Toolkit
Accounting for your Future: Speakers Invested in You!
Get to know the local speakers from the Accounting Careers: Limitless Opportunities events across the country.
Leaders who are invested in
Your Future
Liz Barentzen
Vice President, Operations and Talent Initiatives, Center for Audit Quality
Liz Barentzen
Vice President, Operations and Talent Initiatives, Center for Audit Quality
Liz Barentzen is the Vice President, Operations and Talent Initiatives at the Center for Audit Quality, where she oversees day-to-day and long-term strategic operations, as well as leads and advances strategic profession-wide initiatives to attract and retain talent. Previously, Barentzen was the Chief Culture Officer at Sol Systems LLC, a national solar finance, investment and development firm.
Dhani Jones
Former NFL Linebacker, Entrepreneur
Dhani Jones
Former NFL Linebacker, Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur, philanthropist, NFL linebacker, author, host, explorer – are a few of the many words used to describe Dhani Jones. Jones began his career as an NFL linebacker, playing with the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and Cincinnati Bengals. For most, the NFL is a career, but for Jones, it was just a jumping-off point.
Indianapolis, May 2025 - Franklin Central
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Courtney Kincaid
Kick-Off Speaker
Courtney Kincaid
Kick-Off Speaker
Courtney Kincaid, CAE, is President and CEO of the Indiana CPA Society. She joined the Society staff in 2006 as the Communications Specialist and subsequently served as Membership and Volunteers' Manager, then Senior Manager: Member Services, then Director: Member and Engagement, and most recently as Vice President: Strategic Initiatives.
Kincaid earned her bachelor’s in journalism and sociology from Indiana University in 2005, and her master’s in public affairs, with a focus in nonprofit management, from IUPUI’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs in 2013. She was awarded the Indiana Society of Association Executives Rising Star Award in 2011. In early 2014, she completed coursework to earn her IOM recognition from the US Chamber’s Institute for Organizational Management. In 2017, Kincaid earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential, which awarded to association professionals who have demonstrated a wide range of knowledge essential to managing an association through both experience and exam. She is a member of the Indiana Society of Association Executives (ISAE), American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and CPA Society Executives Association (CPA/SEA).
Herschel Frierson
Testimonial Speaker
Herschel Frierson
Testimonial Speaker
Herschel Frierson is the Strategic Networks Leader and a Principal at Crowe LLP with over 29 years of experience. He has done governmental consulting and general consulting. In his current role, Herschel is responsible for expanding the firm’s influence with network partners, including associations and creating new opportunities and deepening existing relationships. Herschel focuses on key networks for all industries across the firm and in the market. Herschel also is the executive champion for the Firms Business Resource Groups. Herschel Frierson is the 27th Chairman of the Board of Directors for NABA, Inc which is a nonprofit membership association bridging the opportunity gap for Black Business Leaders in accounting, finance and entrepreneurship and is a lifetime member.
Herschel serves on the diversity committee for Financial Executives International. Herschel continues to work with companies and organizations throughout the Country in their DE&I efforts as well as mentoring students, young professionals and organizations in their path forward.
ZeNai Savage
Testimonial Speaker
ZeNai Savage
Testimonial Speaker
ZeNai is a CPA, author, faith and millennial leader with extensive business and civic experience. Throughout her career, ZeNai has combined her passion for community advocacy and her professional career. She is currently the Chief Finance and Administrative Officer for the Indy Chamber where she oversees the financial and administrative operations, strategic planning and operational efficiency. In addition, she manages the Chambers inclusive growth small business programs. Her professional experience also includes serving as Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration and CFO at Martin University, Executive Director for the Indiana Democratic Party, Finance Director at Cummins Foundation, and almost 10 years in public accounting, focusing on the not-for-profit industry. She also is the owner of The Savage Advantage (business and accounting services), a licensed preacher and Christian blogger at ladyzspeaks.com.
ZeNai graduated from University of Louisville with a degree in Accounting. She has run for statewide office and authored a book: FINISH! Leveraging Career, Sport, Faith and Failure. She also enjoys working out, burgers and bourbon!
Gaby Alejandro
Testimonial Speaker
Gaby Alejandro
Testimonial Speaker
Gaby is a PwC audit partner with over 24 years of professional experience and serves as the Indianapolis Office Managing Partner. He specializes in the financial services industry, with expertise in emerging issues, financial reporting impacts, and the evaluation of operational and financial controls. As the Indianapolis Office Managing Partner, Gaby oversees the partners and staff in the office, leading the delivery of high-quality client services across PwC’s assurance, tax, and advisory practices. He is also an active community member and serves on many nonprofit boards in Indianapolis.
Chicago, May 2025 - Richards Career Academy
Highlighted Firm: RSM
Nicole Durkin
Kick-Off Speaker
Nicole Durkin
Kick-Off Speaker
Nicole Turnipseed Durkin is a Partner in RSM’s National Office with over 20 years of experience in risk mitigation and forensic accounting. As the Partner in charge of RSM’s Audit Incident Response team, Nicole guides the firm’s audit teams and their clients in responding to instances of suspected fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations. She also leads development of the firm’s assurance resources related to fraud, noncompliance and cyber risk matters. She has worked with both private and publicly traded clients across various industries. Previously, Nicole has provided a range of services including conducting internal investigations, assessing financial statement auditing procedures, managing internal audit and compliance engagements, and performing comprehensive background investigations.
Nicole holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Saint Mary’s College. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). Nicole serves on the Center for Audit Quality’s Anti-Fraud Working Group. She is also passionate about diversity and inclusion, actively promoting RSM’s employee network groups, including HOLA and PRIDE.
Jamilla Brooks
Testimonial Speaker
Jamilla Brooks
Testimonial Speaker
Jamilla Brooks is a Manager in the Assurance practice at RSM with over 8 years of auditing experience. In her role, Jamilla manages engagement teams in audit matters and is responsible for ensuring audit reports issued by the firm comply with professional standards. Jamilla has an industry focus within the Consumer Goods industry and has experience with auditing clients that have large and complex inventory structures. Other areas of experience includes auditing companies with multiple entities and complex structures and business combination accounting.
Jamilla graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with Bachelor of Science degrees in Accountancy and Information Systems and Technology. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She is a member of the Illinois CPA Society. She also serves on the Associate Board of the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund. She is the local leader of RSM’s AACE employee network group and an active member in RSM’s STAR employee network group.
Paige Hagaman
Testimonial Speaker
Paige Hagaman
Testimonial Speaker
Paige Hagaman is a Manager in the Technology Risk Consulting practice at RSM’s Chicago office. In her role, Paige provides internal control audit and consultation services for various publicly and privately held clients within the financial services industries, specializing in the capital markets space. Her primary responsibilities include delivering advice and consultation on the reliability of a firm’s business process controls and information technology general controls (ITGCs) to achieve and maintain compliance with relevant regulations. Over the past six years, Paige has managed, scoped, and executed projects at the largest U.S.-based futures exchange, specifically relating to Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) system safeguards testing (17 CFR Part 39). She has extensive experience leading Internal SOX and SOC audits for a publicly traded fintech company consumer lending platform. Additionally, she has led internal control over compliance (ICOC) audit engagements for multiple clearing broker dealers.
