The Power of Change

Michael Praeger, Co-Founder and CEO of AvidXchange
  • 5.0 (2)
  • BUSINESS

“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. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 10/21/2024

    9. Having the Right Team Behind You Can Change the Game with Gabi Ruffels, LPGA Tour Player

    There is so much we can learn from athletes about leadership, routines, and growth, which is why we’re thrilled to have Gabi Ruffels, Team AvidXchange’s sponsored professional golfer, on the podcast. In this episode, Gabi shares her road to the LPGA Tour, the team that helps her grow on a daily basis, and the routines she maintains both at home and on the road. Gabi Ruffels is an Australian-American LPGA Tour player. After becoming the number-one ranked junior tennis player in Australia at age 12, Gabi transitioned to playing golf and is now in her rookie year on the LPGA Tour.  Some key takeaways from this episode include: Pivoting is crucial to make sure your heart is still in the game. Even though Gabi was at the top of her game in tennis at a young age, she pivoted to a different sport and has had tremendous success. If you travel a lot, allow your routines to be flexible. Pick the most important parts of your routine (for Gabi it’s working on her golf game and getting in a workout) and make those the things you stick to on the road. Golf may be a “solo sport,” there is still an entire team behind every golfer that’s helping them improve. Who’s on your team? Ask them for consistent feedback and guidance, and you will certainly grow as a result. “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 during good and bad times.    Connect with Michael + AvidXchange: Michael Praeger Instagram Michael Praeger LinkedIn AvidXchange Instagram AvidXchange LinkedIn YouTube Website Request a Demo

    24 min

  8. 10/17/2024

    8. Leveraging Data & Analytics to Make Better Leadership Decisions with Brian Tarble, VP of Product at AvidXchange

    More and more finance leaders are being asked to leverage data and analytics for their decision-making, and for good reason. Data allows us to make informed and strategic decisions that can positively impact revenue and customer satisfaction. In this episode, Michael Praeger interviews Brian Tarble, Vice President of Product at AvidXchange, on product development, data and analytics, and leadership lessons learned from coaching youth sports. Resources mentioned: Request a Demo from AvidXchange to start leveraging data and analytics in your own business today Download the 2025 Finance Focus Guide from AvidXchange for more insights on the 2025 Trends Survey Some key takeaways from this episode include: Data can be leveraged in your business by maximizing the value of your supplier footprint, taking advantage of different payment modalities, and improving operational efficiency. When you connect with your team members, connect with them as people first and employees second. Ask them how their families are doing, how they’re doing, and make that connection with them before you jump into the agenda items for the day. Learning what motivates each person on your team is crucial for keeping them engaged at a high level. Brian learned this from coaching youth sports, but it certainly applies to leaders at all levels. “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. Connect with Michael + AvidXChange: Michael Praeger Instagram Michael Praeger LinkedIn AvidXchange Instagram AvidXchange LinkedIn YouTube Website Request a Demo

    11 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Michael Praeger, Co-Founder and CEO of AvidXchange
  • Show Website
    The Power of Change