The Power of Change

Michael Praeger, Co-Founder and CEO of AvidXchange

“The Power of Change” is an AvidXchange podcast hosted by Michael Praeger, CEO of AvidXchange. On this show, business leaders discuss their approach to change management and offer C-suite perspectives on ushering change during good and bad times.

  1. 3d ago

    17. Why Trust Is the Foundation for Payment Automation with John Case, CEO of Acumatica

    Trust is what determines how far customers are willing to go with automation. In this episode, Michael Praeger is joined by John Case, CEO of Acumatica, to talk about how that plays out across payments, AI, and product strategy. For the mid-sized and family-owned businesses Acumatica serves, confidence in the platform comes first—before efficiency, before speed, before anything else. Case shares how that trust opens the door for deeper automation, why Acumatica sees itself less as a back-office system and more as a system of intelligence and action, and how payments is one of the clearest expressions of that shift—with hundreds of billions in AR and AP flowing through the platform annually.   He also gets into why Acumatica chose to partner rather than build payments capabilities, what they look for in the companies they work with, and how their approach to AI is grounded in one principle: it should work for the individual, not for its own sake. John Case is the CEO of Acumatica, a cloud-based ERP platform built for small and mid-sized businesses. He joined the company in 2022 and previously spent 16 years at Microsoft, where he helped lead the growth of the Office and Office 365 suites. Connect with John: LinkedIn Some key takeaways from this episode include: Trust and security drives adoption more than features. For mid-sized businesses, especially family-owned ones, the decision to automate payments or adopt new tools starts with whether they believe in the platform handling their financial data. Without that foundation, automation doesn’t go very far. Modernizing payments is the natural next step as back-office systems evolve. Many businesses are still relying on manual or paper-based processes, but as accounting and operations become more digitized, payments are quickly becoming part of that same shift toward automation inside the ERP. Strong partnerships are built on alignment, not volume. Case emphasizes that it’s less about how many partners you have and more about how well you work together, shared customers, shared values, and the ability to actually deliver a better experience once the partnership is live. Execution is what makes a partnership real. The announcement is the easy part. How you onboard, deliver, and show up for the customer after the press release is where it either proves itself or doesn't. “The Power of Change” is an AvidXchange podcast hosted by Michael Praeger, CEO and Co-Founder of AvidXchange. On this show, business leaders discuss leadership topics, industry trends, and embracing change.    Connect with Michael + AvidXchange: Michael Praeger Instagram Michael Praeger LinkedIn AvidXchange Instagram AvidXchange LinkedIn YouTube Website Request a Demo

    14 min

  2. Jun 12

    16. How Embedded Payments Are Transforming Law Firm Financial Operations with Michael Dunn, CEO of Centerbase

    Embedded payments are starting to change the role ERPs play in a business. In this episode, Michael Praeger is joined by Michael Dunn, CEO of Centerbase, to talk through what that looks like inside mid-size law firms. As accounts payable (AP) payments move directly into day-to-day workflows, ERPs are evolving from systems that record transactions to systems that actively execute them. This gives firms better visibility into how money is tracked, managed, and tied back to client work and profitability. Dunn shares where firms tend to lose visibility, how that impacts profitability, and why getting payments right has become more important as firms scale. He also gets into how he approaches partnerships at Centerbase—why they prioritize fewer, deeper relationships, and how tools like AI are starting to shape product decisions and pricing. With more than 20 years in SaaS and technology leadership, including roles at Match.com, Stack Sports, and Dex Media, and a prior partnership with AvidXchange as CEO of ResMan, Dunn brings a practical perspective on how these systems evolve over time. Key takeaways from this episode: Your ERP should do more than track transactions. It should help manage them. As payments become embedded directly into workflows, firms gain better visibility into where money is going, how it ties back to client work, and where profitability may be slipping through the cracks. This helps mid-market law firms to scale. Where you place payments in your system impacts more than efficiency—it affects control and risk. When payments aren’t clearly tied to matters or accounts, it becomes easier to miss billable expenses, mismanage trust accounts, or lose track of financial performance at a granular level. Not all partnerships are created equally. Dunn emphasizes that fewer, deeply integrated partnerships tend to deliver more value than a long list of surface-level integrations. Building your own payment infrastructure rarely makes strategic sense. When the complexity of money movement is already solved at scale by a dedicated partner, ERP platforms can focus on what they do best: the front-end workflow, compliance logic, and tying transactions back to the business. That's where the real competitive advantage lives. “The Power of Change” is an AvidXchange podcast hosted by Michael Praeger, CEO and Co-Founder of AvidXchange. On this show, business leaders discuss leadership topics, industry trends, and embracing change.    Connect with Michael + AvidXchange: Michael Praeger Instagram Michael Praeger LinkedIn AvidXchange Instagram AvidXchange LinkedIn YouTube Website Request a Demo

    18 min

  3. 12/16/2025

    15. Supporting Data-Driven Strategy with an Innovative Culture feat. Nigel Morris, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at QED Investors

