Not-for-Profit Symposium (C73740)

Melissa Struck is a CPA and Nonprofit Principal with CLA. She has spent the majority of her 25 years in the accounting field performing, managing and supervising audit, tax and consulting engagements for tax exempt organizations. She has extensive experience handling the distinctive issues facing these organizations in today’s challenging environment and is the leader of the Greater Chicagoland Nonprofit Services Group. In June of 2023, Melissa became the leader of Greater Chicagoland’s Client Accounting and Advisory Services group and is now the Eastern Midwest Region Nonprofit Client Accounting and Advisory Service leader. In this role, she helps to serve nonprofit organizations by providing outsourced recurring accounting and fractional CFO/Controller services. Melissa is a frequent speaker at both industry and CLA seminars and conferences addressing topics such as cost allocation, alternative investments, and accounting for contributions.

Katherine Kurtzman a Managing Director at Ernst & Young brings over thirty-five years of specialized experience in serving not-for-profit clients and their affiliates. She collaborates closely with system accounting and tax teams to help assist in preparing and reviewing exempt organization returns. Katherine has a proven track record of representing organizations before the Internal Revenue Service and conducting due diligence reviews to analyze tax exposures for acquisition and merger targets. Additionally, she works with foreign tax desks and offices, ensuring comprehensive support for her clients. Katherine has advised numerous foundations on various policies and procedures, including gift acceptance policies, and has extensive experience assisting hospitals with Schedule H reporting and Section 501(r) compliance. Katherine holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and a Master of Science Degree in Taxation from Walsh College. Katherine is a member of the Illinois CPA Society and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Ray Beste is the Principal AI Strategist at Sikich, a leading professional services firm providing transformative technology and business solutions across diverse industries. With over 36 years of experience in IT consulting, system architecture, and AI strategy, Ray has dedicated his career to managing and optimizing information. Ray’s expertise in data modeling, solution architecture, and enterprise systems led him to Softbite, where he managed a team of developers and consultants to design database-driven solutions that empowered businesses to better utilize their data. As enterprise software evolved, his focus expanded to CRM, ERP integration, and data strategy, helping organizations unify their systems, improve efficiency, and make smarter business decisions. Now, at the forefront of AI innovation, Ray leads Sikich’s AI initiatives, guiding businesses through the responsible and strategic adoption of Generative AI, intelligent automation, and advanced analytics. His work spans a variety of cloud, AI, and enterprise technologies, including Microsoft, OpenAI, AWS, and other emerging AI platforms. As a sought-after speaker, Ray has presented at executive roundtables, industry conferences, and corporate events, sharing insights on AI in business, data strategy, and the evolving role of AI in enterprise applications. His career-long commitment to architecting and managing information systems has come full circle, as Generative AI represents the next evolution in how businesses can structure, interpret, and act on data. Beyond his technical expertise, Ray is a dedicated educator, mentor, and strategist, helping organizations cut through AI hype, identify real opportunities, and implement AI responsibly. His ability to translate complex AI concepts into practical, business-driven solutions has positioned him as a trusted leader in digital transformation across industries and technologies.

Guinevere Moore represents taxpayers in significant disputes with the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Justice, Tax Division, and state taxing agencies. She is the Managing Member of Moore Tax Law Group, LLC, a tax controversy and tax litigation firm with offices in Chicago and New York.

Guinevere has over fifteen years of experience helping taxpayers resolve significant disputes with the IRS and state tax agencies. She routinely represents taxpayers in high-stakes criminal and civil tax disputes. At Moore Tax Law Group LLC, we take a holistic approach to representing clients. We believe the only way to accomplish the best possible outcomes for our clients is by truly getting to know our clients. Some clients want to win at all costs. Some clients want to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, and are willing to concede issues they would likely win in litigation in order to put the problem with the IRS behind them. Most fall somewhere in between. Guinevere gets to know her clients and ensures that she has a deep understanding of their needs and preferences before developing a strategy for the case.