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CUSTOM CONTENT • July 27, 2020

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B-64 ORANGE COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL WOMEN IN FINANCE JULY 27, 2020

WOMEN IN FINANCE

Margot Andrews is an experiencedpartner with more than forty yearsof public accounting experience.Her expertise lies in business andindividual tax planning, complexcompliance and consulting issues

related to the not-for-profit industry. Additionally, sheworks in tax preparation, consulting and planning acrossa variety of industries, including consumer products,financial services, manufacturing, distribution andlogistics, education, real estate and agriculture.Andrews’ expertise in compliance allows her to navigateIRS audits for her clients successfully. She is a close,trusted advisor to many of her long-standing clients,consulting on various business matters, exceedingexpectations by giving each client the dedicated timethey require to address their specific needs. Andrews isa key player in mentoring the young professionals inWithum's Irvine office. Her wealth of experience helpsher guide young professionals through coaching,mentoring and being a resource for any client questionsand needs. Before joining Withum, Andrews was apartner at KSJG CPAs, which joined Withum in Januaryof 2020.

Andrews is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) inCalifornia. She received her MBA in Taxation fromGolden Gate University and her bachelor's degree fromChapman University. Andrews is a member of theAmerican Institute of Certified Public Accountants(AICPA) and the California Society of Certified PublicAccountants (CalCPA).

Julie Bloomfield-Beckley is ahighly talented director / seniorvice president, businessdevelopment manager in theOrange County CommercialBanking group at Union Bank®.

She is currently responsible for the new businessdevelopment of commercial credit relationships,targeting companies with sales in the range of $30million to $2 billion whose credit needs generally rangefrom $5 million up to several hundred million.

Beckley’s primary mission is to identify and thoroughlyunderstand clients’ and prospects’ short- and long-termcorporate strategies and work closely with her team toprovide guidance to help meet their objectives anddeliver the value-added service our commercial clientsexpect of Union Bank. Beckley has held multiplepositions in her 31-year career at Union Bank, includingover 20 years with the Orange County CommercialBanking group, with eight years in relationshipmanagement. Beckley provides an insightfulunderstanding of both the opportunities and risksinvolved in the credit products she sells and services,ranging widely from lines of credit, term loans, asset-based loans, commercial real estate and investmentbanking.

An active member of the Association for CorporateGrowth, Financial Executives International, Forum forCorporate Directors, and other associations, Beckleythrives on helping prospects and clients achieve theirstrategic goals while also bringing them together withother local professional trusted advisors, such aslawyers and accountants, whose reputations she knowsand values. A few of her favorite “meeting spots” areseats at Los Angeles Angels’ baseball games andAnaheim Ducks hockey games.

Kimberly Chew is the director ofmarketing for Squar Milner LLP, a top40 accounting firm in the US and oneof the top firms in the West. She hasbeen with Squar Milner for 16 yearswhere she has helped scale and

develop the firm’s presence as they have grown to eightlocations across California.

Chew oversees all marketing functions including thedevelopment of growth strategies, public relations andcommunications ensuring consistent branding andmessaging across platforms. She works with her team onthe development and implementation of digital marketingstrategies that connect website, email campaigns, video,SEO, and social media. She coordinates firm-wide internaland external events, including the annual firm trip for over350 attendees. Chew has built out several processes,including customization of the firm’s current proposalsoftware system, and managed the firm’s campusrecruiting process for 10 years.

In 2019, Chew developed a firm-wide CommunityInvolvement Program, which has brought measurablechange to the firm and its surrounding communities bycreating employee volunteer days and company-widedrives for communities and organizations in need.

To create a strengthened presence in the market, Chewimplemented a complete rebrand for Squar Milner includinglogo, all digital and print resources, website, and brandstandards, further enhancing the identity of the firm.

Prior to joining Squar Milner, she acquired significantexperience at a large circuit board manufacturer as theirmarketing coordinator. She earned her Bachelor of Sciencein Communications, Public Relations from California StatePolytechnic University, Pomona.

Kristine Chung is a senior vice president and director of Commercial Bankingat Pacific Premier Bank, headquartered in Irvine, California. Since joiningPacific Premier in 2016, Chung has worked with business owners to achievetheir goals and has led a team of dedicated relationship managers, guidingthem in their professional development and growth. Chung believes in theimportance of being a lifelong learner and encourages fellow bankingprofessionals to never stop looking for opportunities to learn and grow.

