Melina Palmer
The Brainy Business

Melina Palmer is a globally celebrated keynote speaker with a mission to help great brands and the people within them do greater things by leveraging the power of behavioral economics.

She is CEO of The Brainy Business, which provides behavioral economics training and consulting to businesses of all sizes from around the world.

Her podcast, The Brainy Business: Understanding the Psychology of Why People Buy, has downloads in over 170 countries and is used as a resource for teaching applied behavioral economics for many universities and businesses.

Melina teaches applied behavioral economics through the Texas A&M Human Behavior Lab and obtained her master’s in behavioral economics from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

A proud member of the Global Association of Applied Behavioral Scientists, Melina has contributed research to the Association for Consumer Research, Filene Research Institute and writes the Behavioral Economics & Business column for Inc Magazine.

Her first book, What Your Customer Wants and Can’t Tell You, was a finalist in two categories of the International Book Awards.

Her second book, What Your Employees Need and Can’t Tell You, published October 11, 2022.

Elizabeth Woodward, CPA/CFF, CFE
Dean Dorton

Elizabeth obtained her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting from the University of Kentucky in 1994. She worked in the audit group of KPMG for six years and joined Dean Dorton in 2000. She has over 25 years of experience in public accounting.

Elizabeth leads the firm’s Forensic Group, specializing in bankruptcy accounting matters, litigation support, and forensic accounting services. In addition to her Certification in Financial Forensics (CFF), Elizabeth is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).

She has served in several fiduciary roles, including Chief Restructuring Officer, Receiver, and Fee Examiner. She has acted as a Compliance Ethics Monitor/Independent Monitor of a rural electric cooperative, reporting to two branches of the Federal government.

Elizabeth has testified in state and federal courts, and currently serves as a Subchapter V Bankruptcy Trustee.

Elizabeth teaches professional ethics frequently, for our firm and for the Kentucky Society of CPAs. She also speaks on fraud prevention and detection, and on forensic accounting.

Melina Palmer
The Brainy Business

Melina Palmer is a globally celebrated keynote speaker with a mission to help great brands and the people within them do greater things by leveraging the power of behavioral economics.

She is CEO of The Brainy Business, which provides behavioral economics training and consulting to businesses of all sizes from around the world.

Her podcast, The Brainy Business: Understanding the Psychology of Why People Buy, has downloads in over 170 countries and is used as a resource for teaching applied behavioral economics for many universities and businesses.

Melina teaches applied behavioral economics through the Texas A&M Human Behavior Lab and obtained her master’s in behavioral economics from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

A proud member of the Global Association of Applied Behavioral Scientists, Melina has contributed research to the Association for Consumer Research, Filene Research Institute and writes the Behavioral Economics & Business column for Inc Magazine.

Her first book, What Your Customer Wants and Can’t Tell You, was a finalist in two categories of the International Book Awards.

Her second book, What Your Employees Need and Can’t Tell You, published October 11, 2022.

Stephanie Dillon
Catapult

Stephanie Dillon is a Catapult Employers Association HR Advisor based in Charlotte.

Catapult provides employers with the confidence to navigate everyday operational challenges, making workplaces more effective and employees more successful. Managing challenging workplace issues, ensuring HR compliance, and solving complicated employment situations can be demanding.

For more than 60 years, they have been the go-to-resource for employers seeking practical solutions to help build engaged, well-managed and low risk workplaces through human resources, employment law and management advice, HR consulting, training, survey data, and public policy advocacy.

Since 2012 Stephanie has partnered with businesses to provide subject matter expertise on Employee Relations and HR Compliance topics, including, but not limited to: EEO/Discrimination, Wage & Hour, FMLA, ADA, OSHA, Workers’ Compensation, NLRA, FCRA, Immigration, and Unemployment Benefits.

She coaches business leaders on Employee Relations, Performance Management, Development, Organizational Effectiveness, and Employee Engagement.

She also conducts HR projects, learning and development, as well as providing public speaking on various HR topics.

Stephanie is a Charlotte, NC, native and a graduate of The University of the South in Sewanee, TN. She also has a Business Certificate from UNC Chapel Hill. She is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and SHRM Certified Professional (CP).

Amelia Crawford, CPA
Cherry Bekaert LLP

An Assurance Senior Manager in Cherry Bekaert’s Raleigh office, Amelia focuses her practice in the not-for-profit, manufacturing, and commercial industries.

With more than ten years of experience, she has performed all phases of financial audits, including engagement planning, performance of audit testing, supervision of other staff and report writing.

Amelia manages all aspects of service for her clients, including planning, supervising, collecting, and reporting. She serves as a source of direct communication with client staff and ensures the audit teams provide quality, on-time service to every engagement.

