Marisa Keppler is Director of Finance at Curtis Lumber Company, where she leads financial planning, reporting, budgeting, and strategic financial initiatives that support organizational growth and operational excellence. With more than two decades of finance and accounting leadership experience, including roles as Controller and Chief Financial Officer, Marisa is recognized for her expertise in financial management, business strategy, and leadership development. She holds a B.S. in Management and Accounting from SUNY Empire State College.

EXPERIENCE

Jeffrey has more than 25 years of public accounting experience. He is currently the Managing Technical Principal for BDO’s East Geography. In that role, he assists BDO’s Assurance practice offices from Maine through Miami.

Jeffrey has extensive experience assisting clients access the public markets through IPOs and SPAC mergers. He works with clients in a variety of industries, with a focus on entities in the technology, life sciences, and consumer product industries. He consults on complex transactions, including revenue recognition, business combinations, and stock compensation.

Jeffrey has developed courses on topics including revenue recognition, business combinations, and complex debt instruments. He has presented these trainings both internally for BDO and at external conferences.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants
Accounting and Auditing Oversight Committee, past member
Financial Accounting Standards Committee, current member and past chair

EDUCATION

B.S., magna cum laude, Accounting, Marist University

Christie Damis, MBA, is the Assistant Director & Program Manager at NYC Health and Hospitals. She is a strategic and collaborative leader with more than 10 years of experience fostering team excellence, advancing operational effectiveness, and achieving business objectives in complex, regulated industries. Christie is recognized for her ability to lead cross-functional teams, foster accountability, and build strong partnerships that align people, processes, and business objectives.

Currently, Christie leads operational strategy and execution for enterprise systems, overseeing a team of analysts while serving as a trusted liaison between leadership, business stakeholders, and technical teams. She excels at developing governance frameworks, establishing effective operating rhythms, and empowering teams to achieve strategic goals through clear communication, shared accountability, and continuous improvement.

Throughout her career, Christie has successfully led large-scale initiatives spanning finance, operations, and business process transformation. Her leadership experience includes managing organizational change, navigating complex projects, and supporting diverse, distributed teams through periods of growth and innovation. She is known for her ability to remove barriers, build consensus among stakeholders, and create environments where individuals and teams can thrive.

Passionate about developing people and strengthening organizations, Christie brings a thoughtful, strategic approach to leadership, helping teams enhance performance, embrace change, and deliver meaningful results.

Rachel Anevski is a seasoned human resources strategist, leadership consultant, and business growth expert specializing in the public accounting profession. With over 20 years of experience in talent development, organizational leadership, and fractional HR consulting, Rachel has been a trusted advisor to CPA firms ranging from boutique practices to large regional firms.

As the CEO and Founder of Matters of Management, LLC, Rachel partners with accounting firm leaders, managing partners, and HR professionals to implement people-first strategies that drive talent retention, leadership development, and firm growth. She has a deep understanding of the unique challenges CPAs face, including recruiting next-generation talent, navigating leadership transitions, and fostering a culture that supports innovation and transformation in the profession.

Rachel’s expertise extends beyond traditional HR functions—she is a thought leader in the accounting industry, frequently speaking at CPA conferences, leadership summits, and firm retreats on topics such as:

• Transformational leadership and its role in talent retention
• Developing the next generation of accounting firm leaders
• Fractional HR solutions for CPA firms
• Enhancing firm culture to drive engagement and profitability

Her work is also informed by her doctoral research on transformational leadership in U.S. accounting firms, where she explores the impact of leadership development programs on firm retention, engagement, and succession planning. She contributes regularly to industry publications, CPA societies, and professional networks, providing insights on leadership, talent strategy, and firm growth.

Rachel is working towards a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) in Organizational Leadership from Capella University, has a Master’s in Organizational Behavior, and Bachelor's in Criminal Psychology and certifications in Human Resources (PHR, SHRM-CP). She is actively involved with the AICPA, CPAFMA, NASBA, SHRM, and state CPA societies, where she continues to drive meaningful change in the accounting profession.