Paige has been with RSM since 2018, following her graduation from Butler University with a bachelor’s degree in management information systems. She is currently a member of ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association) and is committed to investing in individuals through mentorship, coaching, and fostering a collaborative work environment.
Joseph Olalusi
Testimonial Speaker
Joesph Olalusi
Testimonial Speaker
Joseph provides internal audit and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) services to clients in a range of industries with a current focus on financial institution, airline, government, and manufacturing operations. He has performed controls testing and identified potential gaps in order to improve business processes. Joseph has technical experience in data analytics and has utilized data software such as QuickBooks, ACL, Tableau, and Visio. In addition, he has performed analytical and internal control procedures for NBC Universal – Chicago PD, Cornell University, as well as Cabrera Capital Markets as an accounting staff member over the last business cycle before joining the firm. In his current role, Joseph leads process control testing for government entities from preparing the contract and scope of work to delivering the final opinion in the form of reports and other deliverable. Joseph also facilitates walkthrough and cycle count discussions for SOX and internal audit clients in order to further document an understanding of the internal control environment.
Joseph was born on the south-side of Chicago and a current resident of the Englewood neighborhood. Joseph graduated from Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men in 2015 and after graduating from Cornell, Joseph moved back to Chicago to continue his professional and personal story. In 2024, Joseph graduated from the University of Chicago within the Master of Public Policy program and was named an Obama Scholar within the Obama Foundation's FY23 cohort.
Mike Fletcher
Small Group Facilitator
Mike Fletcher
Small Group Facilitator
Mike Fletcher is a Campus Recruiting Lead at RSM. He manages the audit and tax campus recruiting efforts for the firm’s Illinois and Wisconsin markets which is home to its largest office and its US headquarters in Chicago. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2010 with degrees in Accounting and Economics and followed that up in 2011 with a Masters in Accounting.
After college, Mike moved to Arlington, VA where he started his career as an auditor with EY focusing on the real estate and hospitality industries. He eventually transitioned into a campus recruiter role with the firm focusing on their mid-Atlantic market. After a 6 year stay with the firm, Mike moved to Chicago where he returned to Notre Dame to serve as the Associate Director of Admissions for their Executive MBA Program until the Summer of 2021 when he was invited to join RSM and lead campus recruiting for their Chicago and Central IL offices.
Outside of work, Mike has a passion for working in his community and serves on a couple of non-profit initiatives. He is also spends a lot of time traveling to see his family which is spread out across the country. With his remaining time, he enjoys keeping up with a wide array of sports teams, riding his bike and trying to figure out how to keep his ball out of the woods on the golf course.
Chicago, April 2025 - Sullivan High School
Highlighted Firm: Grant Thornton
Moises Sanchez
Testimonial Speaker
Moises Sanchez
Testimonial Speaker
Moises is an audit partner primarily serving not-for-profit (NFP), government, and professional services firms, leading several of the largest NFP and government audits in the nation. His services have included auditing complex and unique accounting matters impacting the NFP industry, including compliance audits and complex revenue recognition. Moises has worked on a number of engagements in both the NFP and professional services, including single audits, yellow book audits, law firm audits, staffing firm audits, and public debt offerings. With approximately 23 years of accounting and auditing experience, he has worked on clients with various accounting standards, including FASB and GASB standards, and conducted audits under generally accepted government auditing standards. He has led industry specific training on complex accounting matters impacting the NFP and public sector industries.
Moises serves as a champion for recruiting at DePaul University and serves on the national AICPA Government and NFP learning committee. Moises also serves as the national leader for Grant Thornton’s legal services sector and the Chicago services industry leader. Moises was recently named a notable latino leader by Crains Chicago Business.
Lizette Pantoja
Testimonial Speaker
Lizette Pandoja
Testimonial Speaker
Lizette is a second-year Audit Senior Associate. Prior to starting full-time, she was a part time Arrupe intern for three years. She has gained experience in working on public company, non-for-profit clients and financial services. Lizette has a wide range of experience in developing relationships, audit control testing, substantive testing and assisting with financial statements, as well as the preparation and testing of reports and workpapers.
As a senior associate, she developed her project management skills by leading several engagements across various industries, such as managing the core audit team and INDUS. Through experiencing more complex areas of an audit she learned how to navigate difficult conversations with clients and resolve issues. Lizette is also Strategy and Events co-lead for the Amigos LatinX BRG. Her role involves overseeing logistics and managing scheduling and budgeting for planned events, such as the bi-monthly Amigos lunches and other BRG events that enable a sense of community within the group.
Rashada Whitehead
Testimonial Speaker
Rashada Whitehead
Testimonial Speaker
Rashada Whitehead is Grant Thornton’s national managing principal of Culture, Immersion & Inclusion and a member of the Executive Committee at Grant Thornton Advisors LLC. She is responsible for driving priorities through a transformational enterprise strategy that delivers people-first and client-focused outcomes, including a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Whitehead has been with Grant Thornton since 2019 and has held several leadership roles in its People & Community group, such as leading Grant Thornton’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion task force and serving as its head of Colleague Experience. In 2020, Whitehead spearheaded the creation of Grant Thornton’s inaugural DE&I report.
An award-winning professor and former PRWeek “40 Under 40” honoree, Whitehead began her career in public relations before becoming a culture transformation executive. She has managed global communications for Fortune 500 companies and served as CEO of two businesses: a national public relations firm and a reputation management and culture transformation firm. The experienced people and culture leader teaches public relations at Roosevelt University in Chicago. She has also provided culture insights and coaching through the University of Chicago Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies.
Chicago, April 2025 - Simeon Career Academy
Highlighted Firm: Crowe
Brian Jackson
Testimonial Speaker
Brian Jackson
Testimonial Speaker
Brian has over 20 years of experience in public accounting, focusing on technology. As the Partner in charge of Crowe's Digital Audit Team, he leads strategic initiatives that leverage data and advanced technologies like Gen AI to improve efficiency and transform audit service delivery. Brian has been instrumental in developing and implementing key technology products, including Crowe's client collaboration portal, digital workpaper, and data analytics platforms. He is a frequent speaker at events hosted by the Illinois CPA Society and other CPA Societies, as well as conferences such as NASACT and the National Association of Black Accountants. Brian regularly addresses topics such as emerging technologies, data analytics, and leadership development in the audit profession.
Mark Baer
Testimonial Speaker
Mark Baer
Testimonial Speaker
Mark Baer is the Immediate Past CEO of Crowe LLP, having served as CEO from April 2021 to December 2024. Crowe LLP, a leading U.S. public accounting and consulting firm, is part of Crowe Global, a major global accounting network. As Immediate Past CEO, Mark is currently focusing on 1) advancing the US firm’s global strategy through several strategic international growth initiatives, including working closely with Crowe Global and its member firms around the world; and 2) serving our profession and leveraging his experience and passion in serving the public interest and focusing on the future of our profession through various initiatives. Before becoming CEO, Mark led Crowe's audit and assurance practice, leading a team of more than 1,200 audit professionals. With over 30 years of public accounting experience, he has been involved with the Center for Audit Quality and currently serves on various boards, including the Crowe Foundation, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Manchester University.
