A $1billion new museum which is the vision of film director, George Lucas, is providing A New Hope for FP&A. Michael M. Landman-Karny, Interim Controller at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art , reveals the finance context at the Los Angeles project set to open in 2026 (and how he got the job).

Landman-Karny says: “George Lucas has a vision for the museum. It’s really centering the power of storytelling through visual media."

But Melody Hobsonthe museum’s co-founder [co-chief executive officer of the asset management firm Ariel Investments] and wife of George Lucas “is very hands-on” says Landman-Karny.

He explains: “Melody’s view of FP&A has really characterized the ability to provide strategic insights that drive decision-making beyond traditional financial reporting and budgeting. She’s a big believer in data analytics, a believer in leveraging real-time information to forecast trends and value creation, and corporate type FP&A and even Wall Street type forecasting within nonprofits.

“Melanie’s a big believer in automation and technology, streamlined processing, enabling faster, more accurate reporting.”

Beyond the galaxy of the museum, Michael talks about his FP&A career including Experian, in aerospace, and the worst budgeting experience of his career

In this episode:

The financial vision of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
Nonprofit vs corporate FP&A
My worst budget experience (aka doing it from scratch) at Davidson Associates
My opportunities and challenges at Experian FP&A including a 75-page book analysis and 60-hour weeks
23 acquisitions in 12 years and financial integrations and what they taught me
My experience of aerospace and FP&A and how they focus on the wrong things (book profits at the cost of cash flow)
Being a critic at rhttps://stageandcinema.com/ and meeting Judy Dench, Barbara Streisand, and Liza Minnelli

Further Reading from Michael M. Landman-Karny:

Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) for the Aerospace and Defense Industries: A comprehensive guide to best practices

From Legacy to Leadership: Upgrading Accounting and FP&A in Acquired Entities

Comparing and Contrasting Popular FP&A Tools

Follow Michael M. Landman-Karny on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/interimcontroller/

More than just Star Wars: the FP&A vision at the Lucas Museum – Michael M. Landman-Karny

FP&A Today