2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference

Anita Whitehead, President & Chair, KPMG US Foundation

Anita is the President & Chair of the KPMG US Foundation. She also is a Principal with KPMG LLP, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory services firm.

Anita serves as the Chair of the KPMG US Foundation, where she is responsible for the strategy of our firm’s philanthropic efforts. She also serves as the lead for our Social Impact practice, where she supports both our non-profit and corporate clients on their philanthropic strategies.

Anita joined KPMG 22 years ago, bringing to the firm her deep culture of service. She specializes in social impact strategies, helping both non-profit organizations and companies create an impactful social impact strategy. Her work focuses on a variety of tax and advisory issues including: non-profit board governance, strategic planning, benchmarking, compliance with international giving requirements, and operationalizing charitable programs.

Christopher Choi, Senior Manager, Audit, KPMG, LLP

Christopher Choi is a Senior Manager within KPMG’s Audit Practice, bringing extensive expertise and leadership to his role. He is also the current co-lead for the Chesapeake Asian Pacific Islander (API) Business Resource Group, where he champions diversity and inclusion initiatives. Outside of KPMG, Chris is actively involved in the professional community, serving on the board of the Ascend Greater Washington Chapter as the Vice President of Community Relations. Additionally, he holds the position of Early Career Chair for the Association of Governmental Accountants Northern Virginia Chapter, where he supports the development of emerging professionals in the field.

Guylaine Saint Juste, President & CEO, National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. (NABA)

Guylaine became President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. (NABA) on February 1, 2021. She serves as a corporate officer on the Board of Directors with primary oversight for the NABA National Office and executing the multi-year NABA Strategic Plan.

Guylaine joins NABA from Year Up, a nonprofit organization that provides students of color the opportunity to experience careers in business and technology, where she served as Managing Director, of Employer of Influence Strategy for the last five years. Prior to Year Up, Guylaine spent over 25 years in the financial services industry where she served as Business Banking Virginia Market Executive at Capital One Bank.

Guylaine is the Founder and Co-Chair of the George Mason Women in Business Initiative and is also a member of the Board of Directors for Goodwill of Greater Washington.

Guylaine has a B.A. in International Relations from George Mason University and completed graduate studies in Retail Banking Management at the University of Virginia.

Jeffrey Tenenbaum, Managing Partner, Tenenbaum Law Group PLLC

Jeff Tenenbaum is one of the nation’s leading nonprofit attorneys, and also is an accomplished author, lecturer, and commentator on nonprofit legal matters. As Managing Partner of the nationally recognized, Washington, DC-based Tenenbaum Law Group – a four-attorney boutique law firm focused exclusively on the legal needs of nonprofits – Jeff counsels his clients on the broad array of legal issues affecting trade and professional associations, charities, and other nonprofits. For 19 years, Jeff practiced law at the Venable law firm and chaired its nonprofit practice for most of that time. Among numerous other honors and awards, Jeff was the 2006 recipient of the American Bar Association’s Outstanding Nonprofit Lawyer of the Year Award, is one of only five lawyers in the prestigious U.S. Legal 500’s Not-for-Profit “Hall of Fame,” and has been ranked as a “Best Lawyer” for Nonprofits/Charities Law by U.S. News & World Report every year since 2012. Jeff is the author of the ASAE-published book, Association Tax Compliance Guide – as well as the award-winning book Quarantine Cocktails – and currently serves as Chair of the American Bar Association’s Trade and Professional Associations Subcommittee and on the ASAE Legal Advisory Council and Public Policy Committee.

Jessica Blazer, Partner, KPMG, LLP

Jessica Blazer is a Partner in KPMG’s Washington, DC office. She has more than 22 years of experience serving clients in the Federal audit industry and is also involved with KPMG’s Federal Advisory practice.

Jessica is actively involved in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, serving on the board of directors of the Greater Washington Ascend Chapter and on the national advisory board for KPMG’s Asian Pacific Islander BRG. In May 2024, she received the Elite Titan award from the Asian American Chamber of Commerce in recognition of her contributions to DEI. Ms. Blazer received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Richmond. She is a CPA in Virginia and the District of Columbia and is a member of the AICPA. She lives in Arlington, VA with her husband and two children.

Kari Bedell, Executive Director, Greater Washington Society of CPAs

Ms. Bedell joined the Society in 2008, having spent the majority of her career previously in leadership positions in social and health services. She has previously served as Associate Director of the National Alliance to End Homelessness’ Center for Capacity Building, and as Executive Director of both the Dinner Program for Homeless Women and the American Liver Foundation’s National Capital Area Chapter. In addition to her work experience, Kari has served on community nonprofit boards, on mayoral appointed committees for the District of Columbia and has volunteered in a variety of capacities locally including as a grant reviewer for the District and as a development consultant to expanding organizations. Kari completed a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Michigan State University, and the Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate program at Georgetown University’s Public Policy Institute. She holds a Masters In Public Management from University of Maryland. A native of Michigan, Kari has been living and working in the Washington, DC area for fifteen years.

Regina Petty, Partner and Chief Diversity Officer, Fisher & Phillips LLP

Regina A. Petty is a partner and Chief Diversity Officer at Fisher Phillips, an international labor and employment law firm. She advises employers regarding a wide range of personnel matters and handles class action, jury trial, and appellate litigation for companies in state and federal courts. She also conducts workplace training and investigations and provides guidance for employers regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies. Regina is a Cornell Certified Diversity Professional. She was named a HRO Today 2022 DEI Executive of the Year and received the Women, Influence and Power in Law (WIPL) Lifetime Achievement Award.

Regina is a graduate of Stanford Law School. She received an undergraduate degree in Economics at Stanford University and was conferred an honorary Doctorate of Laws by California Western School of Law. She is a past president of the San Diego County Bar Association and has served in numerous leadership roles in international, national and regional bar, non-profit and civic organizations.