Speaker Bios

Manal Ahmed

Megan Angle, CPA
Partner
Porte Brown LLC, Villa Park, Illinois
Megan Angle, CPA has been with Porte Brown LLC for 13 years. Prior to joining the Porte Brown team upon her graduation from Judson University, Megan had 4 years of industry experience working for a Not-for-Profit organization while completing her college education. As such, she brings a unique perspective to her audit work. Megan serves as a board president for the Tri-Town YMCA as well as a board member of her local chamber of commerce. Megan also serves as a Chair of the Illinois CPA Society’s Not for Profit Committee and a member of the Committee Structure & Volunteerism Task Force. Megan is also a member of the Association of Professional Fundraisers.

Liz Barhydt, CMA
CFO
Optimism
Liz Barhydt, CMA, serves as both the CFO for digital media group called Optimism and its owner’s family office as their Head of Finance, leading strategic capital allocation across various ventures, investments and philanthropic endeavors. Liz is passionate about driving strategic change and making true business impact through the power of financial storytelling and communicating numbers in a way that drives impact and action. Her career spans public accounting at EY, leadership roles in high growth startups, and scaling businesses to 8 and 9-figure exits across multiple industries. As a former CFO of a digital marketing agency and an advisor to venture-backed startups, she has guided companies from early stage funding through successful scale. Through her work with fast-growing organizations, Liz has witnessed firsthand how great decisions fuel growth, bad decisions demand resilience, and creativity in finance can be the key to long term success. She believes accountants and finance leaders are more than number crunchers, they are storytellers, decision architects, and strategic leaders who can shape the future of business. Born and raised on the East Coast, Liz received her BS in Finance and Masters in Accounting from Wake Forest University but now lives in Denver, CO with her husband and two girls.

Brian Blaha, CPA
Founder
Winding River Consulting
Brian J. Blaha, CPA, is the 2025-2026 chairperson of the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS) Board of Directors. A dedicated ICPAS member since 2011, Blaha joined the board of directors in 2017 and has represented Illinois on the AICPA Council since 2023. Today, Blaha is the founder of Beacon Horizon Advisors LLC, where he helps　private equity and accounting firms achieve their growth and value creation aspirations. Prior to this, he served in various leadership roles at Wipfli from 1996-2024. At Wipfli, he began as an auditor in the firm’s financial institution practice and in 2011, he was selected to establish the firm’s Chicago office from the ground up. In addition, he served on Wipfli’s board from 2013-2016 and, in 2016, took on the role of chief growth officer. In this position, he focused on executing strategies to align the firm with new profitable services and solutions. Under his leadership, Wipfli’s revenue grew from $200 million to $600 million. Blaha is also a past president and member of the Community Banking Advisory Network and a member of the Financial Managers Society. Additionally, he has served as school board president and on the finance council for St. Michael Parish in Wheaton, Ill., and is a member of the board of trustees for Elmhurst University and serves on St. Francis High School’s board of directors. Blaha graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of business administration degree from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis.

Geof Brown, CAE
President & CEO
Illinois CPA Society
Geoffrey ‘Geof’ Brown, CAE, is president and CEO of the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS), one of the largest state CPA societies in the nation. Brown also serves as president and CEO of CPAs for the Public Interest and ex-officio board member of the CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois. A seasoned certified association executive (CAE), Brown has more than 23 years of experience as an association professional. Before joining ICPAS in 2022, he served as CEO of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), the nation’s leading professional association of fee-only financial advisors, for nine years. Prior to NAPFA, Brown was an account executive with Sentergroup, an association manager at SmithBucklin Corporation, and held multiple positions with North-American Interfraternity Conference. Brown served as the board chair for Association Forum and is an active member. He is also an active member in the American Society of Association Executives and is a board member for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values. Brown earned his bachelor’s degree in government and politics from the University of Maryland.

Michael Campbell, CPA, mTax
International Tax Director
Aprio, LLP, Atlanta, Georgia
Michael Campbell, CPA, mTax is an International Tax Director with Aprio, LLP based in Atlanta, GA. He has been focused on global taxation and the complex problems that arise when taxpayers engage in cross-border transactions. A native Atlantan, Michael attended Georgia Tech for his undergraduate degree and later Georgia State University for his Master of Taxation, the number one tax program in the Southeast. Michael’s focus is on U.S. businesses with global operations, offering advice on export tax incentives, foreign tax credits, entity rationalization & restructuring, with a strong foundation in applying advanced technology solutions to solve large-scale tax issues. He joined Aprio through its merger with Chicago-based KRD, Ltd. and has close ties to the midwest.

