Municipal finance teams are facing increasing pressure as responsibilities expand, regulations evolve, and workforce challenges continue to impact capacity. At the same time, advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are creating new opportunities to support finance professionals in practical, meaningful ways.
Join this webinar to learn how AI can function as a trusted digital coworker that supports, rather than replaces, municipal finance teams. Through real-world examples, practical demonstrations, and lessons learned from early adopters, the panel will examine how AI can help create capacity within existing resources while enabling finance professionals to focus on higher-value analysis and decision-making.
Topics will include:
- Practical AI use cases for municipal finance teams and where AI can deliver value today
- How AI can reduce administrative effort and augment staff capabilities
- Real-world examples and lessons learned from organizations implementing AI
- Governance, security, risk management, and responsible AI adoption
- Strategies for moving beyond experimentation toward practical implementation
- Key considerations for building an AI adoption roadmap within your municipality
Who Should Attend:
- Municipal finance leaders, directors, treasurers, and CFOs responsible for digital transformation, innovation, and operational efficiency
- Municipal leaders interested in understanding how AI can support municipal finance operations
- Finance professionals looking to improve productivity and create capacity within their teams
Benefits of Attending:
Participants will gain a practical understanding of how AI can support municipal finance teams today, including relevant use cases, implementation considerations, governance requirements, and actionable steps for adopting AI responsibly. Attendees will leave with ideas they can apply immediately to help create capacity, improve efficiency, and enable their teams to focus on higher-value work.
About your Presenters:
Brandon Bignell
Partner, Financial Advisory Services & National Public Sector Leader, BDO
Brandon is a 40 Under 40 (Ottawa) award recipient with more than 20 years of experience spanning the private and public sectors. As a Partner in Financial Advisory Services for the national capital region, he leads a large team delivering risk management, internal audit, program reviews, evaluations, and independent third-party reviews of major IT transformations and large-scale infrastructure projects.
In his role as National Public Sector Leader and Not-For-Profit Leader at BDO Canada, Brandon works closely with federal, provincial, municipal, and Indigenous governments, as well as not-for-profit organizations, to develop innovative solutions that strengthen risk management, support organizational transformation, and drive improved outcomes.
Prior to joining BDO, Brandon spent a decade with the Government of Canada, holding roles at the Office of the Auditor General of Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Canada Post Corporation, and the Assembly of First Nations. His extensive experience allows him to help clients not only identify, assess, and mitigate risks but also successfully navigate complex transformations with a deep understanding of their unique perspectives and objectives.
Kelly Hagen, PMP
Partner, Technology & Not-For-Profit & Education (NPO) Industry Leader, BDO
Kelly is a Partner in the Consulting practice at BDO Canada, where she advises mid-market to enterprise organizations on leveraging technology to drive strategic outcomes and operational efficiency. She specializes in technology advisory and implementation services, helping organizations navigate complex transformations, optimize processes, and adopt modern digital solutions.
Kelly brings a pragmatic, results-oriented approach to areas such as cloud strategy, emerging technology trends, and ERP strategy and implementation. Acting as a trusted advisor to executive stakeholders, she partners with leaders to align technology investments with business priorities and enable sustainable growth. She works with a diverse range of organizations and has a strong understanding of the evolving challenges and opportunities across growing and complex businesses. Kelly is also a frequent speaker on technology and innovation, sharing practical insights on how organizations can adapt and thrive in an ever-changing digital landscape.
A passionate advocate for women in business and technology, Kelly actively supports initiatives that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is committed to mentoring and empowering women leaders and contributing to more inclusive and equitable workplaces. An active member of her community, Kelly is deeply committed to supporting charitable and mission-driven organizations. She regularly contributes her time and expertise to initiatives that strengthen organizational impact through thoughtful use of technology.
Mario Piroddi, CISA, CPA, CA
Partner, Assurance, BDO
Mario brings over 25 years of specialized experience in general accounting, audit, and information systems audits, with a strong and sustained focus on supporting local governments. As the leader of BDO’s Local Government group, Mario is widely recognized as a trusted expert and advisor in municipal finance and governance. His dedication to public sector excellence is evident in his deep understanding of the distinct challenges and accountability requirements that local governments face.
Mario is passionate about strengthening the financial stewardship of Local governments, and he plays an instrumental role in training BDO’s professional staff on audit practices tailored to public sector needs. His leadership extends nationally through his active involvement with BDO’s national office, where he contributes thought leadership on the integration of data analytics in audit, evolving assurance methodologies, and key responses to CPA Canada’s exposure drafts.
In recognition of his significant contributions, Mario was honoured with the Excellence in Local Government Finance Award by GFOA BC in the category of Outstanding Contribution, reflecting his impact and leadership within the local government community.
Sponsored by:
