49th Annual Nonprofit Finance and Leadership Summit (Formerly Nonprofit Conference)

Jacqueline M. Ebanks, M.S. (Jacqui) joined Nonprofit New York in November 2024 as Interim President and CEO and assumed the full-time permanent position in August 2025.

An innovative manager and policy maker with extensive experience in the public, private, philanthropic, and non-profit sectors, Jacqui has worked for over three decades to promote economic and social justice for women, girls, and marginalized communities. Jacqui has served as the Executive Director of the New York City Commission on Gender Equity, where she led New York City’s efforts to dismantle barriers to gender equity within the city’s workforce and across all sectors.

Prior to joining city government, Jacqui was the Executive Director of Women Creating Change where she guided the civic-engagement organization into its second century of activism; served as the Vice President of Programs at the New York Women’s Foundation; worked at Citigroup as their Vice President and Director of U.S. Partnerships and Program Development for the Global Community Relations Division and their Regional Community Relations Director for the Northeast and Puerto Rico, and was the Vice President for Community Investment at the United Way of New York City.

Jacqui holds a B. A. in Government from Anderson University, Indiana and an M.S. in Policy Analysis and Public Management from Stony Brook University.

As of 10/14/26

Rick has more than 25 years of experience serving nonprofit organizations. He is the Northeast Regional Sector Leader for Nonprofit and Education and is a member of Forvis Mazars' Higher Education Center of Excellence, an internal committee focused on addressing issues important to the higher education industry. Rick focuses on audits and advisory services for nonprofit and higher education organizations.

Before joining the firm in 2019, he worked at FASB, where he served as a supervising project manager for almost six years. In that role, he was the project manager on Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-14, Presentation of Financial Statements of Not-for-Profit Entities; ASU 2018-08, Clarifying the Scope and the Accounting Guidance for Contributions Received and Contributions Made; and ASU 2019-03, Updating the Definition of Collections. He also was coordinator for FASB’s Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee (NAC). Prior to joining FASB, Rick was vice president and controller at a large national museum in New York for seven years and a senior manager with a large international accounting firm, where he worked for 14 years and specialized in audits of higher education institutions and other nonprofit organizations.

Rick is a CPA in New York and New Jersey and is a member of the AICPA and NYSSCPA. He is a member of the AICPA’s Not-for-Profit Entities Expert Panel and the FASB’s NAC. He is a lecturer at Columbia University School of Professional Studies, in their Nonprofit Management program. He also has been a frequent speaker with NACUBO, EACUBO, the AICPA, and various state CPA societies. He is a graduate of Montclair State University, New Jersey, with a B.S. degree and an M.B.A. degree. As of 10/13/2026

XiXi Dong is a Shareholder within the Not-For-Profit & Government Practice at CBIZ CPAs, located in our New York City office. She brings 20 years of expertise in providing accounting and consulting services to a variety of not-for-profit organizations, including large social service organizations, third party funded organizations, educational institutions, charitable, fundraising and membership organizations including those requiring audits pursuant to Uniform Guidance (Single Audit). She also has experience in conducting audits of employee benefit plans, including defined contribution, defined benefit and multi-employer plans. Ms. Dong has held several not-for-profit Board positions both past and present. Ms. Dong presents at various not-for-profit industry conferences and has published articles in the CPA Journal and firm newsletters. Ms. Dong was recognized as Notable Woman by Crain’s New York in 2020. As of 10/13/2026

Nicole Frisina is a Manager at Your Part-Time Controller, LLC’s New York office, where she brings over 20 years of experience in accounting, audit, and controllership. She specializes in Controller/CFO services, financial management consulting, and internal control solutions for nonprofit organizations. Nicole holds both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Accounting from Rider University.

Based in Long Island, NY, Nicole is deeply committed to supporting mission-driven organizations. She has helped nonprofits improve their financial transparency, strengthen internal controls, and prepare for audits with confidence. Her work empowers leadership teams to make informed decisions and build trust with funders and stakeholders.

Nicole is an active Associate Member with the Nonprofit Resource Hub and recently joined the board. She is on the committee for the New York City Imagine Awards. She was featured on The Nonprofit Show with Julie Patrick and has spoken at events hosted by the Nonprofit Resource Hub, NYN Media’s OpCon and BoardCon, Nonprofit Westchester and NYSSCPA.

As of 10/13/2026

Magdalena is a tax managing director in Citrin Cooperman with over 20 years of not-for-profit industry experience. She provides tax services to a wide array of not-for-profits, including charitable organizations, schools, social welfare organizations, affordable housing organizations, professional associations and private foundations.

