Actualizing Success

Actualize Consulting

Actualizing Success is a podcast that covers all things financial. It is based around Actualize Consulting’s main areas of expertise, Mortgage and Fixed Income and Capital Markets and Treasury. Join us as we discuss industry trends, host engaging interviews with industry leaders, and learn the ins and outs of enhancing your processes and leveraging technology to solve challenges faced in your business operations. In each episode, we will provide key takeaways to help our audience transform their operations, as well as keep you up to date on market trends and upcoming regulations.

  1. MAR 6

    Deep Dive into our White Paper: Transforming Team Challenges Into Homeruns

    How do high-performing teams turn friction into momentum? In this Deep Dive series of the Actualizing Success podcast, we explore why collaboration, while essential to success, is often one of the biggest challenges teams face. Drawing on insights from Actualize Consulting and Culture Infusion, this conversation breaks down five practical principles for transforming everyday team friction into stronger trust, accountability, and performance. From stepping up early and actively listening to building confidence through recognition, coaching with intention, and becoming a true resource for your team, this episode offers actionable strategies for creating healthier, higher-impact team dynamics. Tune in for an engaging discussion on leadership, collaboration, psychological safety, and building a culture where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.  Read the full white paper: https://www.actualizeconsulting.com/uploads/1/6/8/0/16806736/2025-optimizing-cash-inflow-processes.pdf  Visit us online to connect with our team of trusted advisors and explore strategies to enhance financial agility and unlock smarter liquidity management. https://www.actualizeconsulting.com/treasury.html   Join the conversation and follow us on LinkedIn for ongoing insights, knowledge sharing, and treasury strategy perspectives from our global team. We'd love to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or would like to collaborate on a future episode, please contact us at podcast@actualizeconsulting.com.

    17 min
  2. JAN 19

    PMO with Purpose: Aligning Projects for Maximum Impact

    In this episode, we explore what it truly takes to build a strategy-first portfolio culture in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. Actualize Consulting’s Kurt Rasmussen, Director in the Mortgage and Fixed Income Practice at Actualize Consulting, who brings over 25 years of expertise in project, portfolio, program, and PMO management, joins Manager Caroline Pickering for an insightful conversation. Together, they unpack why so many organizations struggle to align their project portfolios with core business goals, and what it takes to move from a busy collection of initiatives to a portfolio that delivers real, measurable value. You’ll hear real-world examples, best practices, and actionable insights on project portfolio management (PPM): how it transforms organizational effectiveness, enables smarter prioritization, and fosters a culture of accountability and strategic collaboration. Plus, discover how AI is reshaping portfolio management, streamlining processes, and bringing predictive power to decision-making. Listen to learn more about: Creating a strategy-first mindset for portfolio management that aligns projects with business objectivesTools and frameworks (including scorecards and steering committees) that help prioritize high-value initiativesKey performance indicators (KPIs) every organization should track to measure real portfolio impactProven ways to keep stakeholders engaged and aligned even as priorities shiftHow AI is transforming project selection, reporting, and predictive analytics in portfolio managementThanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and will come back for more. In the meantime, don’t forget to rate this episode and leave a review!    Get in touch with Actualize at www.actualizeconsulting.com     We'd love to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or would like to collaborate on a future episode, please contact us at podcast@actualizeconsulting.com.

    24 min
  3. 11/05/2025

    Enterprise Data Strategy – Forging the Path to AI In Treasury

    Join Actualize Consulting's Senior Consultant, Dom Boyle, and Senior Manager Will Robertson as they dive into crafting a powerful data strategy within treasury organizations. They break down the full transformation journey from understanding why data strategy matters to implementing enterprise data lakes and ensuring robust data governance. Whether you’re looking to centralize your financial data, improve decision-making, or explore AI applications in treasury, this Actualizing Success episode offers actionable insights to help you get started. Listen to learn more about: The fundamentals of data strategy and its importance for treasurySteps to validate existing data, build a minimum viable product (MVP), and design a comprehensive data schemaHow to consolidate systems and build a centralized enterprise data lakeKey roles and responsibilities in maintaining data governance, including data stewards and governance leadsInnovative AI and machine learning use cases, from predictive forecasting to payment anomaly detection and automated core data enrichmentThanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and will come back for more. In the meantime, don’t forget to rate this episode and leave a review!    Get in touch with Actualize at www.actualizeconsulting.com      We'd love to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or would like to collaborate on a future episode, please contact us at podcast@actualizeconsulting.com.

    32 min
  4. 10/14/2025

    Inspiring Change Through Giving Back

    In this inspiring episode, we dive into the heart of giving back with Actualize Consulting's COO Kerry Wekelo and Nubia Leal, LATAM HR Coordinator. With over 20 years of commitment to community engagement, Kerry shares how integrating a culture of giving back has shaped the identity of Actualize. Nubia brings her unique perspective, detailing her experiences and the positive impact that volunteering has had on her life and her team. Together, they explore the importance of charitable initiatives and how the Actualize Consulting team embodies its commitment to creating a ripple effect of kindness in life. In a world that needs human connection and empathy more than ever, this is an episode you won't want to miss! Listen to Learn More About: Using personal stories to inspire individuals and companies to give back to their communitiesHow hands-on giving creates connections within teams and enhances company culturePractical ways to start small with community initiatives and grow them into impactful programs within organizationsThe transformative power of empathy and social responsibility in both personal and professional settingsThanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and tune in again for more insights from our team. In the meantime, don’t forget to rate this episode and leave a review!    Get in touch with Actualize at www.actualizeconsulting.com      We'd love to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or would like to collaborate on a future episode, please contact us at podcast@actualizeconsulting.com.