Shirley Paredes
Testimonial Speaker
Shirley Paredes
Testimonial Speaker
Shirley Paredes is a Manager in the Forensic and Legal Consulting practice at Crowe’s Chicago office. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). Shirley specializes in forensic investigations, business interruption claims, and litigation support. She holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC).
Shirley co-leads the Adelante: Latinos Leading @ Crowe business resource group, which focuses on recruiting, developing, and retaining Latino talent, and fostering a supportive community. She is also a member of the AICPA Forensic and Litigation Services (FLS) Committee, which provides guidance and monitors issues affecting CPAs in forensic accounting.
Past Events
January 2025
Washington D.C., H.D. Woodson STEM High School
Highlighted Firm: BDO
Catherine Moy
Testimonial Speaker
Catherine Moy
Testimonial Speaker
Catherine Moy is BDO’s Chief People Officer, taking oversight responsibility for the People and Culture function to ensure BDO’s policies and practices are consistent with its culture and true to its core purpose of helping people thrive every day. She also oversees the firm’s marketing and communications, business development, social impact, and sustainability functions, ensuring BDO’s brand promise is well represented in its approach to the markets it serves.
Cathy joined BDO USA, P.C. as a partner with significant experience assisting middle market clients. She has guided her clients through public and private financing transactions, numerous IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, implementation of emerging accounting rules and a variety of business advisory matters, focused on the technology and life sciences industry. Cathy previously served as the managing partner of BDO’s Boston assurance practice.
Cam Johnson
Fireside Chat: The Importance of Accounting in Sports
Cam Johnson
Fireside Chat: The Importance of Accounting in Sports
Cam Johnson is a dynamic innovator and leader dedicated to making a lasting impact. As an Outreach and Programs Specialist for The Trust (Powered by the NFLPA), Cam helps empower former NFL players to successfully transition beyond the game, creating meaningful change in the sports industry, the lives of former players, and their communities.
A PG County native, Cam was a standout athlete at Gonzaga College High School before earning his Bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of Virginia. Drafted in the 7th round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, he went on to play 7 seasons in the NFL, also contributing to the Colts, Browns, and Lions.
Beyond the field, Cam holds a Master’s in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown and a DEI certification, reinforcing his expertise in strategic leadership. His passion, education, and experience have positioned him as a transformative force in sports, player advocacy, and beyond.
Jehu Chesson II
Fireside Chat: The Importance of Accounting in Sports
Jehu Chesson II
Fireside Chat: The Importance of Accounting in Sports
Jehu Chesson II is a former NFL wide receiver and a 2017 graduate of the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. After earning his degree, Jehu was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs and enjoyed a four-year career in professional football. Today, he is passionate about empowering fellow athletes to identify and pursue their passions off the field, leveraging his own experiences to inspire others in their transitions. With a unique blend of athletic achievement and business acumen, Jehu brings a compelling perspective on resilience, adaptability, and personal growth to the conversation.
Cameron Howard
Testimonial Speaker
Cameron Howard
Testimonial Speaker
Cameron is a Senior Auditor and CPA, serving BDO’s Nonprofit Assurance practice line in McLean, VA. He joined BDO in June 2022, after graduating from George Mason University with a bachelor’s in accounting. During his free time, Cameron enjoys playing video games, exercising and spending time with friends and family.
Junaid Quraishi
Testimonial Speaker
Junaid Quraishi
Testimonial Speaker
Junaid is an Experienced Associate in our Private Client Services group of our tax practice. He lives and works in Potomac, MD. Junaid is originally from Maharashtra, India. He enjoys playing sports especially Cricket. Taking long drives and discovering the country is another favorite past time.
Karina Espinola
Small Group Facilitator
Karina Espinola
Small Group Facilitator
Karina Espinola is a Senior Manager with BDO’s National Diversity, Equity & Inclusion team. She is dedicated to creating opportunities that foster a sense of belonging for all colleagues within the firm and is instrumental in recruiting diverse talent, ensuring that BDO reflects a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. Prior to this role, Karina served as a Campus Recruiter at BDO where she was responsible for full life cycle recruiting, program development and execution and led career-readiness workshops, equipping students with essential skills for the workplace. She also launched and served as the co-lead of the Multicultural Alliance in NYC, one of the firm’s employee resource networks. Karina is passionate about building relationships and helping individuals thrive, whether by supporting students on their career journeys or enhancing her colleagues’ day-to-day experiences. She believes that when people feel supported and connected, they can achieve remarkable outcomes together.
Sarah Turcotte
Small Group Facilitator
Sarah Turcotte
Small Group Facilitator
Sarah has more than 16 years of public accounting experience in both assurance and campus recruiting. As the National Campus Recruiting Leader, Sarah is responsible for delivering and maintaining a highly dynamic campus recruiting strategy including intern program, student ambassadors, summer leadership program, and early ID programs. Overseeing a team of Campus Recruiters to ensure a strategy that is innovative, aggressive, and focused on candidate care. Sarah also collaborates with business line leaders to ensure an early pipeline strategy for top talent. A trusted leader and strategic thinker across multiple business lines and technical focus areas across the firm.
January 2025
Washington D.C., Jackson-Reed High School
Highlighted Firm: KPMG
Jelani Jenkins
Fireside Chat: The Importance of Accounting in the Sports Industry
Jelani Jenkins
Fireside Chat: The Importance of Accounting in the Sports Industry
Jelani Jenkins is a former NFL linebacker turned Wellness and Performance Consultant, helping elite individuals and organizations achieve peak performance and well-being. As a five-year NFL veteran, he brings firsthand experience in high-pressure environments, which he channels into his entrepreneurial ventures, including founding Postseason, a social learning platform for athletes. Featured in Forbes and recognized at innovation competitions, Jelani is also a sought-after speaker and Mental Performance Coach, inspiring success in sports, business, and life.
Meghan Cadigan
Testimonial Speaker
Meghan Cadigan
Testimonial Speaker
Meghan Cadigan is a Managing Director in KPMG LLP’s federal audit service line with more than 12 years of experience serving KPMG’s audit clients in the federal government sector. She focuses on performing Chief Financial Officers Act audits, performance audits and agreed upon procedures to Federal agencies. Meghan obtains an understanding of the client’s business processes and internal controls and provides insights on leading industry practices. She determines the most efficient and effective methods to complete required procedures while adhering to the contractual requirements, requisite accounting and auditing standards, and other applicable standards or guidance issued by the profession and industry.
In addition to serving her clients, Meghan supports the federal audit service line’s quality and growth initiatives through serving as a national instructor, Accredited Sampling Professional, QP reviewer, and fellow of the KPMG Government Institute. She is also an active member of the federal women’s mentoring circles, a performance management leader (PML), and mentor.
Meghan is passionate about being an ally for KPMG’s Abilities in Motion (AIM) network and organizations in the DC area that support those with visible and non-visible disabilities. She serves as a board member for the Disability:IN DC Metro board. Meghan is a proud University of Maryland alumnus.
She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Maryland and Washington DC, is a member of the AICPA, and a member of the Washington DC Association of Government Accountants (AGA). Meghan lives in Alexandria, VA with her husband Anthony. Outside of work, they enjoy exploring Old Town and other surrounding neighborhoods, trying new restaurants, and attending sporting events.
