Gene Marks, CPA
The Marks Group PC

Gene Marks is a columnist, author, and small business owner. Gene writes every day on business, politics and public policy for the Washington Post and weekly for Forbes, Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur and the Huffington Post. Gene has written 5 books on business management, specifically geared towards small and medium sized companies. Gene owns and operates the Marks Group PC, a highly successful ten-person firm that provides technology and consulting services to small and medium sized businesses. Prior to starting the Marks Group PC Gene, a Certified Public Accountant, spent nine years in the entrepreneurial services arm of the international consulting firm KPMG in Philadelphia where he was a Senior Manager.

Nationally, Gene appears on Fox News, MSNBC and CNBC discussing matters affecting the business community. Through his keynotes and breakout sessions, Gene helps business owners, executives and managers understand the political, economic and technological trends that will affect their companies so they can make profitable decisions.

Doug Van Der Aa
VAN DER AA TAX ED, LLC

Doug is a lively and energetic speaker—especially on the subjects of taxes and ethics. He has been a highly-rated speaker and seminar leader for CPA associations and other organizations throughout the country for more than 15 years. He has more than 25 years of professional experience in both CPA firms and law firms. For more than 12 years, Doug taught several accounting and tax courses for Grand Valley State University, Hope College, and Davenport University, and has served as a speaker for the Michigan Association of CPAs.

Doug Van Der Aa
VAN DER AA TAX ED, LLC

Doug is a lively and energetic speaker—especially on the subjects of taxes and ethics. He has been a highly-rated speaker and seminar leader for CPA associations and other organizations throughout the country for more than 15 years. He has more than 25 years of professional experience in both CPA firms and law firms. For more than 12 years, Doug taught several accounting and tax courses for Grand Valley State University, Hope College, and Davenport University, and has served as a speaker for the Michigan Association of CPAs.

Doug Van Der Aa
VAN DER AA TAX ED, LLC

Doug is a lively and energetic speaker—especially on the subjects of taxes and ethics. He has been a highly-rated speaker and seminar leader for CPA associations and other organizations throughout the country for more than 15 years. He has more than 25 years of professional experience in both CPA firms and law firms. For more than 12 years, Doug taught several accounting and tax courses for Grand Valley State University, Hope College, and Davenport University, and has served as a speaker for the Michigan Association of CPAs.

Jon Kirchoff
East Carolina University

Jon F. Kirchoff, Ph.D. (University of Tennessee, 2011) is an Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. His primary areas of research include sustainable supply chain management, healthcare supply chains, and functional integration. He has published articles in Journal of Operations Management, Journal of Supply Chain Management, International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management, and other academic outlets. Prior to academia, he worked 15 years in global purchasing and logistics management at several Fortune 500 companies, including Mercedes-Benz U.S. International and Dish Network.

Carolyn Woodruff, CPA, JD, CVA
Woodruff Law Firm, PA – CEO and Family Law Specialist

Current Board of Director Positions

Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc., Director
Audit Committee Chair
FinTech Committee
Wealth Management Committee

Family Service of the Piedmont, Vice-Chair

Carolyn Woodruff is a visionary and leader in accounting, law, and banking. She is a preeminent lawyer, a Family Law Specialist, a North Carolina Certified Public Accountant, and a Certified Valuation Analyst with the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts®. She is an instrument-rated multi-engine airplane pilot and regularly flies private aircraft. She was the first North Carolina female fellow in the distinguished American College of Tax Counsel.

She serves on the public board of Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc. (BRBS)(NYSE), as indicated above.

She holds a 2021 FinTech certification from Harvard Business School where she did her Capstone paper on Central Bank Digital Currency. She holds AICPA badges in Blockchain and Cybersecurity. She is a frequent speaker on FinTech and recently presented on the topic “Demystifying FinTech” to the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (NCACPA) for their 82^nd Annual Symposium (November 2021). She is schedule to speak to the NCACPA at the 83^rd Annual Symposium in November 2022 on FinTech and Innovation. In October 2022, she lectured at Wake Forest Law School on FinTech.  In January 2022, she presented to the North Carolina Banking Commission on FinTech Innovation and Regulatory Sandboxes.T

Through the North Carolina Association of CPAs (NCACPA), Carolyn has been a speaker and trailblazer in continuing education for CPAs who need knowledge of taxation related to divorce and business valuation in divorce in North Carolina. Carolyn has written many continuing education manuscripts, including Financial Guide to Divorce in North Carolina and Business Valuation Principles in North Carolina. She is skilled with both in person presentation and remote teaching for adult audiences.

She began her legal career with Tuggle Duggins and Meschan, P.A. where she became a principal and shareholder in only four short years. Following her tenure at Tuggle Duggins, she branched off and formed a law firm specializing in family law, where she remains today, serving as CEO and lead counsel in high profile, high net worth divorces.

