Wednesday, March 18, 2026: Main Program


Big Idea Stage

7:30 am - 8:30 am Breakfast and Registration

8:30 am - 8:40 am SSOW Opening Remarks

8:40 am - 9:00 am Shared Services & GBS State of the Industry Presented by SSON Research & Analytics

Tom Bangemann - Head of Data Development & Research, SSON Research & Analytics
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Tom Bangemann

Head of Data Development & Research
SSON Research & Analytics

9:00 am - 9:30 am GBS Reimagined – Powering the Connected Enterprise

Global Business Services has always been about transformation, and that transformation is accelerating faster than ever. Driven by both technology and talent, the way work gets done is evolving, and so is the traditional Shared Services model. As automation and Agentic AI reshape roles and workflows, leading GBS organizations are reimagining operating models around capabilities, not functions. In this forward-looking panel, senior GBS leaders will explore how to design adaptive, skills-based models that enable agility, collaboration, and intelligent technology integration for enterprise-wide impact.
Moderated by Capgemini’s Americas Business Area Head for Business Services, the discussion will unpack how GBS teams are redefining value creation through empowered, multi-skilled workforces and cross-functional collaboration.
 



9:30 am - 10:00 am Frontline by Design: How Customer Experience is Re-Wiring GBS

Himadri Sarkar - Chief Solutions Officer, Americas, TP

As customer expectations grow more complex, GBS teams can no longer operate in isolation. It’s time to embed customer insight directly into the GBS operating model and serve as a digital bridge between the back office and sales, marketing, and other customer-facing functions. This shift moves GBS beyond efficiency and SLAs toward true front-line impact, powered by data, empathy, and process leadership. Discover how service organizations can reframe their role to deliver business value, build trust, and influence enterprise priorities by putting the customer experience at the center.

This case study will help you to:

  • Gain practical tips on how to move from SLAs to XLAs—measuring what really matters to internal customers
  • Map key service touchpoints and use them to fix friction points fast
  • Use AI to support more responsive, empathetic service—not just speed
  • Uncover why GBS teams need to build soft skills like communication and relationship-building—especially in customer-facing or hybrid roles
  • Use customer feedback loops to prioritize service improvements and influence enterprise decisions
  • Scale the digital bridge concept across global functions with examples of what worked (and what didn’t) 



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Himadri Sarkar

Chief Solutions Officer, Americas
TP

10:00 am - 10:05 am Transition into Breakout Programs

Big Idea Stage

Modern GBS organizations are stepping beyond efficiency to drive growth, margin, and cash, not just cost. They are fueling enterprise outcomes by innovating and productizing services, deploying AI and Agentic AI, evolving operating models and talent, and scaling value safely on strong foundations of data, trust, and risk. According to SSON Research & Analytics, the top five GBSOs today highlight growth, margin, and revenue as their core value drivers over cost. How do you define yours? Join leaders who are leveling up their GBSOs to deliver better business outcomes.

The panelists will:

  • Address the evolution from transactor to value enabler for the business
  • Explore proven strategies that have been effective in driving outcomes that impact revenue (i.e. client outcomes/sales outcomes)
  • Hear how others are translating the impact of those strategies C-Suite 

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Juan Victor Salazar

CFO, Head of Strategy & Performance, Business Services
Amrize

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Hariprasad BK

VP & Business Head – Digital Business Services
Infosys BPM Ltd

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Srini Cherukumilli

Head of Global Business Services
Tropicana Brands Group

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Jules Andrew

Chief Business Services Officer
Colgate Palmolive

10:35 am - 11:20 am Networking Break & Demo Drive


Interactive Discussion Groups

IDG 1

11:20 am - 12:45 pm Location Strategy in the AI Era: Do You Build, Buy, or Automate?
Chris Costa - Head of Finance Transformation, Chewy


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Chris Costa

Head of Finance Transformation
Chewy

IDG 2

11:20 am - 12:45 pm How Do You Manage Change Fatigue in HR Transformation Initiatives?




IDG 3

11:20 am - 12:45 pm Measuring Innovation in SSOs: What Metrics Actually Matter?