Revelation Brown
Testimonial Speaker
Revelation Brown
Testimonial Speaker
Revelation Brown joined KPMG LLP as an intern in the summer of 2014 and transitioned to a full-time role in August 2015. With over nine years of progressive experience, he specializes in performing audits and examinations under the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 (CFO Act) for Federal agencies. Additionally, he has extensive experience conducting single audits for not-for-profit organizations and financial statement audits for commercial entities. Over the past nine years, Revelation has led CFO Act audits at several cabinet-level agencies and most recently spearheaded audits at three legislative agencies.
Beyond his professional engagements, Revelation has demonstrated leadership as the Co-Chair of the African Ancestry Business Resource Group from 2021 to 2024 and as the AGA Education Director for the Montgomery/Prince George’s County Chapter from 2022 to 2023. He currently serves as the Outreach Director at his local church in PG County. In his personal time, Revelation enjoys spending time with his twin Shih-Poo dogs, engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and long walks, working on classic cars, traveling, and undertaking DIY projects.
Laurel Suchsland
Testimonial Speaker
Laurel Suchsland
Testimonial Speaker
Laurel Suchsland is a Senior Associate in KPMG’s Federal Audit Practice. She grew up near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and moved to Virginia for college, where she attended the University of Richmond. She has worked with KPMG since 2021 after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in both Accounting and Leadership Studies. A Certified Public Accountant in both Washington D.C. and Virginia, she has worked in a variety of sectors, including retail, health care, and hospitality. However, Laurel primarily serves federal clients. For three years, Laurel worked on the Department of Justice Financial Statement Audit and has more recent experience conducting performance audits for the Department of Labor. She is a leader in firm culture and led trainings for her engagement teams on psychological safety and compassionate candor in the workplace. Laurel is committed to investing in the individual through mentorship, coaching, and collaborative work environments. Outside of her audit work, she enjoys getting involved in KPMG’s volunteer efforts.
Emily Murawa
Small Group Facilitator
Emily Murawa
Small Group Facilitator
Emily Murawa is a Certified Public Accountant and is currently a senior audit manager at KPMG, where she has worked for ten years. She first learned about the accounting profession during an accounting class in high school and she majored in accounting at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania. She had a summer internship at KPMG in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania office and then started full-time in Harrisburg after graduating from college and passing the CPA exam. She currently works at the KPMG Washington, DC office, where she is responsible for managing the day-to-day oversight of different audit projects. In addition, she helps oversee the training curriculum for her office so that co-workers can receive the necessary training for their CPA licenses and assigned work projects.
Emily also participates in a mentoring program for business students at Susquehanna University, where she meets with several students each school year to provide advice and feedback on the accounting and business professions. She is an active volunteer with Junior Achievement in Fairfax, Virginia, where she teaches middle school students about personal finance and budgeting skills. In her free time, she enjoys camping at Shenandoah National Park and traveling to different national parks across the country.
Maria Horner
Small Group Facilitator
Maria Horner
Small Group Facilitator
Maria Horner is a Senior Associate in KPMG’s National Audit Resource Management group, specializing in data analytics and insights. She graduated from Catholic University in 2021 with a B.S. in Accounting and a minor in Dance, and holds a CPA license in DC. Maria began her career in KPMG’s Federal Audit Service Line, spending 3 years working on federal and local government audits. During this time, she also served as an Audit AI Champion and a member of the DC-Tysons Associates Council. Maria finds joy in mentoring and connecting with colleagues from various backgrounds, celebrating their growth and career achievements while encouraging them on their professional journeys. In her free time, Maria enjoys dancing and regularly performs with her tap ensemble, Monumental Tap. She also loves exploring new places and recently returned from an adventure to Japan, New Zealand, Sydney, and Malaysia.
January 2025
Washington D.C., Columbia Heights Educational Campus
Jehu Chesson II
Fireside Chat: The Importance of Accounting in Sports
Jehu Chesson II
Fireside Chat: The Importance of Accounting in Sports
Jehu Chesson II is a former NFL wide receiver and a 2017 graduate of the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. After earning his degree, Jehu was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs and enjoyed a four-year career in professional football. Today, he is passionate about empowering fellow athletes to identify and pursue their passions off the field, leveraging his own experiences to inspire others in their transitions. With a unique blend of athletic achievement and business acumen, Jehu brings a compelling perspective on resilience, adaptability, and personal growth to the conversation.
Carlos A. Otal
Testimonial Speaker
Carlos A. Otal
Testimonial Speaker
A transformational leader with over 34 years of experience in the public accounting, information technology and management consulting professions, Carlos brings a creative vision, analytical mindset and disciplined approach to serving growth-oriented professional services businesses and software product companies who deliver solutions to government.
The former National Managing Partner, Grant Thornton LLP’s Public Sector, his professional experience spans the full range of advisory and assurance services – from internal and financial statement auditing to organizational and process improvement to the assessment and implementation of enterprise systems.
Carlos was recently appointed to the board of directors of the Diné Development Corporation, whose mission is to promote economic prosperity for the advancement of the Navajo Nation now and for future generations. A visible advocate of DEI&A and proponent of allyship and intersectionality, Carlos was the National Executive Sponsor for Grant Thornton’s LGBTQ+ resource group, currently serves on the Virginia Society of CPAs (VSCPA) DEI Advisory Council, and is the Chair of the Advisory Board of the Dream Project, an Arlington-based nonprofit that provides support to Virginia students whose immigration status creates barriers to higher education by providing access to mentors, scholarships and other resources.
Michelle Sabido
Testimonial Speaker
Michelle Sabido
Testimonial Speaker
Michelle Sabido is an experienced manager in EY’s assurance practice in Richmond, Virginia. She has over 8 years of experience providing audit and accounting-related services to public and private companies across a variety of industries. Additionally, Michelle is part of EY’s Latino Professional Practice, which seeks to support the Latino community in the Richmond area. Michelle graduated with dual bachelor’s degrees in accounting and international business and began her career at EY Mexico. Her bilingual background, combined with her extensive experience, allowed her to focus on global companies, leading to her transfer to EY Richmond in 2023.
Jamil White
Testimonial Speaker
Jamil White
Testimonial Speaker
Jamil White is the Vice President of Accounting, and manages all accounting and finance at WindHQ, an energy infrastructure development and management company. He has nearly 20 years of experience in various accounting fields including assurance, corporate accounting, financial reporting, and tax compliance. Prior to joining WindHQ, he served as Vice President, and Controller at New Energy Equity, the 8th largest domestic commercial solar developer. Jamil also serves on the Board of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA). Mr. White has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Morgan State University. Mr. White is also a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
November 2024
NYC, High School of Economics and Finance
Highlighted Firm: Deloitte
Thalia Smith
Welcome Remarks
Thalia Smith
Welcome Remarks
As an Audit & Assurance partner for Deloitte, Thalia Smith’s role is to bring the breadth of Deloitte’s services and insights to Deloitte’s clients. Thalia has extensive experience serving insurance companies and service organizations within the insurance value chain, including insurtech startups, and performing multinational and multilocation audits of SEC registrants under US GAAP and insurance statutory reporting requirements, and in performing ICFR audits. Thalia has served several of the firm’s largest attest clients in the insurance industry where she gained extensive experience resolving technical accounting issues, overseeing the application and adoption of accounting, regulatory, and internal control standards and practices, and providing leadership and expertise to her clients on SEC filings, debt and equity offerings, management transitions, and restructurings. Additionally, Thalia was recognized on Forbes 2024 America’s Top CPAs list.
