Jennifer is co-founder and partner of ConvergenceCoaching ®, LLC, a national consulting firm that helps leaders achieve success. She is a frequent speaker, writer, and thought leader on topics related to leadership, talent, growth, technology, and managing change within the CPA profession. Named in the top five of Accounting Today's 100 Most Influential People in Accounting, CPA Practice Advisors' Top 25 Thought Leaders, and AICPA and CPA Practice Advisor’s Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Accounting, Jen is an experienced change agent, shifting mindsets, business models, and empowering Next Generation leaders. She is also an avid runner, hiker, yogi, gardener, wife and mother of 3.

Jennifer is co-founder and partner of ConvergenceCoaching ®, LLC, a national consulting firm that helps leaders achieve success. She is a frequent speaker, writer, and thought leader on topics related to leadership, talent, growth, technology, and managing change within the CPA profession. Named in the top five of Accounting Today's 100 Most Influential People in Accounting, CPA Practice Advisors' Top 25 Thought Leaders, and AICPA and CPA Practice Advisor’s Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Accounting, Jen is an experienced change agent, shifting mindsets, business models, and empowering Next Generation leaders. She is also an avid runner, hiker, yogi, gardener, wife and mother of 3.

Jim is passionate about supporting the CPA profession and helping his peers embrace technology to prepare for the ever-changing landscape of business and automation. He has focused his entire career, over more than twenty years, on integrating technology into strategic plans and business processes alike. Jim is experienced in forming a variety of business entities, business expansions, divestitures, mergers and acquisitions, and business closures. He is a founding member of the COCPA Technology Users Group and recently served on the AICPA Certified Information Technology Professional Credential Committee. Jim currently serves on the AICPA COVID Technology Committee. He is eager to provide guidance on the importance of CPAs to be more adaptable and pivot toward new concepts, technologies, and needs of clients.

In today’s digital landscape, data is everywhere—but turning that data into something meaningful? That’s where Matt Anderson comes in. With a passion for helping organizations translate complex data into actionable intelligence, Matt empowers teams to improve transparency, streamline operations, and accelerate their mission through smart, scalable technology solutions.

Specializing in software integration, data modernization, and automation development, Matt brings a strategic mindset to every engagement—bridging the gap between technical systems and organizational goals. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business/Economics with an Accounting emphasis from the University of California at Santa Barbara, pairing financial acumen with a forward-looking approach to data and innovation.

A licensed CPA, Matt is also certified in financial forensics (CFF) and is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). He is an active member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Colorado Society of CPAs, and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. From 2010 to 2017, Matt served on the Board of Trustees for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Rocky Mountain Chapter, reflecting his deep commitment to community impact alongside professional excellence.

As a Senior Manager in Technology Consulting at Wipfli, I advise clients on specific industry strategy, software, and applications such as ERP, CRM, BI, and cybersecurity solutions. I am attuned to the technology needs of various types of clients, from startup businesses to established companies, in industries such as construction, nonprofit, real estate, manufacturing, and distribution.

I believe that our clients have the answers at hand, they just need clarity, strategy, and planning to make those decisions confidently and see the future of their companies though the complexity of their daily challenges.

Clients appreciate my tailored individual technology assessments and purpose-built business solutions to help them overcome challenges and meet their strategic goals. I thrive on making the process of adopting technology straight forward, with better visioning and clear paths of implementation.

Wipfli’s technology consulting specialists bring experience, knowledge, and best practices to empower companies. Whether it’s through developing a technology roadmap or implementing purpose-built technology solutions we help you navigate security, insurance, risk, operational, and human capital training needs. Wipfli can help you create the future you desire, fueling your imagination to realize your dreams.

Growing up in Nebraska, my mom was a social worker and my dad was a biologist. It was there that I learned the values of culture inclusivity, hard work, and Midwest values. As a global traveler, I love meeting new people and am passionate about connecting with my community and supporting a culture of diversity. I lead and volunteer on a number of local and grass roots organizations supporting diversity and inclusion that creates opportunities for learning and growth.

Fun fact - I'm avid hobby gardener and spice fanatic. I grow and pickle hot peppers. Ask me about my favorite blend.