Mike Cheng, CPA
Frazier & Deeter, LLC

Mike Cheng joined Frazier & Deeter in 2019 as the Partner who oversees the firm’s professional practices related to accounting and audit. As part of this role, he specializes in assisting clients with complex accounting and financial reporting issues.  

Prior to joining the firm, Mike was a Senior Project Manager at the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). At the FASB, he served as the Private Company Council (PCC) coordinator, where he was responsible for all PCC related matters.  

In addition, Mike led projects to simplify the accounting for non-employee share-based payments, help shape the future of the FASB technical agenda and improve consolidations guidance (VIE guidance). Most recently, he worked on the FASB’s implementation team on revenue recognition (ASC Topic 606) and lease accounting (ASC Topic 842). Prior to joining the FASB, Mike held various management positions with PricewaterhouseCoopers. He was an Audit Senior Manager, Private Company Services, in the firm’s Stamford, CT office. 

From 2003-2011, he also held roles of increasing responsibility in PwC’s Core Assurance divisions in Buffalo and Rochester, NY. 

Marcey Rader
RaderCo 

Marcey Rader believes that health powers productivity. She is a multi-certified health and productivity expert, a three-time author, and an award-winning, global Certified Speaking Professional^® keynote speaker. As the founder of RaderCo,

Marcey helps executives, teams, and individuals banish burnout, keep good people, and move forward through practical, tailored tools, healthy, sustainable habits, and coaching accountability.

Sought-after by Fortune 100 companies and others, she’s spoken for tens of thousands of people worldwide – from North Dakota to Dubai to Tokyo.

As a high-impact speaker, she trains her audiences to maximize their energy, conquer the calendar, master tasks, and extinguish their email.

To change your career, team, or organization one habit at a time, learn more or connect with Marcey at marceyrader.com.

Tommy Stephens, CPA.CITP, CGMA
K2 Enterprises 

Tommy Stephens received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree (Major in Accounting) from Auburn University in 1985. In 1992, he earned a Master of Science degree (Major in Finance) from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Presently, Tommy is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Information Technology Professional, and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. 

During his professional career, Tommy has gained valuable experience in a variety of positions, including: 

• Working as an auditor and technology consultant for an Atlanta-based public accounting firm.
• Leading an Internal Audit staff and managing a Cost Accounting team for a Fortune 500 company.
• Serving as a Chief Financial Officer for an international engineering organization
• Founding and managing his public accounting firm that provides accounting, tax, and consulting services to individuals and a variety of small and emerging businesses.

In 1995, Tommy began authoring and presenting continuing professional education courses to accounting and finance professionals. In 2003, he affiliated with K2 Enterprises, and in 2007, he joined the firm as a partner. Over the past twenty-seven years, Tommy has presented over 2,800 educational sessions to over 71,000 participants throughout the United States and Canada. 

Tommy maintains professional memberships with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Additionally, he is a past member of the Institute of Internal Auditors. 

Mig Murphy Sistrom, CPA, MAC
Mig Murphy Sistrom, CPA, PC

Mig Murphy Sistrom owns a specialty accounting firm with provides consulting, accounting, and planning services exclusively to nonprofits on a variety of issues, including accounting systems design, cost allocation, budgeting, internal control and fraud prevention, policies and procedures manuals, and IRS and other compliance issues.

Her firm also provides bookkeeping and other accounting support services.

Mig has authored several articles on nonprofit financial topics and has taught courses on these subjects through Duke University’s Nonprofit Management Program and other organizations.

She is active in the N.C. Association of CPAs and has served on the boards of directors of several North Carolina nonprofits.

Mig holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University and is a graduate of Leadership America North Carolina.

Prior to opening her own firm, she served as Director of Finance and Administration for a nonprofit organization with an annual budget of over $10 million.

Previously, she was an audit manager at a large local CPA firm, where she provided accounting, consulting, audit, and tax services to nonprofit organizations.

She began her professional career as a staff auditor at Price Waterhouse LLP.

She holds a Masters of Accounting and a B.S. degree with Highest Honors in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

David Peters, CPA
David Peters Financial Group

David Peters is the Founder and Owner of David Peters Financial Group and Peters Tax Preparation & Consulting, PC.

David has over fourteen years of experience in financial services, including 3 years in the hedge fund industry and six years in the insurance industry. David was the first-ever Chief Financial Officer at Compare.com – a position he held for more than three years.

Currently, David is a National Instructor for the AICPA, Surgent, and Kaplan. He regularly teaches courses in accounting, finance, insurance, financial planning, and ethics throughout the United States. David holds four masters degrees, and is currently pursuing his PhD in Financial Planning. He contributes regularly to various CPA publications, including NCACPA’s Interim Report, SCACPA’s CPA Report, and VSCPA’s Disclosures.

