Women in Tax Forum - Americas 2020

Kirsten Nordlof

Global head of tax & VP of finance services, Autodesk

Kirsten Nordlof is a lawyer by training and a finance professional by experience. She started her career at PwC in M&A Tax advising technology companies and private equity clients in structuring complex transactions. After working as an M&A consultant for over a decade in San Francisco, Washington DC and Berlin, Kirsten crossed over from being a consultant to leading a tax department. Kirsten has expanded beyond tax and now leads a global finance team, including treasury, payroll, stock admin, procurement, accounts payable and insurance. Finance remains her first love, but Kirsten is now on a quest to create an amazing culture in her organization.

 Speaking session 

Impact of US Tax Reform and other international tax developments

Wednesday, September 16 - 09.10 - 10.00 PDT

Managing the in-house tax department

Wednesday, September 16 - 14.25 - 15.10 PDT

Sara Beugelmans

Managing director, Brookfield Asset Management

Sara Beugelmans is a Managing Director in Brookfield’s Real Estate Group, responsible for overseeing the tax function for Brookfield’s U.S. real estate funds and balance sheet assets.

Ms. Beugelmans joined Brookfield in 2009 to manage the tax structuring and compliance for the U.S. office portfolio. Prior to joining Brookfield, Ms. Beugelmans worked at Andersen Tax in the private equity and international tax groups.

Ms. Beugelmans holds a J.D. with a Tax Concentration from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and is a summa cum laude graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts. Ms. Beugelmans is a member of the California State Bar.

 Speaking session 

Impact of US Tax Reform and other international tax developments

Wednesday, September 16 - 09.10 - 10.00 PDT

Terri Ziacki

Director transfer pricing, Microsoft

Terri Ziacik joined Microsoft as a Transfer Pricing Director in 2016. She is actively involved in transfer pricing controversy and dispute resolution, including APAs, MAPs, and transfer pricing audits predominantly in the APAC region. She also manages global transfer pricing compliance for Microsoft. Prior to joining Microsoft, Terri was a Director in PricewaterhouseCoopers’ transfer pricing practice where she assisted clients with all aspects of transfer pricing across a number of industries, including automotive, technology, consumer products, and oil and gas. Terri is a frequent speaker at global tax and transfer pricing conferences. Terri received a BA in economics and international and comparative studies from the University of Miami, an MA in economics from the University of Notre Dame, and a Ph.D. in economics from Indiana University.

 Speaking session 

Manging global tax controversy

Wednesday, September 16 - 10.30 - 11.15 PDT

Jill-Marie Harding

VP corporate tax, Synopsys

Jill-Marie Harding is the VP Corporate Tax at Synopsys, Inc., based in Mountain View, California. Synopsys technology is at the heart of innovations that are changing the way people work and play. Self-driving cars. Machines that learn. Lightning-fast communication across billions of devices in the datasphere in the era of Smart Everything―where devices are getting smarter, everything is connected, and everything must be secure. Synopsys is at the forefront of Smart Everything with the world’s most advanced technologies for chip design, verification, IP integration, and software security and quality testing. Synopsys has over 14 thousand employees in over 30 countries.

Prior to joining Synopsys, Ms. Harding was a Managing Director with Alvarez and Marsal Taxand LLC where she advised clients on acquisition structuring, tax due diligence, post-acquisition integration, legal entity rationalization, consolidated return issues, internal restructurings, cash repatriation planning, IP migration, debt restructuring, supply chain planning and optimization, spin-offs, inversions, and post-TCJA planning.

Prior to joining A&M, Ms. Harding was with Ernst & Young's national office in Washington, D.C., and transaction advisory services group in San Jose, CA.

 Speaking session 

Manging global tax controversy

Wednesday, September 16 - 10.30 - 11.15 PDT

Anith Chakrvrthi

Globl head of indirect tax, eBay

Anitha is the Global Head of Indirect Tax at eBay, with nearly 20 years indirect tax experience and brings with her a deep understanding of finance and tax in the retail space. She has previously worked at Walmart eCommerce, KPMG and Ryan and assisted clients with indirect tax consulting, compliance, tax planning, due diligence, and audit support. Anitha is a full time mum and a displaced Aussie who now calls California her home. She has proclaimed herself a foodie to justify her eating habits and a runner without choice to balance out her food passion.