Shehan Chandrasekera
Shehan Chandrasekera is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Texas and New Jersey. He specializes in business and individual tax planning and consulting for small businesses. Shehan has a broad tax knowledge of various industries including, Real Estate, Construction, E-commerce, Healthcare, Manufacturing & Distribution and the emerging Blockchain related industries. Before starting his career at JAG CPAs & Co, Shehan worked for several regional and national public accounting firms for a number of years. His ability to dissect the tax code and innovative thinking have immensely contributed to his rapid professional growth. After a successful career helping many clients at different firms, Shehan pursued his lifelong dream of becoming an entrepreneur by joining JAG. Shehan is also a published author. His recent article on “Virtual Currency and Tax Ramifications” was featured in “The Tax Adviser” magazine sponsored by AICPA. He was one of the first CPAs to have a published academic article on Cryptocurrency. Shehan graduated from William Paterson University, NJ as the salutatorian of his graduating class. After migrating from Sri Lanka to New Jersey and spending a few years in the east coast, he moved to Houston to be close to his family. Aside from being an Accountant, Shehan enjoys rock climbing, spending time with his family and reading.

Erin Daiber, CPA, PCC
CEO
Well Balanced Accountants, San Diego, California
Erin Daiber is a relatable and results-oriented CPA turned coach, speaker & change agent in the accounting profession. She is the founder of Well Balanced Accountants LLC and is known for her fresh approach and tailored solutions designed to uniquely suit your team of accountants. Well Balanced Accountants started after she went from a high-performing accountant to a burned-out, now-recovering CPA. Erin specializes in working with organizations who are ready to find a better way to grow and scale, engage top talent, and create a culture where everyone loves to work. She believes that leading in today’s environment requires a new level of leadership, creativity, and a willingness to branch out from the norm. As a speaker, she shows accountants & bookkeepers how to develop the skills they need to transform themselves and their organizations so that they can spend more time on what matters most.

Jeremy Dubow, CPA, MST
Partner
NDH LLP, Chicago, Illinois
Jeremy Dubow (CPA, MST), a founding partner, leads NDH’s tax group and is the company’s Chief Executive Officer. Jeremy provides sophisticated tax planning, consulting and preparation services to businesses, individuals and family groups. Jeremy also oversees NDH’s Mergers & Acquisitions practice. Jeremy has broad industry experience; his clients include professional service firms, innovative technology start-ups, traditional manufacturing companies and everything in between. As a tax generalist, Jeremy advises his clients on a wide range of tax issues from basic entity selection to sophisticated transaction structuring. His clients value his accessibility, communication, technical expertise and proactive problem solving. Jeremy routinely speaks on behalf of the IL CPA Society on partnership tax matters and assists other CPA’s on complex flow-through tax issues. Jeremy is actively involved in the IL CPA Society’s tax committees, is the former Chair of the Flow-through Entities Committee and the Chair of the Tax Executive Committee. Jeremy began his career in Arthur Andersen’s Middle Market Tax group and later was promoted to Tax Manager at Deloitte Tax before co-founding NDH. During his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and competing in endurance races.

Sarah Ference, CPA
Risk Control Director
CNA, Chicago, Illinois
Sarah Ference is a Risk Control Director for CNA and oversees risk control services provided to CPA firms in the AICPA Accountants Professional Liability Insurance Program. She previously practiced public accounting for 15 years with a Big Four public accounting firm where she provided internal control and risk management advisory services and external audit services to clients in multiple industries. At CNA, Sarah and her team provide risk control services to insured CPA firms. Services include consultations with firms on ways to help mitigate professional liability risk, development and delivery of risk management training and education products, authoring monthly risk management articles for the Journal of Accountancy, and creating other tools to assist CPA firms in managing their professional liability risk.