She was graduated from Duke Law School with High Honors, and she served as Research and Managing Editor of the Duke Law Review.

Carolyn can be contacted on 336-272-9122 extension 3004 -1747 or [email protected].

Holly Sullenger, PhD

Dr. Holly Sullenger is an award-winning, internationally renowned veteran in the fields of corporate speaking, training, and consulting. She offers expert speaking and training opportunities in the areas of leadership, professional development, and technology.

Dr. Holly has worked with individuals representing a vast array of different occupations and industries. She is known for being able to present high-level topics in ways that make the content easy to understand, to assimilate, and to act on. Dr. Holly’s passions include prompting “light bulb moments” in her participants, and helping professionals stay relevant in their fields.

Dr. Holly has a PhD in Adult, Workforce and Continuing Professional Education from NC State University, as well as degrees in Adult Education, Business Management, Computer Science and Liberal Arts. This enables her to combine an in-depth knowledge of business and industry with adult-education techniques and infused humor in order to bring unparalleled knowledge and assistance to those she partners with.

Doug Van Der Aa
VAN DER AA TAX ED, LLC

Doug is a lively and energetic speaker—especially on the subjects of taxes and ethics. He has been a highly-rated speaker and seminar leader for CPA associations and other organizations throughout the country for more than 15 years. He has more than 25 years of professional experience in both CPA firms and law firms. For more than 12 years, Doug taught several accounting and tax courses for Grand Valley State University, Hope College, and Davenport University, and has served as a speaker for the Michigan Association of CPAs.

Jon Kirchoff
East Carolina Universty

Jon F. Kirchoff, Ph.D. (University of Tennessee, 2011) is an Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. His primary areas of research include sustainable supply chain management, healthcare supply chains, and functional integration. He has published articles in Journal of Operations Management, Journal of Supply Chain Management, International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management, and other academic outlets. Prior to academia, he worked 15 years in global purchasing and logistics management at several Fortune 500 companies, including Mercedes-Benz U.S. International and Dish Network.

Kelley C. Long, CPA/PFS, CFP

With a career that includes roles in public accounting, marketing, financial coaching and wealth management, I’ve facilitated hundreds of financial workshops and webinars for employees and clients, presented at multiple industry conferences and appeared on television, radio and podcast interviews. My life’s mission is to de-mystify money and enable my peers to join me. While I speak on a wide variety of topics pertaining to personal finance, I have a particular interest in increasing healthcare financial literacy to help mitigate the rising costs of healthcare while also maximizing wealth-building opportunities that many people miss. My talks are customized to the audience, whether speaking to industry peers or non-financial industry folks, and are always educational, empowering and entertaining.

Holly Sullenger, PhD

Dr. Holly Sullenger is an award-winning, internationally renowned veteran in the fields of corporate speaking, training, and consulting. She offers expert speaking and training opportunities in the areas of leadership, professional development, and technology.

Dr. Holly has worked with individuals representing a vast array of different occupations and industries. She is known for being able to present high-level topics in ways that make the content easy to understand, to assimilate, and to act on. Dr. Holly’s passions include prompting “light bulb moments” in her participants, and helping professionals stay relevant in their fields.

Dr. Holly has a PhD in Adult, Workforce and Continuing Professional Education from NC State University, as well as degrees in Adult Education, Business Management, Computer Science and Liberal Arts. This enables her to combine an in-depth knowledge of business and industry with adult-education techniques and infused humor in order to bring unparalleled knowledge and assistance to those she partners with.

Jack Schmoll, CPA
Schmoll CPA PLLC

Jack Schmoll has spent his entire 28-year career in state and local taxation. He worked nine years with the Washington State Department of Revenue and has work 19 years in public accounting. He works extensively with other accounting firms, helping them provide the state and local tax expertise their clients need. He enjoys working with North Carolina issues, but works regularly on multistate tax issues as well. Jack is a regular presenter for the NCACPA and other organizations and also provides state and local tax education directly to CPA firms and businesses.

Marcy Twete
Marcy Twete Consulting

Marcy Twete is a recognized leader in corporate responsibility and sustainability for multinational Fortune 500 companies, and has a background both broad and deep in ESG (environmental, social, governance) factors, ethical decision-making, marketing and communications. She is the founder and CEO Marcy Twete Consulting where she advises corporations of all sizes, their investors and key partners on environmental, social and governance risks and reputation management.

In addition to leading her consulting practice, Marcy also co-hosts Office Baggage, a podcast that tackles topics for women in business that are all too often brushed under the office rug. In June 2020, she will launch Table Stakes: The Podcast for Responsible, Sustainable Businesses & Leaders, discussing the issues of sustainability with forward-thinking leaders to forecast the future of responsible business.

