NextGen: The Conference for YCPAs Webcast

Mr. Surinder is the CEO of CTR Factor, which advises organizations in leadership, diversity and inclusion. He has had a successful business career spanning 30 years as an executive, consultant, board member, author, entrepreneur and professor.

Zachary Gordon is a CPA with over thirteen years of professional experience across multiple industries and functions. He is currently a Senior Manager in the Accounting Services group at Grassi and a member of the firm’s Cannabis Advisory practice. He specializes in tax planning and compliance services for small businesses, private equity firms and family offices. He has extensive experience in financial statement compilations, reviews and audits, technology and financial framework implementations, deal and business structuring, due diligence and business advisory services. Within the Cannabis industry, Zach focuses on 280E tax planning and optimization, financial modeling and advisory services, license applications, business structuring and transaction support. He has also advised clients in the real estate, healthcare, nonprofit, fintech, media and consumer goods sectors. Prior to joining Grassi, Zach served in various leadership roles, including Co-Leader of the Cannabis practice at a regional public accounting firm and Controller, Auditor and Director of Finance & Operations for several startups. He was a founding member and managing partner of a cannabis-focused technology incubator and investment group based out of New York. A frequent author and speaker, he has been published in many accounting and cannabis industry publications, including Accounting Today, CPA Trendlines, Cannabis Industry Journal, Tax Stringer, Law360 and Yahoo! Finance. Zach holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Binghamton University. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the New York State Society of CPAs (NYSSCPA). Zach sits on the NYSSCPA Cannabis Committee, Technology Assurance Committee and Banking Committee. He was Chair of the NYSSCPA Cannabis Industry Committee for three terms and was named to the society’s inaugural Forty Under 40 in 2020. He also sits on the AICPA National Cannabis Committee and was named a Forty Under 40 CPA by CPA Practice Advisor.

Spencer Horn is currently the President of Altium Leadership, a management consulting firm based in Las Vegas. With his wife Jana, a partner and COO of Altium Leadership, he provides solutions toward developing a powerful culture, effective communication, high-performing teams and engagement. He is able to draw upon his 28 years of executive experience to re-energize seasoned and emerging professionals and increase organizational effectiveness. Under his supervision, Altium Leadership programs address personal/professional development, synchronization of different communication and management styles, ownership of outcomes and commitment to their improvement, delegation/coaching techniques and development of more productive managerial habits.

Mark DiMichael is a partner in the valuation and litigation/dispute services department at Citrin Cooperman. He specializes in matrimonial dissolutions, economic damages, digital assets, shareholder disputes, white collar criminal defense, and business valuations. Mr. DiMichael has prepared and rebutted expert reports and has experience working with companies in a wide range of industries. He has also provided expert witness testimony in federal court, state court, and arbitration proceedings. As of 1/31/2024

Eric E. Cohen is the proprietor of Cohen Computer Consulting, an accounting and audit emerging technology consultancy. Mr. Cohen is a national expert to ISO/TC 307 Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies and offers services to both blockchain startups and accounting professionals related to blockchain and its impact on the audit profession; he is also one of the original founders of XBRL, and is the United Nation’s Domain Coordinator of Accounting and Audit Standardization for UN/CEFACT. Mr. Cohen is a member of the AICPA, the New York State Society of CPAs and the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs.

Susan Catalano is the Managing Partner of JQLaCorte, LLC, a full-service LinkedIn consulting firm. Susan is a LinkedIn expert and optimizes LinkedIn profiles and company pages, delivers training and provides posting and network growth services for business owners, professionals, and companies. She also consults with companies on the effective use of LinkedIn to achieve measureable business results such as generating leads, boosting SEO results, improving visibility to customers and prospects, and promoting staff expertise. Susan designs and implements LinkedIn Employee Advocacy Programs for firms. Susan has over 15 years of experience in talent management for Fortune 500 corporations and sales and marketing programs for companies and business owners. Susan regularly presents to national, corporate and business audiences, including Vistage, XPX, GNYHA/Innovatix, Financial Planning Association (FPA), Bar Associations, WBDC, Chambers of Commerce, SCORE, NAPO, entrepreneurial groups, and franchisors.

Crystal Lee is the Head of Career Advisors at Rora, a company focused on improving job offer negotiations. Rora provides the support and guidance for candidates who could really use an advisor in their corner while they go through one of the most nerve-wracking moments in their lives...advocating for themselves to an employer. In the span of just over a year, she has negotiated 1,000+ offers, supported 100+ clients and put millions of dollars back into the pockets of employees. Her background expertise as a VP of Recruitment (for tech, accounting, real estate, law, etc.) and as a Tax Manager for High Net Worth Individuals lends well for clients considering their offers from a more holistic view while also advocating for their worth. As for extracurriculars, Crystal is the first Recruitment Chair for University of San Francisco's inaugural NY Alumni Chapter. She is also the former Chair of the NextGen Committee for the largest membership chapter (Manhattan/Bronx) at the NYSSCPA. In 2020 they awarded her with the 40 Under 40 Award For Outstanding Achievement.

Jenny Cripps is a CPA, PMP, and CFE, with 15 years of experience, primarily in the energy and manufacturing industries. She recently moved to New York after completing assignments in Norway and London integrating acquisitions into Wood PLC. Jenny joined Net at Work, a technology consulting company, in January 2020 as their Director of Finance and Accounting.

Bill Pullano is Chief Financial Officer at BDA Partners, a global investment banking firm focusing on Asia cross-border transactions. He has also held in a similar role at a non-profit organization. Bill began his career in public accounting (audit) with PwC in the banking and capital markets practice. He left PwC as a Senior Associate in 2007, moving into a corporate reporting manager role at a commercial bank, and has worked in private industry ever since. He is a CPA, and received a bachelors in economics from the University of Michigan and a masters in accounting from the University of North Carolina.

Garrett Wagner CPA/CITP is the CEO and founder of C3 Evolution Group, offering “Innovative Solutions for Today’s Entrepreneurial CPAs.” He has embraced the entrepreneurial mindset and is on a mission to help others embrace the skills and knowledge needed to succeed. He focuses on monitoring the evolving technologies and best practices in the industry to achieve the highest degree of success without being afraid to break free from traditional methods. His background includes working inside successful CPA firms, speaking at conferences and events, and consulting for CPA firms across the country helping them to ignite lasting change by understanding the unique needs of each firm organization. He believes that the public accounting landscape is undergoing a tremendous change, and that by focusing on developing the next generation of leaders through education and leveraging technology, firms of all sizes can be successful.

Julia Woislaw is the Lead Manager for CPA Evolution at the AICPA. Prior to joining the CPA Evolution team, Julia was the communications manager for the AICPA’s State Regulation and Legislation Team

Colleen Conrad is the executive vice president and chief operating officer at NASBA. In that role, she oversees all operations including NASBA’s CPA examination activities. She is a CPA and was a partner in a large regional CPA firm before joining NASBA to assume her current position.