Jeff Fantalis is a seasoned IT professional with extensive experience in IT consulting, management, and software development. Currently serving as the Managing Partner and Co-Owner of beiNVENTiV since February 2015, Jeff specializes in comprehensive IT solutions including Office 365 and Azure implementations. Previous roles include Managing Partner at InterDyn CO, where responsibilities encompassed operations, marketing, and sales for Microsoft Dynamics products, and Account Executive at Tectura, a leading Microsoft partner in the ERP/CRM sector. Jeff's career also features significant positions at Sybase, New Era Of Networks, Symbol Technologies, Datability, and Unisys, highlighting expertise in managed services, professional services, and software engineering. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Stony Brook University.

Chris Heck is an experienced and knowledgeable Information Technology Professional with 20 years of increasing responsibility and implementation of evolving technologies. Demonstrated abilities to problem solve technologies with emphasis on customer service to all levels within an organization. Respected member of Information Technology management team. Proven diagnostic abilities with attention to detail. Insightful, results-driven initiative. Ability to troubleshoot complex problems and see through to resolution.

Kristina is a full-time professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she teaches the new generation of accountants about the wonders of taxation. With a PhD from the University of Denver, she conducts research on taxpayer behavior. She obtained her Master of Professional Accountancy degree, emphasizing taxation, at MSU Denver and undergrad at Colorado State University, Pueblo. More than 28 years of public accounting experience in taxation (partnership/corporation/non-profit/individual/estates & trusts), accounting services (payroll/sales tax/monthly accounting services), and consulting (tax planning/estate planning) lend credence to her insight, which spans multiple industries. With a passion for educating taxpayers through the maze of guidance, she hopes to make a lasting impact by sharing her expertise.

Randolph P. (Randy) Johnston, MCS, has been a leading authority in technology for over 40 years. Inducted into the Accounting Hall of Fame in 2011, he has remained a Top 25 Thought Leader in Accounting from 2011 through 2024. His continued influence in the profession is highlighted by his recognition in the 2024 Accounting Today Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting—his twenty-first consecutive year on that list. In addition, Randy authors a monthly column and hosts a weekly podcast for The CPA Practice Advisor, contributes to the Journal of Accountancy, writes for various accounting and technology publications, and has published numerous books.

He has founded and still owns multiple ventures, including K2 Enterprises in Hammond, Louisiana, and Network Management Group, Inc. (NMGI) in Hutchinson, Kansas. For four decades, NMGI has provided services to CPA firms and has been the largest managed service provider for the CPA profession in North America. Randy’s wife, four children, and seven grandchildren share his passions for theatre, music, travel, golf, skiing, snorkeling, and model trains. His background as a college instructor, management and technology consultant, and advisor to the accounting community informs his presentation.

Wesley Hartman is the Founder of Automata Practice Development. He started in Information Technology in 2005 and specifically in IT for accounting in 2009 at Kirsch Kohn and Bridge, an accounting firm with 80 years of history.

At Kirsch Kohn and Bridge, he pioneered an RPA platform in 2014 with an automation to input K-1 data from a spreadsheet into tax software. From there he grew the platform to include, data mining, custom emailing and invoicing, and decision making. He has spoken at conferences to share his knowledge and experience in robot engineering along with other topics relating to technology and efficiency.

He is part of the AICPA Engage Tech+ committee and speaks at the AICPA Engage conference on how to implement emerging technology and methods for making practices more efficient using technology.

His focus is on analyzing procedures with the mindset of engineering efficiency and process improvement. He will break down tasks into pieces to look at all the cogs in the machine in order to find ways that technology can evolve and transform accounting.

Wesley holds a Bachelor's of Science in Computer Engineering and worked on an autonomous vehicle project, so automation is part of his identity. He also practices martial arts, enjoys building furniture in his garage, and puts together a haunted maze in his driveway for Halloween.

Jennifer is co-founder and partner of ConvergenceCoaching ®, LLC, a national consulting firm that helps leaders achieve success. She is a frequent speaker, writer, and thought leader on topics related to leadership, talent, growth, technology, and managing change within the CPA profession. Named in the top five of Accounting Today's 100 Most Influential People in Accounting, CPA Practice Advisors' Top 25 Thought Leaders, and AICPA and CPA Practice Advisor’s Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Accounting, Jen is an experienced change agent, shifting mindsets, business models, and empowering Next Generation leaders. She is also an avid runner, hiker, yogi, gardener, wife and mother of 3.