Marcy is a proud Trustee at the Chicago Architecture Center, and a former member of the Boards of Directors for Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana and Step Up. She received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from the College of Saint Benedict and her MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. In late 2020, after nearly 10 years in Chicago, Marcy and her husband Charlie relocated to their former home of Minneapolis with their tabby cat Betsey and terrier mix Pearl. You’ll find them running on Lake Harriet and Minnehaha Creek near their home in South Minneapolis.

Amy Maddrey Hilliard, CPA
Forvis, LLP

As a Managing Director at FORVIS, I assist in the management and oversight of over 80+ Employee Benefit Plan audits, including several Form 11-K filings, and have served on a variety of engagements including defined contribution plans, defined benefit plans, and health and welfare plans. I am also a member of a firm-wide committee that oversees quality control and in-house training for all Employee Benefit Plan audits. I serve clients in industries such as banking, healthcare, manufacturing and distribution, construction, dealerships and real estate.

I also oversee traditional audit and review engagements for manufacturing and distribution and heavy equipment clients. I am able to assist companies with the implementation of complex accounting standards, including International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and am well-versed in the disclosure requirements for both corporate and benefit plan financial statements.

Kari Louise Hipsak, CPA, CGMA
AICPA

Kari Hipsak, CPA, CGMA is a Senior Manager with the Firm Services team at the AICPA. Prior to joining the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) in North Carolina, Kari started her public accounting career in South Dakota and later worked for a firm in New York City where she focused on A&A clients in an array of industries. She has been an active advocate of the CPA profession since her time as a student at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD and is currently a member of the NC Association of CPA (NCACPA) Young CPA Cabinet and sits on the NCACPA Foundation Board. In 2020, Kari was honored as a member of CPA Practice Advisor’s “40 Under 40” program. Kari leads PCPS resource creation for accounting and auditing emerging issues, manages PCPS IT resources, including cybersecurity, oversees the G400 initiative, and maintains the AICPA alliance with firm associations and networks.

Jack Schmoll, CPA
Schmoll CPA PLLC

Jack Schmoll has spent his entire 28-year career in state and local taxation. He worked nine years with the Washington State Department of Revenue and has work 19 years in public accounting. He works extensively with other accounting firms, helping them provide the state and local tax expertise their clients need. He enjoys working with North Carolina issues, but works regularly on multistate tax issues as well. Jack is a regular presenter for the NCACPA and other organizations and also provides state and local tax education directly to CPA firms and businesses.

Holly Sullenger, PhD

Dr. Holly Sullenger is an award-winning, internationally renowned veteran in the fields of corporate speaking, training, and consulting. She offers expert speaking and training opportunities in the areas of leadership, professional development, and technology.

Dr. Holly has worked with individuals representing a vast array of different occupations and industries. She is known for being able to present high-level topics in ways that make the content easy to understand, to assimilate, and to act on. Dr. Holly’s passions include prompting “light bulb moments” in her participants, and helping professionals stay relevant in their fields.

Dr. Holly has a PhD in Adult, Workforce and Continuing Professional Education from NC State University, as well as degrees in Adult Education, Business Management, Computer Science and Liberal Arts. This enables her to combine an in-depth knowledge of business and industry with adult-education techniques and infused humor in order to bring unparalleled knowledge and assistance to those she partners with.

Matthew Jordan Miller, CPA
FORVIS, LLP

Matt Miller, Senior Manager at FORVIS, LLP, has over ten years of experience in public accounting serving in an assurance and accounting advisory role. He serves both publicly-traded and privately-held entities ranging in size from less than $100 million to $50 billion in total assets in the financial services and life sciences industries. Matt’s experience includes involvement with both 1933 and 1934 Act SEC filings, initial public offerings, business combinations and reverse acquisitions, allowance for loan losses and current expected credit losses, stock-based compensation, as well as assessing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.

Alex Lehmann, CPA
MPCompany LLP

Alex is a partner at MPC Certified Public Accountants. He advises and assists individuals and privately held businesses in the areas of tax planning and compliance. His industry experience includes commercial and residential construction, restaurants, retail, technology, light manufacturing, and government contractors. Alex joined MPC in 2005 and has over 16 years of experience in public accounting and more than ten years in commercial banking. Alex is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants, where he has served two terms as Chairman of the Symposium Committee and is active on the Current and Emerging Technologies Council and the Professional Development Advisory Council. He also serves as Treasurer for Theatre Raleigh and has previously served as Treasurer for The Green Chair Project and Treasurer and Chairman of Visual Art Exchange. He was a member of the Cultural Leaders focus group for the City of Raleigh Arts Plan that was adopted by the City Council in 2016. Alex has lectured on accounting and tax issues for organizations like Triangle Art Works and has been a returning guest speaker at Meredith College and at various local conferences. Although Alex was born in Italy and grew up in South Florida, his family has roots in Raleigh dating back to the 1960s. He earned both his undergraduate degree in Finance and his Master of Business Administration at Florida International University. Alex, along with his wife and his two daughters, live in North Raleigh where they attend St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

