The 3rd Annual Conference on Practice Management for the Accounting Profession
Welcome to Winning Ways 2024 Developing the Next Generation of Leaders
This Year's Theme
As we embark on our third year of the Winning Ways conference, we are thrilled to announce our focus on a topic that is both crucial and timely for the accounting profession: Leadership Development. This year, we delve into the strategies and discussions necessary to prepare the next generation of leaders within firms across the profession.
Why Leadership Development?
In a rapidly transforming industry, the need for strong, forward-thinking leaders has never been more critical. Our future depends on empowering the next generation with the skills, insights, and confidence they need to lead effectively. This year's conference will provide you with the tools and knowledge to ensure your firm is not only ready for the future but is leading the way.
Join Us in Shaping the Future
At Winning Ways 2024, we are dedicated to creating an environment where you can learn, grow, and prepare for the future. Whether you are a seasoned leader or an emerging talent, this conference is designed to equip you with the necessary skills to lead with confidence and vision.
Together, let’s explore how we can build a strong foundation for the future of our firms by investing in our most valuable asset – our people.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
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Shaping the Future of the Profession What to expect from this year's conference
Progressive Leaders Attending the Event
This conference transcends the usual experience by uniting prominent accounting professionals and today's influencers to explore the most pressing issues in the profession. Hear how progressive firms are nurturing future leaders and network with industry peers who are equally dedicated to fostering excellence and innovation.
Building Lasting Relationships
At Winning Ways, we understand the value of a strong professional network. This conference offers unparalleled opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals, share experiences, and build lasting relationships. Engage in meaningful conversations with peers and industry leaders who are as passionate about leadership development as you are.
Attendance is capped at 100 leaders providing you the chance to share your experiences, learn from others, and gain new perspectives on creating culture best practices. Join us at our annual reception on November 7th for an evening of networking, discussion, and libations!
High Impact Industry Insights
Winning Ways is your gateway to high-impact industry insights that will transform your approach to leadership development. Our carefully curated sessions and panels are led by top experts and influencers who will provide you with the latest trends, strategies, and practical solutions. Stay ahead of the curve by gaining a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the accounting profession today.
Whether it’s through rapid-fire panels with managing partners, in-depth discussions with chief people officers, or candid conversations with young professionals, you will leave with actionable takeaways that can be immediately implemented within your firm.
Featured Panels:
Managing Partners on Strategy: Gain insights from a group of managing partners as they discuss strategic approaches to leadership development. |
Chief People Officers on Execution: Hear from a panel of chief people officers about the practical steps they are taking to execute leadership development initiatives. |
Young Professionals on Expectations: Listen to a group of young professionals share their perspectives on what they desire from firms and firm leaders. |
Top-Notch Speakers and Networking
Our Agenda is carefully designed to address the most pressing issues facing firms today when it comes to leadership development. For a full list of presentations and social events, click here. We will continue adding top-notch speakers to our agenda so check back in for updates.
Get in Touch Need more details or ready to register? Limited to 100 Attendees!
General Questions?
If you have a question about attending, sponsoring, speaking, or another way to get involved, please let us know.
Secure your Seat
Keep in mind that this event is limited to 100 attendees, so make sure you reserve your spot!
Speakers & Panelists (More Speakers Coming Soon)
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Scott J. Allen, Ph.D., is an award-winning educator passionate about working with people at all levels and across industries. He serves as an instructor in SMU’s Cox School of Business Executive Education and spent more than 18 years as a professor of management. His areas of expertise include leader development, the future of work, and executive communication.
Scott has published more than 60 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. He’s the co-author of several books, including The Little Book of Leadership Development: 50 Ways to Bring Out the Leader in Every Employee; Emotionally Intelligent Leadership: A Guide for College Students; Discovering Leadership: Designing Your Success; and Captovation: Online Presentations by Design. Scott hosts Phronesis: Practical Wisdom for Leaders, ranked among the world's top 2.5% of podcasts. Along with the podcast, he publishes a weekly newsletter called The Leader's Edge.
Scott frequently serves as a keynote speaker. In addition, he consults, facilitates workshops, and leads retreats across industries. Recent engagements include Lubrizol, Key Bank, Progressive, Nestle, EY, Siegfried Group, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Sherwin Williams, Whiting-Turner, Toyota Motor North America, Lexus, Gee Automotive, Crestron, NASA-Glenn, Elbit America, Oatey, Dominion/Enbridge, Endeavor Energy Resources, TransAlta, FedEx Custom Critical, Thompson Hine LLP, Nordson, and Cleveland Clinic.
Scott served on the board of the International Leadership Association, Association of Leadership Educators, and Management and Organizational Behavior Teaching Society. He was named an ILA Fellow by the International Leadership Association in 2021.