IDG 4

11:20 am - 12:45 pm Agentic GBS: Breaking Down Barriers to Rapid Adoption
Sally Fletcher - Head of Thought Leadership & Community, Hypatos
Uli Erxleben - Founder & CEO, Hypatos




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Sally Fletcher

Head of Thought Leadership & Community
Hypatos

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Uli Erxleben

Founder & CEO
Hypatos

IDG 5

11:20 am - 12:45 pm Beyond the Back Office: Redefining GBS/SSC Value through AI-Driven Cost Optimization and Customer Centricity.
Zach Low - Chief Sales Officer, Rossum


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Zach Low

Chief Sales Officer
Rossum

IDG 6

11:20 am - 12:45 pm People, Process, and Technology: How are You Mastering the Triangle of Transformation?
Lourens Van Zyl - Director of Business Development, Transparent


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Lourens Van Zyl

Director of Business Development
Transparent

IDG 7

11:20 am - 12:45 pm How Do We Prove ROI and Explain the Realities of AI?




IDG 8

11:20 am - 12:45 pm Governance in the Age of AI: Structure, Risk, and Strategy


IDG 9

11:20 am - 12:45 pm What’s the GBS Skill Stack of the Future?




IDG 10

11:20 am - 12:45 pm Beyond Billing: Driving Cash Flow Through Improved Customer Communications
Sarah-Jayne Martin - Global Senior Director, Financial Automation Solutions, Quadient




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Sarah-Jayne Martin

Global Senior Director, Financial Automation Solutions
Quadient

Interactive Discussion Groups

IDG 11

11:20 am - 12:45 pm Efficiency Meets Security: Automating Vendor Bank Account Validation in Shared Services
Michael Cloherty - Head of Sales, TrustPair




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Michael Cloherty

Head of Sales
TrustPair

IDG 12

11:20 am - 12:45 pm From Fragmented to Focused: Centralizing Payroll & HR Operations for Impact
Nathan Bland - VP of Global Business Services, Pfizer


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Nathan Bland

VP of Global Business Services
Pfizer

IDG 13

11:20 am - 12:45 pm From Proof of Concept to Production: How Shared Services Can Operationalize AI Fast
Mark Brousseau - President, Brousseau & Associates




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Mark Brousseau

President
Brousseau & Associates

IDG 14

11:20 am - 12:45 pm Less Pain, More Gain: Altus Intelligence Elevates AR and Collections Service Delivery
AJ Rose - Client Success Manager, ALTUS




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AJ Rose

Client Success Manager
ALTUS

IDG 15

11:20 am - 12:45 pm Governance as Optionality: Is Your Framework an Engine or a Brake?
Johnnie Moore - Global Logistics & Bestshoring Strategist | Advisor, The JR Moore Group, Inc


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Johnnie Moore

Global Logistics & Bestshoring Strategist | Advisor
The JR Moore Group, Inc

IDG 16

11:20 am - 12:45 pm Boosting Employee Engagement: Practical Strategies for a Thriving Shared Service Center
Robert Turck - VP, Global Financial Shared Services, IQVIA


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Robert Turck

VP, Global Financial Shared Services
IQVIA

IDG 17

11:20 am - 12:45 pm Agentic AI and GBS 2030

Join industry peers for a fast-paced, interactive forum focused on the real-world impact of agentic AI across Global Business Services (GBS), Global Capability Centers (GCC) and a broad range of enterprise support functions — including finance, IT, HR, procurement, supply chain, compliance, and more. This roundtable will feature real examples of AI Agents in GBS and GCC settings and highlight how leading organizations are deploying next generation solutions, while evolving talent and operating models to drive business value.  



IDG 18

11:20 am - 12:45 pm Simplifying at Scale: The Reality of Downsizing Your ERPs
Lisa Cox - Senior Director, Business Transformation - Finance Shared Services & ERP R2R, Xylem


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Lisa Cox

Senior Director, Business Transformation - Finance Shared Services & ERP R2R
Xylem

IDG 19

11:20 am - 12:45 pm Scaling Shared Services with AI: Standardization, Efficiency & Control for AP Processes
Derrick Leck - Head of Value and Solutions Consulting, North America, Medius




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Derrick Leck

Head of Value and Solutions Consulting, North America
Medius

IDG 20

11:20 am - 12:45 pm From Offshore to Digital Shore: Honest Lessons From Teams Who’ve Done It
Jamie Thomas - CEO and Founder, Simplify IA




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Jamie Thomas

CEO and Founder
Simplify IA

12:45 pm - 1:45 pm Lunch


Breakout Programs

Human Resources Shared Services Program

1:50 pm - 2:20 pm From Right and On Time to Transformative: HRSS’s Evolving Strategic Role

HR shared service teams are moving in two directions at once, leveling up in tier 2 and 3 knowledge work while expanding their footprint at tier 0 via AI to eliminate some work altogether through automation and integration. The implications for HRSS leaders are significant, with growing impact on employee experience, compliance and workforce productivity in general. Becoming and HRSS strategist means wearing multiple hats – technologist, employee advocate and data scientist – while breaking down functional silos to collaborate across HR, finance, IT and business operations.

