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.
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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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
Mentorship and daily rhythms are two keys to success as a leader. In this episode, Michael Praeger is joined by his longtime friend and mentor, Patrick Thean, the Co-Founder and CEO of Rhythm Systems, to discuss these and more. Plus, they share some of the principles in their co-authored book, The Journey to CEO Success.
Links mentioned:
The Journey to CEO Success | The Seven Practices for High-Growth Leadership by Patrick Thean & Michael Praeger
Some key takeaways from this episode include:
As a leader, you have to start with yourself and make yourself as great as you can be. Next, you can help develop the team around you. Last but not least, you need to develop a strategy to empower your team to support your customers to the best of their abilities.
Curiosity is a huge part of leadership and team development. Always ask yourself, “What is about this team member or customer that I don’t know yet?” Then ask questions to learn more about them and develop that relationship.
Your “core customers” are those who have shown they want to grow with you and who fall into the target clients you’re looking to serve. Listen to those customers and implement their ideas. Those are the customers whose ideas and feedback you should implement first.
“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:
“Automation” is quite the buzzword in the business and tech spaces, and for good reason. In this episode, Michael Praeger sits down with Sara Grafals, the Senior Vice President of Regional Finance for Speedway Motorsports, to discuss how AvidXchange’s automation tools have saved their team $300K and hundreds of hours of staff time.
Resources mentioned:
Customer Story: Speedway Motorsports Revolutionizes Finance Department Using AvidXchange
Some key takeaways from this episode include:
The Covid pandemic forced a lot of companies to examine their processes and the ease of automation and streamlining for remote offices. AvidXchange allowed Speedway Motorsports to work seamlessly together in their accounts payable processes.
We can learn so much from our teams about how we can grow as leaders. Creating an environment where your team can give you - and each other - constructive criticism in a respectful manner will help you grow exponentially.
Before switching to AvidXchange, Sara had an exclusively paper system for onboarding and accounts payable. After switching, the team didn’t miss a beat in their processes because the automation and digital formats made it way easier to stay on top of.
“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:
Letting go of the status quo can be difficult, especially when it comes to technology. In this episode, Michael Praeger is joined by Howard Barash, Chief Financial Officer of Property Resources Corporation, to discuss how he has embraced change throughout his career, and his thoughts on the shift to AI-based tools.
Some key takeaways from this episode include:
Question everything. Recognize that while some things might be working, there is always room for increasing efficiency and pushing past your comfort zone.
Embracing change, especially when it comes to technology and trends, is a sign that you’re still willing to grow and evolve in your career.
AI still has some room to improve, but seeing major technology shifts in our careers has taught us that embracing the big waves keeps us at the forefront. Learning how to optimize the tool is the next best step.
“The Power of Change” is an AvidXchange podcast hosted by Michael Praeger, Co-Founder and CEO of AvidXchange. On this show, business leaders, partners, and customers discuss leadership topics, industry trends, and embracing change during good and bad times.
Connect with Michael + AvidXchange:
We know that growth requires getting out of your comfort zone, but it can sometimes be tricky to run head-on towards a fire instead of away from it - sometimes literally. That’s what Ben Currin, CEO of Vantaca, was trained to do as a submarine officer and nuclear engineer in the U.S. Navy. In this episode, Ben joins Michael Praeger to discuss his biggest lessons learned in the Navy, how he applies them in his role at Vantaca, and how he supports his health at home to show up as the best version of himself at work.
Some key takeaways from this episode include:
The first thing you’re trained to do on a submarine in the event of a fire is to run straight towards it. If there’s a problem in your organization, your job as a leader is to run straight towards it and address it head-on, not shy away from it.
How does your product make your customer’s life easier? If you’re always tying your organization’s goals and developments to that value proposition, it can have a positive ripple effect throughout the entire organization.
Establish a strong personal routine for your mornings and evenings. Making time for exercise, personal goals, and quality time with your family is going to impact how you show up as a leader at work.
“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:
Our guest for this episode of "The Power of Change" is Ryan Davis, CEO for CINC Systems, the largest provider of SaaS solutions for the community association industry. CINC currently serves more than 20,000 homeowners associations and 2 million homes.
In Michael Praeger's conversation with Davis, they cover Davis’ unique journey from newspaper reporter to CEO, strategies on leading massive transformation for your organization, and discuss the impact of technology on both the community management industry and Davis’ journey as a business leader.
Host: Michael Praeger, CEO & co-founder, AvidXchange
Guest: Ryan Davis, CEO, CINC Systems
Producer: Travis Durkee, AvidXchange
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Our guest for this episode of "The Power of Change" is Elizabeth Francisco, Chief Experience Officer for Inhabit, which owns a collection of tech-forward products serving the residential and vacation rental management industries. Inhabit IQ’s portfolio of products includes ResMan, an industry-leading property management platform that Francisco has led as president and co-founder since 2016.
In Michael Praeger's conversation with Francisco, they discuss what it means to lead an organization during uncertain economic times, the unique approach necessary as a wartime leader, as well as Francisco’s path from a single mother in college to a leading executive in her field.
Host: Michael Praeger, CEO & co-founder, AvidXchange
Guest: Elizabeth Francisco, CXO, Inhabit
Producer: Travis Durkee, AvidXchange
Click here for more thought leadership content from AvidXchange
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In Michael Praeger's conversation with Carmichael, they talk about the main challenges facing the CAM industry, the reasons for property managers to embrace technology and the importance of clear communication as a leader.
Host: Michael Praeger, CEO & co-founder, AvidXchange
Guest: Cat Carmichael, CEO, Strategy 123
Producer: Travis Durkee, AvidXchange
Click here for more thought leadership content from AvidXchange
Follow Michael Praeger on Instagram
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“The Power of Change with Michael Praeger” is a new series by AvidXchange where business leaders discuss their approach to change management and offer C-suite perspectives on ushering change during good and bad times.