With over 34 years of experience in banking, Chung specializes in commercialbanking and international trade. After three years working for Comerica Bank,she joined City National Bank in 1992 to commence the Small Business andGovernment Lending Division, then went on to manage the Orange CountyCommercial Banking Center. In 2005, she became a founding executive ofSecurity Bank of California.

Chung’s expertise in commercial banking is evidenced by the numerous successful businesses she has partnered withthroughout her tenure at Pacific Premier. Founded in 1983, Pacific Premier is a strong-performing commercial bank thatoffers a full array of financial services for businesses and individuals. Pacific Premier works with small, middle-market,and large businesses to provide products/services such as lines of credit, loans, treasury management, merchant andpayroll services, and real estate financing.

Her love for banking is demonstrated through collaboration with business owners to grow their operations and achievetheir goals. She enjoys learning the intricacies of how each company got its start and hearing about the passion ownershave for their companies. Chung expertly leads her commercial banking team in developing customized, short- and long-term solutions for their clients—whether businesses need working capital to manage cash flow, obtain depositoryservices, purchase equipment or inventory, or refinance existing debt. The team recognizes that every client is uniqueand requires a different set of products and services to reach their objectives.

Chung’s passion for small businesses also extends outside of the workplace. She currently serves on the board of theCDC Small Business Finance and Loan Committee, and previously served as a board member of both Pacific CoastRegional (which provides state-guaranteed loans) and California Integrated Waste Management. She earned a Bachelorof Science degree in Business Administration, Accounting, at California State University, Los Angeles. Pacific Premier Bank, Member FDIC.

Debbie Amundson is executivevice president & chief internal auditofficer for Banc of California,leading the Internal Audit, SOXCompliance, and Credit Reviewgroups, which are responsible for

the bank’s independent internal assessment of theadequacy and effectiveness of governance, riskmanagement, internal controls, asset quality, portfoliomanagement, as well as the quality of performance incarrying out assigned responsibilities to achieve theorganization’s goals and objectives.

With over 35 years of financial services leadershipexperience directing and building effective internal auditand credit review functions, she has obtained CertifiedInternal Auditor, Certified Information Systems Auditor,and Internal Quality Assurance Assessment/Validationcertifications; is a member of the Institute of InternalAuditors (IIA) and the Risk Management Association(RMA); and has been a panel speaker at the RMAAnnual Risk Management Conference and guestspeaker for the IIA.

Passionate about community and vocational service, shespends time each year volunteering for Habitat forHumanity, Rotary International, Junior Achievement, andUnited Way Women’s Leadership. She and her husband,Steve, enjoy international travel and time with family andfriends.

Amundson received her BS degree in finance andbusiness administration, minoring in economics andmass communications, from Minnesota State UniversityMoorhead; graduated from Pacific Coast Banking Schoolat the University of Washington; and completed theRMA/Wharton Advanced Risk Management Program atWharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

MARGOT ANDREWS WITHUM

Accounting

JULIE BLOOMFIELD-BECKLEY UNION BANK

Banking

KIMBERLY CHEWSQUAR MILNER LLP

Accounting

KRISTINE CHUNG PACIFIC PREMIER BANK

Banking

DEBBIE DAHL-AMUNDSON BANC OF CALIFORNIA

Banking


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WOMEN IN FINANCE

Despite being in the midst of arecession and mortgage marketcollapse, Kaaren Hall founded andmade a resounding success ofuDirect IRA Services. Shediscovered a strategic way to put

her 20+ years in mortgage banking, real estate andproperty management to use. The solution was anuntapped market for both her skills and for investors –self-directed IRAs. Through uDirect IRA, she hasguided tens of thousands of Americans through theprocess of diversifying their investments using self-directed IRAs.

She says, "Financial literacy is not taught in schools,but our future depends on understanding it. Only about4% of U.S. investors have a self-directed IRA. Why?Because most investors and many advisors simplyaren’t aware of it."

For those raising capital, Self-Directed IRAs representa way to tap into $30 Trillion in retirement savings."Alternative assets" is fast-growing asset class andasset sponsors all over the country are utilizing theSDIRA for their capital needs.

