Beyond the Buzzword: Turning Automation into Action

Automation is no longer reserved for large organizations with dedicated innovation teams. Today's technology platforms make it easier than ever to streamline repetitive processes, reduce manual effort, and free employees to focus on higher-value work.

Join Kathryn Schneider, Director at Forvis Mazars, for an overview of practical automation strategies that cooperatives can implement today. Following the overview, Kathryn will sit down with Ryan Steffen from Central Valley Ag to discuss how automation initiatives have been approached within his organization, lessons learned along the way, and advice for leaders looking to get started. Participants will gain a better understanding of where automation delivers the most value, how to identify the right opportunities, and the governance considerations necessary to successfully scale automation efforts.

Presenter and Moderator Bios

Presenter: Kathryn Schneider, Director, Forvis Mazars

Kathryn Schneider is a Director at Forvis Mazars, LLP (forvismazars.us) in Middletown, RI. She leverages her more than 25 years of experience as a technology evangelist to advise companies on rationalizing their existing tech stack, identifying redundancies, and strategically selecting tools that align with business goals. Kathryn helps organizations achieve cost savings, agility, and improved performance. 

Presenter: Ryan Steffen, Chief Financial Officer, Central Valley Ag

Ryan Steffen serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Central Valley Ag, leading the cooperative's financial operations, strategic planning, and process improvement initiatives. He works closely with CVA's leadership team to strengthen financial performance and deliver value to our member-owners. 

Growing up on a family farm in southwest Minnesota, Ryan brings a strong agricultural background along with more than 15 years of financial leadership experience. He joined CVA in 2017 and was named CFO in 2025 after holding roles at CHS Inc. and Interstate Commodities. 

Ryan holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Concordia University, St. Paul, and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas. He lives in Seward, Nebraska, with his wife, Katherine, and their two children, Naomi and Barry. 

Moderator: Wayne Sine, CPA, MBA, Education Director, National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives

After retiring as Tax Director of a regional supply cooperative on the East Coast, Wayne Sine was asked to serve as Education Director for NSAC. As an active and long-term member of NSAC, Wayne previously served as Chair of NSAC’s Tax Committee, President of the Atlantic Chapter, and was a recipient of NSAC’s Silver Bowl Award. In addition to his work with NSAC, Wayne has also served on the Legal, Tax, and Accounting (LTA) Committee of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, Chaired the Tax Committees for both the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Virginia Manufacturers Association, served on the Tax Policy Committee of the Virginia Society of CPAs, and served as Region Vice President for Tax Executives Institute.