AI Conference

Edwin Harvey

Edwin Harvey, Ph.D., is Director of AI Solutions & Training at Your Part-Time Controller, LLC, where he champions effective, responsible adoption of emerging AI technologies. Edwin has consulted across the fields of analytics, automation and business strategy, especially in the nonprofit and financial management sectors. In his current role, he researches emerging AI technologies and applies what he learns to help clients and colleagues navigate the overlap between digital tools and natural language. A passionate trainer, Edwin speaks frequently at conferences, events and webinars.

Bronach Branan

Bronach Branan is a partner with a unique perspective gained from 30 years in accounting and consulting. Her career encompasses 20 years in public accounting and 10 years in private industry and consulting (in London and Ireland), across telecommunications, media technology and banking. This diverse background, combined with management consulting experience at “Big 4” firms focusing on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementations, positions her as a specialist in delivering impactful operational excellence solutions within the firm’s Risk Advisory Services practice.

Her early career in public accounting focused on providing audit and assurance services for a range of clients, including those in hospitality, construction, government contracting, nonprofit and employee benefit plan clients, including those with SEC filing requirements. However, her previous consulting experience ignited a passion for driving operational improvements, leading her to specialize in this area.

Utilizing Lean Six Sigma methodologies, she identifies and implements improvements that streamline operations and enhance controls, to drive sustainable results. Internally, Bronach champions continuous improvement by leading firm-wide initiatives. She shares her insights through contributions to PBMares Operational Excellence AdvisoryWATCH and active participation in developing and delivering departmental training. Bronach also presents on various risk advisory and audit topics.

A committed community member, Bronach participates in several local volunteer activities. She chairs the LEAD Peninsula Alumni Network (LPAN), having graduated from the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce’s “LEAD Peninsula” program in 2022. She also serves on the advisory board and finance committee of both Our Lady of Mount Carmel School and Peninsula Catholic High School in Newport News. Additionally, she is Treasurer of her neighborhood Homeowners Association and is a member of Impact 100 Greater Peninsula. Previously, she served as Treasurer of the Southern Children’s Advocacy Center in Tucson, Ariz.

Byron Patrick

Byron K. Patrick, CPA, is an innovator who thrives at the intersection of accounting and technology. Rejecting traditional accounting roles early on, Byron founded Simplified Innovations, an IT firm built specifically for CPAs. For decades, Byron has been a respected national speaker and writer, translating complex accounting technology topics into practical guidance. As co-founder of TB Academy, Byron equips accountants with generative AI skills, empowering them to become tech-enabled industry leaders. He frequently shares his insights nationwide, making advanced technology approachable and practical for finance professionals. Outside the accounting-tech scene, Byron lives on a horse farm, balancing family, dogs, horses, and a passion for helping accountants redefine their profession.

Neil Stechschulte

Neil Stechschulte has been an audit professional and technology enthusiast at Ernst & Young since January 2018. He has helped multiple clients and audit engagements use technology in order to develop more efficient processes and have better insights.

John McLain

John is the EY Americas Assurance Technology Risk AI Leader and EY Americas Assurance AI Deputy Leader.

John helps clients assess the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies on financial and integrated audits. He is developing AI assessment tools and frameworks to promote the responsible use of advanced technologies in finance transformation.

With a strategic focus on enterprise risk, John utilizes his extensive knowledge of IT internal controls and experience in protecting critical IT systems to help clients establish trust and confidence in the use of AI across their organization.

As an EY US Government & Public Sector (GPS) Global Client Service Partner, John previously served as the Department of Defense Subsector Leader, Business Consulting Leader and GPS Service Delivery Center Leader.

John is a graduate of the Clemson University School of Business and Behavioral Sciences. He is a Certified Information Systems Auditor and Certified Defense Financial Manager.