Thalia is passionate about mentoring and developing the next generation of accounting leaders and committed to leading in the generation of more career opportunities and leadership pathways for people of color. She is the partner sponsor for Deloitte’s MADE (Making Accounting Diverse and Equitable) commitment, helping to transform the future of the accounting profession.
Shamika Edwards
Testimonial Speaker
Shamika Edwards
Testimonial Speaker
Shamika H.A. Edwards is an Audit & Assurance Senior Manager based out of the New York Office with more than 10 years of experience serving Deloitte’s audit clients in the Financial Services Industry largely in the Banking & Capital Markets sector including Payments, Lending, Securities and Digital Assets as well as in the Investment Management sector.
Shamika currently serves as the lead senior manager of a diversified global asset manager managing a team of approximately 25 staff through managers (approximately 40,000 hours) as well as on several emerging growth companies in Deloitte’s fintech practice. Over the course of her career, she has served as the lead manager on a JOBS Act filer through their initial public offering and implementation of SOX 404. In addition, she helps manage the Greater Tri-Sate fintech practice and serves multiple fintech clients in various phases of growth.
Shamika is passionate about diversity & inclusion and her involvement includes participating in the leadership of the New York Black & Allies community as well as a National Audit Ambassador for Deloitte’s MADE (Making Accounting Diverse and Equitable) commitment to increase diversity and equity in the accounting profession. She also leads recruiting efforts locally, regionally, and nationally.
The former National Managing Partner, Grant Thornton LLP’s Public Sector, his professional experience spans the full range of advisory and assurance services – from internal and financial statement auditing to organizational and process improvement to the assessment and implementation of enterprise systems.
Carlos was recently appointed to the board of directors of the Diné Development Corporation, whose mission is to promote economic prosperity for the advancement of the Navajo Nation now and for future generations. A visible advocate of DEI&A and proponent of allyship and intersectionality, Carlos was the National Executive Sponsor for Grant Thornton’s LGBTQ+ resource group, currently serves on the Virginia Society of CPAs (VSCPA) DEI Advisory Council, and is the Chair of the Advisory Board of the Dream Project, an Arlington-based nonprofit that provides support to Virginia students whose immigration status creates barriers to higher education by providing access to mentors, scholarships and other resources.
Rolando Reyes
Testimonial Speaker
Rolando Reyes
Testimonial Speaker
Rolando Reyes currently serves in Deloitte Tax LLP’s business tax services group, specifically helping Investment Management and Private Equity clients with federal and state tax compliance. Utilizing a cross functional team strategy, Rolando works serves his clients on all aspects of federal, state tax compliance, financial tax planning and reporting for portfolio management companies and private equity firms including issuance of partnership’s federal K-1s to investors. Rolando earned his bachelor’s in accounting and supply chain management science from Rutgers State University of New Jersey Rutgers Business School.
Jo Walker
Testimonial Speaker
Jo Walker
Testimonial Speaker
Jo Walker is a performance-driven, strategic, and results-oriented Certified Project Management Professional, delivering best-in-class financial services and customized solutions for clients while resolving complex operational issues. She exercises excellent financial judgment to revitalize drifting businesses and elevate bottom-line growth while identifying and communicating financial imperatives across all organizational levels. She offers 19+ years of transferable experience in leading multi-million dollar project engagements from concept to completion, including overseeing a portfolio of financial products, evaluating investments, processing loan applications, and crafting data-driven reports while building win-win and mutually beneficial client relationships. She showcases subject matter expertise in financial services, client-focused solutions, project engagement, personal/commercial loans, database creation, due diligence, mortgage loan applications processing, and client relationship management.
Through dedication towards promoting a culture of collaboration, Jo empowers and motivates teams to achieve business goals while administering coaching, mentoring, training, and development initiatives for personnel as well as promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity in the workplace to enhance staff performance and productivity. She showcases a passion for managing high-quality projects from concept to completion while adapting seamlessly to change and quickly learning new processes, systems, and trends. She delivers business planning and consulting services while communicating complex financial concepts in a simplified manner to diverse audiences.
Bolu Babarinde
Audit & Assurance Senior, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Small Group Facilitator
Graham Burke-Green
Tax Senior, Deloitte Tax LLP, Small Group Facilitator
Jessica Garcia
Risk & Financial Advisory Consultant, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Small Group Facilitator
Lamont Marino
Audit & Assurance Senior, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Small Group Facilitator
Safiya Quamina
Tax Senior, Deloitte Tax LLP, Small Group Facilitator
November 2024
NYC, Brooklyn Preparatory High School
Highlighted Firm: PwC
Seth Drucker
Welcome Remarks
Seth Drucker
Welcome Remarks
Seth is a partner in PwC’s Financial Markets & Real Estate Practice. He has over 19 years of experience serving a diverse range of institutions including banks, asset managers, private equity firms, insurance companies, securitization sponsors, and various types of lenders. Seth specializes in helping clients develop solutions with regards to the accounting, regulatory and valuation implications for complex financial products.
Currently, Seth has lead client roles at both a global private equity firm and a multinational investment bank. Seth also serves as the New York Metro Clients, Market, and Stakeholder Strategy Leader. In this role, Seth is primarily responsible for advancing PwC’s strategy across our New York Metro market and integrating various market and stakeholder strategy initiatives to drive growth. As a recognized subject matter expert on the accounting for financial instruments, Seth participates in external conferences, webcasts, podcasts and other thought leadership publications.
Seth and his wife Lauren are proud parents of a little girl Avery and are passionate about helping the next generation of students achieve their goals. Seth focuses his charitable efforts on helping kids build character strengths, life skills, and mentoring for women/underrepresented minorities through his involvement with the First Tee of Metropolitan New York as an Executive Committee Board Member. Seth is also a Board Member of the Foreign Policy Association. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in New York and New Jersey and is a member of the AICPA.
Christal Tyson
Testimonial Speaker
Christal Tyson
Testimonial Speaker
Christal Tyson is a Manager in PwC’s Audit practice with a background serving both Tech/Media and Real Estate clients. Rooted in Trinidad but born in Brooklyn, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Villanova University before obtaining her CPA license after starting full-time at PwC.
Her leadership philosophy is to empower people and allow them to be seen. Translating directly into her client delivery, Christal leads teams with empathy to deliver quality audits with impact to build meaningful relationships with executive stakeholders. She has demonstrated a passion and action-based approach for uplifting communities and business professionals through PwC’s various Purpose & Inclusion initiatives. Christal has steered multiple Diversity Committees, served as a My+ Activator to promote the Firm’s people/well-being strategy, and represented the Firm as a CEO Action for Racial Equity Fellow, amongst other non-audit work.