In addition to providing tax compliance services, Magdalena also provides tax planning and advisory services. She specializes in matters related to unrelated business taxable income, where she focuses on navigating the new reporting rules while managing and minimizing organizations' tax exposure. She helps clients that have lobbying activities with the various filing requirements and understating the complex rules. Magdalena works with organizations as it relates to compensation of executives including various retirement and incentive plans. She works with private foundations to help them navigate the complex rules of self-dealing and excise taxes. She has written many equivalency determinations for private foundations to help them with foreign giving. She also represents her clients as an authorized representative before the Internal Revenue Service and various state agencies. Furthermore, Magdalena’s experience includes serving clients with matters related to employee compensation and benefit plans, healthcare organizations and hospitals, affordable housing entities and foreign tax filings.

Previously, Magdalena was a partner at a business advisory firm before joining Citrin Cooperman, and a partner at top 10 accounting firms, where she focused on tax consulting and compliance for many of the highest profile not-for-profit clients.

As the Data & AI Practice Leader, Mel is a hands-on senior executive with more than 20 years of experience (private/public/start-up) in operational strategy, technology consulting, and full P&L management, complemented by deep expertise in data management, governance, AI, system integration and transformation. She has a demonstrated track record of designing and executing strategic roadmaps that align business objectives with advanced data strategies, leveraging innovation to optimize data unification, ensure robust governance, and enable sustainable growth.

Before joining CohnReznick, Mel served as an executive vice president for a globally recognized organization that develops controls and cyber security guidance to protect IT systems and data. In this role, she was responsible for the development of business strategies and policies, and the implementation of enhanced procedures and management methods to achieve organizational goals and mission. Prior to CohnReznick, Mel was also a senior Partner at a Big Four firm, where she held full P&L responsibility, led a large global team, and grew a substantial annuity-based and advisory business.

As an ISO 42001 Certified Lead Auditor, the international standard for AI Management Systems, Mel brings a rare combination of technical governance expertise and deep industry knowledge directly relevant to business leaders, operators, and investment managers. She understands that this audience operates where data integrity, fiduciary accountability, and regulatory compliance are non-negotiable, and where AI must be deployed with the same rigor applied to any capital decision.

Education

Bachelor of Science, Business: University of Cincinnati, Carl H. Linder College of Business

Certifications

ISO 42001 Leader Auditor

Leadership and Management Certificate: Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

As of 10/13/2026

Vanessa Gordon is an Audit Principal at Grassi with 13 years of experience working with nonprofit clients. She has experience auditing a variety of industries, including healthcare and human services organizations, institutions of higher education, local and governmental units, and religious organizations.

Vanessa brings deep expertise to Grassi’s audit practice, with significant experience in financial reporting, financial statement preparation, and tax compliance. She specializes in OMB Single Audits and has extensive knowledge of New York State Consolidated Fiscal Report (CFR) reporting requirements. Working closely with organizations that serve individuals with special needs, Vanessa has developed strong technical proficiency in CFR reporting and compliance. Her ability to translate complex requirements into practical guidance helps both clients and team members gain a clearer understanding of their operations and make more informed decisions.

Vanessa remains actively engaged in the nonprofit industry through participation in association conferences, meetings and networking events. She has most recently shared her experience and knowledge as a speaker for the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYCPA). Vanessa sits on the Board of Directors of the Family Service League, a social service agency that provides support and security to residents of Long Island. She is also a member of the NYCPA and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Vanessa serves on the Grassi Women’s Council and presents many in-house CPE-based training sessions. She also frequently mentors other staff members at the firm.

Vanessa has been recognized for her leadership and professional accomplishments throughout her career. In 2026, she received the HERALD Premier Business Women of Long Island Award and the NYCPA Emerging Leaders Award and was named one of Long Island Business News’ Top 50 Women. She was also previously recognized as a Moore North America Emerging Leader and a recipient of LIBN’s “40 Under 40” award.

Vanessa is a licensed CPA in New York State and earned her degree from Stony Brook University.

As of 10/13/2026

 Patrick Yu is a Principal at Baker Tilly US, LLP, with more than 30 years of experience delivering audit, review, accounting, and consulting services. He specializes in the behavioral health and not-for-profit sectors. Patrick has worked with adiverse not-for-profit client base, such as international NGOs, behavioral health, special education, community and social services, community development and HUD-funded affordable housing organizations, membership and disease advocacy organizations.

