Recently, Melissa Di Donato celebrated her first anniversary as Chair and CEO at Kyriba. To reflect on her first year at the helm and to look ahead at what is on the horizon, she sat down with SAPinsider for an exclusive interview.

What accomplishments are you most proud of in your first year at Kyriba?

It’s been a fantastic first year at Kyriba. I'm incredibly proud of several key accomplishments. We've undertaken our first rebranding in 24 years, a significant milestone that reflects our evolving identity and commitment to innovation. This rebrand aligns with the guiding principles we've established to build on our strong culture, ensuring that every team member feels connected and inspired. We've also laid out clear growth plans that have unified the company, creating a shared vision that everyone is rallying behind. Additionally, our efforts to deepen relationships with our customers have been rewarding; their trust in us as a critical partner in their financial operations has not only strengthened these bonds but also led to significant upselling and cross-selling opportunities. Their enthusiasm for our vision of “Liquidity Performance” and our innovative solutions, which are setting industry standards, is a testament to our team's hard work and dedication. On a personal note, the warm welcome I received at Kyriba has not just been heartening, but also humbling. I’m proud to be part of the inclusive and dynamic culture we’re continuing to build together.

How do you describe your vision for the future at Kyriba and in the cash management space as a whole?

My vision for Kyriba is to elevate liquidity performance into a crucial strategic asset for CFOs. As liquidity becomes increasingly essential for navigating economic volatility, fluctuating interest rates, and rapid technological advancements, our goal is to equip CFOs with the insights and agility needed to succeed. By embracing innovation and integrating technologies like AI and machine learning, we provide our customers with real-time visibility and predictive tools for informed, data-driven decisions. Our objective is to make liquidity performance essential in enabling businesses to adapt and capitalize on change, ensuring sustainable growth and resilience even in the face of an unpredictable economic landscape.

How has the liquidity and cash management landscape changed over the last year? How do you think it will continue changing?

Over the past year, we’ve seen more and more enterprises accelerating their shift towards using real-time data to enhance their liquidity performance. CFOs, treasurers, and their teams are demanding greater transparency and faster access to financial information, driven by global economic uncertainties and the need for more agile financial strategies. Banking and ERP connectivity has become essential in the transformation to provide a comprehensive, real-time view of liquidity. This trend is set to intensify in the future, with a strong focus on using AI to enhance predictive capabilities and optimize cash flows. This integration allows businesses to navigate volatility with more precision and confidence, enabling them to quickly adapt to changing market conditions. By embracing these advancements, companies can streamline their approach to liquidity performance, positioning themselves for sustainable growth in an ever-changing financial landscape.

What challenges are you facing in the years ahead? How will you address those challenges?

As well as staying ahead of technological advancements and maintaining data compliance, we face the exciting challenge of sustaining our remarkable growth. After two record-breaking quarters, our next goal is to surpass those achievements — not a bad challenge to have! To get there, we’ll focus on enhancing our product offerings, investing more in our AI vision, expanding our market presence, and strengthening customer relationships as well as bolstering our offerings with new and current partners. We’re also committed to investing in innovation and talent development to ensure our team is equipped to deliver exceptional value and fuel ongoing growth.

If you could give one piece of advice to SAP organizations and finance professionals, what would that be?

If I could give one piece of advice to SAP organizations and finance professionals, it would be to make the most of Kyriba’s Connectivity-as-a-Service platform during ERP migrations. Our solution integrates effortlessly with leading ERP systems including SAP and over 1,000 banks worldwide, giving you real-time insights into liquidity performance. This robust integration keeps your operations running smoothly during migrations by maintaining constant data flows and connectivity, which is key to avoiding disruptions and keeping everything on track. With real-time, accurate financial data at your fingertips, your finance teams can make smart, strategic decisions, enhancing your ability to adapt quickly to market changes and seize new opportunities. By adopting Kyriba, you’ll have the agility you need to navigate today’s dynamic financial landscapes, setting your organization up for sustained growth.