In this session, we’ll you’ll hear from HRSS leaders who have made enviable progress in transforming HR for tangible results that include:

Moving beyond transactions to deliver an overall employee experience that drives employee trust, retention and productivity.

Harnessing automation, self-service, and AI to optimize service delivery, minimize errors and predict risks before they occur

Integrating HR services and data cross-functionally to automate inputs from across the business and deliver actionable workforce analytics

Contributing insights to business operations through strategic workforce planning and productivity analysis

Monitoring process efficiency, audit controls and regulatory changes real-time to deliver continuous transformation and a hyper-responsive digital experience



Human Resources Shared Services Program

2:20 pm - 2:25 pm Transition Break


Human Resources Shared Services Program

2:25 pm - 2:55 pm Rethinking Case Management for the Deskless Workforce
Stacy Hodge - Head of North America HR OPs, Shared Services & Payroll, HelloFresh

We’ve made strides in bringing self-service to the frontline with mobile portals, embedded chatbots, and on-demand access. Are we giving that same attention to their escalation pathways?

This session looks beyond the portal to the full journey of service delivery. When a frontline employee needs more than an article or a chatbot, how do we ensure their request is handled with care, speed, and visibility? We’ll explore how HRSS teams are redesigning case management workflows with the deskless worker in mind—prioritizing seamless escalation, clear communication, and minimal digital friction.

  • Map the end-to-end service journey for deskless workers to identify friction points beyond self-service portals
  • Design escalation pathways that prioritize speed, transparency, and personalized handling
  • Implement communication protocols that keep frontline employees informed throughout the case lifecycle
  • Leverage mobile-friendly tools and integrations that support real-time updates and collaboration
  • Train HRSS agents on the unique challenges and context of deskless workers to enhance empathy and effectiveness 

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Stacy Hodge

Head of North America HR OPs, Shared Services & Payroll
HelloFresh

Human Resources Shared Services Program

2:55 pm - 3:00 pm Transition Break


Human Resources Shared Services Program

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm “AI Colleagues” That Take Action in Shared Services - What They Are, How They Work, What it Takes to Deploy Them

Discover how companies adopt a low-risk path to 70%+ automation across HR, IT & Finance

Shared services teams are being asked to cut costs, accelerate response times, and improve employee experience, often with flat or shrinking headcounts. Yet, recent SSON Digital data shows that organizations are stalling in automation efforts, with over 60% still stuck in early-stage adoption, running isolated RPA or AI initiatives that have yet to scale across functions. Traditional automation and chatbots haven’t delivered the step-change leaders need, because they stop at answers instead of action. This session will show how leading organizations are breaking through that ceiling by deploying agentic “AI colleagues” that safely automate 70%+ of shared services work across HR, IT, and Finance. You’ll discover a low-risk, proven adoption path that delivers measurable results.

You’ll see “AI colleagues” in action - “AI colleagues” employees can talk with, Slack/Teams/email with, through a real life customer example.

By attending, you’ll learn:

  • How shared services teams automate 70%+ of manual HR, IT & Finance work using out-of-the-box AI colleagues
  • Why agentic AI colleagues outperform chatbots, taking full actions in ERP, HRIS & ITSM systems with little human intervention
  • Real-world multichannel examples: AI colleagues resolving calls, emails, tickets & chat requests like human support staff
  • How pre-built integrations with Workday, ServiceNow, SAP & Oracle shorten deployment from months to weeks.
  • The financial impact shared services leaders are seeing cost takeout, faster SLAs, and higher employee satisfaction 



Process Excellence Program

1:50 pm - 2:20 pm Inside McKesson's Shared Services Transformation: How Process Intelligence is Improving Accounts Payable and Beyond
Brandy Hulsey - VP, Returns & AP Solutions, McKesson

