An Executive Leadership Discussion Series: Enabling Inclusion & Belonging.

Okorie L. Ramsey,
CPA, CGMA, PMP, NACD.DC

Vice President
Sarbanes-Oxley, Kaiser Permanente

110th Chairman of the AICPA and the Association of International Professional Accountants

Okorie Ramsey is the Vice President, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals. In this role, he has responsibility and oversight for the SOX Program, including strategy, testing, and evaluating internal controls and assessing business risk to assist in building an effective internal control over financial reporting for the integrated health care enterprise.

Prior to his current role, Okorie held the position of Vice President, Finance Compliance Officer, where he was responsible for establishing a finance compliance program to support compliance with regulatory and enforcement agencies as well as leading compliance investigations and co-developing remediation activities to address issues identified. In addition to these finance executive roles, Okorie has served in management and leadership roles in public accounting and business and industry.

Okorie currently serves as the Chairman of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association), and previously served on various not-for-profit boards supporting diversity, equity and inclusion in the fields of accounting and finance including the California Society of CPAs Education Foundation, the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA, Inc.), the Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP), and LIFE Courses. Okorie has also been named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting by Accounting Today.

Kimberly Ellison-Taylor
CPA/CITP, CGMA, CIA, CISA

CEO
Ket Solutions, LLC

104th Chairman of the AICPA and the Association of International Professional Accountants

Kimberly is a Global Technology and Finance leader with over 30 years of career achievements. She is the Chief Executive Officer of KET Solutions, LLC, a consulting firm focused on business growth, innovation, strategy, transformation and inclusive leadership. Ellison-Taylor is a sought-after keynote speaker and has received many awards and recognitions for her expertise and leadership including Accounting Today's Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting, CPA Practice Advisor's 25 Most Powerful Women in Accounting, and Forbes’ Inaugural Top 200 CPAs in America.

For almost 17 years, Ellison-Taylor served in global leadership roles for Oracle Corporation. Kimberly advised C-Suite Executives on cloud solutions that innovate and transform business. Ellison-Taylor is also an adjunct professor for Carnegie Mellon University’s Executive Education program teaching Emerging Technology & Innovation. She is also an independent board director.

Other professional achievements include tenure at Prince George’s County Government, KPMG, Motorola, and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Ellison-Taylor has an undergraduate degree in Information Systems from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, a MBA from Loyola University, an Accounting Certificate from the Community College of Baltimore County and a Master of Science from Carnegie Mellon University in Information Technology Management as well as a Chief Information Officer certificate. She is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Information Technology Professional, Certified Global Management Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Information Systems Auditor.

Kimberly has volunteered in the profession for over 20 years including leadership positions as Chairman of the American Institute of CPAs, Chairman of the Association of Certified Professional Accountants, and Chairman of the Maryland Association of CPAs. Kimberly is also the Chair for the AICPA’s National Commission on Diversity and Inclusion and is also the Immediate Past President for Beta Alpha Psi. Ellison-Taylor is also the Chairman of the Maryland Association of CPAs Education Foundation. Kimberly is also on the board of advisors for the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business, and Carnegie Mellon University Heinz College Dean’s Advisory Board.

In her personal life, Kimberly is also committed to volunteerism and has served in various roles for community service organizations that serve women, youth, and families, seniors and the military.

Herschel Frierson

Chairman of the Board of Directors NABA

Principal
Crowe LLP

Herschel Frierson is the Strategic Networks Leader and a Principal at Crowe LLP with over 27 years of experience. He has done governmental consulting and general consulting. In the past Herschel has assisted communities with municipal bond issues, short and long term financial planning, capital improvement plans, and budget consulting. He has also provided assistance in economic development activities including feasibility studies. In his new role, Herschel is responsible for expanding the firm’s influence with network partners, including associations and creating new opportunities and deepening existing relationships. Herschel focuses on key networks for all industries across the firm and in the market. Herschel also serves on the Bold Ambition Committee which focuses on Diversity and Inclusion for the Firm. Herschel also is the executive champion for the Firms Business Resource Groups.

Herschel Frierson is the 27th Chairman of the Board of Directors for NABA, Inc which is a nonprofit membership association bridging the opportunity gap for Black Business Leaders in accounting, finance and entrepreneurship and is a lifetime member. Herschel in 2020 was named by Accounting Today as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting. Herschel has done podcasts with Financial Executives International (FEI) as well as done fireside chats with the VP and Treasurer of PayPal Holding, Inc., CFO of Electronic Arts, the CFO for Target, President and CEO of Sam’s club, amongst other industry leaders. Herschel has been the keynote speaker for the AICPA we’re about success program, University of Tennessee AIM Academy, and was part of the Distinguished Speaker Series at the Neel Corporate Governance Center. Herschel has lead discussions with the Indiana CPA society, North Carolina CPA Society, Tax Executives Institute, as well participating in a DE&I round tables for the Institute of Internal Auditors GAM Conference amongst assisting other professional associations in the industry in various capacities. Herschel serves as an advisory member for the University of Texas McCombs School of Business Accounting Program, Butler University Lacy School of Business Dean’s Advisory Council and the a member of the University of Tennessee Haslam College of Business AIM Advisory Round Table. Herschel has been highlighted in various publications and articles. Herschel serves on the diversity committee for Financial Executives International. Herschel continues to work with companies and organizations throughout the Country in their DE&I efforts as well as mentoring students, young professionals and organizations in their path forward.