Kristen Fox, MBA, PCC, CPCC, CPQC
Practice Leader, Coaching and Leadership Development
TalentRise, Matthews, North Carolina
Kristen Fox leads TalentRise’s Coaching and Leadership Development Practice. Bringing a dynamic, personalized, and well-balanced approach to coaching, Kristen focuses on building leaders’ mental agility and improving their ability to authentically meet the moment. Kristen has served as a Talent Consultant and Leadership Coach for TalentRise since 2019. Most notably, Kristen developed TalentRise’s Fast Start Coaching program, a three-month executive integration coaching program. Fast Start Coaching provides incredible value to newly onboarded executives and leaders as they navigate a new culture, engage their teams, and build relationships during their first 90 days on the job. As a coach and mentor partner of CEOs and leadership teams of venture-backed and founder-led companies, Kristen leverages almost two decades of experience as an HR leader in the financial services, private equity, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and legal services industries. Kristen’s work focuses on leadership and team transformations that leverage the power of Positive Intelligence, Predictive Index, and Hogan Assessment Systems. Kristen received her Bachelor of Arts from Bradley University and her Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship and Finance from DePaul University. She is a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and holds several other professional coaching and HR certifications. She recently served as the President of the ICF Charlotte Area Chapter. A Chicago native, Kristen currently resides in Matthews, NC with her son and whoodle. Kristen’s core coaching areas of focus include: • 1:1 Leadership Coaching leveraging 360 Degree Feedback • Leadership Team Development including group Coaching and Retreats • Mental Fitness Coaching through Positive Intelligence • Fast Start Leadership Integration Coaching • In-Depth Leadership Assessments Kristen’s certifications include: • Professional Certified Coach (PCC) • Certified Positive Intelligence Coach (CPQC) • Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) • SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) • Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)

Melisa Galasso, CPA
Founder & CEO
Galasso Learning Solutions, Charlotte, North Carolina
Passionate about providing confidence, not just compliance, Melisa is the award-winning Founder & CEO of Galasso Learning Solutions – a premier, full-service provider of high-quality continuing professional education for CPAs. With over 20+ years of experience, Melisa has become a nationally recognized authority in designing and facilitating courses on advanced technical accounting and auditing topics, including not-for-profit and governmental accounting. Melisa is known for her expertise in instructional design and adult learning techniques, backed by her Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) credentials, as well as the prestigious Association for Talent Development Master Trainer™ designation. With a diverse career in public accounting, academia, and industry, as well as a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, she’s built a reputation for delivering engaging, effective learning experiences for CPA firms, governments, nonprofits, state societies, and CPA alliances. Committed to advancing the profession, Melisa serves on multiple committees including the Financial Reporting Executive Committee (FinREC) and the Enforcement Subcommittee of the AICPA and co-chairing the North Carolina Association of CPAs A&A Committee. She previously served on AICPA Council, the Technical Issues Committee (TIC) and the FASB’s Not for Profit Advisory Committee (NAC) as well as the Virginia Society of CPA’s Board of Directors. Melisa is a 2014 graduate of the AICPA’s Leadership Academy and the author of the acclaimed nonprofit accounting book, “Money Matters for Nonprofits.” For her contributions to both accounting and entrepreneurship, Melisa has received numerous accolades, such as the Top 50 Women in Accounting Award, the Rising Star Award from NAWBO Charlotte, and was honored as a “40 under 40” by CPA Practice Advisor for three consecutive years.

Christine Hollinden, CPSM, CVGA, CM&AA, CEPA
Principal & Founder
Hollinden | growth without guesswork, Houston, Texas
Christine Hollinden, CPSM, is the founding principal of Hollinden | marketers + strategists, a strategic consulting firm for expertise-driven professional service firms. From strategic marketing plans and branding to websites, social media, marketing automation, and everything in between, Hollinden’s marketing services identify market opportunities, develop solid strategies, create scalable processes, build stronger teams, and produce measurable, business impacting results. Prior to founding Hollinden in 1993, Christine’s career included Director of Marketing for KPMG in Houston, Regional Communications Manager for PWC, and Marketing Coordinator for Grant Thornton. She began her career doing debt and equity financing with Grant Thornton. Christine is an active member and supporter of several professional organizations, and serves as a regular guest lecturer at Texas A&M University. She is an instructor for the Certified Value Growth Advisor program, teaching the marketing and sales modules. She is also an instructor for the Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation with the Exit Planning Institute. Additionally, she is a member of the following committees and professional organizations: Advisory Council, McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship, Texas A&M University Campaign Leadership Committee, University of Houston at Victoria Vice Chargée de Presse, Chaine des Rôtisseurs, Bailliage de Houston Board of Directors, Aggie Angel Network Christine regularly contributes her expertise to publications such as Accounting Today, Marketer, Houston Business Journal, Houston Chronicle, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Houston at Victoria and a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University. She also holds the Certified Professional Services Marketer designation.