Anitha is an alumna of Harvard Business School and received her Commerce and Law Degrees from the University of Melbourne.

 Speaking session 

Manging global tax controversy

Wednesday, September 16 - 10.30 - 11.15 PDT

Kristen Kane

Chief counsel, CA Office of Tax Appeals

Kristen Kane, of Sacramento, was appointed chief counsel for the Office of Tax Appeals, by Governor Brown on October 2, 2017. Prior to this appointment, she served as deputy director of the California Competes Tax Credit Program at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) since. Kane served as tax counsel at the California Franchise Tax Board from 2010 to 2016, where she was a graduate legal assistant in 2008. She was an attorney at the Legal Aid Society of San Diego from 2009 to 2010. Kane earned a Master of Laws degree in taxation and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law.

 Speaking session 

Latest OTA appeals process for the state of California

Wednesday, September 16 - 11.15 - 11.45 PDT

Tifphani White-King

US national tax practice leader, Mazars

Tifphani is the US National Tax Practice Leader for Mazars USA. She is also a member of the Mazars Global Tax Leadership Team. Her responsibilities in these roles include creating a shared vision, setting strategic direction, and driving marketplace growth for Tax. Prior to assuming these positions, Tifphani was the US International Tax Practice Leader for Mazars USA. She has nearly 20 years of international tax experience, providing operational, strategic, and marketplace direction for emerging, midmarket, and large, multinational companies. Her expertise includes international tax structuring, transaction planning, mergers and acquisitions, tax provision, compliance reporting, and other related services.

Within the firm, Tifphani leads high-performing teams that provide innovative strategic and operational support. She delivers expert services to clients within a multitude of market sectors, including consumer products, financial services, life sciences, real estate, and technology, and within industries such as advertising, aviation, insurance, and manufacturing.  Additionally, Tifphani is very passionate about her sponsorship and mentorship roles and responsibilities.

Prior to joining Mazars USA, Tifphani was a Tax Principal at a Big Four firm, where she oversaw a broad range of inbound and outbound tax issues, including initial overseas investment, financing international operations, cross-border business structuring, tax provision, and compliance reporting. She made history as the firm’s first African-American female Tax partner.  She also served as one of two International Tax Subject Matter Experts for the firm’s National Private Equity Steering Committee; and was the National International Tax Services Leader for Insurance.

Tifphani is highly sought after as a speaker on various global tax topics both in the US and abroad. She has been quoted in international and domestic news / media outlets, authored several articles, taught at the university level, and led many podcasts on a variety of tax-related matters. She is the recipient of numerous professional and industry awards and recognition including: Crain’s Notable Women in Accounting & Consulting; the Harlem YMCA Industry Achiever’s Award and Long Island Business News Top 50 Women in Business.

Tifphani graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. She received her Juris Doctorate from St. John’s University School of Law, and currently is pursuing her Master of Laws degree at King’s College in London, UK.

 Speaking session 

Tackling structural racism within the tax sector

Wednesday, September 16 - 12.30 0 12.35 PDT

Lisa Li

Director of transfer pricing and special projects, Uber

Lisa Li is the director of transfer pricing and special projects at Uber, where she leads global transfer pricing planning, compliance and controversy as well as transfer pricing or tax related issues in restructuring, M&A and tax policies projects. Prior to joining Uber in 2016, Lisa worked at Ernst & Young where she assisted clients across many industries on various transfer pricing projects. Lisa received a Masters in Public Policy and Administration and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

 Speaking session 

Break out sessions - Stream A: Being heard - developing your influencing skills

Wednesday, September 16 - 13.35 - 14.10 PDT

Grace Chu

Vice president tax and treasurer, Dolby Laboratories

Grace Chu is Vice President of Tax and Treasurer of Dolby Laboratories, Inc., a market leader in sound and visual technologies, whereby combining art and science together bring spectacular entertainment experiences wherever you are and from whatever device you use. Her focus most recently has been tax advocacy, managing global tax strategies, overseeing tax accounting and cash management in view of changing US and foreign tax policies. She is also active on the board of TEI Silicon Valley and is co-chair of the Silicon Valley Tax Directors Group. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, but these last few months, you’ll find her cooking up new recipes and trying new virtual workout routines at home.