David was also a co-author of the 2018 Virginia CPA Ethics course – a required course for all CPA’s licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Jason B. Clubb, CPA
EOS Worldwide

Jason Clubb has been helping growth-oriented companies achieve desired financial and operational results for over 20 years. With an educational background in Finance and Accounting, and as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Jason has held leadership positions as CFO/COO for entrepreneurial companies in the real estate, professional services, and manufacturing industries.

Jason is driven by the pursuit of truth, clarity, results, and impact. The sharp edges of his no-nonsense approach to helping companies grow is softened by his love for people – particularly entrepreneurial business owners and leaders.

While relentlessly focused on execution, Jason is also a visionary and entrepreneur who has founded/co-founded several businesses including a coworking space, a fractional CFO firm, and a not-for-profit youth basketball organization whose mission is to connect students across geographic, cultural, racial, social, and economic barriers. He now devotes 100% of his time as a Professional EOS Implementer® helping business owners and leaders run better businesses and live better lives.

When Jason is not helping his clients navigate the raging rapids of business, he enjoys being in or near any moving water – particularly crystal-clear mountain rivers with lots of whitewater. He also enjoys hiking, playing the ukulele, reading, writing, hanging out with his family, and public speaking where he often shares about his life-changing battle with Guillain-Barre Syndrome in 2012.

Tommy Stephens, CPA.CITP, CGMA 
K2 Enterprises

Tommy Stephens received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree (Major in Accounting) from Auburn University in 1985. In 1992, he earned a Master of Science degree (Major in Finance) from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Presently, Tommy is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Information Technology Professional, and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. 

During his professional career, Tommy has gained valuable experience in a variety of positions, including: 

• Working as an auditor and technology consultant for an Atlanta-based public accounting firm.
• Leading an Internal Audit staff and managing a Cost Accounting team for a Fortune 500 company.
• Serving as a Chief Financial Officer for an international engineering organization
• Founding and managing his public accounting firm that provides accounting, tax, and consulting services to individuals and a variety of small and emerging businesses.

In 1995, Tommy began authoring and presenting continuing professional education courses to accounting and finance professionals. In 2003, he affiliated with K2 Enterprises, and in 2007, he joined the firm as a partner. Over the past twenty-seven years, Tommy has presented over 2,800 educational sessions to over 71,000 participants throughout the United States and Canada. 

Tommy maintains professional memberships with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Additionally, he is a past member of the Institute of Internal Auditors. 

Melisa Galasso, CPA
Galasso Learning Solutions

Melisa Galasso is the founder of Galasso Learning Solutions LLC.

With over 15 years of experience in the accounting profession, Melisa designs and facilitates courses in advanced technical accounting and auditing topics, including not-for-profit and governmental accounting.

She also supports essential professional development, public speaking, and business skills.

Melisa closely monitors regulatory bodies for changes in auditing and accounting guidance and serves as a subject matter expert in implementing the updated guidance.

Melisa earned the Association for Talent Development (ATD) Master Trainer™ designation.

Melisa was appointed in 2016 to the AICPA’s Technical Issues Committee (TIC), which is responsible for monitoring the activities of the various accounting and attestation standard-setting boards and submitting comments and recommendations during the due process phase.

Melisa is also currently serving on the Board of Directors for the VSCPA.

Previously, she served as President of the Board of NCACPA’s Charlotte Chapter, Chair of the A&A Committee for the NCACPA and held several leadership positions with the VSCPA.

David Peters, CPA
David Peters Financial Group

David Peters is the Founder and Owner of David Peters Financial Group and Peters Tax Preparation & Consulting, PC.

David has over fourteen years of experience in financial services, including 3 years in the hedge fund industry and six years in the insurance industry. David was the first-ever Chief Financial Officer at Compare.com – a position he held for more than three years.

Currently, David is a National Instructor for the AICPA, Surgent, and Kaplan. He regularly teaches courses in accounting, finance, insurance, financial planning, and ethics throughout the United States. David holds four masters degrees, and is currently pursuing his PhD in Financial Planning. He contributes regularly to various CPA publications, including NCACPA’s Interim Report, SCACPA’s CPA Report, and VSCPA’s Disclosures.

David was also a co-author of the 2018 Virginia CPA Ethics course – a required course for all CPA’s licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Peter Metzner, MA, MPA, PCC, BCC
Dynamic Change, Inc.

Peter Metzner is a Professional and Board-Certified Coach and Peoplemap Trainer. He is the President and founder of Dynamic Change, Inc.  He has facilitated hundreds of team development and training programs and coached scores of executives from city government, federal agencies, universities, hospitals, colleges, schools, non-profits, associations, as well as professional offices and businesses.  Before founding Dynamic Change Inc., he was employed by the Center for Creative Leadership, helping customize executive development and training programs for major businesses and corporations. Peter also taught Psychology at Vance-Granville Community College until May of 2016. Currently he facilitates seminars on Leadership and High Performing Teams at UNC Chapel Hill as well as Duke University Medical Center. He is also an adjunct Instructor for the Institute for Life Coach Training. 