Seth Hopkins, MBA
Director
Forvis Mazars
Seth is a member of the Nonprofit Advisory Practice at Forvis Mazars, bringing over 20 years of expertise in both nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Throughout his career, Seth has led financial planning and analysis for organizations, including overseeing P&L projections, financial reporting, budget creation, forecasting, and investment and cash flow analysis to shape overall strategic business objectives. These efforts have been instrumental in shaping strategic business objectives and driving organizational success. Seth’s strategic financial leadership has been pivotal in navigating complex financial landscapes, providing critical CFO advisory services that enable organizations to achieve their financial goals. His ability to analyze financial data and leverage information for financial decision-making has contributed to his success. In addition to his financial acumen, Seth excels in evaluating and implementing policies and procedures, conducting comprehensive financial operational assessments, and supporting succession planning in complex organizations. Seth also provides robust system implementation support, ensuring seamless integration and functionality. His expertise extends to developing internal and external reporting packages, managing monthly close and control processes, and providing grant management and compliance. His comprehensive approach and innovative solutions consistently deliver value, making him a trusted advisor. Seth is a graduate of Northwestern University, with a B.S. in Business, and has an MBA in Finance from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.

Randy Johnston, MCS
Exec VP
K2 Enterprises, Hutchinson, Kansas
Randolph P. (Randy) Johnston, Cofounder randy@k2e.com; randyj@nmgi.com, 620-664-6000 x 112, Web sites: www.randyjohnston.com, www.technologybestpractices.com, www.nmgi.com, or www.k2e.com Randolph P. (Randy) Johnston, MCS, has been a leading figure in technology for over 40 years. Inducted into the Accounting Hall of Fame in 2011, he has remained a Top 25 Thought Leader in Accounting from 2011 through 2024. His continued influence in the profession is highlighted by his recognition in the 2024 Accounting Today Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting—his twenty-first consecutive year on that list. In addition, Randy authors a monthly column and hosts a weekly podcast for The CPA Practice Advisor contributes to the Journal of Accountancy, writes for various accounting and technology publications, and has published numerous books. He has founded and still owns multiple ventures, including K2 Enterprises in Hammond, Louisiana, and Network Management Group, Inc. (NMGI) in Hutchinson, Kansas. For four decades, NMGI has provided services to CPA firms and has been the largest managed service provider for the CPA profession in North America. Randy’s wife, four children, and seven grandchildren share his passions for theatre, music, travel, golf, skiing, snorkeling, and model trains. His background as a college instructor, management and technology consultant, and advisor to the accounting community informs today’s presentation. Contact Randy at randy@k2e.com, randyj@nmgi.com, 620-664-6000 x 112, via www.randyjohnston.com, www.technologybestpractices.com, www.nmgi.com, or www.k2e.com.

Jeffrey Korzenik
Chief Economist
Fifth Third Bank, St Petersburg, Florida
Jeff Korzenik is the Chief Economist for Fifth Third Commercial Bank. As Chief Economist, Jeff provides research and analysis that impacts the Bank’s key markets as well as business leaders and policymakers throughout the country. He is an award-winning author whose writings have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the Harvard Business Review, Newsweek, Forbes and many other national and regional publications, and Jeff has appeared regularly on CNBC, Bloomberg and Fox Business News. Jeff’s insights are also featured in the Empowering American Cities initiative, a collaboration with Fifth Third and the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Empowering American Cities delivers local economic information for business leaders looking to grow their companies and their communities. It explores data on why some cities thrive while others fall behind, helping to identify policies and business practices that are working or not working. Policymakers have sought Jeff’s expertise on a variety of topics leading to his testifying before state legislatures and on Capitol Hill. Most recently, Jeff has been recognized as a leading expert on private sector models for hiring people with criminal records and advancing public safety through employment. His book, “Untapped Talent,” published by HarperCollins in 2021, is widely recognized as the authoritative text on the subject. He is a graduate of Princeton University with both a degree in Economics and a Certificate of Proficiency in Near Eastern Studies.

Heather Lindquist, CPA
Assistant Director, Peer Review & Professional Standards, Peer Review Alliance
Illinois CPA Society
Heather is the Director of Peer Review & Professional Standards for the Illinois CPA Society. The Society manages the Peer Review Alliance program which administers peer reviews for firms across seven states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Heather is a member of the AICPA Peer Review Board’s Technical Reviewer Advisory Task Force (TRATF) and also serves as a member of the Board’s Education and Communication Task Force (ECTF). A graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University, Heather spent six years with RSM US LLP working mainly on not-for-profit and local government audits before joining the Illinois CPA Society in 2016. Heather’s work centers around peer review, but she also serves as the staff liaison for the Illinois CPA Society’s Audit and Assurance Services Committee.