Tiffany’s love for accounting, combined with an entrepreneurial spirit and an enthusiasm for computers and technology, have driven her success as a full-time employee, long-term consultant, and small business owner. After 13 years as principal of her own small firm, Tiffany joined Wipfli LLP, where she ascended to a senior manager position in the Client Accounting Services department. Now back on her own as principal of Discovery Accounting LLC, Tiffany provides outsourced accounting services and serves as an outsourced controller, helping clients execute projects that support their organizational goals and initiatives. She serves currently serves as the Treasurer on the COCPA Board of Directors. 

Teresa has over 15 years of experience in business and tax advisory. She graduated from Regis University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

With a wide range of qualifications in tax, accounting, payroll, and business consulting, Teresa likes to help small business owners and entrepreneurs achieve their business and personal goals. Her bilingual skills have made her a trail blazer with the Hispanic business community.

In her spare time she enjoys working with various nonprofit organizations to bring financial literacy to the small business community in the Denver metro area. She also loves to travel to places such as Italy to be around new cultures and to photograph the breathtaking views.

Debbie Marsh Gilmore is a Financial Systems Consultant and Sage Intacct Implementation Specialist dedicated to helping organizations streamline operations and drive growth. With deep expertise in translating complex business requirements into powerful software solutions, Debbie manages full-cycle implementations — from defining requirements and configuring systems to data migration, report development, and staff training. She's known for delivering best practices that keep solutions both effective and maintainable long after go-live. Beyond implementation, Debbie remains a trusted advisor to her clients, providing ongoing support to ensure their systems continue delivering value. She takes pride in building lasting, reliable relationships with every client she serves.

Small nonprofit organizations are passionate about what they do, and Susan Stutzel's passion for the accounting industry is a perfect complement. Early after launching her own practice nine years ago, she began to notice that her best days involved not only auditing or consulting, but also individual interactions. She finds herself completely energized after a conversation with a client about the person's goals and aspirations, or those of the organization. It brings her joy to think about the potential for those ideas to become reality.

As a certified coach, Susan also helps CPAs and professionals clarify their personal definition of success and overcome the obstacles holding them back. We all have untapped potential, and she thrives on helping others break through barriers, manage priorities, and maintain the clarity needed to live a truly meaningful life.

Eric Elkins is a strategist, author, professional speaker, and CEO of WideFoc.us Social Media (http://www.widefoc.us/), a Denver-based agency he founded in 2007. Using organic and paid social strategies along with full-service community management, his team drives growth for B2B tech/SaaS companies, B2C brands, nonprofits, and global corporations. He’s a member of the Good Business Colorado Policy Council, writes the occasional novel, composes odes to Denver food faves at denverlicious.com, and loves to share his eating and travel adventures on Instagram as @ericelkins.

Jennifer is a Solutions Consultant with the AICPA. She works with forward-thinking organizations to fast-track their leadership development programs. She helps smart financial professionals transform from technically talented to strategically savvy. As a keynote speaker and trainer, Jennifer has presented her engaging and highly interactive sessions to over 15,000 people in all 50 states and 12 countries. Her clients include Home Depot, Campari, Experian, HP, Capgemini, and Oracle.

In 2018, Jennifer earned the designation of Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), making her one of only 15 people worldwide who hold both the CPA and CSP designations.

Blaise is a Director at A-LIGN and has over 15 years of experience in Security Compliance and Risk Management. He joined A-LIGN in 2013 and started the HITRUST/HIPAA and Healthcare Services practice in 2015. Having a very unique background as a CPA, CISA and CCSK, Blaise has performed over 500 SOC attestation reviews and over 300 HITRUST/HIPAA assessments for Global 1000 and Fortune 500 clients in various industries. Blaise is also a sought-after speaker and has delivered several speaking engagements at well-renowned conferences such as HIMSS, HITRUST, and ISACA. Blaise has also written dozens of blogs and whitepapers on the topics of Security Compliance, Telemedicine, Blockchain technology, and Third-Party Risk Management. Prior to joining A-LIGN, Blaise was a Senior Consultant at Century Payments, Inc., and an Advisory Associate at KPMG.

Judy Vorndran helps clients and tax professionals navigate the morass of state and local tax issues with the goal of making it less taxing! She is a nationally recognized thought leader and award-winning instructor with a steady focus on finding ways to simplify complex state and local tax issues and resolve areas of state tax controversy.