Dr. Michael L. Walden, PhD
NC State University
Agricultural & Resource Economics 

Michael Walden, Ph.D., is a William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor Emeritus at North Carolina State University and President of Walden Economic Consulting, LLC. During his 43 years on the faculty at NC State, Walden became recognized as an expert on the state economy and public policy. He is the author of twelve books and over 300 articles and reports, and he has made 3000 personal appearances. Walden is also a frequent contributor to the national and state media and has appeared on all the major national news outlets. He continues to write a biweekly newspaper column distributed throughout North Carolina. He has won numerous awards, including two Champion-Tuck Awards for Excellence in Broadcasting, the UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Public Service, the Holladay Medal for Excellence from North Carolina State University, and the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. His new book is Re-Launch: How the Family Can Be Renewed and the American Dream Revived in the New Independent Lifestyle of the Post-Pandemic Economy. Walden is a member of the North Carolina Economic Development Association, and he resides in Raleigh with his wife, Mary.

Ronald J. Baker, CPA

Ronald J. Baker started his CPA career in 1984 with KPMG’s Private Business Advisory Services in San Francisco. Today, he is the founder of VeraSage Institute—the leading think tank dedicated to educating professionalsinternationally—and a radio talk-show host on the www.VoiceAmerica.comshow: The Soul of Enterprise: Business in the Knowledge Economy, and the Chief Value Officer at ArmaninoLLP.

As a frequent speaker, writer, and educator, his work takes him around the world. He has been an instructor with the California CPA Education Foundation since 1995 and has authored over twenty courses for them, including: You Are What You Charge For: Success in Today’s Emerging Experience Economy (with Daniel Morris);Alternatives to the Federal Income Tax; Trashing the Timesheet: A Declaration of Independence; Everyday Economics; Everyday Ethics: Doing Well by Doing Good; and The Best Business Books You Should Read.

He is the author of seven best-selling books, including:Professional’s Guide to Value Pricing; The Firm of the Future: A Guide for Accountants, Lawyers, and Other Professional Services, co-authored with Paul Dunn; Pricing on Purpose: Creating and Capturing Value; Measure What Matters to Customers:Using Key Predictive Indicators; Mind Over Matter: Why Intellectual Capital is the Chief Source of Wealth; Implementing Value Pricing: A Radical Business Model for Professional Firms; and his latest book The Soul of Enterprise: Dialogues on Business in the Knowledge Economy, co-authored with Ed Kless.

Ron has toured the world, spreading his value-pricing message to over 220,000 professionals. He has been appointed to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant’s Group of One Hundred, a think tank of leaders to address the future of the profession; named on Accounting Today’s 2001 to 2007, and 2011 to 2019, Top 100 Most Influential People in the profession; voted among the Top Ten Most Influential People in the profession in 2012—2019; selected as one of LinkedIn’s Influencer Bloggers; inducted into the CPA Practice Advisor Hall of Fame in 2018; and received the 2003 Award for Instructor Excellence from the California CPA Education Foundation.

He graduated in 1984 from San Francisco State University, with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a minor in economics. He is a graduate of Disney University and Cato University, and is a faculty member of the Professional Pricing Society. He presently resides in Petaluma, California.

Ronald J. Baker, CPA

Ronald J. Baker started his CPA career in 1984 with KPMG’s Private Business Advisory Services in San Francisco. Today, he is the founder of VeraSage Institute—the leading think tank dedicated to educating professionalsinternationally—and a radio talk-show host on the www.VoiceAmerica.comshow: The Soul of Enterprise: Business in the Knowledge Economy, and the Chief Value Officer at ArmaninoLLP.

As a frequent speaker, writer, and educator, his work takes him around the world. He has been an instructor with the California CPA Education Foundation since 1995 and has authored over twenty courses for them, including: You Are What You Charge For: Success in Today’s Emerging Experience Economy (with Daniel Morris);Alternatives to the Federal Income Tax; Trashing the Timesheet: A Declaration of Independence; Everyday Economics; Everyday Ethics: Doing Well by Doing Good; and The Best Business Books You Should Read.