Because Self-Directed IRAs can have a dramaticimpact on retirees’ quality of life, Hall brings her fullpassion to educating Americans about the little-knowninvestment vehicle. Hall's company, "uDirect" wasfounded in 2009 and has $500MM+ UnderManagement with account holders in every state in theU.S.

Learn more about Hall and her thriving company atuDirectIRA.com

KAAREN HALL UDIRECT IRA SERVICES

Finance

Suzanne Fradette is an auditpartner in PwC's Orange Countyoffice, with 32 years of experienceserving clients in the retail,consumer products, industrialmanufacturing, oil and gas,

hospitality, food and beverage, transportation, andtechnology industries. Prior to joining PwC’s OrangeCounty office in September 2007, she worked in PwC’sBeijing, Paris, Honolulu, San Francisco, and Orlandooffices, and her clients have ranged in size fromgrowth-oriented start-ups to multi-billion-dollarmultinationals. She has assisted public companies innavigating though the rigorous requirements of SECreporting, and has many years of experience in workingwith closely held, entrepreneurial and private equity-owned companies. She has extensive experienceworking with companies being poised for an IPO orother major equity event, and has taken companiespublic on U.S., Asian and European stock exchanges.

Fradette is a national PwC Diversity and Inclusionleader, and is a nationally-recognized speakerregarding diversity and corporate responsibility issues.She serves on the boards of several charitableorganizations, including the Orange County United Wayand the American Red Cross, is a Fellow of theNational Association of Corporate Directors and amember of Women Corporate Directors. She serves onthe Dean’s Advisory Board of UCI’s Paul MerageSchool of Business, and has taught at the universitylevel. Fradette was honored with a nomination for theOCBJ Women in Business Award. She is a licensedC.P.A. in California, Florida, Hawaii, and Guam, and isa member of the American Institute of Certified PublicAccountants. She and her husband Steve live in Irvine.

SUANNE FRADETTE PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

Finance

Deborah Dickson, CPA, CFF, MAFFfounded Smith Dickson, CertifiedPublic Accountants, LLP, 30 years agoand continues to serve as themanaging partner. Her experienceincludes forensic accounting and

expert testimony, tax, and consulting.

Ms. Dickson provides forensic accounting, litigation supportservices and expert witness testimony with an emphasis onbusiness disputes including fraud and embezzlement,intellectual property, real estate, trust and estate,employment, and personal injury. She works as a forensicexpert witness in Federal, State, Probate, and Family LawCourts; in arbitrations; and as a court appointed referee -providing asset and fraudulent expense tracing; economicdamage analysis; lost profits and unjust enrichmentcalculations; forensic accounting; business valuations;financial/tax records analysis; and expert testimony.

Ms. Dickson personally handles the tax and accountingmatters for high net worth clients and business owners–advising on strategic business planning, tax planning andcompliance, bank financing negotiations, and financialstatement presentation. She is frequently involved with duediligence and structuring of business buy/sell deals. She is apopular speaker on subjects such as tax planning andbuying/selling businesses.

Ms. Dickson began her career as an auditor for Deloitte(formerly Touche Ross) and subsequently accepted an offerto run the Entrepreneurial Services Division atPricewaterhouseCoopers (formerly Coopers & Lybrand).

Contact Ms. Dickson at (949) 553-1010x12,www.smithdickson.com.

DEBORAH DICKSONSMITH DICKSON

Accounting


JULY 27, 2020 WOMEN IN FINANCE ORANGE COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL B-67

With an extensive and impactfulcareer in the finance industry,Samantha Haugh, senior vicepresident of Marketing at Banc ofCalifornia, has demonstrated a talentfor achieving goals and moving the

needle throughout her career. Haugh joined the bank’sexecutive leadership team in 2015 to lead the corporatemarketing and branding strategies during a period oftremendous growth.

At Banc of California, Haugh has built a best-in-classmarketing team and established the bank’s reputation asthe premier relationship-focused business bank in SouthernCalifornia. Throughout her more than 20-year career,Haugh has supported several national financial leaders,such as Citi Corp (Orange), AIG (L.A.) and Experian (CostaMesa) by driving revenue, expanding market share andbuilding brands, but she is most proud of the last five yearsat Banc of California.

