterans and service dogs.

Treasury Career Corner LIVE (I)

Mike Richards, CEO and Founder - The Treasury Recruitment Company
Emily Howell, Corporate Treasurer & Senior Director of Treasury & Risk - Copart Inc
Meredith Vance , Senior Vice President, Global Treasurer - NTT DATA, Inc.
Bruce Perry, Senior Vice President & Treasurer - Gainwell Technologies

Tuesday, April 14th
11:30am - 12:30pm
Davis 1

Session Description

Mike Richards, CEO of The Treasury Recruitment Company, has hosted the weekly Treasury Career Corner Podcast since 2018, interviewing Treasurers about their careers and insights into the profession.

In this LIVE version of the podcast, Mike leads a relaxed, fireside chat with three leading global Treasurers, digging into how they achieved career success, the key challenges they’ve overcome, and where they see treasury heading next.

With over 25 years of treasury recruitment experience, Mike knows the questions that matter to treasury professionals. Through this session, he gets straight to the insights that can help others reach similar career heights. Join him and hear firsthand stories that deliver real-world advice and inspiration for your own treasury journey.

Session Outcomes

Participants will gain insights into the career journeys of three leading treasury professionals, including the goals and decisions that shaped their paths. They’ll walk away with practical advice on setting career objectives, the role of treasury qualifications, and strategies for enhancing their own career prospects

Learning Objectives

Attendees will discover valuable lessons from the speakers’ experiences, including:

Key career milestones and what inspired them to pursue treasury
Advice on navigating common career challenges and pitfalls to avoid
Major trends shaping the future of treasury, from technology shifts to new approaches in hybrid and remote work
Practical advice for building a successful treasury career, with a focus on adaptability and growth

Speaker Information

Mike Richards is the CEO & Founder of the Treasury Recruitment Company. Established in 2002, The Treasury Recruitment Company are the only truly Global Treasury Recruitment firm in the world. They recruit at all levels within Corporate Treasury from Treasury Analyst to Treasury Director for multinational corporates, consultancies, and a range of financial institutions. Mike regularly speaks at Treasury Recruitment conferences such as the EuroFinance International Treasurers Conference, the Windy City Summit – Chicago and AFP USA Treasurers Conference about; - the power of personal branding - how to attract, manage and retain treasury talent - the latest trends happening within the global treasury recruitment market. In addition, Mike also hosts the popular podcast www.TreasuryCareerCorner.com where he interviews treasury professionals about their careers. Their company website is www.TreasuryRecruitment.com

Emily Howell is a tenured treasury and risk management professional with extensive experience in global treasury and risk functions. As the Corporate Treasurer at Copart, Inc., she oversees comprehensive Treasury and Risk responsibilities across North and South America, Europe, and the Middle East. Her tenure at Copart has been marked by a strong focus on innovation and automation in treasury and risk processes, with a collaborative focus on enhancing the company's operational efficiencies and financial management capabilities. Prior to joining Copart in 2022, Emily served as the Senior Treasury Manager at Forterra Pipe & Precast. During this time, she played a pivotal role in the company's initial public offering, successfully refinancing its debt structure, and assisting with multiple acquisitions and divestitures. Emily holds a Master of Accountancy from The University of Nevada, Reno, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Austin College. She is a Certified Treasury Professional, holds an Associate in Risk Management, and is a Board Member of the Dallas Association for Financial Professionals.

Meredith Vance is Senior Vice President, Global Treasurer at NTT DATA, Inc. in Plano Texas. Prior to joining NTT DATA, she was Assistant Treasurer at PayPal, Inc. and eBay Inc. Meredith has deep expertise across the global treasury organization in both a corporate and advisory capacity. She previously held senior treasury roles at Royal Caribbean Group and Electronic Data Systems as well as global treasury advisory positions at Ernst and Young LLP and Arthur Andersen LLP. Meredith has served on the Board of the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) since 2018 and frequently engages in both speaking opportunities and written publications on topics such as treasury transformation, global liquidity structuring and treasury leadership. In 2021, she was awarded the Adam Smith highly commended global Top Treasury Team recognition and 2016 highly commended Best Liquidity Management Solution from Treasury Today.

