Who's Who
Find out more about members of the Praxity Alliance management structure alongside the chairing members of Global Regions, Working Groups and the Praxity Head Office
Phil Verity - Chair of Management Board and Governing Council
Phil is FORVIS Mazars’ UK Senior Partner, elected in September 2012 and has been co-CEO of the Group since December 2012. He was appointed to the Group Executive Board in 2011 and is responsible for the management of the Owner-Managed Businesses (OMB) activity within the Group. Phil has almost 30 years of experience as an auditor and he continues to be actively involved with key clients. He is based in the firm’s London office.
Phil represents the Mazars’ commitment to home-grown talent, having joined the firm as a graduate in 1986. He has been a major contributor to the growth of the UK firm since his appointment as partner in 1999. Prior to his appointment as UK Senior Partner, Phil held a number leadership positions in the UK firm and internationally, including as leader of the middle market business.
The first two years of Phil’s tenure as Senior Partner saw UK income increase by 13% and profits rise 25%.
Matt Snow - Vice Chair Management Board and Governing Council
Matt serves as the Chairman of the Governing Board of FORVIS Mazars, a top 10 professional services firm that delivers its experience and service with a deep understanding of its clients’ businesses, their needs, and what it takes to improve their business performance. Matt works closely with the FORVIS leadership team to develop the firm’s strategy with a keen eye towards being future focused.
Prior to his role as Chair, Matt served as CEO of DHG, a top 20 professional services firm which merged with BKD to create FORVIS. In his more than 30-year career, Matt has had the opportunity to serve in a variety of leadership roles and to work with clients ranging from start-ups to large national and global organisations. This experience has enabled him to connect with a variety of clients and build a passion for excellent client service.
Matt also served as an audit partner at a Big Four firm where he spent more than 20 years working with public companies in the financial services, manufacturing, and restaurant industries. While a partner, Matt served a rotation in that firm’s national Department of Professional Practice, and he was later named an SEC Partner through which he served in a technical review role on public company audit engagements.
Matt currently serves on the Board of Directors of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and was previously the chairman of the AICPA’s Major Firms Group. He also currently serves on the Managing Board and as Vice Chairman of Praxity, the Global Alliance of firms in which FORVIS is a member. Matt was previously on the Board of Directors of the United Way of the Central Carolinas, where he also served as the Chairman of the Finance Committee.
Matt is a graduate of Wake Forest University and has completed Harvard University’s Leading Professional Services Firms program.
Alexander Rasink - Global Mobility - Chair
Alexander Rasink is Tax Partner with Mazars Netherlands, providing solutions to companies and individuals who are faced with cross-border tax, social security and legal issues. Alexander joined Mazars in 2002 and leads the Employment Tax and Global Mobility practice in Amsterdam. Alexander advises on all international mobility issues including tax, social security, labour and immigration law, assignment policies and related compliance issues relating to the movement of expatriates across the globe. In his 15+ years development in the field, he demonstrates a pragmatic and personal approach in offering high quality advice to the business. Over the past decade, Alexander has taken active part in developing and growing global mobility services within the broad international network within Mazars and Praxity. Currently, Alexander is the acting chair for Praxity & Mazars Global Mobility steering group.
Andy Ryder - Mergers and Acquisitions - Chair
Andy joined Shorts as Corporate Finance Partner in April 2014, subsequently successful growing the Corporate Finance Department, with the team winning numerous awards. He has over 20 years Mergers and Acquisitions experience, having previously worked at national firms PKF and, subsequently, BDO. Andy generally acts for owner manged businesses, being a trusted adviser to the shareholders and often advising on exit strategy. He has experience on disposals to acquisitive UK/multi-national companies, Private Equity buyers, listed entities, Employee Ownership Trusts and MBO/MBI teams. He also has significant experience of advising management teams in buy-out transactions across a range of sectors and deal sizes from <£1m up to £50m, and advising clients in raising debt and equity. Additionally, Andy has undertaken numerous Financial Due Diligence assignments on behalf of banks, public sector bodies, private equity houses and acquisitive companies.