Judy monitors the legislative, judicial, and regulatory tax landscape to assess the tax impact on businesses, and has helped successfully change laws for the better across states and jurisdictions. She was appointed in 2017 to a three-year term on the state of Colorado’s Sales and Use Task Force, where she worked with legislators and other stakeholders studying and recommending ways to simplify the state’s needlessly complex sales tax system. Dually licensed as an attorney and CPA, Judy is also the president of the Colorado Chapter of the American Academy of Attorney-CPAs.

Judy leads the state and local tax practice (SALT) at TaxOps, developing efficient SALT management functions and advising businesses in all aspects of state and local tax compliance. In her more than 20 years public accounting experience, she has worked directly with and through strategic alliances to drive positive tax outcomes for her clients.

Previously, Judy was the first National Tax Resource at a Top 100 CPA Firm, where she launched the firm’s state and local tax practice. She also spent 14 years exclusively focusing on state and local tax at PwC and Deloitte. At PwC, she participated in the National Tax Service line, working with teams throughout the U.S. providing best-in-class services in the SALT arena. Later, at Deloitte she traveled the U.S. extensively serving clients in a multitude of states and industries. In this role, Judy gained valuable hands-on experience with a wide variety of tax regimes imposed by various jurisdictions on taxpayers operating across the country.

She is a frequent speaker, writer, and presenter on state and local tax issues that matter to dynamic businesses. In her spare time, she loves to travel and counts 27+ countries and 44 U.S. states among her global jaunts. She is an exercise enthusiast, volunteer, friend and mother.

Meredith Smith combines technical knowledge with an in-depth industry understanding of state and local tax (SALT) issues to help clients navigate the complexities of tax laws governing SALT issues. Her practice covers state income tax, sales and use tax, and state payroll tax. With more than 20 years of experience in SALT, Meredith works with clients to design sustainable planning strategies that align with tax-specific business goals, while identifying risk areas and compliance requirements.

Small nonprofit organizations are passionate about what they do, and Susan Stutzel's passion for the accounting industry is a perfect complement. Early after launching her own practice nine years ago, she began to notice that her best days involved not only auditing or consulting, but also individual interactions. She finds herself completely energized after a conversation with a client about the person's goals and aspirations, or those of the organization. It brings her joy to think about the potential for those ideas to become reality.

As a certified coach, Susan also helps CPAs and professionals clarify their personal definition of success and overcome the obstacles holding them back. We all have untapped potential, and she thrives on helping others break through barriers, manage priorities, and maintain the clarity needed to live a truly meaningful life.

Richard L. Wobbekind is Associate Dean for Business and Government Relations, Associate Professor of Business Economics and Finance, and Faculty Director of the Business Research Division at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

He participates annually in the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank Regional Economic Roundtable and is a contributor to the Western Blue Chip forecast newsletter and the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) economic outlook and policy surveys. He is a member of the Boulder Economic Council. He serves as a board member for the Western Regional Science Association. Rich is past President of the NABE.

He is frequently interviewed by local and national broadcast and print media. He has received numerous awards for his teaching research and service including the University of Colorado Community Outreach Award (1997); member of Distinction by the Boulder Chamber of Commerce (2002); the Robert L. Stearns Award from the University of Colorado Alumni Association for career achievement in teaching, research and service(2006); the Thayne Robsen award from the Association for University Business and Economics Research for career achievement in applied regional economic analysis (2008); key contributor by the Boulder Chamber of Commerce(2010); and named a fellow by the National Association for Business Economics. (2011). In 2022 and 2023 he was been named to the top 50 list of influential business leaders in Northern Colorado by Bizwest.

Dr. Wobbekind teaches MBA students in macroeconomics and public policy. He has received four awards for teaching excellence from the students of the Leeds School of Business. Richard Wobbekind has lived in Colorado for over 43 years and has spent much of his time studying the development of Colorado and regional economies. Dr. Wobbekind received a BA in Economics from Bucknell University and an MA and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Colorado-Boulder.

Teresa has over 15 years of experience in business and tax advisory. She graduated from Regis University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

With a wide range of qualifications in tax, accounting, payroll, and business consulting, Teresa likes to help small business owners and entrepreneurs achieve their business and personal goals. Her bilingual skills have made her a trail blazer with the Hispanic business community.

In her spare time she enjoys working with various nonprofit organizations to bring financial literacy to the small business community in the Denver metro area. She also loves to travel to places such as Italy to be around new cultures and to photograph the breathtaking views.