Bruce Perry is a senior corporate treasury leader with deep experience across capital markets, funding, and global treasury operations. He is currently Senior Vice President & Treasurer at Gainwell Technologies, leading their global treasury and finance operations. Previously, Bruce spent over six years at NTT DATA Services, progressing from Assistant Treasurer to VP of Corporate Treasury, with responsibility for capital markets and global treasury leadership. Before that, he held senior treasury roles at Weatherford, focused on capital markets, treasury operations, and cash and debt management. Bruce began his career at Royal Caribbean International, managing FX, interest rate, and commodity risk, and started out on the trading side at UBS in fixed income and credit trading. He holds a BBA in International Finance & Marketing from the University of Miami and an MBA in International Finance from St. John’s University.

ISO 20022 – Embracing the Innovation (I)

Tony Clark , Head of Corporates, Americas - Swift
Nasreen Quibria , SVP, International Advisory - PNC

Tuesday, April 14th
11:30am - 12:30pm
San Saba 2

Session Description

ISO 20022 is here, and treasurers are engaging with this global messaging standard more than ever. In this session, you’ll explore the key changes—such as hybrid and structured address fields—and what treasurers need to do to remain compliant. We’ll also uncover the benefits that ISO 20022 brings to treasury and payment operations, including richer data, improved reconciliation, faster release of goods, and enhanced payment tracking. Finally, we’ll look ahead to how treasury professionals are leveraging ISO 20022 as a foundation for innovation.

Session Outcomes

Treasurers will leave equipped with the knowledge of the necessary requirements regarding structure/hybrid address fields that go into effect November 2026. They will also have a better understanding of real-world use cases with ISO 20022 and the innovative opportunities.

Learning Objectives

Address field requirements in ISO and MT messages
Real-world use cases with ISO 20022
How other treasurers are leveraging the standard.

Speaker Information

Tony Clark leads the Corporates division for the Americas Business Development team, overseeing all of the regions Corporate customers and global partners. Before assuming this role, he held various account management positions focused on banking and securities relationships. His primary emphasis is on addressing customers' technology and treasury needs while aligning them with industry and Swift initiatives, effectively amplifying the Corporates voice within Swift. Additionally, Tony collaborates with some of Swift's largest and most strategic partners to enhance the value Swift offers to the financial community.

Nasreen Quibria is Senior Vice President, International Advisory at PNC, bringing over two decades of expertise in financial services with a focus on payments, digital assets, product strategy, and industry modernization. Her career includes leadership roles at Visa, ICBA, CGI, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, as well as founding Q Insights, a boutique consultancy specializing in payments research and strategic advisory.

Checks, ACH, Wires: Which is Safer from Fraud – Why and When (I)

Greg Litster, President - SAFEChecks

Tuesday, April 14th
11:30am - 12:30pm
Davis 2

Session Description

Fraud is everywhere. No payment vehicle is 100% safe from fraud. However, checks, ACH, and wires all are subject to different types of fraud attempts and need different strategies for preventing and thwarting those attempts. From a legal standpoint, the organizations using these payment vehicles all bear different liabilities for fraud losses. And, importantly, all methods differ in the probability that the victims will ever get their money back.

This session will focus on these three primary vehicles for making payments – checks, ACH, and wire transfers. Real-life fraud attempts – both successful and unsuccessful – will be examined, along with strategies for how the losses could have been prevented.

The “pros and cons” of each method will be discussed, grounded in the legal liabilities each method bears and how likely the victims will be able to recover their losses.

Session Outcomes

Attendees will be motivated to examine their payment vehicles and base their decisions for using them on something other than ease of use and speed. Fraud must be taken into account when calculating the “cost” of doing business with ACH, wires, or checks. Attendees will learn specific strategies for preventing payment fraud, including the most important strategy – education.

Learning Objectives

Understand the latest data on check, ACH, and wire fraud attempts, including the liabilities each vehicle bears for losses.
Learn specific strategies for preventing fraud in each of these payment vehicles
Understand when and why it makes sense to use one payment vehicle versus another, particularly when considering “recouping your losses.”