Tommy Stephens, CPA.CITP, CGMA 
K2 Enterprises

Tommy Stephens received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree (Major in Accounting) from Auburn University in 1985. In 1992, he earned a Master of Science degree (Major in Finance) from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Presently, Tommy is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Information Technology Professional, and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. 

During his professional career, Tommy has gained valuable experience in a variety of positions, including: 

• Working as an auditor and technology consultant for an Atlanta-based public accounting firm.
• Leading an Internal Audit staff and managing a Cost Accounting team for a Fortune 500 company.
• Serving as a Chief Financial Officer for an international engineering organization
• Founding and managing his public accounting firm that provides accounting, tax, and consulting services to individuals and a variety of small and emerging businesses.

In 1995, Tommy began authoring and presenting continuing professional education courses to accounting and finance professionals. In 2003, he affiliated with K2 Enterprises, and in 2007, he joined the firm as a partner. Over the past twenty-seven years, Tommy has presented over 2,800 educational sessions to over 71,000 participants throughout the United States and Canada. 

Tommy maintains professional memberships with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Additionally, he is a past member of the Institute of Internal Auditors. 

Melisa Galasso, CPA
Galasso Learning Solutions

Melisa Galasso is the founder of Galasso Learning Solutions LLC.

With over 15 years of experience in the accounting profession, Melisa designs and facilitates courses in advanced technical accounting and auditing topics, including not-for-profit and governmental accounting.

She also supports essential professional development, public speaking, and business skills.

Melisa closely monitors regulatory bodies for changes in auditing and accounting guidance and serves as a subject matter expert in implementing the updated guidance.

Melisa earned the Association for Talent Development (ATD) Master Trainer™ designation.

Melisa was appointed in 2016 to the AICPA’s Technical Issues Committee (TIC), which is responsible for monitoring the activities of the various accounting and attestation standard-setting boards and submitting comments and recommendations during the due process phase.

Melisa is also currently serving on the Board of Directors for the VSCPA.

Previously, she served as President of the Board of NCACPA’s Charlotte Chapter, Chair of the A&A Committee for the NCACPA and held several leadership positions with the VSCPA.

David Cieslak, CPA, CITP, CGMA, GSEC
RKL eSolutions LLC

David Cieslak is Chief Cloud Officer and EVP with RKL eSolutions, a leading business process automation consulting firm with offices across the US. In his role, he is responsible for helping companies grow strategically with cloud-based solutions and industry-specific service expertise for ERP, CPM, CRM, AP Automation, and other critical business processes. 

He is a frequent speaker for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA) and other state accounting societies as his alter ego “Inspector Gadget.” He is a Sage Intacct Certified Consultant and holds the GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC). He is the past Chair of the AICPA IT Executive Committee and past president of the California CPA Education Foundation. 

Mark Vitner, CBE
Piedmont Crescent Capital

Mark Vitner, CBE, has more than three decades experience analyzing the U.S. economy, as well as issues impacting residential and commercial development. As a Chief Economist and owner of Piedmont Crescent Capital, Mark leads a team who provides independent economic consulting services to a wide range of businesses, trade groups and municipalities across the country. Their common-sense approach to complex economic issues helps business leaders more confidently make key decisions. 

Beth Ann Wood, CPA
NC Office of the State Auditor

Beth Wood is a Certified Public Accountant in her third term as North Carolina’s elected State Auditor. She is a long-time public servant with nearly 25 years of auditing experience, having worked in the Auditor’s Office for nearly 10 years before her election in 2008, and in the State Treasurer’s Office. Before that, she worked for several companies in the private sector. She is the first woman elected State Auditor in North Carolina. Through her work as State Auditor, Beth has helped strengthen and improve state government. Audit teams across the state watch every area of state government for potential savings and smart use of taxpayer dollars. The office has focused particularly on healthcare spending and contracting practices that favored vendors at the expense of taxpayers. As a result, audits published by OSA during her tenure have identified millions of dollars of potential savings. Additionally, the office is following up on prior audits, evaluating the use of best practices by state agencies, and working to attract and retain highly skilled auditors.

John Levy, CPA
The Knowledge Institute

John F. Levy, MBA, CPA, is the CEO of Board Advisory, a consulting firm that assists public companies, or companies aspiring to be public, with corporate governance, compliance, financial reporting, and financial strategies.  He has nine years’ experience with three large, national public accounting firms and has served as CFO of both public and private companies.  John currently serves on the boards of three public companies, serving as vice chairman of one company and audit committee chair of another.  He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. 