    “Culture eats strategy for breakfast” is the motto Nigel Morris lives by, and in this episode of the Power of Change, he explains why. Whether you’re implementing AI technologies or hiring the next generation of top talent, your culture ultimately determines how effective any innovation will be. Nigel Morris, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of QED Investors and former board member of AvidXchange, joins Michael Praeger to discuss  how organizations can stay entrepreneurial, make smarter decisions with data, and build teams that push the business forward.  QED Investors is a fintech venture capital platform focused on high-growth financial services companies. Previously, Nigel co-founded Capital One Financial Services in 1994, where he served as President and Chief Operating Officer for a decade. Key takeaways from this episode include: Leverage new technologies like AI and make data-driven decisions to help elevate the customer experience. Nigel stresses the importance of hiring top talent, the “best and brightest” of both young professionals and established leaders to fuel innovation. Build a culture defined by curiosity, purpose, and momentum. Those traits create the conditions where breakthroughs can happen. “The Power of Change” is an AvidXchange podcast hosted by Michael Praeger, co-founder and CEO of AvidXchange. On this show, business leaders discuss their approach to change management and offer C-suite perspectives on ushering change during good and bad times. Connect with Michael + AvidXchange: Michael Praeger Instagram Michael Praeger LinkedIn AvidXchange Instagram AvidXchange LinkedIn YouTube Website Request a Demo

    19 min

  4. 11/07/2025

    14. Your Accounting and Operations Can Be a Key Selling Point for Your Organization with Claudia Herrera of Donohoe Commercial Real Estate

    Leading a high-performing team is hard in and of itself, let alone during times of constant technology changes and economic uncertainty. In this episode, Michael Praeger, CEO of AvidXchange, is joined by Claudia Herrera, the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Donohoe Commercial Real Estate and Borger Residential, to discuss how she’s led their accounting and operations teams to become revenue-generating assets for the organization. She also shares how leveraging technology like AvidXchange has allowed her to make both macro and micro decisions to drive the business forward. Claudia Herrera is the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Donohoe Commercial Real Estate and Borger Residential. With over 25 years of accounting and leadership experience, Claudia is an essential part of Donohoe’s growth, overseeing operations, financial teams and reporting, and more. Some key takeaways from this episode include: Your accounting team should be a revenue generator, not an expense. If billing and smooth operations are improving your client experience, your accounting becomes a selling point to set your company apart. Leverage technology to help you negotiate your pricing and contracts. With tools like AvidXchange, you can see your accounting at a macro level that lets you make small—but impactful—decisions that support your company’s growth. Get everyone involved in your processes and technologies while you’re creating them. Your team is so much more likely to buy into following processes when they’re a part of creating them. “The Power of Change” is an AvidXchange podcast hosted by Michael Praeger, Co-Founder and CEO of AvidXchange. On this show business leaders discuss leadership topics, industry trends, and embracing change.    Connect with Michael + AvidXchange: Michael Praeger Instagram Michael Praeger LinkedIn AvidXchange Instagram AvidXchange LinkedIn YouTube Website Request a Demo

    16 min

  5. 10/17/2025

    13. Becoming the Purpose-Driven Leader Your Team Needs with Patrick Brensinger of Trinity Growth Advisors

    In this episode of the Power of Change podcast, host Michael Praeger engages with Patrick Brensinger, a senior advisor at Trinity Growth Advisors, discussing the intersection of leadership, technology, and personal growth . Patrick shares insights from his diverse career journey, including the significance of purpose-driven leadership, especially in high-growth environments. Whether you’re a C-suite executive or a new manager, this leadership episode is full of wisdom you can start implementing in your role today. Some key takeaways from this episode include: Rather than trying to be a good “answers” leader, try to be a good “questions” leader. Your job as a leader isn’t to have all the right answers; it’s to ask the right questions and encourage your team to do the same. Then, you can figure out the answers together. One of the biggest challenges we’re seeing emerge is creating business objectives that align the company’s core values with your team’s personal values. When our teams are deeply and personally invested in the work they’re doing, the impact is infinite. When you’re planning objectives with your team, start with the 3-5 year vision, then the year-at-a-glance vision, and then break that into 90-day objectives. Implement self-care routines to win the day and the week, and achieving that 5-year vision will be inevitable. “The Power of Change” is an AvidXchange podcast hosted by Michael Praeger, Co-Founder and CEO of AvidXchange. On this show business leaders discuss leadership topics, industry trends, and embracing change.    Connect with Michael + AvidXchange: Michael Praeger Instagram Michael Praeger LinkedIn AvidXchange Instagram AvidXchange LinkedIn YouTube Website Request a Demo

    16 min

  6. 08/21/2025

    12. Advocating for Change and Approaching Tech with Curiosity with Shawn Robinson, Accounts Payable Manager at ASSA ABLOY