As shared services organizations look to drive efficiency, scale operations, and implement AI, having clear visibility into how processes are actually performed is becoming essential.
In this session, Brandy Hulsey, VP of Accounts Payable & Reverse Logistics at McKesson, joins Tuhin Chakraborty, Co-Founder & CEO of Mimica, to share how McKesson is using process intelligence to accelerate transformation across shared services.
They’ll discuss how end-to-end process visibility helps teams pinpoint automation opportunities, align stakeholders, and make more confident decisions about where to invest in AI, from accounts payable to broader shared services functions.
Key takeaways include:
  • How to apply process intelligence to drive transformation across shared services
  • How to identify and prioritize high-impact automation opportunities with real operational visibility
  • How to create a scalable foundation for AI across shared services teams 


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Brandy Hulsey

VP, Returns & AP Solutions
McKesson

Process Excellence Program

2:20 pm - 2:25 pm Transition Break


As new technologies reshape the business landscape, Shared Services and GBS leaders are being challenged to reimagine the very foundations of how work gets done. But technology alone doesn’t drive transformation—people, processes, and performance must evolve in tandem.

  • Dive into how to reengineer processes while also building the capabilities, skills, and mindset your teams need to thrive
  • Examine the rise of process orchestrators and how to embed this role into your operating model
  • Discuss practical strategies for driving performance, from redesigning workflows to fostering adaptability, resilience, and innovation
  • Learn how to balance operational efficiency with human potential, ensuring your workforce is ready to maximize technology’s value today—and stay ahead tomorrow 



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Jakub Wojdat

Sr. Director, Global Head of Finance Shared Services
TE Connectivity

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Kirti Talwar

VP, Accounting Operations
Palo Alto Networks

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Brian Chan

VP, Finance Systems & Projects
Pet Valu

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Russell Malz

CRO
KnowledgeLake

Process Excellence Program

2:55 pm - 3:00 pm Transition Break


Process Excellence Program

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Harmonize to Optimize: Use Process Intelligence to Build Scalable, AI-Ready Operations
Patrick Thompson - SVP, Global Customer Transformation, Celonis
Durga Yeluri - Director, Performance & Profitability Optimization (P2O) CoE, Pfizer

As Shared Services and GBS organizations look to scale and innovate, process harmonization is no longer optional—it’s foundational. Explore how leading enterprises are leveraging process mining and execution management to align siloed workflows, standardize operations, and pave the way for intelligent automation and AI. Learn how to move from fragmented execution to real-time, data-driven process excellence—turning complexity into a measurable growth driver.

  • Visualize and harmonize your end-to-end processes across regions and functions using real-time process intelligence capabilities
  • Benchmark global processes to identify inefficiencies, best practices, and standardization gaps
  • Build a transformation roadmap that sets the groundwork for AI enablement—powered by accurate process data
  • Drive change at scale by uncovering bottlenecks and automating root cause analysis
  • Set AI up for success by ensuring your operations are clean, standardized, and execution-ready 



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Patrick Thompson

SVP, Global Customer Transformation
Celonis

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Durga Yeluri

Director, Performance & Profitability Optimization (P2O) CoE
Pfizer

Finance Transformation Program

1:50 pm - 2:20 pm Agentic AI Use Cases and Agent-Building for End-to-End Order-to-Cash Operational Efficiency
Veena Gundavelli - CEO, Emagia Corporation

Shared Services and GBS organizations are entering a new era of digital finance transformation powered by Agentic AI. Beyond automation, it brings intelligent digital agents that can independently manage, optimize, and learn across the Order-to-Cash (O2C) cycle.

In this session, learn from longtime O2C innovator and Emagia Founder Veena Gundavelli how global enterprises are leveraging Agentic AI to build autonomous finance teams. See how AI agents free your teams from manual tasks to focus on strategy — accelerating cash flow, enhancing customer experience, and achieving true digital finance excellence.

What You’ll Learn

This executive-level session delivers actionable insights, frameworks, and real-world examples to help finance teams evolve from automation to autonomous execution.