Bernardo Del Rio - Membership Committee
Bernardo Del Rio McKee, CPA, is Managing Partner of J.A. Del Rio S.A. De C.V. He is former president of the Tax Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce, Guadalajara Chapter. He has published several articles on tax issues and given lectures in the US and Mexico. He is a founding member of the Guadalajara chapter of the International Fiscal Association (IFA). He has advised companies starting up and operating in Mexico, such as Honda, McDonald’s, Samsung, Sumitomo, Berkshire Hathaway, among others, as well as with clients where Mexico may be the first venture outside of their home country. Currently serves as coordinator of the relationship with the American consulate on behalf of AMCHAM Guadalajara Chapter.
Cormac Kelleher - Core International Tax - Chair
Cormac is an international tax partner, with a particular focus on inward investment. He specialises in cross border corporate structuring, transfer pricing and mergers and acquisitions. He has extensive experience in the areas of technology, real estate and financial services. Cormac works with a number of owner managed, listed and foreign owned multinational businesses. He works closely with our overseas teams to ensure a seamless delivery for clients operating internationally, and advises owners and their businesses at each stage of their lifecycle. A member of Chartered Accountants Ireland and the Irish Institute of Taxation, Cormac lectures on international tax issues both in Ireland and abroad, as well as contributing to various publications.
Dirk Cockrum - ESG - Chair
Dirk is an executive with demonstrated leadership in operations, environmental, social, and governance (ESG), performance management, and strategic planning. His recent experience includes working for one of the largest energy infrastructure companies in North America, collaborating closely with the CEO, President, Chief Operations Officer, and Board of Directors. Dirk has extensive experience with increasing scope and responsibility in leading and working in operations, engineering, ESG, sustainability, management systems, strategic planning, capital allocation, risk management, investor relations, customer relations, government contracts, IT, mergers and acquisitions, public policy, and government relations.
He is solutions-oriented with a proven history of working with multiple stakeholders across diverse business and technical topics in energy, transportation, compliance, permitting, and safety.
Dr Ahmed Shawki - Africa and Middle East
Dr Shawki is the Managing Partner of Mazars Mostafa Shawki. As Managing Partner, Dr. Shawki has ultimate oversight responsibility for all aspects of the office including audit, tax and consulting divisions. Mazars Mostafa Shawki is providing assistance to international donors with implementation of socio-economic reforms. Dr. Shawki is also the elected chair of Praxity’s Africa and Middle east Region. Dr. Shawki is a founding member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt and served as the President from 1997 – 1999. The President of the Egyptian Tax Society and also the President of Arab Tax Society. Member of the International Fiscal Association. Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Eric Miles - Governing Council
Eric is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Moss Adams. He has practiced public accounting since 1997. As leader of the firm’s consulting services, he provides oversight of more than 50 distinct practice areas. Throughout his career, Eric’s experience has covered a wide variety of practice areas, including operations, compliance, accounting, information technology, and fraud prevention.
Eric is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and previously led the firm’s Technology, Communications, and Life Sciences Practice. He is a frequent speaker on a variety of topics including data analytics, strategy, cybersecurity, and enterprise risk management. He was a founding member of the AICPA’s Risk Assurance and Advisory Services Task Force, the goal of which is to position the CPA profession as the leader on enterprise risk management.
Gerhard Meyer - Financial Advisory Services - Chair
Graduated in BA at the University of Mannheim, Germany. After being employed at Deloitte, Paris where he was mainly assigned with consulting and audit services for multinational companies, he joined FALK & Co in 1984. In 1985 he built up and developed since then FALK’s international business division. His main focus is on international transaction services, audits of international groups and forensic accounting. He is especially experienced in the sectors IT, automotive, furniture, ecological technologies and real estate.
He is fluent in English, French as well as Spanish (full professional proficiency in each) and has an elementary proficiency in Italian. He chairs PECC (Praxity European Coordination Committee) and also serves Praxity as Chairman of the Membership Committee.
Hervé Hélias - Management Board and Governing Council
In 1986, freshly graduated from HEC, Hérvé Hélias had to make a choice between the most renowned audit firm, Arthur Andersen, and Mazars. The choice was Mazars; no doubt because the company, as much as its teams, seemed much more exciting.
Thirty years later, Hervé Hélias has held the most demanding positions in the Mazars partnership . Associate signatory of the accounts of some of the largest clients of Mazars, including BNP Paribas from 2000 to 2009, he has been the leader of the "audit" business line, the "Global Business Unit PIE" but also, since 2012, the Chairman of Mazars in France and the role of "Co-CEO" of the Group.