Chris Heck is an experienced and knowledgeable Information Technology Professional with 20 years of increasing responsibility and implementation of evolving technologies. Demonstrated abilities to problem solve technologies with emphasis on customer service to all levels within an organization. Respected member of Information Technology management team. Proven diagnostic abilities with attention to detail. Insightful, results-driven initiative. Ability to troubleshoot complex problems and see through to resolution.

Kaycee Dolan is an Accounting and Reporting Advisory Senior Manager with more than 13 years of experience serving clients in a variety of industries. She served for three years in Deloitte’s National Office – Accounting and Reporting Services group in Stamford, Connecticut. In this role, she provided technical accounting consultation support to the firm’s client service personnel primarily related to revenue, consolidation, income tax, cash flow, contingencies, and foreign currency matters.

In her time in National Office she led the consolidation subject matter team and assisted in the drafting of the Deloitte Roadmap Consolidation – Identifying a Controlling Financial Interest. She now provides clients with technical accounting advice and assistance on a wide variety of topics including revenue, consolidation, income tax, cash flow, contingencies, foreign currency matters, debt and equity classification, business combinations, purchase accounting, ESG matters, and debt issuance. Additionally, she serves as an ESG Champion for the Central Region.

Sarah has 10 years of experience in Deloitte’s Audit & Assurance practice, providing audit and accounting advisory services to public and private entities across a variety of industries, including renewable energy, real estate, technology, and oil and gas. She recently completed a two-year rotation in Deloitte’s National Office, Accounting & Reporting Services, where she specialized in SEC reporting and accounting for digital assets. Sarah has significant experience evaluating complex transactions and their related technical accounting and reporting impacts. She also has extensive experience reviewing SEC filings, including initial public offerings, registration statements, periodic filings, and responses to comment letters.

Doug Slaybaugh is the founder of The CPA Coach, a coaching platform dedicated to supporting CPAs and improving the public accounting experience. He specializes in helping accounting professionals smooth rough edges, earn promotions, navigate career decisions, strengthen essential skills, and improve both their work and life experience. As a work-focused coach, Doug builds engaging coaching relationships that help accountants grow their careers, increase their earnings, and create more fulfilling lives. At the same time, he recognizes that life and work are deeply connected, and his coaching reflects that reality.

Doug has worked with firms across the country, from some of the largest in the world to small local practices. He is both a Professional Certified Coach and a CPA, with more than a decade of coaching experience, hundreds of successful coaching engagements, and more than 25 years spent in and around public accounting. His clients’ goals and experiences are at the center of his work, and he is passionate about helping them create meaningful, lasting change. Outside of work, Doug is a parent to a wrestler and a ballerina, a horror buff, a bibliomaniac, a collector, and a frequent Scrabble loser to his wife.

Randy Crabtree, CPA
President, The Brainstorm Group

Randy Crabtree, CPA, is a speaker, advisor, and advocate for making the accounting profession more human, healthy, and fun. As president of The Brainstorm Group, he helps firm leaders think differently about culture, well-being, and navigating change. He also helps innovative companies become trusted partners in the accounting profession.

Randy is the founder and host of both The Unique CPA podcast and the Bridging the Gap conference, bringing accounting professionals together to share ideas, build relationships, and explore better ways to work and lead.

He co-founded Tri-Merit Specialty Tax Professionals in 2007 and helped grow the firm, which earned a place on Inc. magazine’s Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing privately held companies for three consecutive years, from 2022 through 2024. He transitioned out of the firm in 2026.

Drawing on his experience as a firm leader and his recovery from a stroke in 2014, Randy brings honesty, humor, and a personal perspective to conversations about mental health, vulnerable leadership, and finding greater fulfillment in work and life.

Randy was named one of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting in 2023, 2024, and 2025 and received the Illinois CPA Society’s 2026 Beacon Award. He also serves on the board of the Accounting Cornerstone Foundation, helping accounting professionals experience their first industry conference.

His guiding philosophy is simple: “Be Nice & Have Fun.”

Manda is a Shareholder and Attest Practice Lead at CBIZ & MHM Colorado. She has over 20 years of public accounting experience working in a wide variety of sectors, including publicly traded companies, large privately held companies that are investor-backed (70% private equity backed) and family owned, retail and healthcare related companies, SAAS companies, manufacturers, natural resources, nonprofit (including uniform guidance), and defined contribution plans. Manda has experience with initial public offerings, secondary offerings, and other required filings. She also has experience consulting in internal controls (including SOX) and technical areas such as business combinations, lease accounting, revenue recognition, complex debt arrangements, and SEC filings requirements.

