In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Danielle Stein Fairhurst to discuss how AI is reshaping financial modeling, what modelers need to do to stay relevant, and why strategic thinking matters more than ever. Danielle also shares practical lessons from training financial modelers, working with real-world client models, and preparing for the Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM) exam.

Danielle Stein Fairhurst is the Principal Financial Modeling Specialist at Plum Solutions, a Microsoft Excel MVP, Master Financial Modeler with the Financial Modeling Institute, LinkedIn Learning instructor, and internationally recognized financial modeling trainer and speaker. She is also the author of Financial Modeling in Excel For Dummies and Using Excel for Business and Financial Modeling.

Expect to Learn:

• How AI is changing financial modeling.
• Why modelers need to keep learning and experimenting.
• How to use AI without outsourcing your thinking.
• Why real-world models differ from training examples.
• How to prepare effectively for the AFM exam.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• “AI is already building financial models, and that is quite terrifying to me.” - Danielle Stein Fairhurst
• “I think it's important that we just sit down and think strategically about what we want rather than outsourcing all of your creativity and all of your thinking to AI.” - Danielle Stein Fairhurst

Danielle explains that AI can save time and help modelers go deeper with analysis, but it shouldn't replace independent thinking. She also shares why simplicity matters in real-world models and why practice and speed are essential when preparing for the AFM exam.

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellesteinfairhurst

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[00:48] - Danielle's Background

[01:41] - Modeling Journey

[02:59] - Careers & AI

[05:58] - AI & Financial Modeling

[11:34] - AI in Everyday Work

[13:31] - Real-World Models

[17:20] - AFM Preparation

[19:09] - Closing Thoughts