In her free time, Christal prioritizes her mental and physical well-being through fitness, travel, good reads, and always making time for friends and family.
Andom Beadle
Testimonial Speaker
Andom Beadle
Testimonial Speaker
Andom Beadle is a dedicated New York Certified Public Accountant (CPA) specializing in the Asset and Wealth Management industry at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for financial excellence, Andom navigates complex financial landscapes to provide expert guidance to clients.
Outside of the office, he is deeply committed to health and wellness, viewing it as essential for both personal and professional success. Beyond the boardroom, Andom is deeply committed to community engagement and philanthropy. He channels his energy into making a meaningful impact by volunteering with community food banks in the New York and New Jersey area. Through his efforts, Andom strives to combat food insecurity and create a brighter future for those in need.
Alex Villalba
Testimonial Speaker
Alexis Villalba
Testimonial Speaker
Alex Villalba is a Senior Associate at PwC, where he works in the State and Local Tax (SALT) group, specializing in Indirect Tax. He’s been with PwC full-time since July 2020, but his journey started back in 2018 when he joined the firm as a Start intern, followed by his client service internship the next year. Alex currently works for PwC’s New York Metro office and lives in Manhattan, but he’s a Brooklyn native with roots in Queens as well!
He earned his degree from CUNY Brooklyn College in Spring 2020 and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA). When Alex isn’t tackling taxes, you’ll find him enjoying soccer, catching the latest movies, or hunting down the best food spots in town. He’s a passionate foodie and loves staying active.
Gervase Adams
Insurance Associate, Small Group Facilitator
Malik Foy
Tax Associate, Small Group Facilitator
November 2024
NYC, Murray Bergtraum High School
Highlighted Firm: EY
Molly Tucker McCue
Welcome Remarks
Molly Tucker McCue
Welcome Remarks
As the US-East Assurance Managing Partner, Molly leads more than 5,000 assurance professionals from 18 offices, driving our focus on audit quality and championing transformation. She also works with our Financial Accounting Advisory Services, Forensic & Integrity Services and Climate Change and Sustainability Services teams to drive growth and foster teaming across the business.
A leader at Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) for nearly 30 years, Molly has been instrumental in scaling continuous improvement and building engagement in our teams to drive quality. Molly previously served as the US-East Audit Leader. She also spent four years as a Professional Practice partner based in New York City.
She has a BS in Business Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio and received an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business. Molly is a member of the AICPA and New York State Society of CPAs.
Ken Bouyer
Testimonial Speaker
Ken Bouyer
Testimonial Speaker
As EY Americas Director of Inclusiveness Recruiting, Ken develops and implements the recruiting strategy to build and attract diverse and inclusive talent pools for EY Americas member firms. Ken frequently serves as a spokesperson on diversity and recruiting trends. Prior to his current role, Ken was a Director in the US firm’s Consulting Services practice, supporting various global internal audit clients.
Ken is a member of the Executive Leadership Council and serves on the Board of Trustees of Manhattan College, North Carolina A&T’s Dean’s Advisory Council and Arizona State University’s Accounting Advisory Board. He is a current Corporate Advisory Board Member of the National Association of Black Accountants and Association of Latino Professionals For America, earning ALPFA’s 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award. Ken is also a Corporate Advisory Board Member of Ascend, which is the largest, non-profit Pan-Asian organization for business professionals in North America.
Ken earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Manhattan College. He is a Certified Internal Auditor and member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Ellen Glazerman
Small Group Facilitator
Ellen Glazerman
Small Group Facilitator
Ellen is the Executive Director of the EY Foundation and Director of University Relations, EY Americas. In addition, she supports a variety of initiatives within the Office of Public Policy.
Ellen is the past Chair and current member of the Board of Directors for the Graduate Management Admission Council, the Leventhal School of Accounting Board of Advisors, and Brigham Young University’s School of Accounting Board of Advisors. She was a Commissioner for the profession’s Pathways in Accounting initiatives. She is Past-Chair of the Forte Foundation, a not-for-profit dedicated to “inspiring women business leaders.” She is also a past Board member of AACSB, the AAA Executive Committee, the Ross School at the University of Michigan, the APLG (twice), the AICPA Education committee, the Center for the Public Trust, Gina Gibney Dance Company, T-Zone (Tyra Banks’s charity supporting women and girls) and the University of North Carolina School of Accoutancy Program.
Prior to joining the EY organization, Ellen was a development officer, raising private money for several universities. She has a BA from Wesleyan University and an MBA from the University of Southern California.
Carolina Pasaoglu
Small Group Facilitator
Carolina Pasauglu
Small Group Facilitator
Carolina Pasaoglu is an Assistant Director in the Americas Corporate Responsibility group. She joined EY in 2006 and currently, leads Strategic Collaborations and EY Ripples Programs, with a focus on community-facing programs for supporting the next generation. As part of her role, she develops, expands and maintains educational programming and third party relationships, develops strategic priorities and consults with regional and local teams on program implementation. Carolina leverages her background in writing and education to drive internal and external messaging.
In FY21, Carolina joined EY’s core consulting team to develop, implement and deliver EY’s Bridging the Digital Divide initiative. Carolina is a first-generation college graduate who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Barnard College at Columbia University. She is a Masters candidate at New York University Graduate School of Arts and Science.
Sofia Linares Olah
Tax Senior, Testimonial Speaker
Jacqueline Luna
Audit Manager, Testimonial Speaker
Jennifer Tower
Director, Americas Assurance BMC, Small Group Facilitator
Giovanny Arango
Launch Intern 2024, Small Group Facilitator
May 2024
Newark, NJ, Barringer High School
Ras Baraka
Mayor of Newark
Ras Baraka
Mayor of Newark
Political leader Ras Baraka was born Newark, New Jersey to writer and playwright Amiri Baraka and poet Amina Baraka. He received his B.A. degree in political science from Howard University in 1991 and earned his M.A. degree in education supervision from St. Peter’s University in Jersey City in 1994. In 1992, Baraka served as the editor of In the Tradition: An Anthology of Young Black Writers. In 1998, Baraka was featured on singer Lauryn Hill’s album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and in 2003, he performed a collection of poems called Black Girls Learn Love Hard at the Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival. The volume was dedicated to Baraka’s sister, Shani Baraka, who was murdered in 2003. Baraka has participated in the National Political Hip-Hop Convention from its inception in 2004.
Prior to his political career, Baraka worked as an English and history teacher for Newark Public Schools. In 1994, at the age of twenty-four, Baraka ran for mayor of Newark, New Jersey, but was defeated by Sharpe James. Baraka was elected as Council Member At-Large on the Municipal Council of Newark in 2005. From 2007 to 2013, Baraka served as the principal of Central High School in Newark. He was re-elected as a South Ward Council Member in 2010, a position he held until 2014. In July of 2014, Baraka became Newark’s 40th mayor, on a platform of improving the city’s public school system, economic growth, and criminal justice reform. During his tenure, Baraka launched the City’s first police Civilian Complaint Review board and unified the City’s police and fire departments into a single public safety department. In 2017, Baraka initiated the Hire. Buy. Live. Newark plan to stimulate the city’s economic development. Baraka was re-elected for a second mayoral term in 2018.