The priority objective of Hervé Hélias is the construction of an exceptional work environment, which is illustrated by its involvement in the creation of Mazars University but also by its commitment to constantly renewed development of the Mazars strategy on talent.
James Blake - North America
Jim is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Mazars in the US and has been a member of the firm’s Executive Board for 12 years. He has over 30 years of experience providing attest, tax and advisory services (including M&A), primarily to privately-owned businesses (POB) and private equity firms in the manufacturing and distribution (M&D) sector.
As COO, Jim focuses on the operations components of the firm’s strategic plans. He oversees the Service Line Leaders, Office Managing Partners and several of the leaders of operational support functions, with a particular emphasis on people and performance. Prior to his role as COO, Jim held various leadership positions within the firm, including M&D Practice Leader and New Jersey Office Managing Partner.
At the Mazars Global level, Jim has been a member of the POB Board for over 10 years and contributes extensively within the Mazars Global COO community and across various operations committees. Mazars is a member of the Praxity Alliance, and Jim serves as the Praxity North American Chairman working with the leadership of various member firms.
Jim is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA). He has served in leadership roles for both organisations, including as an AICPA Counsel member, and as a Trustee of the NJCPA PAC. He is currently serving as an Executive Committee member of the AICPA PCPS.
Jim speaks regularly at executive-level seminars, at industry events and before various professional
associations, including the AICPA Major Firms Group and global Mazars conferences.
Jim’s leadership skills and contributions to the profession and the business community were recognized by his being named to NJBiz’s 2021 Power in Accounting Top 50. He also received NJCPA’s 2022 Impact Award.
Jim has a Bachelor of Science in accounting from the University of Delaware and is a graduate of the Mazars Executive MBA Program, which has received the CLIP Accreditation from the European Foundation for Management Development.
Jason Tuffs - Membership Committee
As Chairman & CEO, Jason is responsible for enacting MNP’s strategic vision by anticipating market opportunities and trends, encouraging overall growth, fostering a culture of operational efficiency and inspiring team members to continue to deliver the thought-leading solutions and exceptional client experiences the firm is known for.
Jason’s election as CEO follows a progressive career path with MNP. Since joining the firm in 2004, Jason has held several senior level positions, including National Leader of Public Companies, Regional Managing Partner, Calgary and Executive Vice President, B.C. Jason was also appointed to the Firm's Board of Directors in 2011.
He has a Bachelor of Commerce with Distinction from the University of Alberta. Jason is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA) in 2000.
Jason gives back to the community by volunteering his time with youth organizations.
Jill Morris - Outsourcing - Chair
With over 25 years’ experience of working in practice, Jill Morris is PM+M’s cloud team partner, and a proud fellow of the ICAEW. Jill is an expert in high quality outsourcing services and leads on the delivery of digital and automated solutions for clients.
Heading up PM+M’s cloud accounting team, Jill supports a wide range of clients with the transformation of their digital systems. From providing a fully outsourced finance team service flexible to each client’s requirements, to helping businesses gain visibility from day one with the implementation of apps such as Xero, Futrli and Dext (to name a few). As a cloud accounting specialist, Jill has unrivalled expertise in supporting clients in this area and advising on the best platform for their needs.
Managing a diverse portfolio of clients, Jill covers a wide range of services that include everything from statutory compliance, Making Tax Digital and cash flow management, to business advice, forecasting and tax planning.
Jill has a passion for creating a true partnership with her clients to provide detailed insights, support their businesses, drive change, and help them reach a positive end goal.
Jim Proppe - Management Board and Governing Council
As Managing Partner of Plante Moran, Jim leads one of the nation’s largest public accounting and business advisory firms, helping to expand their capabilities by increasing service offerings, investing in top talent, and helping them compete in a digital world.
Jim found himself attracted to business at a young age. In high school, while working at a landscaping business, he was intrigued by the business model. Jim had a good relationship with the owner, who entrusted him to help run the business — even though he was a teenager. While this might have been his first taste of working with numbers and consulting with a business owner, with a tax attorney for a dad, some might say it’s in his blood.
In 1984, after graduating from the University of Michigan, his love of business brought Jim to Plante Moran — which was one of the best decisions he ever made.