Patricia Katebini

Tricia Katebini has spent her career in public accounting, specializing in the nonprofit sector since 2007. As an audit partner, she is in charge of and responsible for the planning and managing of financial statement audits and Single Audits, when applicable. Ms. Katebini has served a range of nonprofit clients including charities, foundations, private schools, and associations, and has presented results to management and the board of directors. Ms. Katebini also advises organizations on internal control best practices, as well as other accounting and operational areas critical to the organization’s financial health.

A seasoned speaker on technical accounting and tax topics affecting nonprofits, Ms. Katebini has presented at AICPA, MACPA, GWSCPA, and other accounting and nonprofit industry conferences. She has built a strong reputation for serving as a key advisor to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Washington, D.C. and Baltimore areas. Her nonprofit audit experience includes proficiency in technical accounting issues and the requirements of Uniform Guidance. She also provides valued guidance to clients on new accounting pronouncements.

In addition to audit and assurance, Ms. Katebini’s background also includes knowledge of technical tax issues for nonprofit organizations including unrelated business income and state nexus issues. Her work across a wide range of accounting, tax, and compliance concerns allows Ms. Katebini to bring clients a holistic view of their operations.

Ms. Katebini currently serves on the AICPA’s Joint Trial Board, a wellrespected position within the CPA community. She was also named a 2021 Woman to Watch and received the Maryland Association of CPAs’ 2022 Max Teichmann Award. Ms. Katebini is a proud member of GRF’sWomen on the Move, the firm’s women’s leadership initiative.

Karl Spanbauer

Karl Spanbauer, CPA, brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to the forefront of accounting innovation, specializing in the nonprofit sector. With a solid foundation of five years in public accounting as a dedicated nonprofit auditor, Karl has developed a keen eye for the unique financial and operational challenges faced by nonprofit organizations. This experience laid the groundwork for his current role as Controller at the Capital Area Food Bank, an organization dedicated to fighting food insecurity in the Washington DC area. Beyond traditional accounting, Karl is a fervent advocate for the transformative power of technology in finance and accounting. He is an expert in process automation, leveraging cutting-edge Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and other techniques to streamline operations, enhance accuracy, and foster efficiency. Karl’s passion for technological innovation is matched by his commitment to sharing knowledge and empowering others in the field. He has successfully implemented advanced automation solutions in his role as Controller, significantly reducing manual workload and enabling a focus on strategic initiatives. He is also published in the journal of accountancy. As a fun fact, he used ChatGPT to help formulate this biography.

Holly Blanchard

Holly Blanchard is a transformative CFO and executive advisor with more than 20 years of C-suite experience, including 18 years as a CFO—spanning the consulting, corporate, and nonprofit sectors. Focusing on results, clarity, and cross-functional leadership, Holly helps organizations navigate complexity and accelerate performance across finance, technology, HR and operations—enabling them to unlock funding and deliver sustainable results, especially in moments of disruption or growth.

As founder of Clark Consulting, Holly partners with CEOs, boards, and senior teams to align finance, operations, HR, and technology. She is known for her long-standing operational discipline—achieving 11+ consecutive years of positive net income and 10 consecutive years of clean federal and financial audits with no findings or adjustments. She has led $50M+ in net income improvements, managed $75M in diversified investments, tripled cash reserves, and negotiated strategic capital structures that fueled long-term growth.

Holly has also led enterprise technology transformations, implementing modern financial, HR, and IT systems across multiple organizations—often delivering 25–35% cost savings through strategic vendor negotiations and system redesigns. She brings grounded, realworld experience to technology decisions, with a focus on business solutions, multi-year ROI, usability, and reducing complex risks.

She also incorporates the human lens into transformation. Holly has built and retained high-performing teams with 95%+ retention, delivered 45% savings in benefits plans while maintaining employee satisfaction, and integrated technology to support smarter, more responsive HR operations. Her approach to AI and digital tools goes beyond automation—it’s about magnifying human and team potential.

A former CFO of the Year, Holly brings practical insight from both executive trenches and global thought leadership networks—including the MIT AI and COO Leadership programs— where she collaborates with innovators shaping the future of AI, technology innovation, leadership, operations, and finance.