Karen Tenenbaum

An attorney for over 38 years, Karen Tenenbaum and her team represent taxpayers in IRS and New York State tax matters. Karen is a frequent speaker on IRS and NYS tax issues for numerous professional groups on topics such as New York State residency, IRS and NYS tax collection and more. Her knowledge and leadership have established her as a leading tax attorney in the New York area. She developed an interest in promoting financial literacy from her first-hand experience helping others with tax problems.

In addition to her tax practice, Karen is the founder of Money Masters, Inc. and the co-creator of Walter the Vault, which is an animated character who promotes financial literacy for children. He focuses on how to save reasonably, spend responsibly, invest wisely, give appropriately, and budget regularly. Karen’s ultimate goal is to teach children how to make responsible and informed decisions about money.

As an advocate of financial literacy for all ages, Karen is also the co-founder and served as chair of the board of directors for Commerce Plaza, Inc., a nonprofit promoting financial literacy that is now part of the YES Community Counseling Center. Commerce Plaza introduces children to the business community in order to prepare students for employment and a successful future. The Children’s Business Center teaches elementary students about the free enterprise system, careers, economics, citizenship, and the general skills needed in the work-world. Through a hands-on and simulated work environment, students receive paychecks, make bank deposits, write checks, operate businesses, prepare cost sheets, think critically, and work as a team. www.litaxattorney.com www.walterthevault.com

Karen has been featured in news articles and on local cable television shows and radio programs, including the WCBS 880 Radio Small Business Spotlight with Joe Connolly, “Fox5,” Money Magazine, iHeart Radio, Toy Museum of NY, Tower Talk Radio, Law You Should Know, Long Island Business News, The New York Times, Newsday, The Trusted Professional, “Channel 12 News,” Channel 12 Job Line, Bloomberg Radio, Telecare “Family Comes First,” Bonnie D.

Graham’s “Technology Revolution: The Future of Now” and “Something to Talk About,” the Kidz Expo at the Long Island Children’s Museum and Govs Radio. In addition, she has given multiple presentations for the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and created a Family Financial Literacy Fair for the NYS Society of CPAs, Nassau Chapter.

Active in the legal and accounting professions, Karen is past chair of the Nassau County Bar Association Tax Law Committee and a past executive board member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants, Nassau Chapter. She is also the past chair of the Financial Literacy Committee of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants, Nassau Chapter. Karen remains an active member of all of these organizations. For many years, she has been selected as a New York Metro Area Super Lawyer as a practitioner of Tax Law. Recently, Karen was named a Top 50 Women Lawyer of New York State by Super Lawyers.

Karen received her J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and her LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law. She is admitted to the New York State Bar Association and the U.S. Tax Court. She is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Dr. Nsombi Jaja, P.M.P, SAMC, CCMP, C.M.C., is the president of Quality Management Consultancy Inc. USA, a consulting practice providing solutions to the business community in the areas of strategic management, change management, quality management, leadership development, and customer experience management. For the past 20 years, Dr. Jaja has worked with the leadership teams of client organizations assisting them with organizational transformation and change management. She is the author of “How Leaders Develop Spiritual Intelligence.” Her work as a professional speaker and coach has inspired and motivated many to achieve breakthroughs and excellence in their lives.

A certified John Maxwell speaker, trainer, and coach, Dr. Jaja helps to transform the modern workplace into one where employees find meaning in their work and contribute to a positive, healthy environment. As organizations experience change, including restructuring, downsizing, and mergers, she coaches leaders on how to lead change effectively and she coaches employees on how to understand, manage, and cope with change in order to emerge stronger and better.

Dr. Jaja received her training in quality management through two fellowship awards from the United Nations and the Government of Japan and one fellowship award from the Government of Sweden. Foundation training in quality management was provided by the Juran Institute Inc. USA. Dr. Jaja holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry and Applied Chemistry from the University of the West Indies, Mona, an M.B.A. from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, and a D.B.A. from the University of Phoenix.

In her spare time, Dr. Jaja enjoys watching and playing tennis and having memorable experiences with her family.