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, and publishes a nationally recognized blog on accounting and technology (www.cpatechblog.com). He has also served as the technology editor for a major accounting industry publication. Mr. Tankersley has over 20 years of professional experience, including accounting, auditing, technology, and education, and has been with K2 Enterprises since 2005. Tankersley has been recognized seven times as one of the “Top 25 Thought Leaders in Public Accounting Technology” by Cygnus Business Media. Tankersley is also one of the authors of the Accounting Firm Operations and Technology Survey, which has been published annually for the last three years. Brian has made presentations in 46 of the 50 US states and has served as a guest speaker for many professional accounting organizations across Canada. He received the Outstanding Discussion Leader Award from the Tennessee Society of CPAs in 2009 and 2013, and was recognized for writing the Article of the Year for the Tennessee CPA Journal in 2011. Brian has presented sessions at many national conferences, including AICPA TECH+/Practitioners Conference, The Sleeter Group’s Solutions Conference, Sage Insights, 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.

Doug Slaybaugh is the founder of The CPA Coach, a coaching platform dedicated to supporting CPAs and improving the public accounting experience. He specializes in helping accounting professionals smooth rough edges, earn promotions, navigate career decisions, strengthen essential skills, and improve both their work and life experience. As a work-focused coach, Doug builds engaging coaching relationships that help accountants grow their careers, increase their earnings, and create more fulfilling lives. At the same time, he recognizes that life and work are deeply connected, and his coaching reflects that reality.

Doug has worked with firms across the country, from some of the largest in the world to small local practices. He is both a Professional Certified Coach and a CPA, with more than a decade of coaching experience, hundreds of successful coaching engagements, and more than 25 years spent in and around public accounting. His clients’ goals and experiences are at the center of his work, and he is passionate about helping them create meaningful, lasting change. Outside of work, Doug is a parent to a wrestler and a ballerina, a horror buff, a bibliomaniac, a collector, and a frequent Scrabble loser to his wife.

Wesley Hartman is the Founder of Automata Practice Development. He started in Information Technology in 2005 and specifically in IT for accounting in 2009 at Kirsch Kohn and Bridge, an accounting firm with 80 years of history.

At Kirsch Kohn and Bridge, he pioneered an RPA platform in 2014 with an automation to input K-1 data from a spreadsheet into tax software. From there he grew the platform to include, data mining, custom emailing and invoicing, and decision making. He has spoken at conferences to share his knowledge and experience in robot engineering along with other topics relating to technology and efficiency.

He is part of the AICPA Engage Tech+ committee and speaks at the AICPA Engage conference on how to implement emerging technology and methods for making practices more efficient using technology.

His focus is on analyzing procedures with the mindset of engineering efficiency and process improvement. He will break down tasks into pieces to look at all the cogs in the machine in order to find ways that technology can evolve and transform accounting.

Wesley holds a Bachelor's of Science in Computer Engineering and worked on an autonomous vehicle project, so automation is part of his identity. He also practices martial arts, enjoys building furniture in his garage, and puts together a haunted maze in his driveway for Halloween.

Jennifer is a Solutions Consultant with the AICPA. She works with forward-thinking organizations to fast-track their leadership development programs. She helps smart financial professionals transform from technically talented to strategically savvy. As a keynote speaker and trainer, Jennifer has presented her engaging and highly interactive sessions to over 15,000 people in all 50 states and 12 countries. Her clients include Home Depot, Campari, Experian, HP, Capgemini, and Oracle.

In 2018, Jennifer earned the designation of Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), making her one of only 15 people worldwide who hold both the CPA and CSP designations.

Founder at Coordona

VP of Delivery at 90+ person Salesforce Partner

Launched and grew Managed Services practice to 40% of revenue

11 years software consulting experience (Salesforce, enablement)

15 years project management & operations management

13 years investment management

Founder of Salesforce Partner with $16m+ in annual revenue

Technical Salesforce Architect 27 years software consulting

12 years CRM implementation and management experience

15 years ERP implementation experience

30+ years development and integration experience

Microsoft, Salesforce, Tableau, SQL, .NET, ERP certified

Dr. Brenda J. Allen (retired Vice Chancellor for Diversity & Inclusion) -- facilitator, strategist, and speaker -- helps professionals strengthen collaboration, communication, and decisionmaking by understanding how differences shape the way people work.

