Cassie Crist, CPA, is a principal on Sikich’s accounting and consulting services team with an emphasis in employee benefit plan audits. She has over 20 years of experience working intimately with her valued clients and auditing qualified employee benefit plans, ranging in size from $1 million to over $2 billion in total assets. Cassie’s expertise encompasses 401(k) profit sharing, defined benefit pension, money purchase, health and welfare, and employee stock ownership plans.
Cassie works closely with her clients to provide ongoing technical accounting research and consulting on issues related to qualified retirement plans. She also regularly leads internal staff trainings and is a frequent speaker and presenter at external accounting and employee benefit plan conferences.
SERVICE AREAS
• Audit & Accounting
• Employee Benefit Plan Audits
AFFILIATIONS
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) AICPA Enforcement Subcommittee (DOL) (2022-present)
• Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS)
ICPAS Employee Benefit Plan Conferences, Planning Committee Member (2021-present)
• Alzheimer’s Association Accounting Industry Leadership Council, Co-chair, Member (2020-present)
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s Degree, Business Management Science, Concentration in Accounting, Indiana University, Purdue University Fort Wayne
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Illinois, Texas
Tom Estey is a Managing Director in CIBC Bank USA’s Commercial Banking department. As a Group Head, he is responsible for managing a group of commercial bankers helping to deliver a broad array of products and services to middle market commercial companies in the greater Chicago area. In addition, Estey manages the Bank’s Gaming Industry segment serving a nationwide clientele of on-line, casino, and gaming terminal companies.
Estey has over 30 years’ experience in financial services and joined CIBC Bank USA’s predecessor bank, The PrivateBank, in 2007. He was most recently a Division Head and Senior Vice President in LaSalle Bank’s Commercial Banking Group where he managed a team of middle market lenders. Prior to joining LaSalle Bank in 1993, Estey worked at the American National Bank and Dresser Finance Corp.
Estey received his bachelor’s degree in Finance with a minor in Economics from Illinois State University. Estey has served on the boards of the Illinois State University Educational Investment Fund, the Liver Foundation Chicago Chapter, the Arthritis Foundation Chicago Chapter, and the Lagrange YMCA Guide program.
Curt Hansen has been in banking for 13 years, all of them with Wintrust Bank in downtown Chicago as well as the city’s north side and northern suburbs. He is an AVP, Relationship Manager and has extensive experience working with non-profits in education, ranging from universities to charter schools. Curt’s success is based on his ability to build lasting, consultative relationships with his clients. He understands what they need and recommends the best banking and credit solutions.
Outside of the bank, Curt has been a leader for several business and community organizations. He has served on the board of the Evanston YMCA since 2018, Rotary Club of Evanston as Treasurer, and the Skokie Economic Development Commission.
Curt graduated from Loras College with a bachelor’s degree in business management.
Dr. Angela James is an accomplished scientist with expertise in drug development which she is currently applying in her role as Vice President, Clinical Development at iTeos Therapeutics. Dr. James earned a B.A. in Biology from Rice University and a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a research focus in Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Modeling and Simulation from University of Maryland, Baltimore. She also earned an M.S. in Pharmacometrics from University of Maryland, Baltimore. Dr. James is passionate about utilizing her scientific acumen and leadership abilities to bring novel therapeutics to patients who urgently need safe and effective drugs.
As she gained experience as a Global Clinical Pharmacology Lead, her career trajectory led her to roles at Alcon/Novartis, Celgene and now Astellas Pharma. During her tenure at Astellas Pharma, Dr. James played an integral role in the development and successful approval of XOSPATA® (gilteritinib) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory AML with a FLT3 mutation. As the Global Clinical Pharmacology Lead, she designed and implemented the Clinical Pharmacology strategy and actively participated in face-to-face meetings with Health Authorities across the world to support the approval of XOSPATA. Prior to leaving Astellas, Dr. James had transitioned to the role of Global Development Project Leader and led cross-functional project teams to successfully execute on global strategies for the development of novel immuno-oncology agents including an innovative cancer vaccine.
As an African American woman, Dr. James champions opportunities to highlight and applaud the contributions of Blacks in STEM. She has moderated and participated in several panel discussions focused on career journeys and challenges in STEM careers stemming from gender and racial bias. Dr. James is the current Vice-Chair of Chicago Women and the Past Chair of the Oncology Community for American Society of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (ASCPT). She is passionate about mentoring early career scientists and students. She is the Co-Chair of the Board of Directors for Youth Technology Corps, a Chicago-based non-profit organization that teaches real-world STEM skills to middle and high school students while nurturing their civic responsibilities through refurbishing and donating computers to their community members
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Dale Jordan the tax market leader of BDO’s Upper Midwest practice, Dale oversees all client development and go-to-market strategies throughout the region. He helps ensure the very best of BDO is brought to all clients and prospects within the market.
Additionally, Dale leads BDO’s National Manufacturing Tax practice where he drives manufacturing-specific initiatives and marketing strategy. Working with others, Dale’s mission within this national role is to bring together the power of the full firm to BDO’s manufacturing clients.
Dale has over 20 years of public accounting experience and frequently presents current and emerging tax technical matters to various corporate, professional, and academic audiences. He has been the keynote speaker for various groups, including Tax Executives Institute, Financial Executive Institute, and multiple universities.
Dale has held multiple national roles within U.S. tax solutions and international tax. He has extensive experience planning and implementing expense allocation and apportionment strategies, identifying and executing tax savings strategies as well as designing and installing standardized processes.
Dale’s overarching career goal is to help people thrive, which he accomplishes by building deep rooted relationships with his clients to fully understand both their organizational and personal goals. He believes the most mutually beneficial relationships are built on trust, transparency and collaboration.
Emilie Lee is the EVP of Global Analytics and Chief of Staff at Just Global, where she leads with innovation and vision. Known for her measurement effectiveness and strategic roadmap skills, Emilie empowers clients through data-driven insights and storytelling. A sought-after speaker, she regularly inspires her colleagues through company-wide sessions, emphasizing the power of volunteering.
Emilie’s passion for Alzheimer’s advocacy began when her mother was diagnosed with the disease in 2012. Witnessing her mother’s journey, from initial symptoms during her wedding planning to her participation in a clinical trial to her last breath in June 2022, profoundly shaped her commitment to this cause. Inspired by her mother's strength, Emilie has raised over $50k through events like half marathons, SoulCycle charity rides, and custom tee shirt sales, and co-chaired the East Bay Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
In her professional role, Emilie leads a global team of over 20 professionals and co-founded the Women at Just Global Community Group to support and empower women within her company.
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