 Speaking session 

Break out sessions - Stream A: Being heard - developing your influencing skills

Wednesday, September 16 - 13.35 - 14.10 PDT

Savilla Kaltner

Head of global tax and treasury, Braze

Savilla is the Head of Global Tax and Treasury at Braze, Inc. Braze is a comprehensive customer engagement platform that powers relevant and memorable experiences between consumers and the brands they love. Context underpins every Braze interaction, helping brands foster human connection with consumers. Braze has more than 800 customers in 50 countries including Canva, Disney, HBO and Overstock.com. Brazed is supported by more than 600 employees worldwide. Savilla leads the tax and treasury organization for Braze globally.

Prior to joining Braze, in her corporate career Savilla was Director of Tax Reporting and Compliance at Coinbase Inc. (1 year) and Executive Director of Tax Reporting and Compliance at MSCI Inc. (5 years).

Savilla started her public accounting career in New York with 13 years of experience with EY in the Global Compliance and Reporting practice group working across a broad range of different industries such as financial services, information technology, media & entertainment and pharmaceuticals. Following EY, she joined Grant Thornton as a Director for 3 years and established their Global Compliance and Reporting practice group.

Savilla graduated from Tulane University with a Bachelor of Science degree. She received her Master’s degree in Taxation from the University of New Orleans. She is married with four children and lives in the East Bay area outside of San Francisco.

 Speaking session 

Break out sessions - Stream A: Being heard - developing your influencing skills

Wednesday, September 16 - 13.35 - 14.10 PDT

Marcela Lopez

Senior director, global transfer pricing & controversy, Paypal

Marcela is a transfer pricing professional with more than 20 + years of professional experience conducting financial and economic analyses, business valuations and intellectual property migrations, supply chain restructuring, global documentation compliance, unilateral and bilateral Advance Price Agreements (APA), and tax controversy. She has served companies in the online payments, e-commerce, semiconductors, electronics, solar, nuclear energy and oil sectors and has successfully lead teams of transfer pricing professionals and accountants in the consulting field and in technology companies. She currently leads the Global Transfer Pricing and Income Tax Controversy functions at PayPal Inc.

 Speaking session 

Break out sessions - Stream A: Being heard - developing your influencing skills

Wednesday, September 16 - 13.35 - 14.10 PDT

Sharell King

Tax senior manager, Segment

Sharell King is a senior tax  manager at Segment, Inc. She is an EY alum, and has since worked for a Fortune 10 company, and the largest start up in the world. Sharell is carving a niche for herself as a tax leader that is focused on building out sustainable tax processes in pre-IPO (and eventually post-IPO) tech companies. Her areas of expertise include corporate compliance, provision, VAT, sales and use, and contract negotiation through the tax lens. She is passionate about tax and even more passionate about uplifting other women and people of color, as she continues to break barriers in her career.

 Speaking session 

Managing the in-house tax department

Wednesday, September 16 - 14.25 - 15.10 PDT

Li Zhang

Tax operations lead, Tesla

I am passionate about my work. Because I love what I do, it provides motivation that drives me to do my best. This passion has led me to challenge myself daily and learnt new skills that helped me to do better work. I changed my career from a computational chemistry researcher at a pharmaceutical company, to advisory at big 4 and finally landed my dream job at Tesla by following my passion in seeking a career to improve people’s life and make the world a better place.