He is the author of seven best-selling books, including:Professional’s Guide to Value Pricing; The Firm of the Future: A Guide for Accountants, Lawyers, and Other Professional Services, co-authored with Paul Dunn; Pricing on Purpose: Creating and Capturing Value; Measure What Matters to Customers:Using Key Predictive Indicators; Mind Over Matter: Why Intellectual Capital is the Chief Source of Wealth; Implementing Value Pricing: A Radical Business Model for Professional Firms; and his latest book The Soul of Enterprise: Dialogues on Business in the Knowledge Economy, co-authored with Ed Kless.

Ron has toured the world, spreading his value-pricing message to over 220,000 professionals. He has been appointed to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant’s Group of One Hundred, a think tank of leaders to address the future of the profession; named on Accounting Today’s 2001 to 2007, and 2011 to 2019, Top 100 Most Influential People in the profession; voted among the Top Ten Most Influential People in the profession in 2012—2019; selected as one of LinkedIn’s Influencer Bloggers; inducted into the CPA Practice Advisor Hall of Fame in 2018; and received the 2003 Award for Instructor Excellence from the California CPA Education Foundation.

He graduated in 1984 from San Francisco State University, with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a minor in economics. He is a graduate of Disney University and Cato University, and is a faculty member of the Professional Pricing Society. He presently resides in Petaluma, California.

Leah Donti, CPA, CMA, MBA
Advantage Montreal Seminars Inc.

Leah Donti, an internationally recognized seminar leader and speaker in accounting and auditing, has been doing seminars full time for 29 years through her seminar business. She conducts in-house training at CPA firms and various multinationals and does CPE courses through the CPA societies. As well, she speaks at numerous conferences across North America each year.

She speaks on FASB update, Private company GAAP developments, IFRS, variable interest entities, accounting and auditing update, SEC and PCAOB update, revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, business combinations, compilation and review, and fair value accounting.

She also provides proprietary prep seminars for the IQEX reciprocity exam where foreign accountants obtain the US CPA credential.

Prior to beginning her seminar business in 1991, Ms. Donti worked for a major information management consulting organization, where she provided training to offices across North America. She also worked with an accounting software firm, offering accounting education courses to clients on site. In addition, she held positions in internal audit and Accounting with Canadian Pacific, one of the largest companies in Canada, dual listed in Toronto and New York.

In 1984, she graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor in Accounting and Finance. In 1990, she obtained her MBA from Concordia University in Montreal.

For the last 11 years (2010 to 2020), Leah has received the AICPA Outstanding Discussion Leader Award for her passion, energy and ability to speak at all levels of professionals and made her a most sought-out speaker.

Michael Peter Manspeaker, CPA
Coastal Peer Review, Inc.

Mike currently serves as an Engagement Partner for Audit and Assurance services for the firm and is a member of the Accounting & Auditing Committee. He formerly served as the firm’s Director of Audit, Accounting, and Quality Control.

His over 40 years of experience includes working with manufacturing, retirement plan, construction, financial institutions, and nonprofit clients. In addition, he provides clients with business and strategic planning and has experience in mergers and acquisitions, employee stock ownership plans, internal controls, and governance structures of business entities.

Mike currently serves on the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) Accounting and Review Services Committee and the Technical Issues Committee, focusing on auditing, accounting, and review services, as well as professional ethics standards. He is also a member of the AICPA Attestation Standards Task Force and Audits for Less Complex Entities Task Force.

Marcey Rader
Work Well. Play More!

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.

Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP, CGMA
K2 Enterprises

Brian Tankersley is a consultant who advises US firms and companies on accounting technology issues. Mr. Tankersley is a frequent speaker at continuing education courses for K2 Enterprises, writes for multiple accounting media outlets, and publishes a nationally recognized blog on accounting and technology (www.cpatechblog.com). Mr. Tankersley has over 25 years of professional experience, including accounting, auditing, technology, and education, has been with K2 Enterprises since 2005. Brian started teaching CPA review courses in 1997, and currently works with Yaeger CPA Review.

Tankersley has been recognized eight times as one of the “Top 25 Thought Leaders in Public Accounting Technology” by Cygnus Business Media. Brian has made presentations in 47 of the 50 US states and has served as a guest speaker for many professional accounting organizations across Canada. He has received numerous awards for his writing and speaking from state CPA societies. Brian has presented sessions at most major national accounting technology conferences, including AICPA TECH+/Practitioners Conference, The Sleeter Group’s Solutions Conference, Sage Summit, CCH Connections, and Thomson Reuters Synergy User Conference.

Brian is a certified public accountant (Tennessee), a certified information technology professional (CITP), and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). He holds bachelor’s degrees in both Accounting and Finance, cum laude, from the University of Tennessee. Tankersley also maintains numerous vendor software certifications, and is a member of the Tennessee Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs.