  • The New Human + AI Hybrid Workforce Model
  •  Where AI Agents Deliver the Fastest ROI in O2C
  • Real Shared Services Use Cases in Credit, Collections, Cash App & Deductions
  • How to Deploy Agentic AI Safely with Guardrails 



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Veena Gundavelli

CEO
Emagia Corporation

Finance Transformation Program

2:20 pm - 2:25 pm Transition Break


Finance Transformation Program

2:25 pm - 2:55 pm Beyond Receipts and Reimbursements— Reimagine Travel & Expense in the Modern SSO
Tony DeNardo - Principal Solution Advisor, SAP Concur

What if travel and expense (T&E) management wasn’t a source of frustration—but a showcase of operational excellence? Discover how next-gen Shared Services and GBS organizations are transforming T&E from a tedious back-office task into a streamlined, data-driven engine for compliance, efficiency, and visibility. Join this session to learn how companies are using intelligent automation and policy-first design to tame complexity, curb spend, and create a seamless experience for employees on the move.

  • Automate away manual bottlenecks in travel booking, expense capture, and approval flows
  • Bake policies into processes—no more chasing receipts, exceptions, or last-minute fire drills
  • Harness real-time analytics and dashboards to track, optimize, and forecast travel spend across regions and teams
  • Design one T&E framework that scales globally while respecting regional rules and nuances
  • Build mobile-first, self-service experiences that win hearts while boosting speed and accuracy

T&E may not be your flashiest process—but it touches nearly everyone. Walk away inspired to make it a shining example of what process excellence can look like in a modern SSO. 



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Tony DeNardo

Principal Solution Advisor
SAP Concur

Finance Transformation Program

2:55 pm - 3:00 pm Transition Break


Finance Transformation Program

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Reimagining Controls: Turning Financial Risk into a Source of Strategic Advantage
Nathanael L'Heureux - Chief Solutions Ambassador, Oversight

Finance transformation is no longer just about cutting costs. It’s about protecting cash, maintaining compliance, and building confidence in financial data. Dive into a real-life use case that outlines how this balance was achieved by automating oversight, reducing leakage, and improving stakeholder trust. Walk away with a roadmap for uniting compliance and cash flow under a single transformation strategy.

 

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Nathanael L'Heureux

Chief Solutions Ambassador
Oversight

Shared Services Fundamentals Program

1:50 pm - 2:20 pm Fireside Chat | Defining Success from the Start: Building a Business Case Beyond Cost Savings
John Haynes - Head of Cash Cycle Management - Aon Business Services, Aon
Wolfgang Satori - Head of GBS Americas, Siemens
Teanne Bridgewater - AR Commercial Risk Capability Center Leader, Aon

As organizations launch or expand SSO functions, the traditional focus on cost reduction is no longer enough to define success. Today’s business environment demands that SSOs deliver broader enterprise value—driving agility, compliance, customer experience, and innovation from day one. Go beyond spreadsheets and expense reductions to articulate how your function can become a catalyst for transformation.

  • Learn how to measure and communicate success using value-based outcomes (e.g., improved cycle time, better compliance, stakeholder satisfaction) rather than just cost savings.
  • Discover how to position your SSO as an enabler of larger business goals, such as digital transformation, resilience, regulatory readiness, and ESG outcomes.
  • Get practical advice on establishing realistic baselines, KPIs, identifying leading indicators, and setting achievable targets for year one and beyond—especially when internal benchmarks are limited.
  • Understand how to justify upfront spend in automation, talent, and change management—even when traditional ROI models fall short.
  • Hear tips for building early momentum while laying the groundwork for sustainable, scalable value creation across the enterprise. 

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John Haynes

Head of Cash Cycle Management - Aon Business Services
Aon

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Wolfgang Satori

Head of GBS Americas
Siemens

Teanne Bridgewater

AR Commercial Risk Capability Center Leader
Aon

Shared Services Fundamentals Program

2:20 pm - 2:25 pm Transition Break


Shared Services Fundamentals Program

2:25 pm - 2:55 pm Data-First Foundations: Building a Unified, Actionable Data Strategy

One of the most overlooked risks in standing up a new SSO is the lack of a cohesive data strategy. Early-stage centers often face fragmented systems, unclear data ownership, and inconsistent reporting—challenges that can slow progress, hinder automation, and erode stakeholder trust. The solution? Establish a data-first mindset from the start. Together we will learn how to build a unified, enterprise-wide data foundation that supports decision-making, process visibility, and future AI-readiness.