 Speaking session 

Managing the in-house tax department

Wednesday, September 16 - 14.25 - 15.10 PDT

Teri Weilenga

Vice president tax, Gilead Sciences

Terilea (Teri) Wielenga is a results oriented finance executive who currently serves as Vice President, Head of Global Tax for Gilead Sciences, Inc. Prior to Gilead, Teri served as Senior Vice President, Taxation for Allergan, Inc. Prior to Allergan, Teri worked with Deloitte as a Senior Tax Manager, as Vice President of Tax and Treasury at a publically held software company, and as Chief Financial Officer for a Forbes 400 individual family office.

Teri is experienced with worldwide tax planning and strategy and the day-to-day oversight of the US and International tax departments. Transactional experience includes: spin-offs, mergers, acquisitions, licensing, intellectual property migration and post merger integration planning. She has also participated in a variety of tax advocacy projects both directly and with professional organizations, and industry coalitions.

Teri has served as an adjunct professor at both Chapman University and Loyola Marymount University in Southern California, teaching Advanced Accounting and Corporate Taxation. She currently serves as a financial consultant to two privately owned biopharmaceutical start-up enterprises: Akrivista LLC and Whitecap Biosciences LLC.

Teri has been a member of Tax Executives Institute (TEI) for 20+ years and has served in many leadership roles and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the organization. She is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants.

She holds a Masters of Science in Taxation from Golden Gate University and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics from University of California, Santa Barbara. .

 Speaking session 

Managing the in-house tax department

Wednesday, September 16 - 14.25 - 15.10 PDT

Elena Mdrigal

Global tax director, The Knot Worldwide

Elena Madrigal is the Director of Global Tax, responsible for all aspects of taxation throughout all the different countries and entities at The Knot WorldWide, the world’s largest global marketplace connecting engaged couples with local wedding professionals, with over 1,500 employees across 11 countries. Elena has extensive experience with business income tax returns and financial statement audits, as well as tax restructuring in order to align to corporate objectives. Elena brings more than 14 years of experience in many facets of international, federal, state and local income taxation, with particular emphasis on M&A Transactions and Transfer Pricing. Elena started her career at KPMG Spain, where she held various tax roles. She also served as a Tax Manager at Repsol SA (one of Spain's largest oil and gas companies) before joining a large, international team at PWC to oversee many aspects of domestic and international taxes as well as multiple M&A transactions. Elena joined TKWW in 2016 to create the in-house tax group.

 Speaking session 

Break out sessions - Stream A: Being heard - developing your influencing skills

Wednesday, September 16 - 13.35 - 14.10 PDT

Kimberlee Phelan

International tax partner, WithumSmith+Brown

Kimberlee Phelan, partner/practice leader, International Services Group at Withum Smith & Brown, has over 30 years of accounting and tax experience with an expertise in Federal, state and local tax issues affecting corporations, partnerships and individuals. She previously worked in the tax departments of Coopers & Lybrand and Price Waterhouse. Her expertise lies in international structuring, FATCA, transfer pricing, partnerships inbound and outbound, executive compensation planning and individuals.

In addition, Kimberlee is very involved in Leadership and Women Initiatives. She is the Founder, of Withum’s Women’s Leadership Development Initiative and a Board Member and Finance Committee Member at Learning Ally. She has received Princeton YWCA Tribute to Women Award, Best 50 Women in Business by NJBiz, Women of the Year by the Garden State Woman, and Woman of Note by the NJCPA.

 Speaking session 

Break out sessions - Stream A: Being heard - developing your influencing skills

Wednesday, September 16 - 13.35 - 14.10 PDT

Wendy Abkin

partner, Morgan Lewis & Bockius

Wendy Abkin advises Morgan Lewis & Bockius clients on tax controversies and litigation with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Franchise Tax Board (FTB), and state and local taxing agencies. Wendy represents clients in civil and criminal tax matters, including voluntary disclosures, offshore matters, audits, appeals, litigation, and collection. She also assists clients with state and local tax matters, representing them before the California Franchise Tax Board, the State Board of Equalization, and the Employment Development Department. She is a former IRS trial lawyer and has worked with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel in San Francisco, where she litigated cases for the IRS before the US Tax Court. She has her LL.M and JD degrees from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and her MA and BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

 Speaking session 

Manging global tax controversy

Wednesday, September 16 - 10.30 - 11.15 PDT

Dominika Korytek

Principal, Baker McKenzie

Dominika Korytek is the Chair of the California Diversity & Inclusion Committee and a partner in the Firm's San Francisco office. She routinely advises businesses on strategies for international expansion, domestic and international acquisitions, reorganizations and dispositions. Dominika is also a member of the North America Tax Practice Group’s Tax Planning and Transactions Committee.

