Lightning Round: May 2027 EBP Conference Questions and Answers

CPA

Sandi is an Managing Director with Deloitte & Touche LLP where she is the audit industry leader for the employee benefit plan practice. She currently serves on the AICPA Employee Benefit Plan Executive Committee and assists numerous AICPA Task Forces. Sandi has 25 years experience serving employee benefit plan audit clients including 401(k), 11Ks, ESOPS, pension plans, health & welfare plans and multi-employer plans. Sandi has an undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and an M.B.A. from Wayne State University.

CPA

Nadia is an audit partner in the New York City office of WithumSmith+Brown, P.C. with over 23 years of audit and advisory experience. She is a certified public accountant in the District of Columbia and New York. She has worked with Fortune 100 clients in various industries such as manufacturing, retail, not for profit, unions, government, employee benefit plans and financial services- asset management providing accounting, attestation and advisory services. She has instructed at national, regional and local professional organizations on audit subject matters. Nadia is a graduate of Iona College, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in accounting. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA). In 2018 and 2019, she was named in Crain’s magazine “Most Notable Women in Accounting and Consulting”. In 2017, she received National Association of Black Accountants Presidential Award for Leadership and Excellence. In 2013, she received the BTI- Client Service All-Star Award. In addition, she has received several mentoring and other professional awards. Nadia is very active in her community where she serves as the chairperson for the PACE University Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession (COAP) program sponsored by the NYSSCPA to educate minority high school students to the accounting and finance industries. She is a member of the National Association of Black Accountants- New York Chapter. She is an active board member of the CUNY- Kingsborough College Association and Auxiliary Boards (Brooklyn, NY), the Aquinas All Girls High School Board (Bronx, NY) and the Yonkers Community Action Program (Yonkers, NY) whose mission is to assist low-income citizens in Yonkers out of poverty. Nadia is a peer mentor to rising seniors in college and post graduate students. In addition, she mentors other professionals rising in their careers. She frequently returns to Iona College to talk to rising students in the Hagan School of Business. Nadia has led various initiatives during her career to support, provide counsel, and to uplift African-American and other minority professionals in their career. “To God be the Glory.” “To Whom Much is Given, Much Will Be Required (Luke 12:48)”

CPA

Josephine (Josie) Hammond is the National Director of Employee Benefit Plan Services for McGladrey LLP. She is responsible for tracking audit and accounting issues that impact the firm’s employee benefit plan audit practice, and she participates in the development of the firm’s positions on such proposed audit and accounting pronouncements. Josie develops and presents professional education material, practice aids and tools to support the firm’s employee benefit plan practice. She consults on the application of professional standards and related firm policies in this area, providing high-level, cutting-edge guidance on all aspects of ERISA issues. Josie also monitors the firm’s compliance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center membership requirements. Prior to joining the National Professional Standards Group, Josie was responsible for the oversight and management of the employee benefit practice of three offices in the firm’s Great Lakes Regional Professional Practice, serving over 150 clients. She is experienced in single-employer and multi-employer plans as well as plans with a variety of funding arrangements, including defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans, 401(k) plans, health and welfare plans, master trusts, and 103-12 investment entities. Josie’s practice has been concentrated in the employee benefit plan arena for over 20 years.

CPA, AIFA

Michelle is a Vice President in Meaden & Moore’s Assurance Services Group with 23 years of public accounting experience serving publicly held and private companies. As a practice leader of the firm’s employee benefits and consulting practice, Michelle has had extensive experience with qualified benefit plan audits, operational reviews, tax issues and the unique complexities of these engagements. She understands the risks to plan sponsors and continuously offers suggestions for improvement to minimize any potential fiduciary liability. Michelle’s primary responsibility is to ensure that each of her clients receive high-quality, timely service. She continually looks for ways to reduce the costs of the engagement while finding ways to add value to the relationship. Michelle maintains close contact with clients to develop long-term relationships and earn their confidence. Through sound business judgment and prior experience, she makes effective suggestions and recommendations to maximize efficiencies and to help a company meet its long-term goals. As an Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst TM (AIFA®), Michelle also assists in consulting retirement plan sponsors and investment advisors in fiduciary best practices and prudent investment process. Areas of Specialization • Defined Contribution and 403(b) Plan Audits • Defined Benefit Plan Audits • Health and Welfare Audits • SEC Benefit Plan • ESOP