  • Dive into best practices for establishing centralized, flexible data infrastructure that aligns with your operating model and functional scope
  • Define data stewardship roles, create accountability structures, and ensure high-quality inputs across functions
  • Learn how to identify and map critical data flows across core processes like P2P, O2C, R2R, and procurement to eliminate blind spots and silos
  • Explore tools and techniques for consolidating reporting, enhancing analytics capabilities, and building a single source of truth
  • Learn from early adopters who struggled with disconnected systems and how they course-corrected to create actionable data ecosystems 



Shared Services Fundamentals Program

2:55 pm - 3:00 pm Transition Break


Shared Services Fundamentals Program

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Transform Chaos into Clarity with Process Mapping & Automation
Debbie Lougheed - Sr. Director of Shared Services, Diocese of Orlando

Before you automate, map. Join this session for a step-by-step guide on how to bring order to operational complexity through process mapping and smart automation strategies specifically geared to new SSOs:

  • Uncover best practices to document and analyze workflows across key shared services functions to create a solid foundation before automation by uncovering inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and variation that need addressing
  • Discover how to prioritize automation opportunities that deliver immediate impact with minimal complexity
  • Use process mapping as a guiding tool to align technology investments with real operational needs, ensuring automation solutions are scalable and sustainable
  • Gain practical advice on challenges specific to immature SSOs, including fragmented data, lack of standardization, and change resistance—helping you navigate a smoother path to automation maturity
  • Explore how involving frontline staff and stakeholders in process mapping drives buy-in and uncovers hidden insights critical for successful automation 

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Debbie Lougheed

Sr. Director of Shared Services
Diocese of Orlando

Digital Transformation Program

1:50 pm - 2:20 pm High-Volume to High-Value: The Agentic AI Blueprint for GBS Process Transformation
Urvish Khandwalla - Sr. Director, Product Management, GBS Portfolio & AI, Iron Mountain
Victoria Roehrich - Sr. Director GBS Strategy and Transformation, Iron Mountain

Shared Services and Global Business Services (GBS) leaders are sitting on a goldmine of unstructured data, yet much of it remains locked, fragmented, and filled with hidden risk. Imagine if this same data could be transformed into an intelligent, AI-ready foundation that powers strategic insights, autonomous automation, and compliance.

In this session, Iron Mountain shares its blueprint for realizing value across high-volume processes–including contracts, mail processing, and new customer setup. You will learn how an intelligent data foundation, powered by advanced automation and agentic AI, is redefining operational efficiency, compliance, and risk management for GBS.
  • Accelerate value realization: Create a unified knowledge layer from siloed systems that drives autonomous business operations
  • Deploy autonomous agents: Move beyond simple automation. Learn how to deploy AI agents that intelligently act on information, with practical examples in contract intelligence, smart mail routing, and seamless new account setup
  • Automate risk detection and remediation: Autonomously detect non-compliance issues and automatically initiate action or remediation, establishing a rapid and defensible pathway to risk reduction 
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Urvish Khandwalla

Sr. Director, Product Management, GBS Portfolio & AI
Iron Mountain

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Victoria Roehrich

Sr. Director GBS Strategy and Transformation
Iron Mountain

Digital Transformation Program

2:20 pm - 2:25 pm Transition Break


Digital Transformation Program

2:25 pm - 2:55 pm AI Employees at the Core of Digital Transformation: Moving from Bots to Enterprise Workforces
Siva Moduga - Co-Founder & CEO, Supervity




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Siva Moduga

Co-Founder & CEO
Supervity

Digital Transformation Program

2:55 pm - 3:00 pm Transition Break


Digital Transformation Program

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm From Requests to Results: Building Common Governance Across Business, IT, and Info Security

Too often, business units request new features without fully grasping technical complexities, while IT proposes solutions without fully understanding the business need. Add to this the rising role of information security in digital and AI initiatives, and misalignment can quickly create costly delays, frustrated stakeholders, and compliance risks.

This session explores how organizations can move from siloed conversations to shared governance models that bring business, IT, and Info Security to the same table from the start. By establishing common frameworks, aligning priorities, and embedding security into the design process, companies can accelerate transformation while ensuring trust, compliance, and business value.