Jennifer Louis
President
Emergent Solutions Group
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA founded Emergent Solutions Group, LLC in 2003, where she focuses her energy on designing and delivering high-quality, practical, and engaging accounting and auditing training. She was most recently Director of Audit Product Development at Surgent Professional Education. Prior to that Jennifer served as Director of Training Services at AuditWatch, Inc, was the Financial/Operational Audit Manager at AARP, and was an Audit Manager for Deloitte & Touche LLP. Jennifer graduated summa cum laude from Marymount University with a BBA-Accounting. Besides loving life on the lake with her husband in Charlotte, NC, she enjoys hiking with her Coton de Tulear dogs, and savoring any precious moments spent with her two young adult boys.

Mike Manalac, CPA
Accounting Manager for Ads Incentives
Google
Mike is a CPA with experience at small, top 20 and Big 4 firms as well as industry-leading Fortune 500 companies like Walmart Inc. and Google. He’s an outspoken ambassador of the accounting profession and he pushes the boundaries of what it means to be a CPA. Mike has the brains for business and the heart of a creative. He’s the author and illustrator of the No Flux Given playbook and he pioneered the virtual whiteboard as a key collaboration tool for high performing accounting teams. He’s been featured by top publishers like Business Insider, Yahoo Finance and US News and World Report and his cartoon drawings and social posts reach millions of finance professionals annually. If you’re looking for the fun and exciting side of accounting, Mike will help you find it!

Mark Mirsky, CPA, MST
Partner
Aprio Advisory Group, LLC, Schaumburg, Illinois
Mark “Coach” Mirsky joined Aprio when his firm, KRD, merged with Aprio in 2025. Mark focuses on partnership, S-corporation, and multi-state taxation as well as counseling start-ups, mergers and acquisition of businesses, and international taxation. While Mark works with manufacturing/distribution, service firms, and related industries, he also represents a variety of clients including technology, healthcare, virtual currency web-based businesses, real estate, construction, retail, and individuals. His background includes working in the international tax group at one of the largest accounting firms in the world and two middle market firms located in the Chicago suburbs, focusing on closely held businesses serving as a firm wide resource for partnership taxation, international taxation, and multi-state taxation. Mark is an Illinois licensed CPA. He also has a master’s in taxation from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He’s a member of the AICPA and ILCPAS. Mark was selected to teach fellow CPAs at the AICPA National Tax Education Program. Mark is currently an instructor with TaxSpeaker teaching CPAs and EAs around the country and taught in the past for AICPA, Western CPE, and Vern Hoven Tax Seminars. He teaches partnership, S corporation, C corporation, individual taxation, and tax law updates. He was a panelist for the first local Public Forum for the National Taxpayer Advocate office. Mark is a community leader and served as Chairman of the Board for Bartlett Chamber of Commerce and sat on the committee to create a Transit Oriented Development Plan for Village of Bartlett. He’s also a soccer enthusiast having been to one UEFA Euro Cup and three FIFA World Cups including Russia. Currently, Mark is assistant varsity boys’ soccer coach at Bartlett High School. Previously, he was assistant varsity boys’ and girls’ soccer coach for Bartlett High School and assistant women’s soccer coach at Aurora University.

Kelly Paxton, CFE
Speaker
K Paxton, BEND, Oregon
Kelly Paxton has more than 20 years of investigative experience. Kelly is a Certified Fraud Examiner, author, and podcast host-founder of Fraudish. Ms. Paxton started her career in law enforcement as a Special Agent for US Customs Office of Investigations in 1993. Ms. Paxton was recruited by US Customs for her expertise in finance. She worked white collar fraud, money laundering and narcotics cases. She also was responsible for the district’s undercover operations and financial reporting of these operations. Kelly worked as a contract investigator doing over 1000 security background investigations for the Office of Personnel Management and Department of Homeland Security. Kelly has worked in the public and private sector. Most recently she worked as an investigator for Nike. Her investigations include embezzlement, conflict of interest, intellectual property, Open Source Intelligence and fraud. Kelly is also the proud owner of pinkcollarcrime.com, a passion of hers about embezzlers in the workplace. She founded Great Women in Fraud in August, 2020. Her book, Embezzlement How to Prevent, Detect and Investigate Pink-Collar Crime, was published in December, 2020.