Haugh is passionate about community service and led theformation and launch of the Banc of California Foundation,which supports 75 California-based nonprofits. In addition toserving on the Foundation’s board, she volunteers her timeand resources supporting the bank’s nonprofit community-based partners. For the last two years, Haugh has servedas a board member for JVS-SoCal, a workforcedevelopment organization serving 50,000 people annuallythrough training programs to prepare LMI individuals forcareers in rapidly growing industries.

Haugh received her Bachelor of Arts in MarketingCommunications from California State University, Fullerton,and Internet Marketing certification from the University ofCalifornia, Irvine.

Amanda Hong is an experienced p artnerin Withum's Tax Services Group. Shehas served the SouthernCalifornia business community overthe past 22 years, providing federaland multistate tax planning,

consulting and compliance services to both privately andpublicly held companies and various business entities. Hongspecializes in international taxation, mergers and acquisitions,tax controversy matters, and high net-worth families andindividuals. Her experience crosses several industries,including consumer products, manufacturing, distribution andlogistics, real estate, technology and emerging growth andconstruction.

Hong works closely with her clients to gain a deeperunderstanding of their business operations and challenges.Her philosophy is not only to provide tax support for her clientsbut to become a long-term trusted advisor, sharing bestindustry practices to help their companies grow and achievetheir financial goals.

Hong is fluent in Mandarin and Taiwanese with speaking,reading and writing capabilities. She has a deep understandingof the unique needs of multi-national and multi-generationfamilies and their business organizations. Her extensiveprofessional services experience and language abilitiesperfectly position her to assist in-bound and out-boundcompanies, as well as high net-worth families, in transitioningand preserving family wealth and business continuity.

Hong is a Certified Public Accountant in California. Shereceived her Masters in Taxation and Bachelor's degree fromCalifornia State University, Fullerton. Hong is a member of theAmerican Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) andthe California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA).

SAMANTHA HAUGHBANC OF CALIFORNIA

Banking

AMANDA HONGWITHUM

Accounting

WOMEN IN FINANCE

Lynn M. Hopkins is the chief financialofficer of Banc of California and amember of their Executive AssetLiability Management, Credit andEnterprise Risk ManagementCommittees. As a successful banking

executive with more than three decades of experience,she’s gained deep mastery in finance and riskmanagement, which has led to an impressive track recordwith growth-oriented community banks. Prior to joiningBanc of California in 2019, Hopkins gained extensivemergers and acquisitions experience, having executed andchampioned financial due diligence, contract review andthe integration of more than 40 bank mergers over 22years. A strategic-minded leader and thinker, she isrecognized as a Sarbanes-Oxley, regulatory and SECexpert.

Hopkins was previously chief financial officer/EVP at FirstChoice Bancorp in Cerritos (Orange County), as well asexecutive vice president of PacWest Bancorp, where shehad also served as chief accounting officer, chief financialofficer (of subsidiary Pacific Western Bank) and corporatesecretary, where she oversaw all aspects of accounting,finance, and treasury risk management. During her 15year tenure at PacWest, she played a key role in strategicenterprise risk management and corporate governancedevelopment while the company grew from $1 billion tomore than $20 billion in assets.

Hopkins is an advocate for women in business through herinvolvement in the WCD’s BoardNext LA/OC chapter. Shegraduated from the University of California-Los Angeleswith a BA in Economics/Business. She began her careeras a CPA for KPMG LLP, working in their London and LosAngeles offices.

LYNN M. HOPKINS BANC OF CALIFORNIA

Banking



WOMEN IN FINANCE

Kathy Lawson is a partner inSingerLewak LLP Assurance andAdvisory practice based in ourIrvine office. Lawson is a CertifiedPublic Accountant with more thaneighteen years of experience in

public accounting. Lawson primarily serves privatecompanies from start up to a billion dollars in revenue ina variety of industries that include technology,professional services, manufacturing and distribution,healthcare and nonprofit organizations. Lawson hastransaction experience with corporate restructurings,mergers and acquisitions and previously workedsignificantly with public initial offerings.

Lawson started her career with SingerLewak in 2002.Prior to that, she earned her B.A. in BusinessAdministration with an Accounting concentration fromCalifornia State University, Fullerton. Lawson is amember of the AICPA and CALCPA. As part of theFirm's in-house training program, Lawson hasconducted numerous seminars on accounting, auditing,and related subjects. She serves on various committeeswithin the Firm and heads up the Firm's Irvine recruitingefforts.

