# How Innovation and Automation Transformed Treasury at a Leading University

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-treasury-career-corner-939354/how-innovation-and-automation-transformed-treasury-at-a-leading-university
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-treasury-career-corner-939354/how-innovation-and-automation-transformed-treasury-at-a-leading-university.md
Podcast: [The Treasury Career Corner](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-treasury-career-corner-939354)
Published: 2026-04-28T06:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://treasuryrecruitment.com//ep-429-how-innovation-and-automation-transformed-treasury-at-a-leading-university
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/4f86f041-1323-4c92-9337-9f3839e581aa.mp3
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Duration seconds: 2226

## Resource

How do you transform a treasury function from manual processes into an AI-powered, automation-driven strategic partner? In this episode, we’re joined by Karen Kearney , Treasurer at Stanford University . She leads treasury across one of the world’s most complex and innovative institutions, overseeing areas including capital markets, cash management, and financial strategy within a large, mission-driven environment. On the episode Karen Kearney , Treasurer at Stanford University shares her unconventional journey into treasury, from starting in audit to exploring a career in the culinary world before returning to finance and ultimately leading treasury at Stanford. The conversation dives into how treasury can evolve into a strategic function through innovation, automation, and collaboration. Karen explains how her team implemented predictive cash forecasting, automated complex processes, and developed in-house solutions that outperform market offerings. She also discusses the unique challenges of operating in a nonprofit, consensus-driven environment, the importance of institutional understanding, and how AI will shape the future of treasury. What We Cover in This Episode: Transitioning from audit to treasury through a non-linear career path The complexity of managing finances in a large research university Differences between corporate and nonprofit treasury environments Driving transformation through automation and process optimisation Managing a multi-billion-dollar debt portfolio and internal banking structure Creating a scalable merchant services solution and winning a major industry award The role of innovation and Silicon Valley influence on treasury strategy Elevating treasury as a strategic partner within an organisation The growing importance of AI, data qualit…

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