Tommy Stephens, CPA.CITP, CGMA 
K2 Enterprises

Tommy Stephens received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree (Major in Accounting) from Auburn University in 1985. In 1992, he earned a Master of Science degree (Major in Finance) from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Presently, Tommy is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Information Technology Professional, and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. 

During his professional career, Tommy has gained valuable experience in a variety of positions, including: 

• Working as an auditor and technology consultant for an Atlanta-based public accounting firm.
• Leading an Internal Audit staff and managing a Cost Accounting team for a Fortune 500 company.
• Serving as a Chief Financial Officer for an international engineering organization
• Founding and managing his public accounting firm that provides accounting, tax, and consulting services to individuals and a variety of small and emerging businesses.

In 1995, Tommy began authoring and presenting continuing professional education courses to accounting and finance professionals. In 2003, he affiliated with K2 Enterprises, and in 2007, he joined the firm as a partner. Over the past twenty-seven years, Tommy has presented over 2,800 educational sessions to over 71,000 participants throughout the United States and Canada. 

Tommy maintains professional memberships with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Additionally, he is a past member of the Institute of Internal Auditors. 

Marci Thomas, CPA, MHA
Kaplan

Marci Thomas, CPA, MHA, CGMA is an author and discussion leader for Kaplan specializing in accounting and auditing focusing on nonprofits, healthcare entities, single audits, and audit quality.  She is an adjunct clinical assistant professor in the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Marci also works with numerous accounting firms performing quality control and efficiency reviews, and with nonprofit boards on strategic planning, internal control, and governance issues.   

Susan Smith, CPA
Surgent

Susan Smith manages her own firm specializing in tax planning for individuals and business owners and is also a frequent speaker at tax conferences.

She was a senior manager in the tax departments of Price Waterhouse and Peat Marwick (the predecessor of KPMG).

While at Price Waterhouse, Susan also held the national specialist designation for the real estate and partnership tax practices.

During her time at Peat Marwick, Susan led the real estate and tax practices locally. She was an associate adjunct professor at Widener University in the master’s taxation program.

Susan is a four-time recipient of the James L. McCoy Discussion Leader of the Year Award for excellence in teaching and in 2015, 2016 and 2018, she received the Surgent Outstanding Discussion Leader Award because of her consistently high evaluations for knowledge and presentation skills.

John Levy, CPA
The Knowledge Institute

John F. Levy, MBA, CPA, is the CEO of Board Advisory, a consulting firm that assists public companies, or companies aspiring to be public, with corporate governance, compliance, financial reporting, and financial strategies.  He has nine years’ experience with three large, national public accounting firms and has served as CFO of both public and private companies.  John currently serves on the boards of three public companies, serving as vice chairman of one company and audit committee chair of another.  He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. 

Tommy Stephens, CPA.CITP, CGMA 
K2 Enterprises

Tommy Stephens received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree (Major in Accounting) from Auburn University in 1985. In 1992, he earned a Master of Science degree (Major in Finance) from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Presently, Tommy is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Information Technology Professional, and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. 

During his professional career, Tommy has gained valuable experience in a variety of positions, including: 

• Working as an auditor and technology consultant for an Atlanta-based public accounting firm.
• Leading an Internal Audit staff and managing a Cost Accounting team for a Fortune 500 company.
• Serving as a Chief Financial Officer for an international engineering organization
• Founding and managing his public accounting firm that provides accounting, tax, and consulting services to individuals and a variety of small and emerging businesses.

In 1995, Tommy began authoring and presenting continuing professional education courses to accounting and finance professionals. In 2003, he affiliated with K2 Enterprises, and in 2007, he joined the firm as a partner. Over the past twenty-seven years, Tommy has presented over 2,800 educational sessions to over 71,000 participants throughout the United States and Canada. 

Tommy maintains professional memberships with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Additionally, he is a past member of the Institute of Internal Auditors. 

Marci Thomas, CPA, MHA
Kaplan

Marci Thomas, CPA, MHA, CGMA is an author and discussion leader for Kaplan specializing in accounting and auditing focusing on nonprofits, healthcare entities, single audits, and audit quality.  She is an adjunct clinical assistant professor in the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Marci also works with numerous accounting firms performing quality control and efficiency reviews, and with nonprofit boards on strategic planning, internal control, and governance issues.   

Susan Smith, CPA
Surgent

Susan Smith manages her own firm specializing in tax planning for individuals and business owners and is also a frequent speaker at tax conferences.

She was a senior manager in the tax departments of Price Waterhouse and Peat Marwick (the predecessor of KPMG).

While at Price Waterhouse, Susan also held the national specialist designation for the real estate and partnership tax practices.