    16 min
  5. 09/15/2025

    Observations and Expert Analysis on the Mortgage Space

    With the mortgage servicing landscape constantly evolving since the pandemic, understanding the information and trends at hand is key to staying ahead of the curve. In this episode of Actualizing Success, industry veterans Partner Matt Seu and Director EJ Kite with Actualize Consulting unpack the dynamics that are reshaping real estate and mortgage servicing today. From post-pandemic market corrections to regional supply-and-demand imbalances, and the long-term effects of interest rate whiplash, Matt and EJ share expert insights drawn from decades of experience. They also delve into investor behavior, population migration patterns, and the increasing importance of predictive modeling and data analytics in managing borrower risk and portfolio health. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting in the real estate arena, our industry experts offer valuable insights into what's next for the mortgage servicing industry. Listen to learn more about: Post-pandemic market shifts in housing market dynamicsThe rise and fall of home inventories and their influence on pricing and buyer opportunityNavigating interest rate volatilityRegional housing supply differences and each area's unique challenges and opportunitiesThe role of predictive modeling and data analytics in addressing potential market challenges and improving mortgage servicing strategiesJoin us for an insightful discussion that breaks down key market trends and equips industry professionals to proactively prepare for future changes in the evolving mortgage servicing landscape. About Matt Seu  Matt is a Partner at Actualize Consulting, managing the Mortgage & Fixed Income practice. With three decades of experience in the mortgage industry, Matt is a wealth of information and a true thought leader committed to moving the industry forward through digital transformation and standardizing how the mortgage industry communicates. Before his time at Actualize, he served as a Vice President for Freddie Mac, focusing on large-scale business and technology change efforts. Matt is a winner of the 2023 Industry Titans Award.  Email: mseu@actualizeconsulting.com  About EJ Kite  EJ is a Director with Actualize Consulting and has over 35 years of expertise in information management. He has a proven track record in team building, infrastructure analysis, and crafting enduring solutions to meet dynamic business demands. With a 24-year tenure across Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, he has consistently spearheaded initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and foster strategic growth through data-driven insights. EJ holds a degree in Business Administration from Roanoke College. He has received various awards, including the Sapphire Award for Auction in 2021, the Commitment to Excellence Award in 2017, and the Mortgage Banking 2012 Technology All-Star Award. Email: Ekite@actualizeconsulting.com  Thanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and will come back for more. In the meantime, don’t forget to rate this episode and leave a review!    Get in touch with Actualize at www.actualizeconsulting.com      We'd love to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or would like to collaborate on a future episode, please contact us at podcast@actualizeconsulting.com.

    21 min
  6. 08/05/2025

    60 Days into Consulting

    In the latest episode of Actualizing Success, Actualize Consulting Directors Paul Baram and Louise Georgiou have an engaging interview-style conversation about her first 60 days into consulting. Louise shares her journey and the motivations behind her shift from a 25-year career in treasury, with her last role being Vice President of global cash management, to consulting. They discuss the importance of aligning treasury functions with broader business operations, the critical role of technology in modern finance, and how to navigate the complexities of project management. Join them for a lively discussion that offers valuable lessons for finance professionals at every stage of their careers. Listen to learn more about: The motivations behind Louise's transition from corporate treasury to consulting and insights gained from 60 days in a consulting role, including project management and client trust.Key responsibilities in cash management and how they impact overall business strategy.The importance of technology and real-time data in the treasury function.Emerging trends in treasury and finance, including the impact of technology and regulatory changes poised to reshape the industry over the next decade.Advice for treasury professionals looking to adapt to the shifting landscape.Don’t miss this informative episode packed with practical insights and forward-thinking discussions! About Paul Baram   Paul is Director of Actualize Consulting’s UK office and their Treasury and Capital Markets projects. His 20-plus years of experience include international project management, business requirements, system design, treasury system implementation, testing, and managing project execution. Paul specializes in Corporate Treasury overall solution architecture and business process design. He holds an MSc in Surface Chemistry from the University of Bristol. Email: pbaram@actualizeconsulting.com   About Louise Georgiou Louise is a Director at Actualize Consulting with extensive experience in Fortune 500 global cash operations, liquidity management, and corporate treasury functions. She is a strategic leader in M&A, spin-offs, and divestitures, working closely with tax and finance teams to enhance efficiency and financial performance. Louise specializes in Corporate Liquidity Management, managing bank relationships, and developing cash management systems while optimizing processes through treasury tools and leading vendor evaluations for Treasury and Risk Management systems. Email: lgeorgiou@actualizeconsulting.com  Thanks for listening to this episode of the Actualizing Success Podcast! We hope you enjoyed the discussion and will come back for more. In the meantime, don’t forget to rate this episode and leave a review!    Get in touch with Actualize at www.actualizeconsulting.com      We'd love to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or would like to collaborate on a future episode, please get in touch with us at podcast@actualizeconsulting.com.

    17 min

About

Actualizing Success is a podcast that covers all things financial. It is based around Actualize Consulting’s main areas of expertise, Mortgage and Fixed Income and Capital Markets and Treasury. Join us as we discuss industry trends, host engaging interviews with industry leaders, and learn the ins and outs of enhancing your processes and leveraging technology to solve challenges faced in your business operations. In each episode, we will provide key takeaways to help our audience transform their operations, as well as keep you up to date on market trends and upcoming regulations.