Throughout his career, Jim has held a number of leadership positions, including 13 years as a Group Managing Partner, where he focused on Plante Moran's industry practices, client service, growth, people development, and risk management. Here, Jim was part of a team that created a number of new services, including Plante Moran Group Benefit Advisors, the Enterprise Risk Management group, Plante Moran Global Services, and developing the firm’s Shanghai, Monterrey, Tokyo, and Mumbai offices. Earlier in his career, he served as Office Managing Partner of the Ann Arbor location.
Jim has more than 35 years of public accounting experience, serving clients primarily in the manufacturing and higher education industries. His specific experience includes audit services, business and personal tax consulting, as well as serving as an advisory board member to several clients.
Jim also takes great pride in perpetuating Plante Moran’s great culture. In fact, in 2020, he received a Great Place to Work™ “For All” leadership award for that culture. In August 2021, Jim was named to Accounting Today’s 2021 Managing Partner Elite and recognised for how Plante Moran responded to the pandemic and uses technology to better serve their clients. In 2019 he was named one of the 500 Most Powerful Business Leaders in Metro Detroit, according to DBusiness magazine, and he received the Detroit Free Press Top Workplaces “Leadership Award” for large companies based solely on staff responding to the statement: “I have confidence in the leader of this company.”
Most recently, Jim been focused on keeping our culture strong amid COVID-19. He has been working with firm leaders to ensure that Plante Moran continues to provide a safe environment and keep their staff fulfilled while focusing on serving existing clients and pursuing new business. The pandemic has challenged them to reinvent some of their processes, but Jim is so proud of how their staff have pulled together to make operating virtually a success.
When Jim is not working, he enjoys traveling and outdoor activities with his wife, Cathy, and two sons.
Justin Stenberg - North American International Tax - Chair
Justin is a member of FORVIS’ International Tax Services team and has been in professional practice since 2007. Justin provides tax services to clients in the manufacturing, distribution, software, and service industries. He has worked closely with privately held and publicly traded corporations.
He has experience in international tax planning and compliance for multinational companies in such areas as foreign tax credits, Subpart F, global intangible low-taxed income, foreign-derived intangible income, withholding taxes, and income tax treaties. In addition, he provides a variety of tax planning services, including assistance with accounting method strategies, mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations, financial statement reporting for income taxes, and share-based payment awards, as well as representation before the IRS and state tax authorities. Justin also provides income tax services to affluent individuals and families and the exempt organizations they support.
Justin is a frequent speaker about international tax topics at Praxity, AISBL and other conferences. He is a participant in the Praxity Emerging Leadership Academy and was awarded the annual FORVIS Indianapolis Diamond Performer Award for his commitment to Unmatched Client Service®. Justin was named the chair of the Praxity North American Tax Committee for 2022 and 2023.
He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, Indiana CPA Society, and TXCPA. Justin is a member of the Houston Symphony Young Associates Council and the Greater Houston Partnership Foreign Direct Investment Committee.
Justin is a 2006 graduate of Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, Indianapolis, with a B.S. degree in accounting, finance, and international studies.
Kariem Hoosain - Governing Council
Kariem Hoosain is a Chartered Accountant of South Africa and also holds an MBA and has a broad range of experience that he has gained over more than twenty years of executive and senior management positions.
Kariem is currently a Partner at Mazars in South Africa, an Audit, Tax and Advisory services firm. Mazars is global firm with operations in over 96 countries and more than 30,000 professionals. He is also currently a member of the Mazars Group Africa-Middle East Board and Regional Monitor for Mazars in Africa and was also member of the National Executive Committee and the National Board of Partners.
Kellie Becker - Membership Committee and Global Tax - Chair
Kellie is an International Tax Partner and the firm-wide leader of Plante Moran’s International Tax Services group. Kellie’s clients turn to her for expertise on navigating the complexities of doing business abroad. Most of her clients are owner managed to large organisations with a focus on outbound operations, inbound services, and global transaction planning. She advises them on taxation of foreign investments in the United States, U.S. investments in foreign jurisdictions, due diligence for multinational acquisitions, and more.