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Allan Koltin is a seasoned business advisor and consultant with over 30 years of experience in the accounting and consulting industries. As CEO of the Koltin Consulting Group, he leads a team of professionals who provide strategic guidance and support to accounting firms and their leaders.
Throughout his career, Allan has worked with hundreds of accounting firms, ranging from small local firms to large international organizations. He has helped these firms navigate complex business challenges, develop growth strategies, and improve operational efficiency.
An esteemed thought leader in the industry, Allan is a frequent speaker at industry events and has authored numerous articles and publications on topics related to accounting firm management and leadership. He is passionate about helping firms grow and succeed, and his insights and expertise have proven invaluable to countless clients throughout his career.
Prior to founding the Koltin Consulting Group, Allan was the CEO of PDI Global, a leading provider of consulting and training services to accounting firms. He also spent several years as a Partner with Deloitte, providing strategic consulting services to clients in a variety of industries.
Allan holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant. He is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society.
With his extensive knowledge and experience, Allan has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor and mentor to accounting firm leaders across the country. He works closely with his clients to understand their unique challenges and goals, and develops customized solutions that drive growth and success.
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Gary Shamis is a highly experienced and accomplished business advisor, entrepreneur, and Certified Public Accountant with over 40 years of experience in the accounting and consulting industries. As the Managing Director of Winding River Consulting, Gary provides strategic guidance and support to accounting firms, helping them navigate the complex challenges of the modern business landscape.
Throughout his career, Gary has worked with hundreds of accounting firms across the United States, ranging from small local practices to large international organizations. He has a deep understanding of the challenges facing the industry, and has helped countless firms overcome those challenges and achieve long-term success.
Gary is a recognized thought leader in the industry and a frequent speaker at industry events. He has authored numerous articles and publications on topics related to accounting firm management, leadership, and growth. He is passionate about helping accounting firms achieve their full potential and has dedicated his career to this mission.
Prior to founding Winding River Consulting, Gary was a co-founder of SS&G, a top 50 accounting and consulting firm, where he served as Managing Partner for over 30 years. Under his leadership, the firm grew from a small local practice to a regional powerhouse with multiple offices and a diverse portfolio of clients.
Gary is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Akron.
With his extensive knowledge, experience, and passion for the industry, Gary has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor and mentor to accounting firm leaders across the country. He works closely with his clients to develop customized strategies that drive growth and profitability, and he is committed to helping accounting firms thrive in the face of the challenges and opportunities of the modern business world.
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David Toth built his marketing expertise around a strong digital comprehension. Understanding the importance of data, he reasoned, should guide each step of the process, using informed decision making to adapt when and where necessary. Armed with the evidence, David challenges the status quo to drive results.
He is a strategic-thinker and believes the path to successful outcomes includes integrating technology with tried-and-true practices. As David sees it, when it comes to digital transformation there will always be new dots to connect. The challenge is having the discipline to make the connections that close the gap between marketing dollars and sales revenue.
David has served as an outsourced CMO, agency executive, and change agent for organizations in sectors from fast-growing start-ups to well established Fortune 500 companies. He has a knack for building meaningful relationships. David has found that while each business and industry is unique, the foundation to success is always the same — know your audience.
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Lucia is the driving force behind the adoption of new technologies at our firm. She stays up to date on advancements and works with firm leadership to develop and implement strategic plans that align with our goal of enhancing the client and employee experience.
Lucia comes to James Moore with nearly a decade of experience and forward-thinking leadership in technology, public accounting and tax law matters. Her notable achievements included the market launch of revolutionary tax software and building a large specialty tax practice at a top 50 accounting firm. Lucia’s knowledge of technology, strategic partnerships, teambuilding, public accounting and tax law provides our firm with a new and unique perspective on client service and operations.
Outside of James Moore, Lucia is active in local bar associations and their respective boards. She also volunteers with Project Youth, Step-Up and other organizations focused on mentoring and empowering underprivileged youth in their journeys toward college.
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Larry Autrey, CPA, ABV and Managing Partner of Whitley Penn, has more than 30 years of tax, advisory and business valuation experience focused on public and private clients. His areas of practice include mergers and acquisitions, manufacturing, distribution, profit enhancement, professional services, business valuations and estate planning.