Known for her energetic, practical style, she blends realworld insight with interactive learning to help individuals navigate complexity with clarity and confidence. She has guided leaders across industries to build inclusive cultures where diverse perspectives drive better outcomes and stronger relationships. Passionate about developing resilient, hightrust workplaces, she brings a sharp focus on curiosity, connection, and the everyday behaviors that elevate professional judgment and turn difference into a strategic advantage.

Alex is the Director of CPA Pipeline at the AICPA, where she leads initiatives to strengthen the profession’s talent pipeline. With nearly two decades of experience in accounting, leadership, and professional education, she began her career in public accounting before serving in executive government finance roles, including Chief Financial Officer of a public library district and Director of Finance for the City of Pueblo, Colorado.

She holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Accounting from Colorado State University. Her achievements include being named an AICPA & CIMA Global Women to Watch (2025), receiving the AICPA Outstanding Young CPA Award (2022), and graduating from the AICPA Leadership Academy (2019).

Outside of work, Alex is an avid runner and Disney enthusiast who completed the 48.6-mile Dopey Challenge in 2024 and 2026.

Tyler Smith joined Forum Financial Management in 2022 as a financial advisor. Prior to joining Forum, he was a lead advisor at Stordahl Capital Management where he primarily worked with high-net-worth families and business owners, providing comprehensive financial planning and portfolio management services. Tyler is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Colorado and spent the first seven years of his career working in EY’s Chicago and Denver offices where he focused on transaction disputes and other forensic accounting related matters. While attending college, Tyler was an enlisted member of the military for six years in the Illinois Air National Guard.

He has seven years of experience helping individuals make the important transition into retirement, assisting them by developing a tax-efficient and safe withdrawal plan. Tyler also works with business owners and executives who want to make sure they’re: 1) saving enough for future goals or career changes, 2) invested appropriately to both grow and preserve their wealth and/or 3) minimizing taxes.

Tyler serves on the Member Connections Committee and the Investment Committee at the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants (COCPA).

Tyler is a Certified Public Accountant and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional. He earned a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in accounting science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

In his free time, Tyler enjoys hiking and skiing in the Colorado mountains with his wife and two young children. He also likes to trail run and search for the perfect IPA at one of the 400+ breweries in Colorado.

Ilya Lyubimskiy is the founder and managing attorney of Premier Legacy Law. Ilya is knowledgeable and experienced in estate planning, wills and trusts, probate and trust administration, and business formation planning. Ilya takes pride in helping his clients navigate the complexities of estate planning with expert guidance and compassion. He enjoys getting to know each client and is committed to providing the highest level of service as he prepares plans tailored to his clients’ unique needs.

Prior to establishing his own law firm, Ilya practiced law at a prestigious Denver law firm where he handled estate planning, probate, and trust administration matters. Ilya’s experience includes preparing comprehensive estate plans ranging from wills to complex trusts. He also prides himself on providing compassionate guidance to clients handling the tasks and responsibilities of a personal representative and/or trustee. Ilya is frequently praised by his clients for his legal expertise and ability to communicate clearly and consistently throughout the legal process. Ilya is passionate about empowering people with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed legacy planning and estate administration decisions. He regularly educates both members of the public and other professionals on various legal topics within the legacy planning and estate administration realms.

In addition to his estate planning experience, Ilya’s professional background encompasses other roles that have shaped his legal career. As a former Deputy District Attorney in Colorado’s 17th Judicial District, he passionately advocated for victims of crime, with a particular focus on protecting the rights of elderly and at-risk individuals, through his work in the Economic Crime Unit. Furthermore, his experience clerking for judges in Colorado exposed him to civil, domestic, and criminal matters, broadening his understanding of the legal landscape.

Ilya graduated from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where he distinguished himself as an editor for the Criminal Law Review. Additionally, he holds a Certificate in Legal Research from the University of Denver, Westminster Law Library. Ilya also brings added value to his clients as a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Colorado and as a Certified Fraud Examiner with the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Beyond his legal pursuits, Ilya cherishes time spent with his wife, Vanya, and two dogs, Dexter and Sammy. He is an avid Colorado sports fan and enjoys hiking, embracing the beauty of the Colorado outdoors.