Kellie is the Chairperson of the Praxity Global Tax and a board member with the Praxity membership committee. She is a member of the AICPA and the MICPA and has a B.S. in accounting from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Marco Carlei - Governing Council
Marco is the Managing Partner of ShineWing Australia. ShineWing Australia is a unique accounting practice that offers clients the capability and global reach of the 'Big 4' accounting firms, with commitment, drive and personalised service. He is focused on cementing the firm’s client-first culture and understands that value for money means more to clients than just a number. Marco has also led the firm’s investment in industry, a move that has resulted in our partners being recognised as leaders in their field and positioned the firm to attract exceptional industry talent across all levels of seniority. Marco actively engages with the firm’s clients to understand their key business opportunities and challenges, share industry insights, and actively connect clients when there may be a mutually beneficial opportunity to work together Marco’s experience includes advising clients on mergers, acquisitions and divestments and strategy consulting. He has over 30 years of industry experience in the gaming, franchising and retail sectors. Marco also holds a number of private company directorships in the mining and technology sectors.
Nikolas Hatzistergos - Management Board, Governing Council and Membership Committee
Nikolas Hatzistergos, is Chairman of William Buck. He qualified from the University of Sydney in 1979 and commenced his employment with a medium sized firm of chartered accountants. He rose quickly through the ranks to become a partner in December 1983. Nikolas is still one of the youngest ever members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants to be granted a practising certificate.
Over the last twenty five years, Nikolas has acted as an advisor to a large number of businesses involved in the manufacturing and services sector. Nikolas also frequently presents papers on leadership and business management issues and he has authored a number of technical papers that have been published both in Australia and overseas. He is also frequently sought by the Press for his views on accounting and business related issued.
Pascal Jauffret - Membership Committee
Pascal Jauffret joined Mazars in 1997 and is a member of the Group Executive Board for Mazars. He started his career as an auditor in Paris before pioneering the IFRS technical team. In 2009, he moved to Singapore to further develop Mazars in Asia-Pacific. He has been instrumental in the penetration of the firm in new markets such as Australia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia and developing existing practices in Japan, Korea, India, Malaysia, and Singapore. In 2015, he became the Managing Partner of Mazars in Italy, where he spearheaded a major transformation of their operations.
Pascal graduated from HEC in France. He holds a PhD in Management from Panthéon-Assas university in Paris and an Executive MBA from the NextMBA. He is a CPA and Chartered Accountant in France, and a fellow member of the ICAEW.
Raúl Montemayor Treviño - Governing Council and Regional Chair - Latin America
Raúl has 25 years of experience working with International companies venturing in to Mexico. He has participated in numerous acquisition projects of foreign investments and companies purchasing or investing in existing Mexican companies. His experience has led companies to avoid tax and customs liabilities that could exist in this kind of transactions. Raúl has also participated in numerous structuring projects for new companies opening subsidiaries in Mexico. These projects have included, corporate structuring in Mexico, IMMEX registration and set up, organising the Mexican teams to be able to handle accounting, payroll and customs activities. He has worked with clients having projects all over the Mexican territory.
Working with companies in the auto industry has gain him vast experience in the complexity of working with the OEM companies and has help companies work through the hurdles and challenges of this industry in Mexico. He has been a speaker in numerous forums in Mexico and in the US. He is a regular in the Mazars’ Mexico tax update seminars and in the North American Praxity tax group events, as well as a guest speaker in some of the best accounting firms in the US.
Ron Cook - SALT - Chair
Ron is a partner and leads Plante & Moran’s national state and local tax practice. Ron has over twenty - eight years of experience in state and local taxation, and specialises in income, franchise, sales/use and other types of transaction taxes. He has provided a wide variety of state tax services to clients in many different types of industries, including manufacturing, wholesaling and distribution, services and technology.
Ron has a diverse range of state tax experience, including mergers and acquisitions, identifying and implementing opportunities to mitigate state income and franchise tax, nexus determinations, state tax compliance, and state tax accounting.
Ruby Cheung - Asia Pacific
Over the past 20 years Ruby has been helping Australian SMEs, individuals and in-bound foreign entities to grow and expand their business. Working with clients from all countries, including UK, USA and South-East Asian region, she has proudly created strong long-term relationships built on trust.
Ruby’s clients have peace of mind knowing that she will help them make the right decisions at the right time. She provides advice on business strategy and planning, accounting solutions, outsource financial management, IPO support, global compliance and governance, taxation and commercial advice.
