Speakers

0	Marco Dias Special Agent IRS Marco Dias, Special Agent with Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI), is assigned to the New York Field Office (NYFO). Special Agent Dias started his career with IRS:CI in April 2020, and in September 2022 was assigned to the NYFO Cyber and Cryptocurrency Investigations Unit. Special Agent Dias is responsible for investigating tax, money laundering, and Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) related crimes involving the use of cryptocurrency, decentralized finance (DeFi) apps, and smart contracts. Special Agent Dias also serves as a Task Force Officer to both Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in New York, assisting with cyber and cryptocurrency related investigations. Special Agent Dias has 14 years of experience conducting audits and financial investigations within private and public sector organizations.

0	Neal Eisenberg Protiviti

0	Martin Garcia

	Joel Lanz Professor SUNY Old Westbury Joel Lanz is a Visiting Assistant (Clinical) Professor of Accounting at State University of New York at Old Westbury and Adjunct Associate Professor of Accounting at the Stern School of Business at New York University. He maintains professional designations as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the States of New York and New Jersey, Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants has granted Joel specialized credentials in Information Technology (CITP), Financial Forensics (CFF), and Management Accounting (CGMA). He earned both of his degrees (BBA-Public Accounting and MBA-Information Systems) from Pace University’s Lubin School of Business. Through his private practice founded over twenty years ago, he consults on managing technology and related risks including IT Governance, Information Security and Privacy, Business and Finance Transformation, ERP/GRC System Implementations and Optimization, Strategic Sourcing, Regulatory Compliance, Vendor Management, Business Continuity, IT Audit and Audit Planning, Technology Integration, Attestations and Fraud.

	Anvita Sanker Byrne Artificial Intelligence and Data EY Anvita Byrne is in the Artificial Intelligence and Data practice of Ernst & Young’s Financial Services Office. Anvita has been serving banking and financial services clients, including large US banks and financial services firms, with developing their data strategy, defining, implementing, and executing data governance requirements, providing support with regulatory compliance, and data privacy.

	Jeffrey Saviano Principal EY Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts Jeff is a Partner (Principal) with EY Consulting and a member of EY’s emerging technology strategy and governance practice. He advises commercial enterprises and governments on the risks, opportunities, and policy / governance implications emanating from innovative technology and data systems, with an emphasis on artificial intelligence and Web3 applications. In August of 2023, Jeff was appointed as an Associate with the Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University. In this role, Jeff aligns with the Harvard community to study the ethics and responsibility associated with innovative technologies, such as AI and Web3. These technologies are advancing rapidly and introduce ethical dilemmas that are now highly relevant for both governments and commercial enterprises. Government policymakers, corporate Boards, and executive teams are faced with new ethical decisions prompted by innovative technologies that impact individuals, organizations, and societies on a global scale. Jeff’s scholarship pursuant to this Harvard academic appointment is focused on the ethical / responsible technology implications for both the public and private sectors. Jeff is a founding member of The Prosperity Collaborative, a multi-stakeholder initiative dedicated to helping countries create better systems through innovative technology as digital public goods. The mission of the Collaborative is to build and deploy new technology, improve capacity of government administrations, and advance Web3 based decentralized governance models that promote transparency and interoperability. Founding members of the Collaborative include, New America, MIT, EY, The World Bank Group, and the Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation. Jeff is the host of the Better Innovation podcast, featuring interviews with technology and innovation thought leaders. The podcast, in its 7th season, explores stories of how innovation is reshaping and transforming our inextricably digital world. Jeff received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Iona University, a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law, and an LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University School of Law. In 2020, Jeff joined the faculty at the Boston University School of Law, where he teaches Innovation, Technology, and the Law, with an emphasis on Web3 and AI systems and associated technology policy / governance matters.

	Charles Soranno Managing Director Protiviti Charles is a Managing Director in the Metro NY Region of Protiviti and is a leader in Protiviti’s Financial Reporting Compliance and Internal Audit practices. Charles is also the Eastern Region leader for Protiviti’s Public Company Transformation practice which assists clients with SEC Advisory, Financial Reporting Compliance, Corporate Governance, Internal Control Readiness, Risk & Compliance and IT Transformation. Charles has provided assistance to companies experiencing significant reconciliation and restatements, business combination activity, divestitures and carve out / separation initiatives, external auditor and regulatory inquiries, and difficulties in implementing new accounting pronouncements, including Revenue Recognition, Lease Accounting and CECL. Charles holds a Bachelors degree in Accounting from Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania, is an active Certified Public Accountant, and member of both the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPAs) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Charles is a frequent public speaker on matters of technical accounting, financial reporting and internal control.

	Andrea Vardaro-Thomas Managing Director Protiviti Andrea is a Managing Director leading Protiviti’s Business Planning & Analysis practice. She has more than 20 years of industry experience in finance leadership roles with expertise in strategic finance, divisional and corporate financial planning & analysis, financial reporting, technical accounting, and internal audit. At Protiviti, Andrea has served clients in various industries, guiding them through the public company readiness journey and enhancing their business performance through financial planning, operational effectiveness and finance transformation.

	Kristen Viviotis Managing Director Protiviti Kristen is a Managing Director in the Metro NY Region of Protiviti and is a leader in Protiviti’s Internal Audit and Financial Advisory Solution. Kristen has over 25 years of global Internal Audit and Sarbanes Oxley experience, working in fast paced and dynamic environments. Prior to joining Protiviti, Kristen was responsible for leading both domestic and international Internal Audit and Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance efforts, including public company readiness and IPO support. Kristen has provided guidance to companies on various optimization projects including the rationalization and redesign of internal controls as well as several business process improvement initiatives for global Corporate Finance and Accounting functions enhancing their business performance through risk management and corporate governance. Kristen holds a Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting from Hofstra University and is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Internal Auditor, a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors- Long Island Chapter.