Action Items:

  • Establish governance frameworks that integrate business, IT, and Info Security early in the discovery process
  • Use business problem framing techniques to clarify objectives before designing solutions
  • Involve InfoSec proactively in AI and digital initiatives to avoid late-stage delays and risks
  • Create transparent prioritization models and trade-off discussions to balance speed, value, and security
  • Implement iterative feedback loops that keep business, IT, and Info Security aligned as needs evolve 



Procurement/Supply Chain Management Program

1:50 pm - 2:20 pm Build a Unified View of Supply Chain Data for Stronger Business Outcomes

In today’s volatile global environment, data fragmentation continues to undermine supply chain resilience, procurement agility, and risk management. Explore how leading supply chain and procurement teams are working to unify data across regions, systems, and partners to improve decision-making and drive consistent performance.

  • Build a reliable data foundation to support better forecasting, planning, and supplier management
  • Break down internal silos to create connected insights across procurement, logistics, and finance
  • Tackle the challenges of cross-border coordination, tariff visibility, and regulatory compliance
  • Develop dashboards and reporting frameworks that track meaningful KPIs and support strategic action
  • Embed data quality controls and monitoring into daily operations for long-term impact

Whether you’re just beginning to consolidate your procurement data landscape or looking to scale enterprise-wide intelligence, benefit from practical insights to drive clarity, control, and agility in your supply chain operations. 

Procurement/Supply Chain Management Program

2:20 pm - 2:25 pm Transition Break


Procurement/Supply Chain Management Program

2:25 pm - 2:55 pm Creating Better Insights on Category Savings Through Technology

In a time when cost control is critical and expectations for procurement continue to rise, unlocking deeper insights into category savings is a top priority for GBS and procurement leaders. Technology is now a key enabler in identifying savings opportunities, improving compliance, and ensuring procurement is a strategic lever for the business. But not all tech is created equal—and CFOs are looking for low-risk, high-impact solutions that can deliver immediate value with minimal disruption.

  • Identify top vendors driving innovation in category management
  • Discover tech-enabled transitions with minimal operational impact
  • Discuss how to frame ROI, risk mitigation, and value realization to secure executive buy-in for savings-focused digital transformation
  • Hear real examples of organizations that have harnessed tech to unlock hidden value, gain visibility, and drive performance



Procurement/Supply Chain Management Program

2:55 pm - 3:00 pm Transition Break


Procurement/Supply Chain Management Program

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Break Down Silos in P2P: Align Sourcing & Payables into One Value Stream

Procure-to-Pay (P2P) is often fractured by functional silos—where sourcing and payables operate independently, undermining enterprise value and efficiency. Explore how to unify these functions into a single, streamlined value stream that delivers measurable impact across the organization. Together we will discover how mature Shared Services environments are tackling these obstacles with automation, standardization, and end-to-end visibility.

  • Reframe sourcing and payables as one cohesive, cross-functional team
  • Build the business case for payables automation—even when ROI isn’t obvious
  • Gain leadership buy-in for transforming non-revenue functions into efficiency engines
  • Move toward invisible, automated back-office operations that free up enterprise capacity 

Scope Expansion Program

2:20 pm - 2:25 pm Transition Break


Scope Expansion Program

1:50 pm - 2:20 pm Panel | The Great Scope Expansion— GBS as a Home for Sales, Engineering, and More!
Tom McFarland - SVP, Head of Customer Success Shared Services, LHH
Joaquin Garcia Smith - HR SSC Director Americas, FLIX

The traditional playbook for cost reduction in Shared Services and GBS is no longer enough. As the pressure to deliver more with less intensifies, GBS and Shared Services leaders are shifting focus—from pure efficiency to enterprise enablement. This session brings together organizations that have evolved their scope to include non-traditional, high-impact functions like sales enablement, engineering, compliance, and real estate. Join forward-thinking GBS leaders to answer the hard questions:

  • How are GBS organizations moving beyond cost to deliver strategic value?
  • What’s driving the inclusion of new functions like sales ops, real estate, or compliance?
  • How do multi-function, multi-location, agile models unlock growth and innovation?
  • What skills and leadership mindsets are required to elevate the scope of GBS?
  • How do you secure buy-in for expansion and prove ROI in emerging service areas? 

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Tom McFarland

SVP, Head of Customer Success Shared Services
LHH

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Joaquin Garcia Smith

HR SSC Director Americas
FLIX

Scope Expansion Program

2:25 pm - 2:55 pm Coming Soon!