Luis V.. Plascencia, CPA, MST
CPA Practitioner / Principal
Luis V Plascencia, CPA, Westchester, Illinois
Luis Plascencia is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in Illinois. His firm specializes in IRS Representation Services and Financial Statement Services to small businesses to mid-size businesses and non-profit organizations. Mr. Plascencia is a member of the faculty at Harold Washington College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago. Luis is the current Chairperson of the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS) Legislators Tax Guide Task Force and previously served as the Chairperson of the ICPAS Tax Practice and Procedures Committee. Mr. Plascencia has served on multiple ICPAS Committees and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Committees. Mr. Plascencia currently serves on the state board of accountancy, Illinois Board of Examiners. Luis is a frequent speaker at ICPAS and AICPA Continuing Professional Education events. He is also a frequent guest on the Chicago Legal Clinic Immigration Issues Show where he discusses tax issues that affect immigrants. He is an avid distance runner and cyclist. Luis is a charity runner for Organization for Autism Research – Run for Autism and has volunteered his time to Chicago Area Runners Association and local running clubs.

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA, PMP
Personal Finance Editor
GoodRx , Illinois
Charlene Rhinehart, CPA, PMP is a three-time author, personal finance editor at GoodRx, and founder of Chicago Southsider, a news tech company backed by Facebook and selected for the Northwestern Medill Local News Accelerator. With over 15 years as a CPA, consultant, and coach, Charlene has learned firsthand how high-achievers can balance career success with personal fulfillment. Through her books—Dividends Are a Queen’s Best Friend, Debt-Free Before Graduation, and How to Find Happiness Again—she helps people design meaningful careers and live with purpose. Charlene’s career spans roles at a Big Four accounting firm, JPMorgan Chase, and as an SEC consultant, where she navigated high-pressure environments while building a career that aligned with her gifts and passions. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois and is Chair of the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS) Taxation Executive Committee. Beyond the numbers, Charlene is passionate about personal growth and transformation. In 2015, she won the title of Ms. Corporate America. She later traveled the world on a 6-month leadership tour with Up with People, engaging in service projects across countries like Mexico, Bermuda, Sweden, Denmark, and Belgium. Charlene has received numerous honors, including the Lester H. McKeever Emerging Leader Award in Advancing Diversity, Top 50 Women in Accounting by Ignition, CPA Practice Advisor 40 Under 40, and Black CPA Centennial 40 Under 40. A proud graduate of the 2019 AICPA Leadership Academy, Charlene holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Finance from DePaul University. She is passionate about helping professionals design lives they love through mindset shifts, daily habits, and intentional action.

Deborah K.. Rood, CPA, MST
Risk Control Consulting Director
CNA Insurance, Skokie, Illinois
Deb is a Risk Control Consulting Director for the Accountants Professional Liability Insurance Program of Continental Casualty Company, a CNA company and the underwriter of the AICPA Professional Liability Insurance Program. She previously practiced public accounting for 19 years with regional public accounting firms. As a state and local tax (SALT) practice leader with a regional public accounting firm, Deb provided consulting and compliance services to clients in a variety of industries including but not limited to manufacturing, distribution, professional services and transportation. She has conducted presentations at various AICPA and state CPA society conferences and has authored numerous articles. Deb provides risk control consulting services for CPA firms in the AICPA program. She participates in the development and delivery of risk management training and education products including the live risk management seminar and self-study programs. Education and Credentials : Northern Illinois University, BS DePaul University, MST Certified Public Accounting, licensed in IL Professional Affiliations: Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Member of Illinois CPA Society Illinois CPA Society Board Vice President CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois Board Member and Former Chair 2021 and 2019 Illinois CP Society Distinguished Service Award Winner 2016 Illinois CPA Society Women to Watch Award Winner Member and former chair of the Illinois CPA Society Practice and Procedures Committee Former member and chair of Illinois CPA Society Tax Executive Committee Former Member and chair of Illinois CPA Society State and Local Tax Committee Former member of AICPA State and Local Tax Technical Resource Panel

John Rood
President
Proceptual
John Rood is the founder of Proceptual, which provides AI governance software and training on AI implementation. He he has conducted AI trainings for audiences including the national SHRM conference, multiple late-stage startups, and the University of Chicago. He lives in the Chicago suburbs with his wife and 2 sons.