James A. Miller, CPA, CEPA

James A. Miller is the founder of two companies, Motion AI Systems and Motion AI Training. He built both on a single conviction: artificial intelligence creates lasting value only when it rests on data a business can trust.

Motion AI Systems builds that foundation for mid-market companies. The firm designs and delivers Microsoft Fabric data platforms, Power BI executive reporting, process automation, and system integration. On that base it deploys AI agents that do real work on an integrated stack leadership can audit. The outcome is one version of the truth from which owners, CFOs, and boards run the business.

Through Motion AI Training, he brings the same discipline to the people doing the work. The company equips business owners, executives, and finance teams to use tools such as Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, and Claude with judgment and confidence. He also serves organizations as a fractional Chief AI Officer.

That conviction was earned over more than 25 years in finance, operations, information technology, and accounting. As M&A Advisor at Vital Records Control, he led financial analysis and due diligence on more than 70 acquisitions, supporting $548 million in acquisition capital and preparing the credit memos and bank packages that carried deals to approval. He then rebuilt the company's reporting, replacing spreadsheets and manual processes with a Power BI environment that runs on more than 100 million rows of data and serves operations managers, the executive team, and the board of directors every day.

James is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Exit Planning Advisor. He holds a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Memphis, with a concentration in tax and data analytics. He chairs the Crews School of Accountancy Advisory Board at the University of Memphis and leads the Memphis Data Professionals as chairman, relaunching the group as a Microsoft Fabric community in partnership with Microsoft, the FedEx Institute of Technology, and the TSCPA Memphis Chapter. He is a past president of the Tennessee Society of CPAs Memphis Chapter. In 2026 he presented two sessions at AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE, on building data foundations CFOs can trust and on telling the story with data.

James and his wife live in Memphis, Tennessee. He is the father of five and is happiest outdoors or somewhere new with his family.James A. Miller is a seasoned CPA and Professional Consultant with a specialization in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), boasting over two decades of experience in Finance and Technology. In his pivotal role at Vital Records Control (VRC), James has been instrumental in 42 acquisitions, successfully investing over $300 million. He collaborates closely with board of directors and c-suite executives to drive strategic initiatives.

Leveraging cutting-edge technologies like Power BI and Robotic Process Automation (RPA), James has modernized VRC’s accounting department, enhancing operational efficiency and increasing the company’s value. His efforts are setting the stage for VRC’s future growth and positioning the company for a successful eventual sale.

James holds a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) certification and earned his Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Memphis, focusing on Tax and Data Analytics. Outside of his professional life, James enjoys exploring the outdoors with his family, solving complex puzzles, reading, listening to Mozart, and savoring artisan loose leaf teas.  

Doug Slaybaugh is the founder of The CPA Coach, a coaching platform dedicated to supporting CPAs and improving the public accounting experience. He specializes in helping accounting professionals smooth rough edges, earn promotions, navigate career decisions, strengthen essential skills, and improve both their work and life experience. As a work-focused coach, Doug builds engaging coaching relationships that help accountants grow their careers, increase their earnings, and create more fulfilling lives. At the same time, he recognizes that life and work are deeply connected, and his coaching reflects that reality.

Doug has worked with firms across the country, from some of the largest in the world to small local practices. He is both a Professional Certified Coach and a CPA, with more than a decade of coaching experience, hundreds of successful coaching engagements, and more than 25 years spent in and around public accounting. His clients’ goals and experiences are at the center of his work, and he is passionate about helping them create meaningful, lasting change. Outside of work, Doug is a parent to a wrestler and a ballerina, a horror buff, a bibliomaniac, a collector, and a frequent Scrabble loser to his wife.

Craig Stanland knows what it means to have everything, and lose it overnight. In 2012, a catastrophic decision resulted in an $800,000 fraud against a Fortune 500 company and ultimately led to federal prison. Today, Craig uses that experience to help organizations better understand the human side of fraud risk and insider threats, the rationalizations, pressures, and ethical blind spots that traditional compliance training often misses. Craig is the author of Blank Canvas: How I Reinvented My Life After Prison and a keynote speaker who works with fraud examiners, compliance professionals, and risk leaders to explore the psychology behind fraud and the lessons organizations can use to prevent it. When he’s not speaking or writing, Craig enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, exploring car shows, relaxing at the beach, and spending time with his wife and their three special-needs cats.