Speaker Information

Greg Litster is President and CEO of SAFEChecks, a company specializing in fraud prevention. Mr. Litster is a former 18-year banker who held various executive-level positions in banking prior to acquiring SAFEChecks from a California business bank in 1996. SAFEChecks manufactures business and personal high-security checks designed by Frank Abagnale, and also offers fraud-prevention software, educational seminars, and expert witness and consulting services. Mr. Litster is Editor of Frank Abagnale’s Fraud Bulletin, and has written numerous articles for publications such as AFP Exchange, American Payroll Association, American Land Title Association, and Sheshunoff’s Corporate Cash Management Manual. He has given fraud prevention seminars to hundreds of financial and professional organizations across the USA, and has extensive experience as an expert witness, serving on several national and international check fraud and embezzlement cases. Mr. Litster earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics and an MBA in Finance, both from Brigham Young University.

The Next Era of the Fed: Navigating Corporate Investing under New Leadership (I)

CTP – Session 6 – Mastering CTP (ETM8) Material (B)

Dubos Masson, Ph.D, CTP, CertICM, President, The Treasury Academy
Raymond Vines, CTP - Part Time Treasurer, Treasury Consultant, Trainer - Turningpoint Communications

Tuesday, April 14th
11:30am - 12:30pm
Davis 3

Session Description

Chapter 19: Long-Term Investing
Chapter 20: Capital Structure and Financial Decisions

Speaker Information

D.J. Masson, Ph.D., is President of The Treasury Academy, a training and consulting firm specializing in treasury management, international finance, business forecasting, and risk management. Over the past 25 years, D.J. has provided business and financial consulting and training services to a wide variety of corporations, financial institutions, and not-for-profit organizations in the U.S., Canada, and abroad. He is currently an Associate Clinical Professor of Finance at Indiana University’s Kelly School of Business and is a trainer and curriculum developer for programs with Association for Financial Professionals (AFP), GT News and Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) in the U.K, and Citibank’s Global Transactions Services unit. D.J. has extensive experience in developing curriculum for a wide range of teaching and training environments, both residential and on-line. He has developed classes and taught at all levels of higher education: undergraduate, MBA, Executive MBA, and in-house, custom-designed courses. D.J. has worked with professional associations to develop workshop, training materials, and certification programs in the areas of Treasury Management, Credit Management, Global Cash Management, Financial Forecasting, Commercial Banking, and Risk Management. D. J.’s educational background includes a B.A. in Business from the University of New Orleans and an MBA and Ph.D. in Finance from Indiana University. D.J. earned his Certified Cash Manager (CCM/CTP) credential in 1988. D.J. also earned the Cert ICM, an international cash management certification, from the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) in the UK in 1999.

Ray Vines brings 30 years of corporate treasury experience (and honesty) to bear for Turningpoint Communications’ treasury management sales trainees, customers, customers’ clients and other key constituents as the “voice of the client” for programs, documentation and high-touch client experiences. Ray is also an instructor for the Association for Financial Professionals’ (AFP) Certified Treasury Professional (CTP), Treasury Learning System instructor-led courses, educating hundreds of prospective CTP candidates each spring and fall for Rice University and the University of Texas. Formerly, Ray served as Director of Treasury for Dean Foods in Dallas for seven years, where he was responsible for leading treasury operations and his team, managing internal and external relationships and continuous process improvement. Prior to Dean Foods, Ray spent 20 years at RadioShack as Director of Treasury Operations. Ray is an active participant in enhancing the role of treasury management as an industry and career through his participation on industry roundtables and his leadership of the Dallas AFP, including his role as past president of the . Ray co-chaired the award-winning TEXPO conference in Dallas in 2018, leading all technological, marketing and communications aspects of the conference and is a key member of the content team for #DallasTEXPO2023. Ray holds a B.S. in Finance and MS in Accounting from the University of Texas and is a Certified Treasury Professional (CTP). Ray is also a WSET Level 3 Advanced (Wine & Spirits Education Trust) Wine and Spirits Certified instructor, and customizes courses in wine/spirits etiquette for financial audiences and executives.

Innovative AR Strategies when it comes to Your Credit Card Acceptance (I)

Real-Time Treasury: Coexistence with Treasury Best Practices? (I)

Practical Recommendations for Businesses Adopting Instant Payments (I)

Tariffs and Trade Disruptions: Turning Challenges into Opportunities (I)

Treasury Career Corner LIVE (I)

ISO 20022 – Embracing the Innovation (I)

Checks, ACH, Wires: Which is Safer from Fraud – Why and When (I)

The Next Era of the Fed: Navigating Corporate Investing under New Leadership (I)

CTP – Session 6 – Mastering CTP (ETM8) Material (B)

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