Betty Ross
Director, Product Management
Wolters Kluwer

Hillary Salo, CPA
Vice Chair
Financial Accounting Standards Board
Hillary H. Salo began her term as vice chair of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) on July 1, 2024. Her first term on the Board concludes June 30, 2029, when she will be eligible to be considered for reappointment to a second term. Prior to joining the Board, Hillary spent four years on the FASB staff as technical director and chair of its Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF). As technical director, she was responsible for leading the Board’s standard-setting activities and staff, guiding its successful agenda reprioritization, and driving progress on stakeholder priorities. Ms. Salo joined the FASB in 2020 from the New York City office of KPMG LLP, where she was a partner in the audit practice and engagement partner for a large global financial services organization. She began her KPMG career in the Chicago office in the accounting advisory services group before joining the audit quality and professional practice group in the New York City office. Ms. Salo also served as a professional accounting fellow in the Office of the Chief Accountant at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, DC. Ms. Salo began her career as a FASB postgraduate technical assistant after graduating with an undergraduate degree in business administration and a master’s degree in accountancy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a certified public accountant in New York, Illinois, and North Carolina.

Carl Seidman, CPA/CFF, CSP CIRA, CFE, CGMA, AM
Principal
Seidman Financial, Deerfield, Illinois
Carl Seidman is a trusted business advisor specializing in financial planning & analysis (FP&A), business strategy, and finance transformation. He works with Fortune 500 corporations and middle-market companies, helping establish effective FP&A practices, processes, and teams. At the same time, he brings finance professionals greater control over their careers by helping them build their competence and confidence while eliminating time-wasting activities and mistakes. His skills enhancement and development methodologies are frequently utilized by leading companies as part of their financial leadership development programs. Carl serves as an FP&A and CFO advisor to a select number of entrepreneurial businesses throughout North America and Europe and assists them with strategic financial planning, value enhancement, and revitalization. Carl is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the State of Illinois, has earned other professional credentials including the CIRA, CFF, CFE, CGMA, AM (Accredited Member in business valuation) and Anaplan Model Builder, and was a 2020 National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts 40 Under Forty honoree. Prior to founding Seidman Financial, Carl was a Director of Turnaround and Restructuring at Conway MacKenzie (acquired by Riveron) and a Senior Associate in the Business Analytics & Strategy and Dispute Analysis & Investigations practices at PwC. Carl lives in metro Chicago with his wife and twin sons.

Sali L. Sheafor, CPA
Member
TAP Consulting, LLC, Holmen, Wisconsin
Sali L. Sheafor, CPA , Member Sali is an accomplished accounting professional with over twenty-five years of experience. She is a member of the AICPA, WICPA, and MNCPA. Alongside her extensive accounting background, she has spent the last seven years as a leading Continuing Professional Education (CPE) course instructor. Sali’s expertise and client-centric approach have allowed her to work with individuals and organizations nationwide, holding licenses in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Florida. Graduating from the University of Wisconsin system, Sali worked in several public accounting firms prior to establishing her own firm, TAP Consulting, LLC. Through her firm, she has built a strong reputation for delivering exceptional accounting services while creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for her clients with her humor. She has also shown her dedication to the community through her involvement on multiple boards. Sali’s infectious laughter and genuine love for learning make her a sought-after speaker. She combines entertainment and education in her sessions on the ever-changing accounting and tax regulations, captivating audiences and simplifying complex information.

David Snyder
David Snyder is president and chief executive officer of The Economic Club of Chicago. Founded in 1927, The Economic Club is one of nation’s most influential forums for the dissemination of economic, business and social views, dedicated to fostering the development of leaders within Chicago’s civic and business community. The Economic Club has welcomed many prominent thought leaders as speakers including CEOs of leading Fortune 500 companies, U.S. presidents, prime ministers, and other foreign dignitaries. Before his role at the Economic Club, David Snyder was Chief Operating Officer of Chicago CRED, a pioneering initiative targeting gang-affiliated men most at risk for being perpetrators or victims of gun violence. Chicago CRED focuses on street-level violence prevention/interruption, intensive trauma-informed counseling, education and workforce development. In his role as COO, Mr. Snyder oversaw CRED’s business operations, strategic planning and grant-making. Prior to joining CRED in early 2017, Snyder spent more than three decades in various roles, including as Publisher and Editor, at Crain’s Chicago Business, the nation’s leading local business newspaper and website. Mr. Snyder is on the board of directors of the Polk Bros. Foundation, the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, The Commercial Club of the Chicago and the Economic Club of Chicago. He’s also a trustee of Beacon Academy, a private Montessori/International Baccalaureate high school in Evanston, IL. A native of Easton, Pa., Mr. Snyder is a graduate of American University in Washington, D.C., where he received his degree in business administration.