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Professional Affiliations
Board Member, Texas Land Conservancy
Former Chairman, Cook Children’s Hospital
Former Board Member, Community Enrichment Center
Former Board Member, Community Foundation of North Texas
Former Chairman, ACH Child & Family Services Foundation – Board of Directors
Former Vice Chairman, ACH Child & Family Services – Board of Directors
Former National Advisory Board Member, BBVA Compass
Former Chairman, Tarrant County United Way – Alexis de Tocqueville Society
Former Chairman, Fort Worth Chapter Young Presidents Organization
Former Chairman, The Bridge Youth Shelter
Former Board Member & Assistant Treasurer, Child Study Center of Fort Worth
Professional Certifications
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV)
Education
- B.B.A. in Accounting – Texas Tech University
- B.B.A. in Finance – Texas Tech University
- M.B.A. in Data Analytics – Abilene Christian University
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As a dancer turned “product person” turned “people person,” I firmly believe that each of us is on a personal journey to marry our passion, purpose, and highest potential. I’ve dedicated my career to helping individuals, teams, and organizations see new possibilities, clarify their vision, and realize their dreams. This personal passion is reflected in Ascend’s mission to honor and maintain the independence of the firms we partner with, while reimagining what’s possible and helping each other succeed through shared community and support.
My favorite Ascend value is “Bring the Sunshine.” While none of us can show up with 100% positivity every day, this value emphasizes our effort to explore creative solutions and to enjoy the journey with our colleagues just as much as we enjoy celebratory milestone moments.
I am grateful for the educational and professional experience that has led me to Ascend. In addition to studies at Columbia University (BA, Sustainable Development and Dance) and Stanford (MBA), I have built and scaled culture and strategy programs at Alpine Investors and have advised top C-suite leaders across private equity, hedge funds, and F500 companies on talent strategy, talent selection and the development of high performers as an executive at ghSMART.
I am a “West coaster” (from California) living out East (in Boston) with my husband and 14-pound cavapoo pup. On the weekends you can find me out on a run, catching up with a good friend on the phone, or dancing to music as I try a new healthy recipe in the kitchen.
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As the founder and CEO of Spiirall, Danielle’s role is to lift employees and leaders from where they are professionally to where they want to go. Using a proven approach developed through working with accounting firms throughout the country, she and her team are action-oriented client partners. The Spiirall team works together to identify and solve leadership underperformance, morale and turnover problems, lack of clarity in direction and goals, and constructive feedback needs. Managing these elements of the employer/employee puzzle leads to huge peace of mind and opens the door to explore exciting new ways to encourage and develop talent.
Danielle brings more than twenty years of experience in leadership training, culture development, and human resources consulting to her role, which she combines with a no-nonsense, yet infectious passion for developing talent.
After a few years of college, Danielle made the difficult decision to press pause on pursuing her degree to focus on raising her children. Danielle attributes much of her professional success to the training opportunities provided by her previous employers. She has personally been the beneficiary of exceptional training programs and is deeply committed to creating boundless opportunities for others through Spiirall’s learning experiences.
When not working with clients to change the employee experience in public accounting, Danielle can be found hiking, paddleboarding or playing outside in the Colorado sunshine with her husband Jordan and daughters Haley and Lauren.
Danielle lives in Loveland, Colorado where she shares an office with her dog Charley D. and cat Charlie C.
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What Previous Attendees Have To Say Testimonials
I have been fortunate to attend Winning Ways the past two years and have found the content to be informative and timely. I like the fact that they focus on a common theme such the talent shortage and explore the issues in depth. I would highly recommend this conference to all firm leaders.
- Jeff Mowery, Managing Partner at Mowery & Schoenfeld
"Winning Ways was a unique conference for high-caliber accounting firm owners and execs to come together and discuss some of the industry's biggest problems. If you want to be in the room with people who are making it happen, I highly recommend attending"
- Brandon Hall, Managing Partner at Hall CPA PLLC
"I thought the Winning Ways was a great conference to attend and well worth the time and money. Many of the thought leaders of the profession were there and it provided a great opportunity to network with many of them. The content of the conference was very timely as well as it was focused on resource management and outsourcing solutions etc., which are some of the biggest issues in the profession at this time."
- Jeff Call, Managing Partner at Bennett Thrasher
Attending the Winning Ways conference has been an invaluable experience for my team and I. The event stands out for its dedicated focus on practice management, diving deep into crucial topics that are top of mind each year. It's a must-attend for any accounting professional committed to evolving within the industry.
- Michael Simpson, CPA, CVA, Managing Partner at Brinker Simpson & Company, LLC
Winning Way’s unique strategy makes us focus on all sides of a current critical area in our practice is refreshing. It forces you think deeply about how these concepts impact your firm. It also provides access to other leaders to hear what they are doing in this space. The event packs a lot of concentrated information into a short window of time which I really appreciate.
- David Youngstrom, President & CEO at Yeo & Yeo
What is the Investment? $1,370 Per Ticket
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