For the past 60 years, SingerLewak has been at theforefront of helping businesses succeed and scale. Ourprofessionals work and consult with businesses indiverse sectors on efficient solutions such as taxcompliance and advisory, IPOs, assurance andmanagement consulting. We are proud of our proactivetrack record in helping businesses succeed efficiently.Whatever your needs are, we have a solution. Visit usat www.singerlewak.com

KATHY LAWSON SINGERLEWAK LLP

Accounting

Scharrell Jackson joined BPMin early 2020 with over 35 yearsof operations, accounting andfinance experience, which sheutilizes to support BPM as theFirm’s principal and chief

operating officer.

Jackson has a background that results in operationalefficiency, human capital development, technologicalinnovation, business growth and scalability. Herextensive experience leading organizations throughbusiness combinations continues to drive BPM’scommitment to expanding further into SouthernCalifornia and other West Coast markets.

Jackson’s passion for motivating established andaspiring leaders does not end when she leaves theoffice. In addition to her many roles at BPM, Jacksonis a dynamic speaker outside of work and owns awomen’s speaker series, Leadership in Heels, whereshe continues to support the professional growth ofwomen. She is a sought-after speaker andpassionate about mentoring leaders andunderserved youth to obtain upward mobility,personally and professionally.

Jackson received the Los Angeles African AmericanVanguard Award and Farmers & Merchant Bank’sWoman of Courage Award, and she was named theOrange County Business Women of the Year. Shehas been recognized for countless achievementsand continues to serve the community and hosts aweekly bible study in her home. Learn more aboutScharrell and BPM at www.bpmcpa.com.

Gina Lara has been counseling clientsin tax and financial planning mattersfor more than fifteen years. She beganher career in the financial industryworking at an independent wealthmanagement firm that catered to

business owners, professional athletes, and other high networth clientele. During her tenure, Lara became versed in allaspects of financial planning, from investment managementto tax and estate planning. As she completed her MBA fromPepperdine University and obtained her license as a CertifiedFinancial Planner (CFP®), Lara achieved correspondingsuccess within the wealth management firm, rising to adirector position.

Several years ago, Lara was asked to join the team at SmithDickson, CPAs—a firm that she knew and respected fromhaving collaborated with them on behalf of her wealthmanagement clients. At Smith Dickson, Lara continued todevelop her skills and qualifications, most recently earningthe designation of enrolled agent (EA)—the highestcredential granted by the Internal Revenue Service forfederally licensed practitioners who specialize in taxation.

Lara’s distinctive background provides her clients anunparalleled scope of knowledge that is utilized in her dualroles working in the Tax and the Forensic AccountingDepartments at Smith Dickson. As tax manager, Lara’sresponsibilities include planning and compliance forindividuals, business owners, and trusts. As forensicaccounting manager, she provides financial analysis andlitigation consulting services for trust and estate, and familylaw matters.

Contact Lara at Smith Dickson, Certified Public Accountants,LLP, (949) 553-1010x21, www.smithdickson.com.

SCHARRELL JACKSONBPM LLP

Accounting

GINA LARA, MBA, CFP®, EASMITH DICKSON

Accounting



Kristan Livingston is a senior auditmanager at RSM and has 18 yearsof Big 4 audit and accountingexperience providing financialstatement and compliance audits tohealth care, nonprofit, government

and higher education clients. Livingston is knowledgeableof GASB and FASB literature, Uniform Guidance (A-133),and AICPA agreed upon and debt consent procedures.Livingston has experience working with nonprofit hospitals,helping them implement the new nonprofit reporting model,grants standard and revenue recognition standard.Livingston spent several years auditing the largestmunicipal utility in the U.S. helping them to navigate thepension, OPEB and asset retirement obligations standards,as well as helping them to improve their process formanaging federal funds. During Livingston’s career, shehad the pleasure of providing financial statement anduniform guidance audits to over 20 nonprofit organizationsin the Orange County and Los Angeles communities, whichinclude community foundations, college auxiliaryorganizations, religious organizations, art organizations,food banks and children’s homes. Finally, Livingston hasexperience auditing private universities, as well as both ofCalifornia’s largest public college systems.

