Accounting Educators Workshop (E2310398)

Melissa is the founder and managing member of MD Advisory, a boutique forensic firm. She has an extensive background in forensic accounting, data analytics and cash flow analyses, as well as in diagnosing and remediating business problems. Melissa has wide-ranging experience navigating her clients through investigations of fraud, financial statement anomalies and discrepancies, and the issues that rise in distress and dispute scenarios. She employs a "think-like-a-fraudster" mentality to exploit weaknesses in her client's existing financial frameworks, and designs and implements effective internal controls and enterprise safeguards. She is a member of several NJCPA interest groups, including the Cannabis Interest Group and the Emerging Leaders Council.

Aiysha (AJ) is the CEO and executive director of the New Jersey Society of CPAs (NJCPA). Previously, she was executive director of BKR International’s Americas Region, overseeing the implementation of all strategic efforts for BKR accounting and business advisory member firms in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. AJ worked for a range of associations including Vizient, the nation's largest healthcare performance improvement company. She has more than 20 years of global experience with nonprofits and professional and trade associations. AJ was elected to the boards of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ) in 2024 and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce in 2023. She was a member of BKR’s Center of Excellence Advisory Board and is on the boards of the Community Foundation of New Jersey, Together for Youth and Junior Achievement of New Jersey. AJ is a recipient of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association’s (NJBIA) Leonard C. Johnson Award, was recognized among the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting by Accounting Today (2023 and 2024), named on the NJBIZ Leaders in Finance list (2025), its Power 100 (2024) and its Accounting Power 50 lists (#1 2023 and 2024), and cited as a 2023 People to Watch in Finance. She was named to ROI-NJ’s ROI Influencers: Accounting Power List (2024, 2025), Top 50 Women in Business (2024) and People of Color (2023). AJ served on the Alumni Board of the University of Chicago (2021-2023), where she graduated with a Master's in Administration and Policy. She also completed the Senior Management Program in Business Management at University of Chicago/IE School of Business and holds a certificate in Management Accounting for Leaders.

Don is the chief marketing officer of the NJCPA, responsible for setting the vision, strategy and direction for the organization’s marketing, communications and membership campaigns and for driving the success of a deep and broad swath of organizational initiatives. Functional areas of accountability include digital assets (web, social media, email), content and news distribution (including the organization’s flagship publication, New Jersey CPA), membership, media relations, public relations, next generation recruitment, executive communications and internal communications. He also oversees graphic design, market research, and advocacy and legislative communications. Don came to the NJCPA from the Craft & Hobby Association, where he was director of marketing and public relations.

Ed is a partner at WithumSmith+Brown and is the 2023/24 President of the NJCPA. He has more than 20 years of accounting, auditing and consulting experience for both public and private companies in the technology, life sciences, manufacturing, distribution, construction, government and service industries. Ed is a former inspection specialist with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). He has obtained certificates in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and is also certified in financial forensics. He is the Team Leader of Withum's International Accounting & Auditing Services Group, which includes IFRS implementation, convergence and reporting. He currently serves on the American Institute of CPAs' (AICPA) Technical Standards Subcommittee and formerly served as an Independence and Ethics Joint Trial board member. He is also a member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. He was one of the honorees of the 2008 “Forty Under 40” list by NJBIZ.