The WSCPA and IIA Present: New Year - New Risk IN PERSON

Aaron Johnson, Shareholder, Tax Attorney & Professor, Ballard Spahr

Aaron is a partner at Ballard Spahr Lane Powell in Seattle, WA, where he co-leads the firm’s SALT team and represents multinational, U.S., and regional businesses in SALT matters including tax litigation, audit defense, appeals, planning and structuring tax efficient transactions. Previously, he was an experienced tax manager at PwC where he managed a multistate practice and tax controversies, a judicial law clerk, stockbroker and financial advisor, and an enlisted U.S. Army Soldier. He is the WA Bar SALT Committee Chair, a member of the Legislative and founder of the Tax DEI committee; on the ABA SALT Executive Committee; and teaches tax at UW School of Law. He previously taught corp. tax at UW Foster and fed. tax at SPU (20-21 prof. of the year). Aaron is an appointed member of the WA DOR’s Business Advisory Council and an advisory member to the Assoc. of WA Bus. (AWB).

Elizabeth Masnari is Associate Vice President of Enterprise Risk Management for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, WA. In her role, she oversees the Fred Hutch Internal Audit, Business Continuity Planning, and Enterprise Risk Management Programs. With over 35 years of audit and risk management experience, Elizabeth started her career in public accounting before moving into the private sector. Prior to joining Fred Hutch in May 2018, Elizabeth held audit and risk management positions at Bank of America, McKesson, Washington Mutual, and Providence Health. She received her undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of Washington and an MBA degree from Washington State University. She is a Certified Public Accountant and serviced for nine years on the Washington State Board of Accountancy. She currently serves on the Institute of Internal Auditors Seattle Chapter Board, the UW Bothell Accounting Advisory Board, and the Washington CPA Foundation Board. Elizabeth has also provided past board service at the Washington Society of CPAs and the Arc of King County.

Joel Williams, Assoc Dir, Global Mobility Practice, KPMG LLP (Seattle)

Joel Williams, CPA, is an Associate Director in KPMG’s Global Mobility Practice in Seattle. He has more than 20 years of experience in the global mobility industry. Joel has had the benefit of living and working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; London; and Houston during his career and has served clients primarily in the energy, financial and technology sectors. Joel is a leader within KPMG’s Global Mobility Services Innovation team, an interdisciplinary group of professionals that develops and delivers emerging technologies and creative solutions to help solve his clients’ challenges. His focus is on identifying ways clients can leverage AI to make their mobility programs more efficient and effective.

Kathryn Blaser

Katy Blaser is a CPA and Director in KPMG’s Accounting Advisory practice in Seattle, Washington. With extensive experience advising Fortune 500 companies, she specializes in preparing them for compliance with both domestic and international ESG regulations. As the ESG regulatory space continues to evolve, Katy offers strategic insights on reporting sustainability risks, while developing a reporting infrastructure that prioritizes completeness, accuracy, and transparency.