Livingston continues to grow RSM’s health care and publicsector practices in both the Orange County and LosAngeles markets.

About RSM US LLPRSM’s purpose is to deliver the power of being understoodto our clients, colleagues and communities through world-class audit, tax and consulting services focused on middlemarket businesses. Learn more at rsmus.com. Pleasecontact Livingston at (949) 255-6652 [email protected].

Christine Martin is executive vicepresident, treasury management,bank operations and systems at Bancof California. In this capacity, she isresponsible for InformationTechnology and Security Operations,

bank-wide deposit and loan operations, all treasurymanagement product and sales functions and the ProjectManagement Office.

Martin has a deep history in banking, with a focus ontreasury management and operations, where she ledproduct management and new product launches, newsystem integrations and bank merger activity. Prior tojoining Banc of California, Martin spent nine years atMUFG Union Bank in progressive roles, ending asmanaging director in transaction banking focused onLiquidity and Revenue Management. She has also workedat Washington Mutual, Home Savings of America, andstarted her career in banking at First Interstate Bank.

Martin has lived in Orange County for 21 years and isinvolved with the community through her own interests andher children. She is a board member for Creative KidsPlayhouse Children’s Theatre of Orange County,volunteers with BBBS Workplace Mentoring, andcompleted the 2018 AIDS Lifecycle, a 545-mile bicycle ridefrom San Francisco to Los Angeles in support of AIDSservices in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Martin received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from theUniversity of Southern California and MBA from UCLA’sAnderson School of Management. She also attendedPacific Coast Banking School, where she graduated withhonors and was a library paper entrant for “Basel IIILiquidity Coverage Ratio and the Impact on CommercialBanking Funding Strategies.”

KRISTAN LIVINGSTONRSM

Accounting

CHRISTINE MARTINBANC OF CALIFORNIA

Banking

WOMEN IN FINANCE

Tasha Otsuji is a partner inWithum’s Tax Services Groupbased in Orange County, CA. As alicensed CPA in the state ofCalifornia, she has over fifteenyears of comprehensive experience

consulting with closely-held businesses and their ownersin tax and management advisory services. Otsuji has adiverse background with expertise in manufacturing anddistribution, not-for-profit entities, wealth management,and individual and business tax compliance andplanning. She specializes in developing cutting-edge taxstrategies for Subchapter C, S-Corporations,Partnerships and individuals and has worked extensivelywith clients conducting multi-state filings andconsolidated filings. Additionally, Otsuji works closelywith multiple not-for-profit management teams andboards of directors advising on compliance, accountingand governance issues. Tasha thrives when researchingand analyzing complex tax matters to provide uniquesolutions.

Otsuji received a Masters of Taxation in high honorsfrom Golden Gate University and a Bachelor of Sciencedegree in Accounting from Azusa Pacific University. Sheis a member of the American Institute of Certified PublicAccountants (AICPA) and the California Society ofCertified Public Accountants (CalCPA).

Otsuji and her family enjoy traveling and servinginternationally in several countries throughout Africa,South East Asia, and Eastern Europe. Throughout theyear, they also serve at Camp Oakhurst, a camp forchildren, situated just outside of Yosemite National Park.

TASHA OTSUJI WITHUM

Accounting



WOMEN IN FINANCE

Danielle Voloshin has worked inthe financial services industrysince 2011. As an InvestmentAdvisor, she works closely withhigh-net-worth families andindividuals to create

comprehensive financial plans that serve to protectand grow multigenerational wealth. Voloshinspecializes in implementing customized investmentstrategies, complex cash flow models and wealthtransfer techniques for estate and business planning,philanthropic management, and family governance.

Prior to joining Miracle Mile Advisors, Voloshin workedat Green Street Advisors, consulting family offices andinstitutional clients on real estate investing. Previously,Voloshin worked at Morgan Stanley Private WealthManagement, where she developed strategicinvestment solutions for ultra-high-net-worth familieswith liquid assets in excess of $10 million.

Voloshin received her MBA with Dean’s Honor Listdistinction from the University of Chicago BoothSchool of Business and her B.A. from Lake ForestCollege (Phi Beta Kappa). She holds the FinancialIndustry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 66securities license. Voloshin is involved in philanthropicorganizations both locally and globally, serving as aBoard Member of the Orange County JewishFederation as well as an active member of AIPAC,United Way, and the Lisker Music Foundation.

