Meet the Nominees for the 2025-2026 WSCPA Board of Directors!
In accordance with Article VI of the bylaws, all nominees will be declared elected by the secretary at the annual meeting unless other nominations, supported by at least one percent of membership, are received by April 1, 2025. If a contest for one or more positions develops, an election for those positions will be held at the meeting. The 2025 Annual Meeting is scheduled for June 12, 2025.
Meet the Incoming Chair JOEL WILLIAMS, CPA
Term: 2 years, becomes Immediate Past Chair 2026-2027
Board service: since 2022
KELLY NELSON, CPA
Vice Chair
Term: 3 years, becomes Chair 2026-2027
Board service: since 2023
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.
What is your biggest work pet peeve? My biggest work pet peeve is when people talk loudly in open spaces in the office. There are phone rooms for your conversation if you need to be on a call for more than a few minutes. By all means, make use of them!
Do you think zombies should be slow or fast? Zombies would have to be slow. They’re dead, so I would expect dead people to be at least a little slower than the living.
Joel in front of the Rome train station during a trip with his wife to the Mediterranean to celebrate their 25th anniversary.
Kelly Nelson, CPA, is the Managing Principal of the Seattle Business Unit of Baker Tilly Advisory Group. Her role in leading is to elevate, empower, celebrate and provide opportunities to the members of her team. She is passionate about creating a culture of inclusion and belonging and thoroughly embracing the diversity of thought that comes with professionals being their authentic selves in the workplace. Additionally, Kelly serves ultra-high-net worth individuals, family businesses and family offices. She demonstrates a rare ability to develop and maintain an overall plan for the family while preserving harmony among family members and across the generations.
How do you handle stress? I am pretty even tempered so I handle stress pretty well. Time cooking and baking are always a stress reliever for me but that also means time with my family to enjoy what I’ve created.
In your opinion, what is the best type of cheese? Any cheese that doesn’t smell like cheese is the best type for me. I don’t like my food to be “cheesified”. Yes, I’ve made up that word, but most people understand what I mean. You can’t remove the taste or smell from pungent cheese, but I do love non-smelly cheeses. Especially in enchiladas or on pizza.
LIZ REDMOND, CPA
Treasurer
Term: 1 year (second term)
Board service: since 2023
RICHARD BURGER MACKEY, CPA, CIA, CFE
Secretary
Term: 1 year (second term)
Board service: since 2023
Liz Redmond, CPA, is the Sr. Director of Accounting at Vale Group. 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 camping trips, and coaxing out stubborn garden blooms in her shady Seattle yard.
What’s a mistake you made early on in your career, and what did you learn from it? Early in my career, I had difficulty with self-confidence and imposter syndrome. A leadership opportunity arose in my organization that would have been a significant promotion from my current position. I had a lot of support and encouragement from the team this new position would work with, but I also heard from one person who thought I wasn't ready. Going into the interviews, I lent more credence to the doubt of one person than the support of many. At one point, I remember telling the interview panel that they would be taking a chance on me in this position. The lead interviewer stopped the interview and said "Do not doubt yourself. You've earned this opportunity and deserve to be here." I think about this moment often, especially when I'm tempted to let the lone voice of doubt creep in.
What household chore do you put off doing the most? Washing windows, both in the house and in the car. It's a losing battle with a dog that loves to look outside and watch everyone passing by. The nose prints are a permanent fixture and I've just given up!
In September 2024, Liz and her mom took a trip to Greece, Croatia and Italy. "I love traveling together and can't wait for our next adventure," said Liz.
Richard Burger, CPA, CIA, CFE, has 20 years of financial, compliance and assurance experience and has demonstrated proficiencies in executing governance, risk, and control design reengineering across a diverse product/service portfolio involving a multitude of business functions. An experienced and trusted advisor, Richard can engage various stakeholders for managing risk governance. Prior to serving as a Senior Investigator at Microsoft, Richard served as a Compliance Program Manager and Audit Manager, and previously served the Boeing Company as an Auditor and Senior Analyst. Richard graduated from Seattle University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Accounting and completed internal audit graduate coursework at Seattle University. Richard is a CPA, an Institute of Internal Auditors Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and an Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).
