IMA PDX CPE Dinner - 2 CPE Credits - ESG's Future & Finance for Owners

• 5 :00 - 5:45 PM : Drinks, Dinner & Networking
• 5 :45 - 6:45 PM : "Is there a future for ESG?" presented by Brigitte de Graaff, Ph.D., FMAA, CMA, CSCA, Assistant Professor of Accounting at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 6 :45 - 7:00 PM : Networking Break
• 7 :00 - 8:00 PM: "5 Ways Finance Can Help Owners Manage Today and Prepare for Tomorrow" presented by Nicole Rice, CPA, Partner + Chief Growth Officer, Aldrich Wealth, and Carrie Sowders, CPA, Partner + Manufacturing Industry Leader, Aldrich CPAs + Advisors

• Brisket
• Chicken
• Mac and Cheese
• Jalapeno pinto beans
• Beverages: Assorted soft beverages & bottled water
• Alternative food & drink options available for additional purchase on site.

During this session, Brigitte de Graaff explores the evolving role of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in today’s rapidly changing business landscape. ESG has lived a versatile life - at times widely embraced as a driver of responsible business, and at other times criticized or even dismissed.

Today, new global and regional developments are once again reshaping how ESG is perceived, implemented, and regulated. This raises a fundamental question: is ESG here to stay as a core framework for sustainable business, or will it be replaced or absorbed by broader, more integrated approaches to value creation?

Drawing on her research into ESG, governance, and integrated thinking, Brigitte will examine the forces influencing ESG across different organizations, industries, and countries. She will highlight key trends and regulatory developments, and share practical insights from organizations that have successfully embedded ESG into their strategy and operations.

Key takeaways: Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of where ESG stands today, where it may be heading, and what best practices can help organizations navigate this evolving landscape.

About Brigitte de Graaff, Ph.D., FMAA, CMA, CSCA, Assistant Professor of Accounting at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Brigitte de Graaff, Ph.D., FMAA, CMA, CSCA, an assistant professor of accounting at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is Chair-Elect of IMA's Global Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. She is the chair of the Nominating Standing Board Committee and a member of the Governance and Strategic Planning Standing Board Committees.

De Graaff has broad experience in executive education, and she is the program director of the CMA program and the ESG management program at her university. De Graaff also provides CMA prep courses in other European countries and has provided editorial assistance for CMA review materials. Her research efforts focus on integrated thinking and ESG in relation to governance and performance management.

De Graaff earned her Ph.D. in accounting, as well as two master’s degrees in accounting and control and Dutch criminal law, from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

An IMA member since 2012, de Graaff has been an active board member for the IMA Amsterdam chapter for 13 years, and she chaired the IMA Sustainable Business Management Global Task Force for two years. Previously, she chaired the Europe Regional Advisory Committee and the Volunteer Leadership Standing Board Committee. De Graaff earned her CMA in 2014, the CSCA certification in 2021, and the FMAA certification in 2024.

Accounting and finance professionals inside private companies are often closer than anyone else to the decisions that shape both current performance and future outcomes. They see where cash flow is tightening, where reporting is not giving leadership enough clarity, where tax planning is happening too late, and where ownership goals may be influencing the business without being clearly articulated. That puts them in a unique position to do more than report results. They can help leadership teams make better decisions, raise the right questions earlier, and bring sharper visibility to what matters most now and what could matter next.

This session is designed for CFOs, controllers, tax leaders, and finance professionals who want to be more strategic partners to the business and more effective advisors to ownership. We will focus on five areas where finance leaders can create meaningful value: understanding what owners care about, protecting business cash flow, helping owners think through personal cash flow and state tax issues, preparing earlier for transition, and using the finance seat to improve readiness across multiple possible futures.

KEY SESSION TAKEAWAYS

• Practical ways that accounting, tax, and finance can play a more strategic role by connecting owner priorities with better business and financial decision-making
• Key areas where finance can create value for the business right now through stronger cash flow visibility, scenario planning, and better understanding of how the impacts and opportunities from recent tax and legislative changes
• Asking better questions that help connect business performance with owner priorities to understand what owners and company leaders are usually trying to solve for, even when they are not saying it directly
• Recognize owner-level planning issues that can materially affect decision-making, including Oregon Section 1202 exposure, Washington tax changes, and pre-liquidity trust conversations
• Help the company and the owners prepare earlier for transition, especially when the likely path is internal or family-related

About Nicole Rice, CPA, Partner + Chief Growth Officer, Aldrich Wealth

Nicole has dedicated her entire professional career to helping business owners and corporate executives achieve their wealth accumulation and preservation goals. In her role as chief growth officer, Nicole identifies and fosters new opportunities that align with Aldrich Wealth’s strategic growth initiatives, continuing the firm’s established positive trajectory and long-standing entrepreneurial spirit.

Nicole’s prowess spans wealth management, retirement planning, tax accounting, design and implementation of non-qualified benefit plans, insurance, and qualified benefit plans. Her deep expertise and team-based approach enable her to provide clients with holistic solutions to complex challenges, ultimately helping clients achieve their goals. She is a Certified Public Accountant and has completed the Series 65 exam.

Nicole is passionate about community development and is part of Vistage Worldwide, Inc., National Charity League, participated in Portland Business Journal’s mentorship Monday, and has been recognized as a PBJ Woman of Influence. She also volunteers regularly with several organizations and schools in her community that focus on creating opportunities and enrichment for youth.

About Carrie Sowders, CPA, Partner + Manufacturing Industry Leader, Aldrich CPAs + Advisors

Carrie leads the Manufacturing group at Aldrich CPAs + Advisors and specializes in serving large and middle market companies, primarily in the consumer and industrial products sectors. Carrie has exclusively practiced in tax since beginning her career in 1998.

Prior to joining Aldrich in 2009, Carrie spent a decade with Deloitte and oversaw the tax function of a publicly traded consolidated group of companies. Her background is rich in experience with multi-state operations, transactions, cross-border taxation and ongoing tax consulting and compliance.

Carrie received her degree from Washington State University and remains active with the AICPA and OSCPA.

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