Patrick’s professional involvement includes serving as past chair of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) Statewide Nonprofit Committee and past co-chair of the NYSSCPA Suffolk Chapter Not-for-Profit Committee.

His contributions have been recognized by Crain’s New York Business, which named him one of the Notable Leaders in Accounting and Consulting in 2022. He is also a recipient of the Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business Award; The Responsible 100, City & State New York 2025; Long Island Business News, Hall of Fame, 2025 and Queens Power 100, City & State, 2024.

Patrick has served as board treasurer, board secretary, and Finance Committee chair for the Queens Chamber of Commerce, as well as board treasurer and Finance Committee chair for Easter Seals New York. As of 9/11/2025

Anthony Carrella is a Managing Director – Advisory with more than 18 years of financial experience. He specializes in helping companies remedy cash flow issues, set up budgets, maximize cost savings, and manage their accounting and reporting accurately, timely and efficiently. He advises established and start-up clients in the real estate, financial services, consumer products, technology and professional services industries. Anthony also provides guidance to not-for-profits and private foundations.

Anthony is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA). He also volunteers his accounting services and provides advice to advance the efforts of Dans Plan Inc., a not-for-profit he helped set up that offers support to families and individuals struggling with suicide and substance abuse.

Anthony was previously with another accounting and advisory firm.

With 20 years of experience as a trusted advisor to mission-driven organizations, Audit Partner Matthew Estersohn leads Sensiba’s nonprofit practice. He specializes in providing accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting services for a wide range of nonprofit organizations, including human service organizations, educational and cultural institutions, membership organizations, and private foundations. He also specializes in Single Audits for organizations that receive federal funding. Matt has additional expertise performing audits of cost reports for nonprofits that receive state and local funding, compliance audits, and audits of employee benefit plans.

Matt regularly presents at conferences and seminars on issues impacting the nonprofit industry and has been sought out to testify as an expert on nonprofit accounting and management. He has written reports for his clients on matters including operating efficiencies and best practices, internal controls, financial reporting and governance, and has assisted with due diligence on nonprofit mergers and acquisitions.

Matt received a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Cornell University and is a Certified Public Accountant. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. Matt has been honored with the Forty Under 40 Awards from the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants and New York Nonprofit Media. He has volunteered his time as a Board member of local charitable and municipal organizations. Outside of work, Matt enjoys hiking, hockey, and spending time with his wife, kids, and their dogs. 

As of 10/13/2026

David Goldstein is the Chair of our Nonprofit/Tax Exempt/Religious Organizations Practice Group. He represents international, national, regional, and local not-for-profit and religious entities across a wide variety of nonprofit sectors. Mr. Goldstein counsels and advocates for nonprofits and religious organizations in a wide variety of areas, including governance, compliance, regulatory matters, ethics, conflicts of interest, risk assessment and risk management, as well as operations and commercial matters. 

He represents clients (both individuals and organizations) in internal disputes, regulatory investigations and regulatory actions, as well as in litigation – and continually counsels his clients on how to avoid these entanglements. He handles regulatory matters involving the Internal Revenue Service (including 501(c)(3) qualification) and New York State agencies such as the Charities Bureau of the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of State, the Division of Cemeteries, the Education Department, the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, the Division of Homes and Community Renewal, and the Office of Mental Health. Mr. Goldstein is a member of the New York State Bar Association’s governing body, the House of Delegates. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the New York State Bar Association’s Business Law Section, is the former Chair, Vice Chair, Program Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary of the Business Law Section, and formerly served on the New York State Bar Association’s Bylaws Committee. Mr. Goldstein previously served 5 consecutive terms as the Chairperson of the NotFor-Profit Corporations Law Committee of the State Bar Association’s Business Law Section. 

At the most recent New York State Bar Association annual meeting, he was elected to again chair the Not-For-Profit Corporations Law Committee. Mr. Goldstein is a frequent speaker and panelist on nonprofit legal matters, including at American Bar Association and New York State Bar Association programs, at legal and accounting continuing education seminars, and at various forums and conferences addressing legal issues affecting the nonprofit community. Prior to joining Certilman Balin, he was a partner at a Manhattan law firm where he practiced general corporate and securities law. He also gained extensive international experience, working with clients and local counsel in 35 countries across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

 Mr. Goldstein graduated cum laude and in the top 10% of his class at Fordham Law School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Labor Studies from the State University of New York at Old Westbury. At Fordham, he was a member of the International Law Journal and was honored with the Archibald R. Murray Public Service Award. He is admitted to practice in the State of New York.