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.

Follow Danielle:

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

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/

Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984

Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation today and get 15% off using the code “Podcast” at https://bit.ly/497oAqW

[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

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Danielle Stein Fairhurst to discuss how AI is changing financial modeling, why modelers need to keep learning, and how dynamic arrays are shaping the future of Excel. Danielle also shares her thoughts on model design, AFM exam preparation, and why strategic thinking still matters in an AI-driven world.

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 Modelling.

Expect to Learn:

• How AI is changing financial modeling.
• Why modelers should not outsource all their thinking to AI.
• How dynamic arrays are changing Excel modeling.
• What it takes to prepare for the AFM exam.
• Why simplicity and strong model design still matter.

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 now handle many technical tasks that once required significant modeling expertise. She believes modelers should embrace these tools while still relying on their own judgment, creativity, and strategic thinking.

Follow Danielle:

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

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/

Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984

Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation today and get 15% off using the code “Podcast” at https://bit.ly/497oAqW

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration that has undergone human editorial review.

[00:00] - Trailer

[05:19] - AI and the Future of Financial Modeling

[08:30] - Financial Modeling Pet Peeves

[10:21] - Updating Courses with AI

[15:34] - Lessons From Danielle’s Pilgrimage

[18:26] - AI Building Financial Models

[27:30] - Training vs. Real-World Modeling

[31:01] - Preparing for the AFM Exam

[35:35] - Dynamic Arrays in Financial Modeling

[40:24] - Lessons From Past Models

[44:47] - Rapid Fire: Excel & Modeling

[48:41] - Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Financial Modeler’s Corner, host Paul Barnhurst sits down with Dan Mayoh to discuss his career in financial modeling, lessons from model auditing, and why he sees Excel as one of the world’s most accessible programming languages. Dan also shares how mathematical modeling, poker, and probability have shaped his approach to risk and decision-making under uncertainty.

Dan Mayoh is the Founder and CEO of Fintega Pty Ltd and a financial modeling and spreadsheet specialist with more than 15 years of experience. With a background in actuarial studies, Dan began his career in model auditing before moving into financial modeling and consulting. He also placed second in the inaugural ModelOff competition and was an early CFM holder with the Financial Modeling Institute.

Expect to Learn:

• Why Excel can be viewed as a programming language.
• What model auditing teaches you about model design.
• How Modeloff helped Dan grow as a modeler and consultant.
• How mathematical modeling helps quantify risk and uncertainty.
• Why good decisions should not be judged only by outcomes.

Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:

• “Excel is really just the most accessible programming language in the world.” - Dan Mayoh
• “Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose, even when you make the right decision.” - Dan Mayoh

Dan explains that strong financial modeling goes beyond formulas and functions. Structure, navigation, error checks, usability, and designing around the end user all play an important role in creating models that are easier to understand, update, and trust.

Follow Dan:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-mayoh-255227/

Follow Financial Modeler's Corner:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-modeler-s-corner/

Newsletter - Subscribe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7079020077076905984

Sign up for the Advanced Financial Modeler Accreditation today and get 15% off using the code “Podcast” at https://bit.ly/497oAqW

Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration that has undergone human editorial review.

[00:00] - Trailer

[03:40] - Dan’s Financial Modeling Journey

[06:05] - Building a Career in Financial Modeling

[12:14] - Modeling as Software Development

[15:09] - Financial Modeling Horror Stories

[19:19] - Lessons From Model Auditing

[22:03] - Competing in ModelOff

[27:39] - Mathematical Modeling of Games

[32:04] - Modeling Risk in Real-World Projects

[35:13] - Decision-Making Under Uncertainty

[40:53] - Rapid Fire: Excel & Modeling

[44:22] - Closing Thoughts