Ruby is passionate about creating innovative solutions that deliver real value for each of her client’s unique needs. She has a deep understanding of industry sectors having worked with clients across a variety of areas including property, medical & health, recruitment, IT, energy & resources, marketing and PR, and legal. Ruby also have extensive expertise working within the Asia-Pacific markets and is fluent in Cantonese and basic Mandarin. In 2021, Ruby was elected Chair of the Praxity Alliance’s Asia Pacific Region.
“Building genuine connections with my clients and partnering with them to find the best commercial and practical outcomes are the key drivers to our relationship and successes”. This approach has allowed Ruby to work with very talented business owners and leadership teams in medium to large companies, as well as leading individuals in the medical, legal and recruitment professions.
Steffen Ahrens - Management Board, Governing Council and Regional Chair - Europe
Partner FALK GmbH & Co KG
Steffen graduated in Business Administration and Economics from the Universities of Mannheim (Germany) and St. Gallen (Switzerland), and is a Partner at FALK in Germany. He has been practicing accounting with an international focus for more than 20 years following a secondment in his early career to Price Waterhouse, New York. Next to his national German Certified Tax Consultant and CPA title, Steffen also holds a US CPA title and as such oversees the US Desk at FALK in Germany. He is also engaged in expanding the firm’s international outsourcing capabilities.
Tom Watson - Management Board and Governing Council
Tom serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FORVIS, a top 10 professional services firm that delivers its experience and service with a deep understanding of its clients’ businesses, their needs, and what it takes to improve their business performance. As an international CPA and advisory firm, FORVIS serves clients in all 50 states and internationally. Tom is responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of the firm’s more than 5,500 personnel, including approximately 530 partners. Tom also serves as trustee of the FORVIS Foundation, FORVIS’ philanthropic fundraising organization.
Previously, Tom served as CEO of BKD, LLP, a top 15 accounting and advisory firm that merged with DHG to create FORVIS. Tom also served as South Region managing partner and Dallas/Fort Worth/Waco market managing partner prior to assuming the CEO role. During his career, Tom specialised in providing services to healthcare organisations, where he provided audit and advisory services to some of FORVIS’ most complex clients. He also served as healthcare regional industry leader where he helped guide the growth of this industry in the firm’s South Region. He currently serves as a member of FORVIS' firmwide Management Committee and Governing Board.
Tom received the Elijah Watt Sells Award for outstanding performance on the CPA exam. He is a Fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (FHFMA) and a member of the President’s Council at Harding University.
He is active in the community through involvement in numerous organisations. He serves as chair for Broadway Dallas and also serves as a board member and chair-elect for the Dallas chapter of The First Tee.
Tom is a 1992 graduate of Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas, with a B.B.A. degree.
Samantha Louis - CEO
Samantha is Chief Executive Officer of Praxity Global Alliance. She joined Praxity in June 2021 from the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants where she was Vice President in charge of International Advocacy. Prior to this she was Regional Vice President for Africa at the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).
Samantha is a Fellow of CIMA and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. She is a University of the Witwatersrand graduate and has completed post-graduate courses in public relations and management. She completed a Masters degree in Business Administration, with distinction, through the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) at the University of Pretoria in 2002.
Helen Jennings - COO
Helen joined Praxity 13 years ago to help the Board execute planned activities and achieve agreed strategies. A qualified accountant with a background in auditing and education, she also has extensive experience as a financial controller in different sectors.
As Chief Operating Officer, Helen ensures the smooth running of Praxity’s Executive Office. This includes supervising the office team, managing HR and accounts and overseeing the conference and business development teams. Helen attends the Praxity Board, Governing Council and Membership Committee meetings. Amongst her varied tasks in fostering the strategies set by the Board, Helen assesses the quality of the Praxity Alliance member firms, carrying out all the Tri-Annual Assessments as well as examining the suitability of potential new members.
After graduating in accounting & finance, Helen began her career as a lecturer in accounting at Kingston University in England, where she helped encourage young talent to enter into the profession. Training as an auditor with Macintyre Hudson, her next progression was to move up to Audit Manager at BDO. Embarking on a new challenge, she became Group Financial Controller at an investment bank in the City of London, followed by a similar role in a software company before joining Praxity in 2010.
Helen lives with her two young children in Epsom, England, and devotes much of her time to her family. As well as keeping abreast of changes within the profession, she is also learning to play the guitar, alongside a keen interest in both nutrition and epigenetics.
