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Hillary H. Salo ​
Vice Chair - Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)

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

Bryan Sinclair ​
Vice President, Technical Accounting Solution Leader​ - RGP

Bryan leads RGP’s Technical Accounting solution and is an accomplished accounting and finance professional with extensive knowledge in technical accounting matters, including US GAAP and IFRS, initial public offerings, internal controls and financial reporting functions within dynamic growth companies as well as mature organizations facing financial and operational challenges. Bryan has provided technical accounting analysis/guidance on significant transactions and events for clients, including initial public offerings, mergers & acquisitions, divestitures, carve-outs, and restructurings. Bryan began his accounting career with the Big Four, spending nearly nine years between KPMG and PwC, and is a Certified Public Accountant (State of Texas).​ 

James Skakun ​
Tax Partner - BMF

James Skakun is a Tax Partner at BMF with deep expertise in business taxation and transaction advisory services. Since joining the firm in 2011, James has built a reputation as a trusted advisor to closely held businesses, private equity firms, and strategic buyers navigating complex tax and transactional matters. James focuses primarily on business tax, with a significant specialization in mergers and acquisitions. He co-leads BMF’s Transaction Tax Services (TTS) practice and has authored over 175 tax diligence reports while playing a critical role in transaction structuring, risk identification, and post-deal tax planning. Over the past six years, the TTS practice has worked on over 20 sell-side transactions with an average equity value of $75M. Working closely with BMF’s Transaction Advisory Services (TAS) group, James brings a collaborative, deal-oriented approach that aligns tax strategy with financial, operational, and commercial considerations. His experience spans acquisitions, dispositions, recapitalizations, and restructurings, helping clients anticipate tax exposures, optimize deal economics, and achieve successful outcomes. James is known for his practical mindset, technical strength, and ability to communicate complex tax issues clearly to executives, investors, and deal teams. His hands-on approach and commitment to client service make him a key resource for clients navigating high-stakes transactions and long-term growth initiatives.​ 

Deborah F. Spake, Ph.D. ​
Dean - Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship at ����Թ�

Deborah F. Spake, Ph.D., has been Dean at the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship at ����Թ� for 13 years. She has served on the Initial Accreditation Committee (IAC) for AACSB, as President of the MidAmerican Business Deans Association and past-Executive Director of the Society for Marketing Advances. She is a 2021 recipient of the American Marketing Association - Higher Education Special Interest Group – Lifetime Achievement Award. Prior to her academic career, she worked for consulting firms specializing in marketing research and strategic planning in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Lisa Stiffler ​
Managing Director, Risk Consulting - KPMG

Lisa is a managing director in KPMG’s Risk Consulting practice with over 23 year specializing in internal audit, SOX compliance, and enterprise risk management. She specializes in the Industrial Manufacturing and Consumer Market industries, helping companies navigate risk considerations for new IPO’s, significant, complex transactions, and enterprise-wide transformational changes.

Robert “Cujo” Teschner ​
Founder, CEO, Chief Consultant - VMax Group Consulting

Robert “Cujo” Teschner is a retired F-15 / F-22 fighter pilot. He is also a former F-15 Weapons School Instructor, F-22 Squadron Commander, senior Joint Staff officer, and combat veteran. He holds advanced degrees in Operational Art and Science and National Security Strategy and has extensive experience in tactical planning and execution and organizational leadership. From 2004 to 2006, he served as the US Air Force’s expert in post-mission debriefing, the methodology used by high-performing military teams to self-correct and improve continuously. Cujo retired immediately after pinning-on full Colonel due to complications from cancer-related care and started an international business consulting practice based in St. Louis, MO. His company is called VMax Group. VMax Group’s mission is to teach, inspire and nurture teams on how to really “team”, making work more fulfilling and making teams much more effective.

Luke Wilson ​
Manager, Internal Audit & Enterprise Risk - KPMG

Luke Wilson is a manager in KPMG's Internal Audit & Enterprise Risk practice based in Cleveland, with more than seven years of internal audit and accounting experience. His work involves leading the execution of internal audit, enterprise risk, SOX, and ESG engagements for clients across a variety of industries. With the increasing need for ESG guidance, Wilson has been focused on helping to develop KPMG's methodology and approach to ESG processes and controls to address emerging risks surrounding ESG reporting. Luke has presented to IIA chapters and other groups on ESG and Internal Audit's role. 

Jenelle Wolfe ​
Director, International Tax Strategy - Eaton Corp.

Jenelle Wolfe is a Director, International Tax Strategy, for Eaton Corp. where she is responsible for overseeing global tax policy and tax planning for the company. Jenelle has over 18 years of combined experience, including prior roles in M&A tax for Eaton Corp. and tax compliance in public accounting. She is a CPA and holds a Master of Taxation degree from the University of Denver and a B.B.A. degree in Accounting from ����Թ�. 

Sophie Yin ​
Tax Senior Manager | CPA | ASC 740 & Income Tax Accounting

Sophie Yin is a Tax Senior Manager with Ernst & Young LLP in Cleveland, Ohio, specializing in income tax accounting under ASC 740 for public and private companies. She has more than a decade of experience advising Fortune 500 and multinational companies on tax provision, effective tax rate management, and SEC reporting. Sophie leads complex ASC 740 engagements involving acquisitions and divestitures, legal entity integrations, bankruptcies, IPO readiness, and cross-border transactions. She partners closely with companies to interpret technical accounting guidance, evaluate the impact of tax law changes, and clearly communicate tax positions to stakeholders. In addition to her technical leadership, Sophie drives process improvement through the use of tax technology and data analytics, helping organizations enhance controls and accelerate close timelines. Sophie holds a Master of Taxation from the University of Akron and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from The Ohio State University. She is a Certified Public Accountant in Ohio and is actively involved in professional and community organizations.