AP LEADERSHIP: Building the Case for Your 2027 Budget

Budget season is here, and AP leaders are being asked to do more with less while showing a clear return on every dollar. Whether you're pushing for automation, additional headcount, or a technology upgrade, "we're stretched thin" isn't enough to win approval. You need a case grounded in data and framed in the language your CFO cares about.

In this 60-minute session, we'll show you how to build a business case that earns buy-in and funding for 2027.

What you'll walk away with

• A framework for quantifying AP's value: which metrics matter most to finance leadership, and how to present them
• Ways to demonstrate ROI: how to connect automation, headcount, and technology investments to measurable outcomes
• Tactics for securing executive buy-in: how to anticipate objections and position AP as a strategic partner, not a cost center
• Practical next steps: how to turn what you've learned into a budget proposal you can bring to your next planning meeting

Luz Batista
Director of Global Business Services, Avis Budget Group 

Luz is the Director of Global Business Services at Avis Budget Group, where she leads teams across Hungary, Guatemala, Virginia, New Jersey, India, the Philippines, and Mexico. Together, they support a broad range of functions, including Accounts Payable, Licensee and Agency Operations, and Corporate Travel & Expense.

With more than 15 years at Avis Budget Group, her career has been shaped by a focus on building strong teams and designing processes that make operations more efficient, connected, and forward-thinking. One of the most rewarding experiences of her journey has been leading the global transformation of the company's Corporate Travel Program. This end-to-end effort brought together every aspect of travel: launching a single global card program, implementing a new travel management company and platform, updating policy, and introducing AI-driven audit tools. The result was a more transparent, compliant, and employee-friendly travel experience across the organization.

She is motivated by creating environments where people feel empowered to innovate, collaborate, and grow, and believes meaningful transformation happens when teams are trusted, supported, and encouraged to challenge the status quo.

Luz holds an MBA in Accounting and is a Certified Procure-to-Pay Manager. She is also passionate about mentoring and supporting diversity in leadership, and participated in WiHTL's Get Board Ready Programme.

Grace Berube
Senior Content Manager, IOFM

Grace is the Senior Content Manager at the Institute of Finance & Management (IOFM), where she has led content strategy and development since 2022. In this role, she oversees all aspects of IOFM’s digital and event-based content, ensuring it remains timely, relevant, and actionable for all financial operations professionals.

Grace manages IOFM’s robust library of site content, leads the organization’s editorial and member webinar programming, and hosts IOFM’s podcast series. She also oversees a team of subject matter experts who contribute thought leadership and educational articles. In additional, Grace curates and manages all speaker content for IOFM’s in-person and virtual events, ensuring consistency and quality across every touchpoint. With nearly three years in the role, Grace brings a deep understanding of the financial operations landscape and a passion for delivering content that empowers professionals to excel in their roles.