In 2015, Baraka was named Most Valuable Mayor on The Nation’s Most Valuable Progressives list. He was also featured on Ebony magazine’s Power 100 list. In 2017, Baraka was presented with an honorary degree from Montclair University. He also served on the board of trustees of Newark Trust.
Jose Borbon
VP, Audit Manager, Northfield Bank
Jose Borbon
VP, Audit Manager, Northfield Bank
Jose Borbon holds the position of VP, Audit Manager at Northfield Bank, specializing in the Commercial and Residential business lines. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers Business School-Newark, where he majored in Accounting and Business Management. Additionally, he graduated with institutional honors of Magna Cum Laude in May 2014. During the winter of 2017, he became a licensed certified public accountant in the state of New Jersey. He is a member of the AICPA’s leadership Academy (11th graduating class), 2019 Ovation Emerging Leader award recipient, and most recently, he received Rookie of the Year award by Northfield Bank.
Yan Zhang
Chief Accountant, EisnerAmper LLP
Yan Zhang
Chief Accountant, EisnerAmper LLP
Yan Zhang is the Chief Accountant at EisnerAmper LLP and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, with almost 30 years of experience in public accounting. She co-leads the firm’s National Office of the Assurance practice. In this role, she works closely with firm leadership to determine the firm’s position on emerging trends in accounting and financial reporting matters, in addition to servicing clients and supporting engagement teams by researching, advising, and concluding on complex technical accounting and reporting issues. Yan has worked with a variety of clients, including public registrants, multinational corporations, partnerships, and private businesses, in a wide range of industries and sectors. She also has worked in several overseas capital markets and has significant expertise in periodic and transactional filings with the SEC, including initial public offerings, private placements, carve-outs, mergers and acquisitions, and divestitures.
Yan currently serves on the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council (FASAC) of the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) and the Financial Reporting Executive Committee (FinREC) of the AICPA. She also has previously served on the Private Company Council (PCC) of the FASB as and the Technical Issues Committee for the AICPA’s private companies practice section.
Yan earned her MBA with a concentration in Accounting and her BA in Management Information System from University of Houston, Bauer College of Business. She’s a member of the AICPA and NJCPA.
Joseph Polanco
Senior Accountant, Withum's Automotive
Joseph Polanco
Senior Accountant, Withum's Automotive
Joseph is a senior accountant within Withum’s Automotive team where he primarily services retail automotive dealerships. As part of Withum’s Business Enterprise Advisors, an initiative enacted to create well-rounded professionals and move away from the general audit or tax specialties, he’s developed expertise in automotive retail and commercial truck financial statement and tax engagements, dealership consulting, M&A, real estate, financial due diligence, dealership valuation, cost segregation accounting, and real estate.
Joseph is a first-generation college graduate, and the 5th person in his family to do so. He coaches the “Withum Warriors”, the softball team for Withum’s East Brunswick office and is an avid participant in the advancement of young emerging accounting professionals and underrepresented groups evident through his active participation in the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), and the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD). He also co-leads the East Brunswick office’s Emerging Professionals Committee. In his down time, he enjoys cooking, playing sports, and spending time with his wife, daughter, and two cats.
Aiysha (AJ) Johnson
CEO & Executive Director, New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants
Aiysha (AJ) Johnson
CEO & Executive Director, New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants
Aiysha (AJ) Johnson is the CEO & Executive Director of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants. AJ has been named in the NJBIZ Power 100, the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting, ROI-NJ Top 50 Women in Business, and the NJBIZ Accounting Power 50 – to name a few! With an executive focus in global management, Johnson has more than 20 years of wide-ranging experience working for nonprofit professional and trade associations.
February 2024
Dallas, TX, Emmet J. Conrad High School
Bertrand K. Maimo
CFO, Commerce Street Holdings, LLC
Bertrand K. Maimo
CFO, Commerce Street Holdings, LLC
Bertrand K. Maimo was born in Yaounde, Cameroon, located on the west Coast of the African continent and emigrated to the United States in 2004. He graduated, Summa Cum Laude, with a BBA in Accounting and subsequently obtained his master’s in business administration from Henderson State University.
After approximately a decade of professional experience as an auditor, Bertrand left KPMG in 2017 to start providing fractional CFO, COO, and consulting services to help companies explore efficient strategies to accomplish growth needs.
Bertrand currently provides services to an investment banking firm, SEC registered investment advisers, and private equity funds that have had over $750 million in collective assets under management. He also provides consulting services to clients in the sports, healthcare research, fashion, real estate & non-profit industries.
As a husband, father, entrepreneur, executive leadership & business consultant, sports coach, and speaker amongst other hats he wears, Bertrand has learned and believes that life is complicated, but success is straight forward when we commit to making a difference in the simplest ways.
Kenny Broom
Director of Venture Capital, MG Stover
Kenny Broom
Director of Venture Capital, MG Stover
Kenny is the Director of Venture Capital for MG Stover. He provides fund administration services for hedge funds, private equity, and venture funds in the digital asset space. In addition to his CPA license, Kenny is a Certified Bitcoin Professional and loves talking about the future of money.
Melanie Bledsoe
CPA
Melanie Bledsoe
CPA
Melanie Bledsoe has experienced various aspects of the accounting profession. Her experiences include general accounting, internal audit, governmental audit, tax, entrepreneurship and tax software development. Her current role is a Recruiter focused on accounting and finance opportunities. In 2023, she was featured in Today’s CPA magazine as a recipient for the TXCPA Rising Star Award. In her spare time, Melanie enjoys international travel, training for a 10k race, playing tennis and volunteering. Her favorite volunteer initiative is within the school system to strengthen the pipeline of new CPAs. Her passion for education and mentorship shines through in her commitment to making a lasting impact for future generations.
December 2023
Orlando, FL, Cypress Creek High School
Mary Salter
SVP of Finance, LPGA
Mary Salter
SVP of Finance, LPGA
Mary Salter is the SVP of Finance at LPGA, where she leads financial reporting, tax and audit compliance, strategic projects, and managing a global annual budget of $280M+. She joined the team in 2017, and her impact has been felt across functions, and as a member of the C-ME DEIB Task Force. Her personal charge to make a difference blends seamlessly with the mission of the LPGA, to provide opportunities for women through the game of golf. It also led her to co-found the Abracadabra Foundation, a 501c3 organization, serving and inspiring teen girls.
Mary is a native Floridian, and graduated from FAMU. She began her career at KPMG, obtained her CPA, and has worked in various accounting/finance roles for over 20+ years. Mrs. Salter is married to her best friend, and they have two beautiful daughters. She is also very active in the ministry Love Center Church.