DANIELLE VOLOSHIN MIRACLE MILE ADVISORS

Wealth Management

Karen Reed has been withSmith Dickson for over 25years. She currently managesmany of the firm’s financialstatement engagementsincluding audits, reviews and

compilations. She also performs tax compliancework and supervises substantial tax controversywork, including negotiations with the InternalRevenue Service, Franchise Tax Board, CaliforniaDepartment of Tax and Fee Administration, and theEmployment Development Department regardingaudits, notices, liens, levies and payroll tax issues.Additionally, she coordinates with clients’controllers/chief financial officers and interacts withtheir bankers and attorneys.

Reed partners with a variety of small and mid-marketcompanies and industries including but not limited toconstruction, technology, manufacturing, real estate,mortgage and escrow, medical, and professionalservices. She is particularly effective in consultingwith clients on a one-to-one basis, advising them onimplementation of accounting and internal controlsystems, payroll and Form 1099 regulations, cashflow management, and overall growth of theircompanies.

Reed has many loyal, long-term clients who dependon her frequent advice and communication withthem. She works to provide the best possible hands-on experience with her clients.

Contact Reed at Smith Dickson, Certified PublicAccountants, LLP, (949) 553-1010x17,www.smithdickson.com.

Lynn (Ahearn) Sullivan, executive vicepresident, chief risk and BSA officer ofBanc of California, has over 20 years ofexperience in the financial servicesindustry with a focus on themanagement of operation and regulatory

processes and controls. In this role, she leads the EnterpriseRisk Management organization which is responsible fordeveloping and maintaining the Company’s Enterprise RiskManagement program; including the risk governanceframework, developing and recommending its risk appetite,and oversight of the Bank’s operational and regulatory risks.

Before joining the Banc of California, Ms. Sullivan served asthe global head of Anti-Money Laundering Policies, Controlsand Governance/Administration at Citigroup Inc., amultinational investment bank and financial servicescorporation. In her capacity as Global AML Policy and ControlsHead, Ms. Sullivan oversaw global anti-money launderingprogram strategy, policy, training and control, anti-moneylaundering compliance testing and enterprise-wide anti-moneylaundering communications.

Prior to Citi, Ms. Sullivan served as the chief compliance officerat Rabobank, N.A. from 2012 to 2013 and worked at UnionBank, N.A., where she also served as the chief complianceofficer.

Ms. Sullivan has a bachelor’s degree in political science fromthe University of California, Santa Barbara. She has beenrecognized by the San Francisco Business Times as amongThe Bay Area’s Most Influential Women and among The BayArea’s Forever Influential Women. In addition to banking, Ms.Sullivan is the founder and CEO of BE Fit | Modern Pilates, aboutique fitness business with locations in Orange and LosAngeles counties.

KAREN REED, CPA SMITH DICKSON

Accounting

LYNN (AHEARN) SULLIVANBANK OF CALIFORNIA

Banking



Nella Webster has over thirtyyears of experience in providinginvestment management andfinancial planning services toclients throughout SouthernCalifornia.

Prior to joining Miracle Mile Advisors, Webster ranPalo Capital’s marketing and client service activities.Previously, she served in senior management roles atUS Trust, Wilmington Trust, and First American Trust.During this time, she developed a deep understandingof the services clients and their family members needto build and maintain their financial security. Websterearned her Bachelor’s degree in Economics andBusiness Administration from Chapman Universityand an M.B.A. in Marketing and Finance fromCalifornia State University, Long Beach. She alsoholds the Certified Financial Planner® designation.

Webster has served on the board of directors of theGirl Scouts of Orange County, the Board ofCounselors for Chapman University’s Argyros Schoolof Business, the Plasticos Foundation, and theFriends of the Girl Scouts Trust. Other leadershiproles have included the board of Orange CountyUnited Way, the Women Helping Women advisoryboard, the Pacific Symphony 100, and the AnaheimPerforming Arts Center. In 2015, Webster received thePhilanthropist of the year award from the OrangeCounty United Way, and in 2016, she received theOrange County Business Journal’s Women inBusiness Award.

