Sue Watson believes that the heart of a thriving accounting firm is its culture—one where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow together. As Chief Operating Officer and Partner at LevitZacks, Sue leads with a people-centered approach, aligning firm strategy with a genuine commitment to employee well-being and high performance.

With decades of experience spanning strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, technology, administration, financial and risk management, and human resources, Sue has guided LevitZacks through continuous evolution and growth. In March of 2024, LevitZacks aligned with Ascend becoming an early platform firm—further strengthening its capabilities and future vision. Under her leadership, the firm has earned the #1 spot on Accounting Today’s “Best Firms to Work For” list in the United States three years running and has ranked high on that list for thirteen years, a testament to both her vision and the firm’s exceptional culture. LevitZacks’ employee turnover remains significantly below industry averages—a direct result of the intentional, family-like environment LevitZacks cultivates every day.

Sue’s operational expertise is matched by her passion for building workplaces where people feel empowered to do their best work. She understands the realities of the accounting world—tax seasons, change management, and rapid industry shifts—and is committed to ensuring her team thrives amid it all. Her focus on transparency, trust, and continuous learning has established LevitZacks as a magnet for top talent and a model for retention in the profession.

Sue holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of San Diego and a Designation of Associate in Risk Management from the Insurance Institute of America. She is a member of the CPA Firm Management Association, is a past President of the San Diego Chapter of the Risk and Insurance Management Society, a past President of the Taxicab, Livery and Paratransit Association of California, and past Chairman of the Board of several local non-profit organizations.

Since joining LevitZacks as COO in 2007, after several years as a consultant, she has never lost sight of her core belief: when you invest in people, success follows—for teams, for clients, and for the industry as a whole.

Nishaad Ruparel brings a blend of experience in investment banking, private equity, and a deep commitment to partnership-driven growth to his role as President at Ascend. With a BS in Finance and International Business from NYU and an MBA from Stanford, Nishaad has held positions at J.P. Morgan, AEA Investors, and Alpine Investors. Guided by Ascend’s value, “Win Together,” he focuses on fostering collaboration and ambitious goals. Originally from New Jersey, he now enjoys life in Northern California with his wife, exploring the outdoors and new adventures.

Ed Kless believes entrepreneurs continue the work of creation and that business exists to promote human flourishing. To advance this vision, he cofounded THRESHOLD, where he guides professional leaders and teams through encapsulating transformations. Previously, Ed served as Sage’s senior director of partner development and strategy, hosted the Sage Thought Leadership Podcast, and designed curricula for Sage Partners and Customers. He also co-hosts The Soul of Enterprise with Ron Baker, his friend and fellow THRESHOLD co-founder.

Jason Yetter serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Richey May, where he leads the firm’s strategic vision, operational excellence, and culture. Since joining the firm in 2014, Jason has been instrumental in driving scalable growth, evolving the client experience, and building high-performing teams. As a visionary leader, he oversees all critical functions, including corporate strategy, business development, finance, marketing, human resources, risk management, technology, and client services. Jason champions innovation and continuous improvement while fostering an inclusive culture that attracts and develops top talent. He works closely with the executive leadership team to align resources, optimize operational efficiencies, and ensure long-term sustainability.

With a background in leading strategic growth initiatives, mergers and acquisitions, and professional development at top ten accounting firms, Jason brings deep industry expertise and a commitment to excellence. Jason holds a Juris Doctorate from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where he clerked for the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, and a Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law. His diverse legal and tax experience informs his holistic approach to leadership, ensuring Richey May remains at the forefront of the financial services industry.

Blake specializes in accounting, auditing, and tax planning. He cites the long-term relationships that he has built with clients as the key to a successful and fulfilling 20-year career. His clients benefit from his natural listening skills and sincere efforts to place their interests above all other concerns, and his positive outlook is widely appreciated by his colleagues.

A CPA licensed in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Blake offers a full range of business advisory, accounting, auditing and strategic planning services. Before helping start Stephano Slack, he worked in public accounting at a regional firm and for a prominent national manufacturing company.

His competitive spirit is not limited to his exceptional accounting skills, but also applies to fly fishing, which he enjoys doing when not at work. But more than anything, Blake enjoys spending quality time with his wife, son, and daughter, and considers his family as his most treasured personal achievement.

He earned his B.S. in Accounting degree from Wesley College and he is also a Board Member of Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital.

Roz uses AI to accelerate evidence collection and control testing for assurance and risk advisory firms performing control-based audits. Using Roz, firms reduce manual work by up to 80%, increase audit capacity, and take on more audits with the same team.

Apxium Collect empowers accounting firms to automate, manage and optimise the entire accounts receivable lifecycle. With deep practice‑management system integrations and secure online payment capabilities, the platform streamlines invoice and collection communication and payment reconciliation. Resulting in faster cash flow, reduced administrative burden and a more efficient, client‑friendly billing experience.

Company description: Indianapolis-based Oak Street Funding, a First Financial Bank company, provides commercial financing for Certified Public Accountants. We provide capital to assist with acquisition, succession, and more. We are a direct, non-SBA lender and handle everything in house. Our cash flow analysis and industry knowledge align to meet the growing demand.

Rebekah (Brown) Olson, CPA, is the CEO of the Maryland Association of CPAs and an influential figure in the accounting profession, recognized as one of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting for 2022.

Joining the MACPA in 2012 after three years in public accounting, Rebekah assumed the position of Manager of Membership Development and Engagement in 2014. In 2018, she was appointed Director of Development, where she served on the leadership team steering the association through the complex challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the departure of longstanding CEO Tom Hood.

Passionate about the future of the accounting profession, Rebekah is a sought-after speaker who frequently shares her insights on professional trends and opportunities. As a certified facilitator, she has guided numerous organizations, both in the United States and Canada, in the strategic planning process.

Rebekah’s contributions have garnered recognition from various prestigious entities. CPA Practice Advisor recognized her as a top thought leader under 40 in the CPA profession in 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2025. In 2019, she was honored with the President’s Award by the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) Baltimore Chapter for her community service. Additionally, Rebekah was named a Maryland Daily Record Leading Women Honoree in 2020.

Rebekah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, dual specializing in Accounting and Sports Management, from The Max M. Fisher School of Business at The Ohio State University, which she earned in 2009. She obtained her CPA designation in 2011. After gaining invaluable experience at a Top 100 firm, Rebekah decided to leave public accounting and leverage her talents and experiences to work on behalf of the profession at the Maryland Association of CPAs.

Ronald Storch is a retired C‑suite executive, board member, and CPA with 30 years of leadership experience in public accounting/professional services. He most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer of CBIZ, Inc., following the acquisition of Marcum LLP, where he was a Partner and Chief Operating Officer.

Throughout his career, Ron has led both M&A and firmwide operations across technology, finance, HR, marketing, and strategic planning, overseeing large, geographically diverse organizations in the U.S. and internationally. He has extensive experience guiding firms through transformational change, including large‑scale integrations, operating model redesign, and the adoption of technology and flexible talent strategies to drive sustainable growth.

In addition to his executive leadership roles, Ron served on the boards of LEA Global, ECOVIS International, and TIAG (The International Accounting Group) where he contributed to governance, global collaboration, and the future of the accounting profession. Ron remains active as an advisor, helping firms reimagine how work gets done in an evolving, technology‑enabled marketplace.