Scope Expansion Program

2:55 pm - 3:00 pm Transition Break


Scope Expansion Program

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Case Study | A Model for Innovation: Discover Value Expansion through McCormick’s Technical Shared Services
Milena Biardzka - Global Delivery Lead, Technical Shared Services, McCormick & Company

McCormick’s Technical Shared Services team stands out as a unique example of scope and value evolution, moving beyond traditional back-office functions to deliver complex, business-critical services across quality, regulatory compliance, product certification, and technical documentation.

What sets McCormick apart is the integration of these technical and regulatory services within their GBS, enabling rapid, high-quality support for both internal and external stakeholders. Their ability to deliver complex documentation within 24 hours, navigate global regulatory environments, and support business expansion into new markets demonstrates the strategic value of a mature, innovative shared services model. Join this session to:

  • Explore McCormick’s journey in building and scaling their technical shared services and the challenges and opportunities of scope expansion
  • Discuss lessons learned along the way in seeking to differentiate and elevate their GBS operations
  • Hear how the function provides direct value to both internal (R&D, manufacturing) and external (customers, vendors) stakeholders 

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Milena Biardzka

Global Delivery Lead, Technical Shared Services
McCormick & Company

3:30 pm - 4:05 pm Networking Break and Demo Drive


Big Idea Stage

4:05 pm - 4:35 pm Panel | Orchestrating Transformation: Human–AI Workflows that Scale Across Towers

Anjan Mukherjee - VP and Americas Head, Digital Operations &Platform, Wipro

AI can’t deliver real change if it stays in silos. This session shows how people and AI work together to run end-to-end processes like hire-to-retire, source-to-pay, and order-to-cash. We’ll break down where humans add value like handling exceptions, ensuring ethics, and shaping experience and where AI brings speed and scale through pattern detection and smart insights.  



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Anjan Mukherjee

VP and Americas Head, Digital Operations &Platform
Wipro

4:35 pm - 5:05 pm Panel | Back (Office) to the Future: GBS and the Next Wave of Operating Model Transformation



5:05 pm - 5:35 pm Reinvention with Agentic AI – How Ecolab and Accenture Are Creating Business Value

Troy Quick - Managing Director, Accenture
AJ Wijesinghe - SVP, Global Business Services, Ecolab

Ecolab recognized that transformation was required to meet their growth ambitions. Three years ago, they partnered with Accenture to lay the foundation to better serve customers, drive cross-selling, and improve operational effectiveness. A year into that journey, Accenture and Ecolab leadership agreed to accelerate business value with AI. The entire lead to cash end-to-end process was redesigned using nine agentic AI agents, supporting scale, agility, and both customer and associate experiences. Hear how Ecolab is using AI to streamline operations, including their lessons learned along the way.



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Troy Quick

Managing Director
Accenture

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AJ Wijesinghe

SVP, Global Business Services
Ecolab

5:35 pm - 5:55 pm Benchmark Against SSON’s Top 20 Most Admired GBS Organizations

Barbara Hodge - Global Digital Content, SSON Research & Analytics

A hallmark of SSOW has always been the ability to meet the highest volume of true peers in shared services, so that you can make those connections that will allow you to benchmark and discover where your SSO is doing good work, average work, or, sometimes, mediocre work. This session gives you the opportunity to benchmark against the best of the best. Join SSON Research and Analytics as they detail the KPIs common to the Top 20 Most Admired GBSOs and see where your SSO stacks up. 

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Barbara Hodge

Global Digital Content
SSON Research & Analytics

5:55 pm - 5:55 pm Close of Day Two

More Details to Come

Networking Receptions

5:55 pm - 6:40 pm SSOW Expo Hall Reception


7:00 pm - 9:00 pm SSON North American Impact Awards Gala

The SSON North American Impact Awards are the gold standard for celebrating innovation, excellence, and measurable impact across shared services and GBS.

Each year, industry leaders gather at a premier black-tie gala during SSOW not only to honor the teams that have redefined service delivery, driven transformation, and achieved breakthrough results, but also to come together as a community to celebrate collective progress. Open to organizations across North America, the awards spotlight standout achievements in areas ranging from automation, customer centricity, and finance transformation to talent management, business resilience, and technology innovation. Judged by seasoned practitioners with no vendor influence, winning an Impact Award is a true recognition of hard work, vision, and results that inspire the industry while strengthening bonds across the shared services community.


Applications Open: September 15, 2025

Applications Due: January 16, 2026

Finalist Announcement: February 18, 2026

Winners Announcement: March 18, 2026 @ the SSOW Black Tie Awards Gala