Coffee & Conversations

Jenny Cravens, CPA, MAC, is the P.R. O’Shaughnessy Executive Professor of Accounting at Central Washington University, a position she has held since 2016. Prior to her teaching role, Jenny was the CFO for Cashmere Valley Bank, which capped a 25-year career in banking and finance. Jenny’s areas of expertise and instruction include risk management, governance, ethics, auditing, professional development, and financial accounting. Jenny has served on various fiduciary and advisory boards in the not-for-profit, healthcare, and educational sectors. When she is not teaching, Jenny enjoys outdoor sports, cooking, being with family and friends, and supporting her passion for tiny houses. 

Carrie Ommen, CPA, works as an outsourced controller for Your Part-Time Controller, LLC. She graduated from Hamline University with a BBA in Accounting in 2017. She obtained her initial CPA licensure in Minnesota in 2019 and obtained CPA licensure in Washington in 2022. Carrie enjoys yoga, hiking, traveling, eating at new restaurants, cooking new recipes, and taking leisurely meanders around farmers markets. 

Scott Rodgers, CPA, MST, is a sole practitioner who entered the profession working for large local CPA firms in Bellevue, Washington. He started up his own practice in 1999 and has provided tax compliance and consulting services to a wide range of business clients. Scott is a co-founder of the Sole Practitioners Resource Group which has hosted monthly meetings since 2011. He is also an active member of the International Tax Resource Group. Scott served as treasurer of the Eastside Nihon Matsuri Association, a Japanese cultural arts nonprofit. Scott and his wife enjoy challenging home improvement projects and spend their free time traveling in Japan. 

Liz Redmond, CPA, is the Sr. Director of Accounting at Vulcan LLC. Liz graduated magna cum laude in 2009 from the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and information systems. She started her career as an assurance associate with Ernst & Young and served public and private audit clients in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Liz joined Vulcan in 2011 and has led accounting and financial reporting functions supporting a range of divisions including commercial real estate, family office, and private foundations. In her down time, Liz enjoys spending time with her family and pandemic pup Junebug, planning summer hikes and camping trips, and coaxing out stubborn blooms in her shady Seattle yard.

Amanda Schaffer, CPA, MAcc, works as an outsourced CFO and Accounting Services Manager at Greenwood Ohlund. She has extensive expertise in nonprofit audit management, including GAAP, GAAS, and GAGAS compliance. With a background managing audits for organizations with revenues up to $261 million, Amanda excels in presenting financial statements and control recommendations to boards and finance committees. Amanda's technical proficiency in financial data analysis and her commitment to high client service standards make her well equipped to navigate complex accounting requirements. She currently serves on the Gonzaga Accounting Young Alumni Board and the WSCPA Emerging Leaders Committee. Outside of work, Amanda enjoys reading, tea parties, and movie nights with friends and family. 

Leslie Sesser, CPA, is an Assurance Shareholder at Finney, Neill & Company, P.S. in Seattle, where she serves not-for-profit organizations and real estate clients, including affordable housing, low income and historic tax credit projects. Leslie began her professional career in assurance at Ernst & Young, LLP and also served as the Learning Manager for the firm's West Coast Advisory practice. Leslie received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from George Fox University in 2001 and her CPA license in 2002. She currently serves on the Executive Committee of the WSCPA Not-For-Profit Resource Group and is a member of the CPAPAC and Not-For-Profit Conference Planning Committee.  She serves as the Treasurer of her homeowners association and has held other non-profit Treasurer and finance committee roles.  In her spare time, Leslie enjoys quilting, hiking, and pickleball.

David Togami, CPA, is a Senior Manager in Armanino’s Growth Office, Data & Analytics group. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, David moved to Washington to attend Gonzaga University. Throughout his career, David has worked in a range of industries, including public accounting, aviation, intermodal operations, information security, and DevOps. Outside of work, David is an adjunct instructor at Gonzaga University and trains at a local Thai boxing gym.