During her time at Peat Marwick, Susan led the real estate and tax practices locally. She was an associate adjunct professor at Widener University in the master’s taxation program.

Susan is a four-time recipient of the James L. McCoy Discussion Leader of the Year Award for excellence in teaching and in 2015, 2016 and 2018, she received the Surgent Outstanding Discussion Leader Award because of her consistently high evaluations for knowledge and presentation skills.

John Levy, CPA
The Knowledge Institute

John F. Levy, MBA, CPA, is the CEO of Board Advisory, a consulting firm that assists public companies, or companies aspiring to be public, with corporate governance, compliance, financial reporting, and financial strategies.  He has nine years’ experience with three large, national public accounting firms and has served as CFO of both public and private companies.  John currently serves on the boards of three public companies, serving as vice chairman of one company and audit committee chair of another.  He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. 

Jina Etienne, CPA, CGMA, CDE^®
Etienne Consulting

Jina Etienne, CPA, has a 32+ year career as an entrepreneur, business consultant, and C-Suite leader.

After a 21 year career in public accounting, including 17 years running her own CPA firm, she shifted to serving the profession as a Director at the American Institute of CPAs then President & CEO of the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. She went on to become the first national leader for D&I at Grant Thornton, the 6th largest CPA firm in the United States.

Today, she runs her own D&I consultancy practice specializing inclusive leadership and development, implicit bias and conscious communications, cultural sensitivity and awareness, and empowering authenticity and fostering belonging.

She also provides 1-on-1 coaching to executives, business leaders, and entrepreneurs to help them improve workplace relationships, team performance, and interpersonal effectiveness to lead an increasingly diverse workforce through self-awareness and mindfulness.

Marci Thomas, CPA, MHA
Kaplan

Marci Thomas, CPA, MHA, CGMA is an author and discussion leader for Kaplan specializing in accounting and auditing focusing on nonprofits, healthcare entities, single audits, and audit quality.  She is an adjunct clinical assistant professor in the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Marci also works with numerous accounting firms performing quality control and efficiency reviews, and with nonprofit boards on strategic planning, internal control, and governance issues.   

Susan Smith, CPA
Surgent

Susan Smith manages her own firm specializing in tax planning for individuals and business owners and is also a frequent speaker at tax conferences.

She was a senior manager in the tax departments of Price Waterhouse and Peat Marwick (the predecessor of KPMG).

While at Price Waterhouse, Susan also held the national specialist designation for the real estate and partnership tax practices.

During her time at Peat Marwick, Susan led the real estate and tax practices locally. She was an associate adjunct professor at Widener University in the master’s taxation program.

Susan is a four-time recipient of the James L. McCoy Discussion Leader of the Year Award for excellence in teaching and in 2015, 2016 and 2018, she received the Surgent Outstanding Discussion Leader Award because of her consistently high evaluations for knowledge and presentation skills.

John Levy, CPA
The Knowledge Institute

John F. Levy, MBA, CPA, is the CEO of Board Advisory, a consulting firm that assists public companies, or companies aspiring to be public, with corporate governance, compliance, financial reporting, and financial strategies.  He has nine years’ experience with three large, national public accounting firms and has served as CFO of both public and private companies.  John currently serves on the boards of three public companies, serving as vice chairman of one company and audit committee chair of another.  He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. 

Nicole Andrews, MBA, MHRD
Nicole Andrews International, LLC

Nicole is known as The Career Disruptor^® and created Nicole Andrews International, LLC in 2019 offering career coaching, organizational consulting, speaking, memberships, online courses and events all focused on teaching and inspiring ambitious women how to disrupt the status quo on purpose in their careers.

She also helps organizations do the same through her unique approaches to leadership development, career development, and inclusion using her custom frameworks, tools, and strategies.

Nicole is a primary breadwinning mom, wife, former corporate executive, thought leader and online entrepreneur.

She formerly served as a Vice President of Human Resources for an Architecture Firm and prior to that role, she served as a Senior Manager in a Top 20 Certified Public Accounting Firm.

Nicole was a 2021 40 under 40 honoree by GSA Business Report, a 20 under 40 honoree by Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce and was recognized as a Top 100 Corporate Executive in America under 50 by Chicago based Diversity MBA Magazine.

She was also awarded the 2018 and 2021 Greenville Society of Human Resource Management’s Unsung Hero Award in Diversity Excellence.

Nicole holds a Certified Master of Career Services credential from the National Career Development Association and earned two Master’s from Clemson University: MBA and Masters in Human Resources Development.

She also has a Bachelor’s in Business Management with a minor in Psychology from Clemson.

Nicole is driven to help individuals and organizations be their absolute best and does this by leading them in positively disrupting the status quo in their careers and organizations on purpose to get from where they are to where they want to be in order to thrive and compete in the new future of work.

