NEW! Leading From the 50-Yard Line: Financial Strategy in a High-Stakes Industry
A powerhouse panel of NFC North CFOs
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026
1-2:40 p.m. Central
2 CPE (2 non-technical)
Course code: 26WM-0017
Pricing
Small business, big visibility. Step inside the world of NFL finance through the eyes of four senior financial leaders from the NFC North: Laura Anderson (Chicago Bears), Allison Maki (Detroit Lions), Kate Shibilski (Minnesota Vikings) and Maureen Smith (Green Bay Packers). Explore how financial executives operate in organizations where "success" is measured on the field as much as it is by the numbers and gain insights on how collaboration is vital even when rivalries are heated. Hear personal and professional insights from their experiences as women and working parents in senior leadership roles and walk away with practical guidance on what it takes to be an effective leader in your organization.
Who is this designed for?
Accounting, finance and business professionals interested in leadership and strategic decision‑making within high‑profile organizations (or just fans of football, of course).
What will you learn?
- Strategic decision-making when the stakes are high.
- Approaches to balancing short-term performance with long-term stability.
- Key considerations in navigating revenue sharing, salary caps and league economics.
- What it takes to lead when responsibilities expand beyond finance.
- The measure of “success” at the individual, team and league levels.
- Practical leadership lessons you can apply immediately in your role.
Meet the CFOs
Laura Anderson, CPA
Chicago Bears Football Club
Laura oversees finance, accounting and technology operations for the Chicago Bears. Prior to joining the organization, she served in leadership roles with the Big Ten Conference and spent several years advising multinational and publicly traded companies in consulting and audit.
Allison Maki, CPA (inactive)
Detroit Lions, Ltd.
Allison leads finance, accounting, technology and facility operations for the Detroit Lions. One of only nine female CFOs in the NFL, she also serves on the league’s Club Technology Advisory Board and previously spent seven years in public accounting with Ernst & Young.
Kate Shibilski, CPA
Minnesota Vikings Football LLC
Kate serves as executive vice president and chief financial officer for the Minnesota Vikings, overseeing the organization’s accounting, finance and league reporting functions. She also manages key financial relationships tied to U.S. Bank Stadium and the Viking Lakes campus.
Maureen Smith, CPA (inactive)
Green Bay Packers, Inc.
Maureen serves as chief financial officer for the Green Bay Packers, overseeing the club’s financial operations and information technology department. Her background spans sports, healthcare, consulting and finance, including leadership roles with Minnesota United FC and the opening of Allianz Field.
Meet our moderator
Sam Smith, The Prouty Project
Sam is a managing director with The Prouty Project, where he works with executives to drive change, uncover insights and accelerate innovation. For nearly 20 years, he has designed and facilitated experiential leadership and strategy solutions.
Thank you to our sponsor
Interested in sponsoring this event? Reach out to Leslie Mueller, MNCPA business development specialist, at lmueller@mncpa.org.
Important program information
Instructors:
Location: Online
Pricing: $109 member / $139 nonmember
Area of study: Management
Field(s) of study: Business Management & Organization - Non-Technical (2.0)
Level: Basic
Format: Group Internet Based
Sponsor:
NASBA ID#: 139884
Prerequisites: None
Advance prep: None
Cancellation policy:
Receive a full refund if you cancel at least four business days before the event start date. Learn more
