The next episode of The Winning Edge will explore how CFOs can lead with influence, foster collaboration, and drive system-wide success in organizations of all sizes
In a time when every healthcare dollar is scrutinized and every decision carries enterprise-wide implications, the role of the CFO has never been more visible—or more vital.
Gone are the days when finance leaders could operate behind the scenes, focused solely on budgets, audits, and forecasts. Today’s healthcare CFOs are stepping into the spotlight as architects of change, expected to guide their organizations through uncertainty, transformation, and innovation.
That expanded mandate comes with a new set of challenges: How do you align clinical, operational, and financial priorities without alienating key stakeholders? How do you foster buy-in across departments while managing limited resources and growing complexity? And perhaps most importantly, how do you build trust in your leadership when every move is under the microscope?
These are the questions at the heart of this Tuesday’s webinar, “The Winning Edge for Collaborating and Building Trust.” A panel of experienced CFOs will share how they’re navigating this high-stakes environment and leading with influence, transparency, and collaboration.
The panel, scheduled to take place at 1 p.m. ET, features Julie Soekoro, vice president and CFO of the Hamilton Healthcare System, and Katina Williams, vice president of corporate finance at the Johns Hopkins Health System.
This webinar is designed for healthcare finance executives who are navigating a landscape of constant change, mounting pressures, and rising expectations. It will offer an in-depth look at how financial leaders can transition from traditional stewards of fiscal responsibility to influential collaborators who help shape the strategic direction of their organizations.
The New Mandate for CFOs
To confront workforce shortages, value-based care pressures, and major technology investments, CFOs know that strong decision-making across the enterprise means working side-by-side with clinical leaders, IT teams, and HR departments to ensure that financial strategies are integrated with broader operational goals.
One of the webinar’s key themes will be how CFOs build the trust necessary to operate effectively in these expanded roles. Whether it’s negotiating the financial implications of a new care delivery model or aligning around long-term capital planning, trust is foundational to collaboration.
Learning from Real-World Experience
Panelists will share firsthand experiences of how they’ve fostered alignment across departments—even when priorities seem to compete. Attendees will gain insights from two distinct perspectives—one from a large health system, Johns Hopkins Health System, and another from a smaller organization, Hamilton Healthcare System—to explore how trust is built and maintained. Additionally, attendees will gain insight into how collaboration works in a large academic medicine setting versus a smaller health system that focuses on services such as joint replacement and cardiac care.
From leading organizations through digital transformation to managing cost containment during times of labor pressure, attendees will gain insight into the communication and relationship-building tactics that have helped these CFOs navigate complex environments.
Expect candid discussions about the challenges of balancing innovation with financial discipline. The speakers will offer practical strategies for supporting forward-thinking initiatives while maintaining fiscal resilience.
Another focus of the webinar will be effective communication. We will dive into how CFOs can clearly articulate financial goals and value in ways that resonate with non-financial stakeholders. This includes framing budget decisions in the context of patient outcomes, workforce well-being, and long-term system sustainability.
A Must-Attend for Modern CFOs
For CFOs ready to step more fully into a strategic, enterprise-focused role, this webinar is not to be missed. Attendees leave with actionable insights on how to deepen relationships across their organization, foster collaboration under pressure, and lead transformation with trust as their foundation.
The future of healthcare leadership is collaborative—and the modern CFO is right at the center of it.
Marie DeFreitas is the CFO editor for HealthLeaders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
CFOs must build strong, transparent relationships across departments to align financial goals with clinical and operational priorities.
Panelists will share real-world strategies for fostering cross-functional teamwork that supports innovation and enterprise-wide transformation.
Hear how CFOs from both large and small health systems navigate complexity and lead through change.