Brian and his family make their home in Farragut, Tennessee.

Leah Donti, CPA, CMA, MBA
Advantage Montreal Seminars Inc.

Leah Donti, an internationally recognized seminar leader and speaker in accounting and auditing, has been doing seminars full time for 29 years through her seminar business. She conducts in-house training at CPA firms and various multinationals and does CPE courses through the CPA societies. As well, she speaks at numerous conferences across North America each year.

She speaks on FASB update, Private company GAAP developments, IFRS, variable interest entities, accounting and auditing update, SEC and PCAOB update, revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, business combinations, compilation and review, and fair value accounting.

She also provides proprietary prep seminars for the IQEX reciprocity exam where foreign accountants obtain the US CPA credential.

Prior to beginning her seminar business in 1991, Ms. Donti worked for a major information management consulting organization, where she provided training to offices across North America. She also worked with an accounting software firm, offering accounting education courses to clients on site. In addition, she held positions in internal audit and Accounting with Canadian Pacific, one of the largest companies in Canada, dual listed in Toronto and New York.

In 1984, she graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor in Accounting and Finance. In 1990, she obtained her MBA from Concordia University in Montreal.

For the last 11 years (2010 to 2020), Leah has received the AICPA Outstanding Discussion Leader Award for her passion, energy and ability to speak at all levels of professionals and made her a most sought-out speaker.

Michael Peter Manspeaker, CPA
Coastal Peer Review, Inc.

Mike currently serves as an Engagement Partner for Audit and Assurance services for the firm and is a member of the Accounting & Auditing Committee. He formerly served as the firm’s Director of Audit, Accounting, and Quality Control.

His over 40 years of experience includes working with manufacturing, retirement plan, construction, financial institutions, and nonprofit clients. In addition, he provides clients with business and strategic planning and has experience in mergers and acquisitions, employee stock ownership plans, internal controls, and governance structures of business entities.

Mike currently serves on the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) Accounting and Review Services Committee and the Technical Issues Committee, focusing on auditing, accounting, and review services, as well as professional ethics standards. He is also a member of the AICPA Attestation Standards Task Force and Audits for Less Complex Entities Task Force.

Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP, CGMA
K2 Enterprises

Brian Tankersley is a consultant who advises US firms and companies on accounting technology issues. Mr. Tankersley is a frequent speaker at continuing education courses for K2 Enterprises, writes for multiple accounting media outlets, and publishes a nationally recognized blog on accounting and technology (www.cpatechblog.com). Mr. Tankersley has over 25 years of professional experience, including accounting, auditing, technology, and education, has been with K2 Enterprises since 2005. Brian started teaching CPA review courses in 1997, and currently works with Yaeger CPA Review.

Tankersley has been recognized eight times as one of the “Top 25 Thought Leaders in Public Accounting Technology” by Cygnus Business Media. Brian has made presentations in 47 of the 50 US states and has served as a guest speaker for many professional accounting organizations across Canada. He has received numerous awards for his writing and speaking from state CPA societies. Brian has presented sessions at most major national accounting technology conferences, including AICPA TECH+/Practitioners Conference, The Sleeter Group’s Solutions Conference, Sage Summit, CCH Connections, and Thomson Reuters Synergy User Conference.

Brian is a certified public accountant (Tennessee), a certified information technology professional (CITP), and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). He holds bachelor’s degrees in both Accounting and Finance, cum laude, from the University of Tennessee. Tankersley also maintains numerous vendor software certifications, and is a member of the Tennessee Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs.

Brian and his family make their home in Farragut, Tennessee.

Louise Warwick Reed
Louise W. Reed, CPA, PC

Louise W. Reed received her master’s degree in physics from Duke University and Master of Accounting from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She became a licensed CPA in 2004 and started her own public accounting practice in 2006, where she currently bills in bitcoin per hour. Reed’s interest in blockchain technology led to her most recent innovation, Afloat, Inc. The company utilizes blockchain technology and smart contracts to automate the exchange of state transferable tax credits.

Keith Allen Wood, CPA, JD
Carruthers & Roth, PA

Keith Wood, CPA, JD, an attorney with Carruthers & Roth, PA, in Greensboro, NC, is a Board-Certified Specialist in estate planning and probate law. Keith’s practice areas include tax planning, representation of clients before the Internal Revenue Service, corporate law and business transactions, and estate planning. Keith is a Certified Public Accountant and is an active member of the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants and a former member of its Board of Directors. Keith received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration and his law degree, with honors, from the University of North Carolina.

Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP, CGMA
K2 Enterprises

Brian Tankersley is a consultant who advises US firms and companies on accounting technology issues. Mr. Tankersley is a frequent speaker at continuing education courses for K2 Enterprises, writes for multiple accounting media outlets, and publishes a nationally recognized blog on accounting and technology (www.cpatechblog.com). Mr. Tankersley has over 25 years of professional experience, including accounting, auditing, technology, and education, has been with K2 Enterprises since 2005. Brian started teaching CPA review courses in 1997, and currently works with Yaeger CPA Review.

Tankersley has been recognized eight times as one of the “Top 25 Thought Leaders in Public Accounting Technology” by Cygnus Business Media. Brian has made presentations in 47 of the 50 US states and has served as a guest speaker for many professional accounting organizations across Canada. He has received numerous awards for his writing and speaking from state CPA societies. Brian has presented sessions at most major national accounting technology conferences, including AICPA TECH+/Practitioners Conference, The Sleeter Group’s Solutions Conference, Sage Summit, CCH Connections, and Thomson Reuters Synergy User Conference.

Brian is a certified public accountant (Tennessee), a certified information technology professional (CITP), and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). He holds bachelor’s degrees in both Accounting and Finance, cum laude, from the University of Tennessee. Tankersley also maintains numerous vendor software certifications, and is a member of the Tennessee Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs.

Brian and his family make their home in Farragut, Tennessee.

Louise Warwick Reed
Louise W. Reed, CPA, PC

Louise W. Reed received her master’s degree in physics from Duke University and Master of Accounting from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She became a licensed CPA in 2004 and started her own public accounting practice in 2006, where she currently bills in bitcoin per hour. Reed’s interest in blockchain technology led to her most recent innovation, Afloat, Inc. The company utilizes blockchain technology and smart contracts to automate the exchange of state transferable tax credits.

Frank (Skip) Woody, III, CEBS
Hill Chesson & Woody

Skip Woody serves as the Area Executive Vice President and Health and Welfare Practice Leader with Hill, Chesson & Woody, a Gallagher Company. With over 25 years of experience, Skip is responsible for client retention and service model innovation positioning Hill, Chesson & Woody, a Gallagher Company as an industry leader. Skip received his degree in Business from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

David Nance, CPA
NC State Board of CPA Examiners

David Nance serves as Deputy Director for the NC State Board of CPA Examiners. With the State Board, he oversees its financial and administrative functions as well as assists Professional Standards activities. He previously worked for over 30 years as an audit manager for the Office of the State Auditor (OSA).

He received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in December of 1981, the year of the Michael Jordan jump shot and Dean Smith’s first National Championship. He has been a CPA since 1986.

As Deputy Director for the State Board, his responsibilities include overseeing financial activities, including the preparation of monthly financial statements for Board review; oversight of personnel activities, including employee evaluations; final review of the CPA examination applications allowing candidates to sit; and technical involvement with the Board’s professional standards section in reviewing disciplinary actions.

In his years of service with the OSA, he worked on audits across the state government spectrum including the Department of Transportation, Wildlife Resources, the Department of Administration, and the NC Ports Authority. He also spent over 12 years overseeing the OSA’s non-profit audit efforts for the Smart Start programs. His main area of responsibility in the latter years with OSA was oversight of the audit efforts for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and its numerous human services programs.

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.

Paula McMillan, CFP®, CPA/PFS, CGMA
Stearns Financial Group

• Published and quoted in CNBC, US News & World Report, The Tax Adviser, Journal of Accountancy, Kiplinger’s, The Business Journal, How Stuff Works and more.
• Created two national AICPA podcast series on retirement planning and women and wealth
• TEDx presenter on the topic of Retirement: Longevity and Security
• AICPA Advanced Personal Financial Planning Conference Committee Investment Committee Lead
• AICPA Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) Credential Committee Member
• Greensboro Estate Planning Council Board Member
• Society of Financial Service Professionals (SFSP) Board Member
• Society of Financial Service Professionals (SFSP) Foundation Board Chairperson • NCACPA Triad Women’s Initiatives Group Lead
• Plenteous Financial Forum Chairperson and Founder
• Regularly deliver presentations to national, regional and local audiences on financial life planning and investment related topics

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.