Nicole L. Wells is senior vicepresident, business managementexecutive for the Private & SpecialtyBanking Division. She is responsiblefor process oversight, monitoringand white glove service for the

bank’s most highly valued clients.

Wells has 25 years of financial service experience. Sheis proactive in her community and believes in localgrassroots efforts to drive business. Wells is an activemember of ASPA and former president for Phi AlphaAlpha Honor Society. She served as chair for Greater LALEAD for Women 2010–2013 and later served as theCentral Region Chair for Enterprise LEAD. Wells is a2014, 2015 Global Diversity and Inclusion Award winnerrecipient for her leadership to champion genderintelligence strategies for executive leaders.

She is a champion for people and uses her influence tofoster diversity and inclusion. She was elected the 20thpresident of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.-Inglewood andserved 2014–2016. Wells is a member of The Links Inc.Angel City Chapter and currently serves as Treasurer.She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,Inc., and currently co-chairs her firm’s inauguralInclusion, Diversity, Engagement & Awareness (IDEA)Council. She believes in thriving communities throughempowerment and regularly volunteers her time to giveback by teaching financial literacy. Wells firmly believeswe can all make a difference. She holds a Master’sdegree in Public Administration-OrganizationalLeadership with an emphasis in Public/PrivateCollaborations, and completed the Columbia UniversityGraduate School of Business, Executive EducationProgram in May of 2011.

NELLA WEBSTER O’GRADYMIRACLE MILE ADVISORS

Wealth Management

NICOLE L. WELLSBANC OF CALIFORNIA

Banking

WOMEN IN FINANCE

Virgie Woolfolk has over 17 yearsof experience in operations andleadership training and currentlyserves as Squar Milner’s firmadministrator. As the leader of theadministrative team for a firm of

over 500 professionals, Woolfolk has focusedextensively on operational efficiencies, problemsolving, and leadership development. She has workedclosely on major software implementations andprocess optimizations, and successfully executed duediligence, implementation and cultural integration formore than eight mergers.

When Woolfolk joined Squar Milner, she took over thefront desk coordinator position for a firm withapproximately 30 individuals. As the firm has grown tobe one of the largest in California and Top 40 in thecountry, Woolfolk’s continued dedication, hard workand commitment to the success of the company led toher professional advancement from managing thefirm’s billing department to the role she holds today.Woolfolk’s true passion is being a good listener,allowing her to gain the necessary information toprovide optimal solutions for operations and the firm.

Woolfolk graduated from Compton Community Collegewith a degree in General Studies. Outside of work, shedonates her time to nonprofit organizations andevents, and she is an active Board Member anddirector of operations for the Krush Coalition, acommunity-based nonprofit dedicated to uplifting thehealth, education, social, and financial status of youngpeople and families living in historicallydisenfranchised, traumatized, underfunded, andunder-served communities.

Lisa Yamakawa is a tax partner in Squar Milner’sOrange County office. She has over 15 years ofexperience offering tax compliance andconsulting services, working extensively withhigh-net-worth individuals, family groups, andclosely-held businesses. Yamakawa works with a

number of industries, but demonstrates particular expertise in the realestate space, working with clients involved in residential, retail andcommercial real estate ownership and development.

Yamakawa’s professional background includes diverse experience inthe areas of individual and flow-through taxation in order to help clientsmaximize their tax savings. Her work with family groups includesmanaging all of the individual family needs, as well as trusts,foundations, and family-owned business entities. Demonstrating astrong emphasis on “flow-through entity” structures, Yamakawafocuses on the interplay between the company and the individual.

Beyond her tax work, Yamakawa has shown consistent dedication tothe growth of the firm. Since the inception of the firm’s SummerLeadership Academy for campus recruits, Yamakawa has participatedon panels and one-on-one interviews with the participating collegestudents. She has also eagerly taken on mentorship roles for students,interns, and new tax associates, and helps extensively withinterviewing and recruiting efforts.

Prior to beginning her career at Squar Milner, Yamakawa graduatedfrom the University of California, Riverside with a Bachelor of Sciencedegree in Business. Yamakawa holds her CPA license and is an activemember of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

VIRGIE WOOLFOLK SQUAR MILNER

Accounting

LISA YAMAKAWASQUAR MILNER

Accounting


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