Merrill Wade

About Merrill Wade

I\'m a transformation leader with 25+ years of experience helping global organizations modernize their finance functions and unlock strategic value through cloud technology and AI-enabled solutions. As a trusted advisor to CFOs and senior executives, I specialize in delivering measurable ROI through cloud financial management, process optimization, and intelligent automation.My passion lies in mobilizing cross-functional teams to reimagine operating models that drive efficiency, transparency, and strategic agility. Whether it\'s implementing autonomous AI agents, designing shared services models, or optimizing core finance processes (R2R, P2P, O2C, FP & A), I focus on transformation that delivers real business impact.What I bring to the table:• Finance Transformation & CFO Advisory• Cloud Financial Management (FinOps)• AI/ML Implementation & Automation• Shared Services & Operating Model Design• Business Development & Proposal Leadership• Change Management & Stakeholder Engagement

Experience

1. Pre-sales & Business Development, Aws Professional Services (Proserve)

   Amazon Web Services (AWS)

   Dec 2024 — Present · Atlanta, GA, US

   Drive competitive displacement strategy for Fortune enterprises with entrenched hyperscaler relationships (>$1MM annual spend on GCP/Azure,<$1MM AWS ARR), overcoming established vendor partnerships and legacy technical dependencies through differentiated value propositions that accelerate strategic workload migration to AWS.Partner with AWS Account and ProServe executives to design comprehensive modernization programs integrating artificial intelligence (including autonomous AI agents), cloud financial management, and advanced analytics that deliver measurable ROI and enhanced shareholder value.Lead cross-functional teams to develop strategic investment cases, compelling proposals, and executive vision documents that accelerate revenue growth through transformative digital initiatives.Key achievements:• Built pipeline of 23 active opportunities valued at $2.4M+ in total contract value, with 83% focused on new customer acquisition• Successfully launched 4 strategic engagements delivering autonomous AI solutions, enterprise cloud transformations, and platform modernization programs totaling $2.3M• Achieved 95% conversion rate of total contract value to professional services delivery ($754K in new customer wins and $1.5M in existing customer expansions)

Education

• University of Houston

  BBA, Finance

  1979 — 1983

• Howard University

  Master of Public Administration - MPA, General Management

  1985 — 1987

• Fox School of Business at Temple University

  MSc, Finance

  1992 — 1994

Skills

• Shared Services
• Business Process
• Finance Transformation
• Organizational Development
• Accounts Payable
• Managerial Finance
• Business Transformation
• Organizational Design
• Performance Management
• Process Improvement
• Management
• Consulting
• Coaching
• Lean Six Sigma
• Business Process Improvement
• Strategy
• Financial Analysis
• Management Consulting
• Leadership
• Performance Improvement
• Benchmarking
• Program Management
• Accounts Receivable
• Policy Analysis
• Internal Controls