Yuri Zugolaro - Membership Committee
Yuri Zugolaro is a Partner at Pirola Pennuto Zei & Associati. He Graduated in Business and Economics at the University of Bologna. Registered with the Padova Association of Chartered Accountants and the Register of Auditors. Member of the Board of Statutory Auditors of major national and international companies. He has specific expertise in tax and corporate issues, both nationally and internationally, Transfer Pricing operations and M&A transactions. He was a temporary lecturer at the University of Bologna from 2001 to 2007 (matter of degree "Auditing") and taught at the Order of Chartered Accountants of Bologna from 1996 to 2008. Yuri has also been a Speaker at various conferences involving tax and corporate issues.
Elizabeth Hazzard-Herzing - Transfer Pricing - Chair
A member of FORVIS’ International Tax Services division since 2006, Elizabeth is a dedicated transfer pricing consultant. She has experience preparing transfer pricing reports, including planning analyses, documentation studies, economic analyses and IRS audit responses. She has worked with clients in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, chemicals, service providers, food and agriculture, and software technology. Elizabeth was temporarily transferred to Budapest, Hungary, where she gained extensive experience with transfer pricing methodologies specific to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and European Union.
She regularly presents at Praxity, AISBL North American and annual transfer pricing seminars and has presented at events sponsored by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Association of Manufacturers and Associated Industries of Missouri. Elizabeth currently serves as the global chairwoman of Praxity, AISBL’s Transfer Pricing Expert Working Group.
Elizabeth is a member of the St. Louis International Tax Group Inc. She also serves as a board member for the St. Louis National Charity Horse Show.
She is a 2005 magna cum laude graduate of McKendree University, Lebanon, Illinois, with a B.B.A. degree in economics/finance and management, and a 2006 graduate of University of Connecticut, Storrs, with an M.A. degree in economics.
Keith Piwko - Praxity Assurance Committee - Chair
Keith Piwko is a leader in the international assurance practice, where he focuses on advising manufacturing, distribution, and service companies on their worldwide growth and expansion strategies. Specialising in international audit, international tax, and global expansion, as well as employee benefit plans, Keith is dedicated to helping his clients navigate the complexities of the global market.
Keith regularly works with other partners to expand the international practice. Recognising the increasing global operations of companies today, he played a significant role in establishing various teams and initiatives, including the International Concierge Desk, the international tax services team, the international assurance team, as well as contributing to the growth and expansion of international offices, the Plante Moran Alliance, and the Praxity team.
Outside of his professional endeavours, Keith is actively involved in various professional and community organisations. He is a member of the AICPA, the MICPA, the International Business Steering Committee of the Detroit Regional Chamber, the Association of Corporate Growth, and the German American Chamber of Commerce. Committed to giving back to his community, Keith also dedicates his time to organisations such as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Detroit Athletic Club. He holds both a B.S. and M.S. in accounting from Michigan State University.
Becky Belanger - International Project Manager
Deborah Poulter - Head of Business Development
Deborah joined Praxity in January 2011. She is a people person with great communication skills, which helps to deepen connections, improve teamwork, and facilitate problem-solving across the Alliance.
Deborah brings a grounded approach to her role as Head of Business Development and Marketing at Praxity. With over two decades of experience, a teaching degree and diplomas in marketing and business management, she manages a variety of responsibilities at the head of the team. These include website deployments, managing Praxity marketing initiatives, onboarding new firms, collaborating with the team on content and thought leadership materials and contributing to international conferences. She collaborates directly with the Chief Executive Officer and COO to support Praxity’s overall strategy.
In her spare time, Deborah enjoys running and HIIT at the gym. She is also a qualified reflexologist and holds a diploma in nutrition, reflecting her commitment to health and fitness.
Tom Simmons - Brand Reputation and Marketing Executive
Tom joined Praxity in 2024 as Brand & Reputation Executive. With six years of marketing experience in both B2B and B2C sectors, as well as two years of international event experience, he manages the brand and reputation efforts, helping to promote Praxity's events, news, insights, and member firms. Tom uses his digital marketing expertise to support the Praxity team by promoting their knowledge, experience, and expertise to a wider audience.
In his free time, Tom is a photographer and a keen athlete, being a fan of rugby, MMA, F1, as well as expanding his perspectives through travelling.