Marci Thomas, CPA, MHA
Kaplan

Marci Thomas, CPA, MHA, CGMA is an author and discussion leader for Kaplan specializing in accounting and auditing focusing on nonprofits, healthcare entities, single audits, and audit quality.  She is an adjunct clinical assistant professor in the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Marci also works with numerous accounting firms performing quality control and efficiency reviews, and with nonprofit boards on strategic planning, internal control, and governance issues.   

Jina Etienne, CPA, CGMA, CDE^®
Etienne Consulting

Jina Etienne, CPA, has a 32+ year career as an entrepreneur, business consultant, and C-Suite leader.

After a 21 year career in public accounting, including 17 years running her own CPA firm, she shifted to serving the profession as a Director at the American Institute of CPAs then President & CEO of the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. She went on to become the first national leader for D&I at Grant Thornton, the 6th largest CPA firm in the United States.

Today, she runs her own D&I consultancy practice specializing inclusive leadership and development, implicit bias and conscious communications, cultural sensitivity and awareness, and empowering authenticity and fostering belonging.

She also provides 1-on-1 coaching to executives, business leaders, and entrepreneurs to help them improve workplace relationships, team performance, and interpersonal effectiveness to lead an increasingly diverse workforce through self-awareness and mindfulness.

Robert Broome, CAE
NCACPA

Robert works with our members to develop, implement, and communicate NCACPA’s advocacy agenda to legislators and regulators. He serves as staff liaison to the Advocacy Advisory Council and Taxation Committee. Robert has extensive experience as a lobbyist, PAC fundraiser, and grassroots manager for trade associations. A native of Tennessee, he worked in Nashville and Atlanta before moving to Raleigh in 2013. He earned his Certified Association Executive credential in 2020. 

Meridith Elliott Powell
Motion First

Meet Meridith: Watch a short video to learn more about Meridith. 

For more than twenty years, President and CEO of MotionFirst, Meridith Elliott Powell, has been a leading expert on the subject of business growth covering sales, leadership, change and uncertainty. With a background in financial services, manufacturing, healthcare and travel and tourism, she has real-world experience with developing teams, exceeding sales goals and dominating the marketplace by building centers of influence. 

Her latest book Thrive: Strategies to Turn Uncertainty to Competitive Advantage has cracked the code on the greatest challenges facing business today. Through her work as a Hall of Fame keynote speaker, award-winning author, and business growth strategist, Meridith is able to help companies and leaders learn to develop talent, drive sales, and strategically manage change and uncertainty.

Her work has been featured in Forbes, FastCompany, Inc Magazine, among others, and she has worked with companies such as Microsoft, FastSigns, Bobcat, Caterpillar and IBM. Her groundbreaking research, The State of Uncertainty and The Impact on American Business Today is an annual report providing innovative solutions to business growth in turbulent times.   

Anna Beavon Gravely
North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation

Anna Beavon Gravely is the Executive Director of the North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation, a non-partisan research organization that works to understand trends and inform decision making. NCFREE is a leader in connecting the dots for North Carolina’s political landscape and business growth. 

Gravely joined the organization in 2019, after serving as the North Carolina Deputy State Director and Spokesperson for Americans for Prosperity (AFP). She has advanced several successful state-based issue campaigns for organizations including Generation Opportunity, Americans for Prosperity Foundation, and North Carolina Family Action. 

Well-recognized for her natural ability to lead, Gravely is a strategic thinker, trusted visionary, and savvy challenger of the status quo. 

She is a regular panelist on NC Spin and has been a guest on Carolina Business Review, Carolina Journal radio, and WPTF. Her thought leadership has also appeared in the Raleigh News and Observer, Charlotte Observer, Greensboro News and Record, and The North State Journal. 

Gravely is a graduate of Meredith College; she holds a degree in Political Science, Writing, and Ethics. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

Robert Broome, CAE
NCACPA

Robert works with our members to develop, implement, and communicate NCACPA’s advocacy agenda to legislators and regulators. He serves as staff liaison to the Advocacy Advisory Council and Taxation Committee. Robert has extensive experience as a lobbyist, PAC fundraiser, and grassroots manager for trade associations. A native of Tennessee, he worked in Nashville and Atlanta before moving to Raleigh in 2013. He earned his Certified Association Executive credential in 2020. 

Dr. Kecia Williams Smith
North Carolina A&T State University

Kecia Williams Smith, Ph.D. CPA, is an Assistant Professor and Director of the Master of Accountancy (MACC) Program in the Department of Accounting and Finance at North Carolina A&T State University (NC A&T). She holds degrees from NC A&T and Texas A&M University, where she completed her PhD in June 2016. Prior to entering academia, she was a senior manager at Deloitte where she led engagement teams in the Technology, Media, and Telecommunications practice. Immediately prior to starting her doctoral studies, she was an Associate Director at the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) where she created and led the Inspections Training Office that served over 400 inspection personnel. 