Stan Sterna, JD
Licensed Attorney
Illinois State Bar, Chicago , Illinois
Stan Sterna is Vice President for Aon, the broker and national administrator for the AICPA Member Insurance Programs. Stan has specialized in the defense of professionals for almost 30 years. Since 1998, he has been exclusively involved in defending accountants and the accounting profession. Stan serves as Claim, Coverage and Risk Management Lead, providing strategic quality control, coverage advocacy, claim/litigation management services and risk control advice for some of the country’s largest accounting firms. He also supports client relations and business development initiatives for the AICPA Insurance Programs. Stan is also a member of the Aon Global COVID-19 Infectious Disease Task Force. Stan is a frequent lecturer and published author on accountants’ risk. He is a past winner of the Florida State Society of CPAs’ “Excellence in Writing Award” as well as the Florida Magazine Association’s “Charlie Award” (the association’s highest honor) and an honorable mention selection to Accounting Today’s list of The Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting for 2019. Stan is a licensed attorney and a member of the Illinois and Federal bar. He is past Vice Chair of the Defense Research Institute (DRI) Professional Liability Committee’s Accountants Specialized Litigation Group and the American Arbitration Association’s Accountants Professional Liability Rules Committee. Prior to joining Aon, Stan was Director of Accountants Claim for CNA Insurance Companies – the nation’s largest carrier of accountant liability insurance. Stan also previously practiced law in the Chicago area, specializing in the defense of professionals.

Susan Stutzel, CPA
Partner
PartnersCoach, Inc., Iowa
Hello! I am Susan Stutzel, CPA, co-owner of PartnersCoach, Inc. A firm committed to raising up and equipping CPA firm leaders. I am a practicing CPA and Business Performance Coach and truly believe we all have untapped potential. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to discover my purpose and live out what I am most passionate about while helping others do the same through the work we do at PartnersCoach, Inc. We equip your people with the skills they need for the situations they encounter, through facilitation, speaking, training, and coaching.

Diane L. Yetter, CPA, MST
President
Yetter Consulting Services, Inc./Sales Tax Institute, Chicago, Illinois
Diane L. Yetter is the “Sales Tax Nerd®” as well as a strategist, advisor, speaker and author in the field of sales and use tax. She is president of YETTER Tax, a sales tax consulting and tax technology firm and the founder of The Sales Tax Institute, which offers live and online courses to educate business professionals about sales and use tax. Diane works with clients across industries to deliver sales tax services ranging from tax technology to tax policy and planning and training. She also regularly partners with other advisors to help them serve their clients. Prior to founding the company in 1996, Diane was a tax professional for Arthur Andersen, Quaker Oats and the Kansas Department of Revenue. Diane is a member of many tax organizations frequently presenting on sales and use tax issues. Diane has published three books and numerous articles concerning sales and use tax issues. She is the author of the US Sales Tax Chapter for the IBFD VAT Worldwide Research Database. Diane was named in Accounting Today’s 100 Most Influential People in Accounting eight times between 2011 and 2022. As an entrepreneur, she was honored as Woman Business Owner of the Year 2020 and a 2024 Corporate Women of Achievement by the National Association of Women Business Owners Chicago Chapter, a 2024 Woman to Watch by the Illinois CPA Society, and a 2024 Female Voice Award by WomELLE. In 2025, she was named the Distinguished Alumna of the KU School of Business. Diane earned a BS in accounting and business administration from the University of Kansas in 1985 and an MS in taxation from DePaul University in 1994. Diane serves on the KU Endowment Association’s Board of Trustees and is Past Chair of the Dean’s Board of Advisors, University of Kansas School of Business.

Dwain Young, Jr., PHR
Director
Protiviti, Washington, District of Columbia
In April 2022, Dwain Young became a part of Protiviti, in the Washington, DC office. With over 18 years of experience, Dwain has demonstrated expertise in successfully managing extensive programs. His broad background in Program Management encompasses achievements in overseeing substantial system implementations, navigating large-scale process changes, leading change management initiatives, and steering HR transformations. Dwain’s proficiency in program leadership extends to offering functional support, guiding sizable deployment teams across diverse locations, and collaboratively advancing business objectives alongside the C-Suite. Notably, he specializes in Executive Communications and Executive Alignment, playing a crucial role in achieving optimal outcomes for large-scale business transformation initiatives.