Jess Honey - Webmaster
Jess is an integral part of Praxity’s public-facing persona and brand, working with developers and engineers to implement and update software, technologies and processes tailored to the Alliance. She also assists the Conferences team by maintaining onsite-hardware and additional software resources to guarantee digital competence at all events. A key point of contact for all aspects of Praxity’s running, she provides ultra-modern and futureproof capability.
A born and bred South Londoner, Jess is a skilled artist and illustrator. She enjoys heading to the coast to surf whenever the opportunity arises, and loves spending quality time with her dog, Red.
Carla Brew - Graphic Designer
A talented and experienced multi-disciplinary graphic designer, Carla takes charge of all Praxity materials and communications, ensuring they look informative, logical and beautiful. She is also in charge of actioning Praxity’s visual brand guidelines, keeping all of Praxity’s output consistent, whether online or at conferences. Bringing a project to life from its infancy is an exciting journey for Carla, beginning with from something simple and turning it into something unique and engaging.
The Sydney native is a keen and talented crocheter, creating everything from hats to full jumpsuits. She is interested in ceramics as well as being a keen cook, and is a student of Italian.
Tom Flemming - Copywriter
Tom is responsible for all content leaving the Praxity office, including all long-form writing and press releases. As chief communicator, most content goes through his pen before being dispersed throughout the Alliance, and the world. In his writing for Praxity, he distils complex ideas into clear messaging, speaking to a wide range of audiences with authority, objectivity, and ease.
Tom is a keen musician and multi-instrumentalist and has played guitar for 30 years. He loves to travel whenever possible and likes to bring a creative spark to the team.
Jo Webster - Head of Events
Jo joined Praxity at the start of 2022 bringing with her more than 15 years of expertise in the management of exhibitions and events in the aerospace sector. Jo has a wealth of experience in organising successful events, from large-scale showcase exhibitions at important industry events to gatherings for investors, suppliers, partners, and workers.
Jo's position involves project managing the five annual Praxity conferences as well as implementing the yearly conference plan to support our conference attendees and the Praxity leadership team.
Jo is skilled in a variety of project management tools, such as robust file sharing networks and conference management software. She studied French and German and finds enjoyment in travelling and experiencing local cultures. Attending conferences, when everyone gets together, reconnects, and makes new connections, is a strong highlight of Jo’s role within the Praxity team.
Lani Jefferies - Events Conference Manager
Lani is Events Manager at Praxity, where her role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, from sourcing venues and negotiating contracts to coordinating with hotels, delegates, speakers, and Destination Management Companies (DMCs). With over 11 years experience at Praxity, Lani finds great fulfilment in overseeing the entire planning process of conferences, from inception to execution, and seeing Praxity members come together to experience the full scope of what these events offer.
Before joining Praxity, Lani worked at CIPD, where she organised events in the not-for-profit sector, further honing her expertise in event management. Her background also includes various other roles in event organisation, equipping her with a comprehensive understanding of the industry and a strong commitment to delivering exceptional event experiences.
Natalie Giles - Financial Controller
As a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Natalie earned her chartered accountant certification in 2010. She has a wide range of expertise, including roles as a financial controller, financial business partner, strategic business manager, and auditor in a mid-tier corporation. She has extensive experience in company change, strategy, restructuring programmes, financial reporting, and business collaboration. Natalie has exceptional analytical abilities whilst handling challenging assignments and juggling competing demands.
Leading the financial department of Praxity's main office, Natalie maintains tight relationships with the Praxity conference team, the Praxity Board, and Praxity member firms. Natalie is a proficient user of Xero and Oracle R12 accounting packages, and an expert at Microsoft Excel. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, spending time with family and is conversational in Greek.
Tanisha Mittee - Accountant
Tanisha has been an accountant with Praxity for the past six years, supporting the Accounts team to help them stay on top of finances and resources, both at the executive office and across the Alliance.
Before joining Praxity, Tanisha worked in a range of roles in the accountancy industry, moving from practice to pension payroll and then onto accounts payable. Working for different companies in different sectors, she enjoys finding ways to improve efficiency with accounts, learning new software and new techniques. Tanisha also helps to train colleagues to get up to speed with systems, with proficiency in Excel, Word, Xero, Sage and Microsoft Great Plains.
Outside of her working hours, Tanisha is a keen sportswoman, with a FA level 1 in football coaching and a 2nd Dan in Kickboxing.
