SESSION 1: STRATEGIC FORESIGHT IN RISK MANAGEMENT AND CONTINGENCY PLANNING
Session Details:
Strategic Foresight in Risk Management and Contingency Planning is an innovative approach that leverages anticipatory thinking to proactively identify, assess, and manage future uncertainties. Using the Engaged Foresight Approach, participants will learn foundational methods to systematically explore emerging trends, weak signals, and disruptive forces that could significantly impact organizational stability and decision-making. This approach emphasizes interactive and inclusive practices, encouraging stakeholders to collaboratively imagine alternative future scenarios, recognize hidden risks, and develop robust contingency plans. Additionally, the Dreams and Disruptions Game will be utilized to facilitate a collective futuring imagination process, enabling participants to creatively and collaboratively envision diverse futures. By embedding strategic foresight into risk and planning, participants are better equipped to anticipate challenges, capitalize on opportunities, and achieve greater resilience and sustainability in an increasingly complex financial landscape.
✅ For Professionals:
“Struggling to keep your organization resilient amid disruption? Discover how strategic foresight can transform your risk management approach.”
🎓 For Professors:
“Looking to enrich your curriculum with real-world foresight tools? Join us to explore how futures thinking enhances academic and applied learning.”
📚 For Students:
“Want to stand out in class, in your CMA exam preparation, and in your future career? Learn strategic foresight tools that enhance your critical thinking, strengthen decision-making, and equip you to navigate complex financial scenarios with confidence.”
Speaker: Shermon Cruz, MPA, Ph.D. (candidate)
Role: Chair on Anticipatory and Regenerative Cities, UNESCO
Chief Futurist, Center for Engaged Foresight
Speaker profile:
Shermon Cruz is the Chief Futurist of the Center for Engaged Foresight and the UNESCO Chair on Anticipatory Governance and Regenerative Cities. A strategic foresight practitioner and co-founder of the Global South Futures Community, Shermon specializes in anticipatory governance, futures literacy, and transformative scenario planning. He created the acclaimed Dreams and Disruptions foresight game, widely utilized to explore alternative futures. Shermon brings extensive experience in risk and business continuity management from his previous roles with PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, John Clements Consulting, and Accenture. His work champions decolonial and relational approaches, integrating indigenous knowledge systems and gamified methodologies to advance inclusive, innovative, and culturally diverse futures globally.
SESSION 2: LEAN SIX SIGMA FOR FINANCE
Session Details:
In a fast-paced, data-driven world, finance teams need to be agile, accurate, and efficient. This session explores how Lean Six Sigma—an approach used by top companies to improve performance—can help finance and accounting professionals streamline processes, reduce costly errors, and deliver greater value. From budgeting and reporting to daily transactions, you'll discover real-world strategies that work. Whether you're a student preparing for your career or a seasoned pro looking to innovate, this talk will show you how continuous improvement can drive smarter financial outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the key principles of Lean Six Sigma and how these can transform and optimize finance and accounting workflows for greater efficiency and accuracy.
- Spot areas in your finance environment where simplifying steps and removing waste can lead to faster, more accurate, and more profitable results.
✅ For Professionals:
“Tired of inefficiencies and recurring errors in finance processes? Learn how Lean Six Sigma can help you boost accuracy, speed, and business value.”
🎓 For Professors:
“Looking to integrate process improvement into your finance curriculum? This session brings real-world Lean Six Sigma strategies your students can apply immediately.”
📚 For Students:
“Want to impress employers and stand out in job interviews? This webinar will equip you with practical Lean Six Sigma tools to boost your analytical skills—and it’s a great head start if you’re planning to pursue Lean Six Sigma certification.”
Speaker: John Gilbert Garcia, CLSSMBB, CSM, CDTP, DBA (candidate)
Role: Vice President – Head of Business Quality Management Division, PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies
Speaker Profile:
John Gilbert “JG” Garcia is a seasoned accountant and operational excellence leader, with advanced academic training in business and public administration—having completed units in the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program and currently pursuing his Doctor of Public Administration (DPA). He is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Certified ScrumMaster®, and Certified Digital Transformation Professional.
With over 2 decades of global experience across banking, finance, insurance, and retail, JG has led large-scale improvements in Robotic Process Automation, Innovation and Data-driven decision-making. He has held leadership roles at Thomson Reuters, Citigroup, and Accenture, where he pioneered Operational Excellence in Finance and Accounting.
A passionate educator and facilitator, JG specializes in Lean Six Sigma, Agile, Human-Centered Design, and Digital Transformation. He is a regular speaker and panelist on continuous improvement, business excellence, and future-ready finance.