William Hunter Cook, CPA

Hunter is a retired Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP partner. For his last three years at DHG, he was part of the firm’s Professional Standards Group and a member of the AICPA’s Auditing Standards Board. Prior to joining DHG, Hunter taught accounting and auditing at Wake Forest University for one year. Following his graduation from Newberry College with a BS in Accounting, he worked as an auditor with Ernst & Young in various capacities, including partner. Hunter is a past Chair of NCACPA and past President of the NC State Board of CPA Examiners, and has served as a contributing author to PPC’s Guide to Preparing Financial Statements. He is currently a member of the NASBA Ethics Committee and Peer Review Compliance Committee, the Oversite Task Force of the AICPA Peer Review Board, and the AACSB Accounting Accreditation Policy Committee. Hunter leads CPE programs covering professional ethics in North Carolina and courses covering technical material across the country. He is a CPA in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Javier Young
CLA Charlotte

Javier is a Principal within the Cybersecurity Services Group at CLA and has been in the cybersecurity field for over 12 years. Javier leads a team of technology and industry specialists providing IT audits and security assessments for clients in a wide range of industries and diverse operating environments. Prior to joining CLA, Javier spent ten years supporting the Department of Defense as well as a financial services company in the fields of insider threat, incident response, fraud, waste and abuse, analytics, and systems engineering. Since Javier has been with CLA, he has spent the majority of his time providing IT Security, Risk, and Consulting services to clients in healthcare, higher education, and financial related institutions.

Dale Cline
Dale Cline, CPA, PLLC

Dale is the owner of Dale K. Cline, CPA, PLLC, located in Hickory, North Carolina. Also a CMA and CGMA, he has over 40 years of public accounting experience. He earned his undergraduate degree from Lenoir-Rhyne College and his MBA from Wake Forest University. He is a real estate developer and investor in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Dale has co-authored “Money, Banking, and Financial Markets: A Modern Introduction to Macroeconomics” (2022). This textbook offers a deeper understanding for global student audiences. He is also author of “Banking on Confidence: A Guidebook to Financial Literacy” (2015). This book was written for a more general audience, with a focus on connecting the reader to the world of accounting and economics in a clear and intelligible way.

The Associate Dean for Accountancy of the Wake Forest University School of Business is funded by the Dale K. Cline Endowment. Dale takes great pride in lifting up the next generation of accountants through academic and career opportunities.

Dale’s mission is to understand “how the world works.” He resides primarily in Hickory, NC.

James Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.

Jim Lindell is President of Thorsten Consulting, a Wisconsin-based strategic and financial consulting provider. The firm offers professional speaking, training, and executive coaching. He has extensive senior management experience, including Chief Financial Officer, VP-Finance, Corporate Controller, and Corporate Assistant Controller. Industries served include manufacturing, healthcare, not-for-profit, distribution, and food processing. Jim has participated in more than 50 M&A projects.

Jim is a CPA and has received the Certified Speaking Professional designation, the highest earned designation from the National Speakers Association. Jim is a Vistage Chairman (Executive Coach and Facilitator) and responsible for two groups in the Milwaukee area.

Jim is the author of Controller as Business Manager, Controllers Annual Update (Best Seller,) Analytics and Big Data for Accountants, and many other courses on strategic and financial leadership. Jim has been published by the AICPA and Wiley.

Jim is an eleven-time recipient of the AICPA’s Outstanding Discussion Leader Award.

Also, Jim is a member of the Irish rock/folk music group “Deep Pool” and is unwilling to admit that he may have played his last rugby match.

Becky Drozdz, CCP, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Catapult

Becky Drozdz is the HR Advisor, Compensation Lead for Catapult. From our locations in Raleigh, Charlotte and High Point, North Carolina, we serve over 2200 member organizations across the state. Becky is primarily responsible for advising companies in the areas of compensation and benchmark data, and tailoring compensation consulting services to meet the needs of the member. This includes, but is not limited to, assessment or creation of salary structures; job analysis; and FLSA guidance.

Becky earned her Master of Business Administration from Marymount University and her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Illinois. She has experience in the areas of compensation, job analysis, organizational communications, recruitment and retention, and employee relations. Becky is also a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

James Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.

Jim Lindell is President of Thorsten Consulting, a Wisconsin-based strategic and financial consulting provider. The firm offers professional speaking, training, and executive coaching. He has extensive senior management experience, including Chief Financial Officer, VP-Finance, Corporate Controller, and Corporate Assistant Controller. Industries served include manufacturing, healthcare, not-for-profit, distribution, and food processing. Jim has participated in more than 50 M&A projects.

Jim is a CPA and has received the Certified Speaking Professional designation, the highest earned designation from the National Speakers Association. Jim is a Vistage Chairman (Executive Coach and Facilitator) and responsible for two groups in the Milwaukee area.

Jim is the author of Controller as Business Manager, Controllers Annual Update (Best Seller,) Analytics and Big Data for Accountants, and many other courses on strategic and financial leadership. Jim has been published by the AICPA and Wiley.

Jim is an eleven-time recipient of the AICPA’s Outstanding Discussion Leader Award.

Also, Jim is a member of the Irish rock/folk music group “Deep Pool” and is unwilling to admit that he may have played his last rugby match.

Kecia Williams Smith, Ph.D CPA
North Carolina A&T State University
College of Business & Economics

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.

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.