Sharon Bryson
NCACPA

In her role as CEO, Sharon works directly with the NCACPA Board of Directors and the Executive Committee to set the strategic direction of the Association.

Additionally, she works with the Tax Resource Group, and represents the membership with various state governmental entities, including the NC State Board of CPA Examiners, the NC Department of Revenue, and the North Carolina General Assembly.

Sharon currently serves as President of the CPA Society Executives Association, as a member of the NC State Master of Accounting Advisory Board, and on the ECU College of Business Advisory Board.

Sharon is a Past President of the Association Executives of North Carolina, a former member of the AICPA National Commission on Diversity & Inclusion, and the Louisburg College Board of Trustees. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteer work focusing on adoption.

Sharon received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Geraldine Carter
Geraldine Carter LLC

Geraldine Carter helps overworked CPAs create the accounting firm and the life they have always wanted.

Geraldine’s journey began with a multi-disciplinary engineering degree from Cornell University. She co-founded and served as CFO for Climate Ride, which has since donated more than $7 million dollars to sustainability efforts.

As a CPA coach, Geraldine works with firms to help them get back on track, grow their results and work with a reasonable schedule.

Jenna Shaw, CPA
Deloitte

Jenna is an experienced Audit, Accounting Services, and ESG Partner with a demonstrated history of working with multinational organizations to solve their most complex accounting and financial reporting matters.

She is skilled in ESG, external audit, internal controls, SEC reporting, IFRS, foreign private issuers, IPO transactions, and accounting for complex transactions, serving the manufacturing, real estate, mining, and life sciences industries.

She holds a Masters in Accounting and undergraduate degree in Accounting and Finance from Texas Christian University. Jenna also serves as the Carolinas Talent (HR) partner, leading the talent experience of the Deloitte professionals.

Kate Wiese
Deloitte

Kate is a Senior Manager in Deloitte & Touche LLP’s Audit and Assurance practice. She joined the Sustainability & ESG Services team after working in Deloitte’s financial statement audit practice for nine years.

She leverages her knowledge of internal controls and business processes from her experience in financial statement auditing and applies those concepts to sustainability reporting.

Kate advises companies on ESG reporting, internal controls, and emerging regulations, and she has a deep understanding of the proposed SEC climate rule requirements.

Brannon Poe, CPA
Poe Group Advisors

Poe Group Advisors (PGA) was founded by Brannon Poe, CPA. Brannon has been brokering Accounting Firms for 20 years. He got his start as a CPA at Ernst and Young. In 2003 he began facilitating accounting firm sales on the East Coast of the U.S. Now, PGA has helped facilitate hundreds of transitions all over the U.S and Canada.

PGA creates content, including the Accountant’s flight plan podcast, that helps firm owners buy, sell and grow their business. Check out our blog at https://poegroupadvisors.com/blog/

Poe Group Advisors’ nationally recognized brand and content means they have thousands of qualified buyers in their database. The PGA sales process ensures favorable deals, compatible buyer/seller matching and a quick, guided transition. PGA helps sellers exit with cash and buyers enjoy a compatible firm with high client and employee retention.

Teka Miller-Alston
NCACPA

Teka oversees the implementation of strategies, initiatives, and programs for the engagement department at NCACPA.

Teka joined the association in 2018, bringing over fifteen years of not-for-profit and association experience that includes an emphasis on membership recruitment and retention, and event and strategic planning.

Teka received her BA from North Carolina Wesleyan College where she studied psychology and English.

Teka is a native of Washington, DC and loves to read, travel, and spend time with her family.

Holly Bazemore
NCACPA

Holly develops and manages engagement, recruitment, and retention efforts for NCACPA.

She is a staff liaison to the Young Professionals Cabinet and the Education Resource Group.

Holly graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and a master’s degree from North Carolina State University.

She received the IOM designation from the US Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management in 2022.

Hannah Grady Williams
D’Skills Inc

Hannah’s unorthodox story began in a blue pickup truck when her father handed 12-year-old Hannah the phone to close a deal on an investment property. After this unexpected introduction to entrepreneurship, she enrolled in college at age 14 and graduated with a degree in international business at age 18.

Now, as a 24-year old Native Digital, Hannah is the founder of d’Skills, a VC-backed startup that matches legendary high school students with d’Skills to micro-internships! She has helped start-ups to Fortune 500 companies make the transition from Native Analog to Native Digital working, thinking, and playing.

Hanah’s the host of the Native Digital + Native Analog show, a top-charting podcast on Apple and the author of A Leader’s Guide to Unlocking Gen Z.