Dominika focuses her practice on matters relating to the US federal income taxation of corporations, with emphasis on international tax planning in mergers and acquisitions, pre- and post-acquisition reorganizations, dual consolidated loss issues, permanent establishment risk analysis, withholding tax and indirect (VAT/GST) tax planning. Ms. Korytek also assists client with negotiations and public policy submissions to foreign tax authorities. Her practice involves advising corporations on their market penetration strategies within many industries with a special focus on technology companies.

 Speaking session 

Managing the in-house tax department

Wednesday, September 16 - 14.25 - 15.10 PDT

Bernadette Pinamont

VP Tax Research,Vertex

Bernadette Pinamont is Vice President of Tax Research responsible for leading a global team of 85 tax professionals who contribute subject matter and technical expertise to build and maintain content for all products, powering millions of effective tax rate determinations for customers in over 19,000 global jurisdictions.

Prior to joining Vertex, Bernadette was Vice President of Tax for Endo Pharmaceuticals. Bernadette's 30 plus year tax career also includes the corporate tax departments of AstraZeneca, DuPont, Syngenta, Tyco Toys, and, initially, EY. When Bernadette joined Vertex in 2013, she was a thought leader in the Chief Tax Office and engaged both industry and clients on the trends, patterns, and emerging solutions to address the global challenges associated with regulatory compliance and tax technology.

Bernadette regularly speaks at local and industry events about tax and the importance of technology, including the annual International Tax Review’s (ITR) Women in Tax Forum. She leads the Philadelphia Women’s Tax Network and is a graduate of Seton Hall University, from which she earned both a B.S. in Accounting, Summa Cum Laude, and her Juris Doctor. Bernadette is also a licensed attorney and a CPA.

 Speaking session 

Break out sessions - Stream A: Being heard - developing your influencing skills

Wednesday, September 16 - 13.35 - 14.10 PDT

Bridget Barnett-Trusty

Chief encouragement officer, New Vision Life Coaching

Bridget Trusty is the owner and Chief Encouragement Officer of New Vision Life Coaching LLC. Bridget coaches men and women who are at a crossroads personally, professionally, and spiritually. She is a relatable, trusted life and transition coach who encourages, empowers, and inspires her clients to devise strategies that will help them successfully embrace and journey into the next chapter of their lives.

Bridge, a Certified Public Accountant, is formerly an International Tax Director and Director of Tax Operations with WPP, a leading media and advertising firms. With more than 20 years of experience, some of her responsibilities included managing the international tax reporting and compliance function, contributing to US and Non-US tax planning initiatives, providing representation for federal and state income tax audits, mentoring, and providing technical and tax technology training to team members.

Bridget holds a master’s degree in Taxation from St. John’s University and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Hunter College-CUNY. Bridget is a member of the AICPA and an active member of Tax Executives Institute’s New Jersey Chapter. Bridget holds a certification in Change Management from Management & Strategy Institute (“MSI”), where she is also an MSI Fellow. She is also a Certified Professional Life Coach with Christian Coach Institute and NYU School of Continuing & Professional Studies. She is passionate about seeking new ways to improve processes and to create a better and fulfilling work experience.

 Speaking session 

Tackling structural racism within the tax sector

Wednesday, September 16 - 12.30 0 12.35 PDT

Myriam Bouaziz

Deputy director, CA Office of Tax Appeals

To be confirmed.

 Speaking session 

Latest OTA appeals process for the state of California

Wednesday, September 16 - 11.15 - 11.45 PDT