    We’ve interviewed several C-suite leaders on this podcast, but in this episode we’re chatting with Shawn Robinson, the Accounts Payable Manager at ASSA ABLOY in Monroe, North Carolina, who is boots on the ground, implementing AP automation with AvidXchange. In this episode, Shawn shares how he has led his team through implementing AP automation to increase productivity so they can focus on relationship building and needle-moving goals, and why being an advocate for change in your organization is crucial for success. Shawn Robinson has worked with ASSA ABLOY for 12 years, where he has had hands-on experience across the full order-to-cash cycle, including invoicing, portable billing, collections, cash applications, and accounts payable. ASSA ABLOY has been a customer of AvidXchange since 2017, transforming their payment process by reducing manual payment processing time by 76%. Some key takeaways from this episode include: Be an advocate for change on your team and make change a collaborative process. When you bring your team together to make effective changes, you get buy-in up front and everyone feels empowered to implement the changes. In the accounts payable space, growing your relationships with your key suppliers should be at the forefront, which is hard to do when your time is consumed by manual processes. Through automation, your team’s time is freed up for building those relationships to scale your operations. Be “a little bit nerdy” when it comes to technology. There’s no downside to being on top of industry trends, technology news, and new tools that can make your team’s operations easier and more efficient. “The Power of Change” is an AvidXchange podcast hosted by Michael Praeger, Co-Founder and CEO of AvidXchange. On this show business leaders discuss leadership topics, industry trends, and embracing change.    Connect with Michael + AvidXchange: Michael Praeger Instagram Michael Praeger LinkedIn AvidXchange Instagram AvidXchange LinkedIn YouTube Website Request a Demo

    12 min

  7. 05/09/2025

    11. Leveraging Automation for the Digital Generation with Blake Sanford, VP of Association & Strategic Partners at PMI

    Adopting new technology quickly is the name of the game in fintech, but not everyone in your organization—including your customers—will be on board at first. In this episode, Michael Praeger sits down with Blake Sanford, VP of Association & Strategic Partners at Property Management, Inc. (PMI), to discuss how he’s led PMI’s franchise owners through technology advancements. Plus, his daily and weekly routines he follows to show up well as a leader.  Some key takeaways from this episode include: Automations are not just about cutting down teams, they’re about making the most of the time your team has and maximizing what they can achieve in a day. Beyond automation, strategic partnerships can also make your teams more efficient. You need people in your organization that are curious about new technologies, and people who are smarter than you. Don’t let your ego get in the way of bringing top talent to the table. As the leader of your organization, you have to take great care of yourself. Prioritizing sleep, exercise, and intentional rest is going to help you show up as the best version of yourself, and it has a ripple effect on your team as well. “The Power of Change” is an AvidXchange podcast hosted by Michael Praeger, Co-Founder and CEO of AvidXchange. On this show business leaders discuss leadership topics, industry trends, and embracing change.  Connect with Michael + AvidXchange: Michael Praeger Instagram Michael Praeger LinkedIn AvidXchange Instagram AvidXchange LinkedIn YouTube Website Request a Demo

    23 min

  8. 04/04/2025

    10. Innovating Trust and Fraud Prevention as a Leader in Banking with Jill Castilla, CEO & President of Citizens Bank of Edmond

    Trust, collaboration, and innovation are the ideal words that leaders hope describe their organizations, but how are you modeling that for your team? In this episode, Michael Praeger is joined by Jill Castilla, CEO & President of Citizens Bank of Edmond, to discuss how her military background taught her how to lead a team - and later an entire bank - that kept these three words at the forefront.  Jill Castilla is a nationally recognized banking leader, innovator in financial technology, and a driving force in community banking. As President and CEO of Citizens Bank of Edmond and Chairman of Citizens Bancshares, Inc., she has transformed the banking landscape with visionary leadership, groundbreaking solutions, and an unwavering commitment to serving communities and military members. In 2015, Jill led Citizens Bank of Edmond to adopt AvidXchange’s automation solutions tailored for financial services, helping drive innovation and strengthen fraud prevention across the bank.  Some key takeaways from this episode include:  Innovation starts with trust. Jill emphasizes the importance of building a collaborative culture where technology adoption is embraced—and rooted in a shared commitment to serving customers better.  Fraud detection is key. In banking, the accounts payable function is one of the most vulnerable areas for fraud. Jill shares how implementing AP automation helped Citizens Bank of Edmond establish stronger internal controls, faster fraud detection, and better accountability.  Stay agile and open to new tech. With tools like AI and cloud-based platforms evolving rapidly, Jill believes the true advantage lies in being able to quickly evaluate and implement the right technologies. It’s less about any one solution and more about creating a culture of adaptability.  “The Power of Change” is an AvidXchange podcast hosted by Michael Praeger, Co-Founder and CEO of AvidXchange. On this show business leaders discuss leadership topics, industry trends, and embracing change.     Connect with Michael + AvidXchange:  Michael Praeger Instagram Michael Praeger LinkedIn AvidXchange Instagram AvidXchange LinkedIn YouTube Website Request a Demo

    22 min
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Ratings & Reviews

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About

“The Power of Change” is an AvidXchange podcast hosted by Michael Praeger, CEO of AvidXchange. On this show, business leaders discuss their approach to change management and offer C-suite perspectives on ushering change during good and bad times.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Praeger, Co-Founder and CEO of AvidXchange
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Michael Praeger, Co-Founder and CEO of AvidXchange
  • Show Website
    The Power of Change