In 2021 Herschel served on the Business and Entrepreneurship Pillar for the Indianapolis African American Qualify of Life Initiative. In 2018 Herschel Received the Frank Ross National Outstanding Member of the Year Award from NABA. Herschel has served on various committees and advisory boards in the community. In the past, Herschel served as a National Director with NABA and the chair of Organizational Effectiveness and Personnel. He has also chaired Membership where he focused on Student and Professional Membership Development and Growth. Herschel has served as the Central Region President for NABA. Chairman of the Audit Committee for NABA, chairman of the National Ethics Committee, served as a member of the Audit Committee, secretary to the Central Region, served in various capacities for the Central Region Student Conference and Indianapolis Chapter President. Herschel has also been involved with Center for Leadership Development, Academy of Finance, 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee Member; NFL Community Impact. Herschel is a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Steve Harris
CPA, CGMA

Past Chairman of the Board of Directors NABA Inc.

Managing Partner
RubinBrown

Steven Harris is RubinBrown's Managing Partner. As firm managing partner, Harris oversees
operations firmwide, and represents RubinBrown in the community and profession across all
markets. He has over 20 years of experience in public accounting and client service.

Before stepping into his role as managing partner, Steven served as partner-in-charge of
RubinBrown’s Entrepreneurial Services Group.

Specific Experience/Expertise

• Outsourced accounting
  

• Client account management
  

• Client relations

• Auditing, tax and consulting services

Education

• Executive M.B.A., Washington University in St. Louis
  

• B.S., Accounting, University of Missouri – St. Louis

Professional Organizations

• Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  

• Member, Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants
  

• Immediate Past Chairman, Board of Directors, National Association of Black Accountants
  

• Immediate Past Chair, Young Professionals Network, Regional Business Council
  

• Member, Regional Business Council

Professional Accomplishments, Awards & Publications

• 30 Under 30, St. Louis Business Journal (2004)
  

• Outstanding Young Alumni, University of Missouri – St. Louis (2007)
  

• Outstanding Leadership in Advancing Diversity Award, Missouri Society of Certified Public
  Accountants (2009)
  

• Rising Star Award, National Association of Black Accountants (2009)
  

• Diverse Business Leader, St. Louis Business Journal (2010)
  

• Young Professional of the Year, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis

• Salute to Young Leaders Award,
  St. Louis American

Community Involvement

• Board Member, African American Alumni Chapter, University of Missouri – St. Louis
  

• Board Member, Barnes Jewish Hospital
  

• Treasurer, Parents as Teachers
  

• Board Member, Delta Dental of Missouri
  

• Board Member, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. – St. Louis Alumni Chapter
  

• Member, Inroads Alumni Association
  

• Advisor Member, Chancellor’s Council,University of Missouri - St. Louis

Crystal joined the AICPA & CIMA in early 2020 and oversees its member facing Diversity and Inclusion team where they encourage workplaces within the accounting and finance profession to cultivate environments where workforces are inclusive of people with different experiences and perspectives and where diversity of thought is valued and supported.

She believes that a workplace that is reflective and inclusive of the global communities in which they operate is positioned to innovatively solve the challenging and complex issues facing clients and the evolving public interest. This is critical to the success and sustainability of our profession.

The resources developed under her team are designed to support a culture where those with diverse lived experiences can grow and thrive. This includes underrepresented individuals such has those who identify as LGBTQ+, as well as gender fairness and equality for women. She also collaborates on initiatives aimed at supporting the profession’s emerging professionals.

She serves as the Vice-Chair of the AICPA & CIMA’s National Commission on Diversity & Inclusion, whose mission is to be champions that guide and support the accounting and finance profession in creating sustainable workplaces through expanded pathways that attract and retain qualified high performing talent with a commitment to inclusive leadership. Her work requires collaboration with senior executives of partner organizations and accounting firms who also seek to increase and advance culture and inclusion in their workforces.

In 2022, 2023 and 2024, Crystal was named as one of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting. This listing identifies the thought leaders, change-makers, regulators and other leaders who are shaping the profession.

Prior to the Association, Crystal spent 12 years at the Center for Audit Quality where she managed Governing Board operations, financial reporting and budgeting processes, and talent, which included leading efforts around Diversity and Inclusion. She was also employed at KPMG LLP for 7 years as an auditor in their assurance practice in Washington D.C.

Crystal holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Cincinnati. She and her family reside in Bowie, MD.

Crystal Cooke (she/her/hers)
Director of Diversity & Inclusion
AICPA & CIMA
crystal.cooke@aicpa-cima.com
1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 10, Washington, DC 20004