What’s a mistake you made early on in your career, and what did you learn from it? The only bad mistakes in life are the ones you don’t learn from. Failing a task or failing an exam doesn’t mean you learned nothing from the experience. (Acing an exam doesn’t mean you learned much, either!). Take the time after a failure to reflect on what went well and what you would do differently. Some of the most valuable wisdom and experience is born from our failures.
What household chore do you put off doing the most?
Laundry. My husband and I share the chores. He takes care of doing the laundry, and I take care of the dishes. Divide and conquer.
JENNY CRAVENS, CPA, MAC Director
Term: 3 years
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.
What’s a mistake you made early on in your career, and what did you learn from it? Not realizing that the key to meaningful, confidence-building success was to prioritize my needs and values over my goals and ambitions. I learned I can be good at things that aren’t good for me.
Are you a collector of something? I’m a collector of gnome friends. I have lots. I’m actually the official Human Ambassador to the Gnome Kingdom. Very coveted position.
BENJAMIN HALL, CPA, MPAcc Director
Term: 3 years
Benjamin Hall, CPA, serves as the Tax Director at Bumble Bee Foods, a global leader in shelf-stable and ready-to-eat seafood products. With extensive experience in corporate tax, he has held leadership roles across public and private companies. His expertise spans diverse industries, including healthcare, real estate, manufacturing, and consumer products. Benjamin specializes in corporate tax compliance and reporting, covering areas such as tax accounting, M&A, transfer pricing, credits and incentives, executive compensation, and general corporate tax planning matters. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, gardening, and outdoor adventures.
How do you handle stress? When I’m feeling the most stressed, I retreat to quiet solitude, breathe fresh air, exercise and prioritize. I try to remember to keep things in perspective as well. Self-care.
Describe your perfect sandwich: A perfectly toasted artisan bread packed with warm meats & cheese, spicy, with plenty of veggies, and big enough to share.
Benjamin enjoying sailing through Montlake during the Seattle summer.
ANDREW PRATHER, CPA
Director
Term: 3 years
Andrew Prather, CPA, is an Audit Shareholder at Clark Nuber P.S. serving a wide range of not-for-profit organizations. He is a member of the firm’s governing Executive Committee and is also the firm’s Quality Control Director. Andrew has served as a volunteer with the AICPA’s Auditing Standards Board, FASB’s Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee, and is a regular speaker at WSCPA and AICPA conferences and webcasts. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys taking in shows at local theaters and traveling with family.
How do you handle stress? Put on some background music, either lo-fi hip hop or Classical KING streaming.
Are you a collector of something? Travel photos—they are my favorite souvenirs to bring home.
Andrew and Dinah
RACHEL ROSS, CPA
Director
Term: 3 years
Rachel Ross, CPA, is the Global Tax Director at Fluke Corporation in Everett, where she leads global tax execution, planning, compliance and transfer pricing. She has been with Fluke since 2017 and previously worked for 13 years at Deloitte. Rachel holds a master’s degree in taxation and a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington. She is an active member of the WSCPA Women’s Leadership Summit planning committee and resides in Edmonds with her family. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor activities, trying new recipes, finding great restaurants and sweating out daily life stresses via HIIT (high-intensity interval training) and strength-training classes.
What advice would you give to a newly licensed CPA? Stay curious and try new things, even if it feels outside of your comfort zone. Also, ask questions to understand the “why,” as it’s just as important as understanding the “how”.
Do you think zombies should be slow or fast? Slow, so it gives you time to think, strategize and try to outrun them.
REMAINING ON THE BOARD
The following members currently serve on the Board and will continue serving in 2025-2026:
Chair: Joel Williams, CPA
Immediate Past Chair: Sarah Funk, CPA, CGMA
President & CEO: Kimberly Scott, CAE
Directors: Jamie Hueners, CPA
Michaela Kay, CPA
Ursula Perkins, CPA
Jillian Robison, CPA
Scott Rodgers, CPA, MSTax
David Togami, CPA