Kenny Broom
Senior Manager, Financial Accounting, Walt Disney Company
Christopher Stemley
Senior Manager, Financial Accounting, Walt Disney Company
Christopher Stemley is a Senior Manager, Financial Accounting at the Walt Disney Company, with over 20 years of experience leading cross-functional teams in areas of accounting, finance, and project management. He maintains an active CPA license in the State of Florida, and currently serving a second term as a council member of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Asad Ahmad
Managing Partner, FitBiz CPA Group, LLC
Asad Ahmad
Managing Partner, FitBiz CPA Group, LLC
Asad Ahmad, CPA is a Managing Partner for The FitBiz CPA Group, LLC. Asad moved to Florida from Michigan when he was 11 years old. Asad graduated from UCF in 2017 and worked for consulting firms like Deloitte and investment Bank Houlihan Lokey in New York City. Asad is a licensed CPA and started FitBiz CPA Group along with his other partners in 2021. Asad enjoys staying active and traveling. He recently visited Spain and Italy and truly enjoyed it. Asad is forever grateful to his mentors and leaders who helped him get to where he is today. He has volunteered for Junior Achievement USA and volunteers for local charities.
October 2023
Los Angeles, CA, Applied Technology Center High School
Ivan Barrueta
Manager, Deloitte
Ivan Baruetta
Manager, Deloitte
Ivan Barrueta is a Manager at Deloitte in the Mergers and Acquisitions group, guiding companies in the life science and healthcare industries through their most significant events. Ivan helps companies account for business acquisitions, carve-outs, divestitures and bankruptcies. He also serves as a Program Manager for Deloitte’s MADE program (Make Accounting Diverse and Equitable).
Kathy Johnson
Forensic Accountant
Kathy Johnson
Forensic Accountant
Kathy Johnson is a forensic accountant and expert witness, with over 25 years of accounting experience. She specializes in family law, business valuations and cash flow analysis, civil and criminal litigation support, estate and trust accounting analysis, fraud investigations, and economic damages. Kathy is also an adjunct university professor, and she teaches certified professional education (CPE) courses to other CPAs.
Pablo Machado
Assistant Professor of Accounting, San Diego State University
Pablo Machado
Assistant Professor of Accounting, San Diego State University
Pablo Machado, Ph.D., CPA, is an Assistant Professor of Accounting at San Diego State University where he specializes in auditing and intermediate financial accounting. He is also a proud college dropout who was failing in his engineering courses back in 2000 before he decided to pursue accounting. He currently serves as the faculty advisor for the SDSU student chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) and volunteers for Junior Achievement of San Diego.
Peter Vellez
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Inspector
Peter Vellez
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Inspector
Peter Velez is a Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Inspector based in Los Angeles/ Orange County with 7+ years of experience in public accounting.
He holds an active CPA license in the State of California. Previously at Deloitte, he served a mix of public and private clients in the manufacturing, retail, and distribution industries.
May 2023
Chicago, IL, Englewood STEM High School
Olu Teriba
Partner, Deloitte & Touche’s Audit and Assurance
Olu Teriba
Partner, Deloitte & Touche’s Audit and Assurance
Olu Teriba is a partner in Deloitte & Touche’s Audit and Assurance practice with over 14 years of experience. Upon graduating from Purdue University and getting his masters in accounting at the University of Illinois Chicago, Olu has worked in the Deloitte Chicago audit practice for his entire career. Olu provides audit and advisory services for companies focused on the oil, gas and chemicals and the consumer products industries. In addition to his client service roles, Olu is the partner champion for Deloitte’s Make Accounting Diverse and Equitable (MADE) initiative, which represents the firm’s commitment to help transform the future of the accounting profession by growing the population of racially and ethnically diverse talent.
Stephani Mason
Professor of Accounting, DePaul University
Stephani Mason
Professor of Accounting, DePaul University
Stephani Mason is a Professor of Accounting at DePaul University in Chicago where she teaches advanced level undergraduate and graduate courses in accounting and valuation. She earned her Ph.D. in accounting at Rutgers University, her MBA in finance and accounting at the University of Chicago, and her BS in accounting at North Carolina A&T State University. With over a decade working in investment management at JP Morgan Investment Management, the JP Morgan Private Bank, and US Trust, her academic research interests are the impact of valuation & accounting standards and financial regulation on financial reporting and capital market behavior. She is a member of the AICPA Financial Instruments Advisory Group and the AICPA Business Valuation Executive Committee.
Jason Treadwell
Founder/President, Treadwell Consulting Group
Jason Treadwell
Founder/President, Treadwell Consulting Group
Jason Treadwell is the Founder and President of Treadwell Consulting Group a Virtual CFO Firm supporting venture backed startups and small businesses. Throughout Jason’s 17-year career as an accountant, he has discovered a passion for helping entrepreneurs and small businesses build sustainable organizations with seamless financial systems, proactive reporting, HR oversight and business insight. Jason takes pride in being a trusted advisor to founders, small business owners, and investors. Jason was born and raised in Chicago and is a product of Chicago Public Schools and a graduate from DePaul University in Chicago. Jason loves helping to engage with and developing the next generation of diverse accountants.
Travis C. Hunter, Jr.
Office Managing Partner, KPMG LLP
Travis C. Hunter, Jr.
Office Managing Partner, KPMG LLP
Travis C. Hunter, Jr. is office managing partner for KPMG LLP’s Chicago office where he leads more than 3,000 professionals in providing Audit, Tax, and Advisory services to our clients, and adhering to our firm’s Values. Beyond Chicago, Travis facilitates collaboration with eight Midwest markets as the Chicago market Hub Leader. With more than 20 years of strong operational leadership, business development, people development and client service to KPMG’s clients, Travis is known for his deep commitment to serving KPMG’s communities and clients and supporting and developing talent. He is focused ensuring that KPMG is a great place to work and build a career, where diversity, equity and inclusion is embraced and practiced.
March 2023
Washington, D.C., H.D. Woodson High School
Jamil White
Financial Executive
Jamil White
Testimonial Speaker
Jamil White is the Vice President of Accounting, and manages all accounting and finance at WindHQ, an energy infrastructure development and management company. He has nearly 20 years of experience in various accounting fields including assurance, corporate accounting, financial reporting, and tax compliance. Prior to joining WindHQ, he served as Vice President, and Controller at New Energy Equity, the 8th largest domestic commercial solar developer. Jamil also serves on the Board of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA). Mr. White has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Morgan State University. Mr. White is also a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Courtney Arrington
CPA, Accounting Influencer
Courtney Arrington
CPA, Accounting Influencer
Courtney Arrington owns and operates a virtual accounting practice offering tax and accounting services to social media influencers and small businesses. Courtney began her career in public accounting, working for a large regional CPA firm in the tax practice and later moved into a role as an investment accountant for a large insurance company. She also hosts an accounting-related YouTube channel.
Brian Atkins
Vice President, Community Manager, JPMorgan Chase & Co
Brian Atkins
Vice President, Community Manager, JPMorgan Chase & Co
Brian Atkins has over 15 years of experience in community engagement and is extremely passionate about strengthening community ties by bridging the gap between organizations and the communities they care about. Brian currently serves as the Vice President, Community Manager for JPMorgan Chase & Co. where he educates residents, small business owners, and nonprofits in financial health.
Jessica McLain
Chief Financial Officer, Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital
Jessicsa McLain.
Chief Financial Officer, Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital
Jessica McClain is currently the Chief Financial Officer for the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital. In this role she is a member of the senior leadership team with strategic responsibility for finance and accounting, risk management, property, product program, retail merchandise, and business operations. Prior to transitioning to the not-for-profit industry, Jessica spent 11 years in public accounting.