FEISV Chapter Newsletter | January 16, 2026 
FEI Silicon Valley Events
01/20 - Debt, Deals, and Disruption: The Credit Market Outlook for 2026 | Reed Smith
01/27 - Getting a Paid Board Seat | Wells Fargo
02/06 - Financial Officers Forum (FOF) (Virtual)
02/18 - FEISV Happy Hour | Wells Fargo
03/04 - Winning and Retaining Finance and Tech Talent | JPMorgan Chase
03/31 - Cyber Panel - Save the Date! | JPMorgan Chase
Partners & Other Chapter Events
01/21 - Financial Executives Priorities 2026 (Virtual) | FEI
01/29 - Lowering the Personal and Professional Risks of Online Data Exposure: Strategies to Protect Your Personnel (Virtual) | FEI
01/29 - Modernizing Your Approach to HR in 2026: Workforce Trends and Strategic Priorities (Virtual) | BPM
02/03 - Agentic AI: Use Cases & Best Practices for Leveraging AI Agents in F&A (Virtual) | FEI
02/10 - Prepare Your Nonprofit for 2026: The Trends That Will Impact Your Mission and How to Navigate Them (Virtual) | BPM
02/18 - Private Company Priorities Conference (Virtual) | FEI
02/24 - 02/26 - HR Leaders Compliance Summit (Virtual) | Acrisure
03/11 - Q1 2026 Quarterly Accounting Webcast (Virtual) | PwC
05/17 - 05/19 - 2026 Financial Leaders Forum (San Antonio) | FEI
Latest Trends in FEI
As credit markets enter a pivotal phase defined by shifting interest rates, tightening liquidity, and evolving geopolitical forces, financial leaders face critical decisions that will shape their firms’ growth trajectories in 2026 and beyond.
This Tuesday, join an expert panel of leading voices from investment banking, corporate finance, and legal advisory as they unpack the latest developments driving credit conditions—and what they mean for refinancing, capital access, and strategic expansion in an increasingly dynamic marketplace.
This is FEI Silicon Valley's first event of the year, and we’d love to kick it off together. Attendees will gain practical strategies for navigating risk, identifying opportunity, and positioning their organizations for long-term success amid today’s evolving financial landscape. Don’t miss this opportunity to reconnect with peers, exchange insights, and set the tone for a strong year ahead.
Debt, Deals, and Disruption: The Credit Market Outlook for 2026 will be held at Reed Smith in Palo Alto on Tuesday, January 20th, from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Pacific.
FEISV Members & Partners, Other FEI Members, and Non-Members: Free | Registration: Here
2026 Financial Leaders Forum
The 2026 Financial Leaders Forum is where the future of finance takes shape…and where those who lead it will be. This annual event takes place May 17–19 at the San Antonio Marriott River Center on the Riverwalk.
Hosted by Financial Executives International (FEI) and the Media Financial Management Association (MFM), the Financial Leaders Forum brings together the most forward-thinking CFOs, controllers, and financial strategists from across the country. It’s a welcoming space to exchange ideas, gain new insights, and connect with peers who are navigating the same challenges in today’s fast-changing financial world.
As AI reshapes business and market dynamics shift overnight, this is the event that equips you with the insights, vision, and connections to stay ahead. Whether your priorities include harnessing AI, driving innovation, managing risk, or strengthening culture across generations, you’ll find practical ideas you can put to work right away.
Finance is evolving quickly. Don’t just keep up. Help shape what comes next.
2026 Financial Leaders Forum will be held at the San Antonio Marriott River Center on the Riverwalk from May 17th - May 19th.
FEI Sacramento & Other FEI Members: $1,395 | Non-Members: $1,895 | Spouse/Guest: $625 | Registration: Here
Join New FEI SV Networking Group
FEI Silicon Valley (FEI SV) launched a networking group in September 2025. We have approximately fourteen CFO members and partner sponsors in the networking group. The participants have found the networking group helpful, especially with the use of “troikas,” which are groups of three who get together to find out more about each of their businesses and how they may be able to help each other through referrals. If you aren’t familiar with networking groups, the following is some information that explains how they work.
Networking groups work by bringing professionals together to build relationships, exchange knowledge, and generate opportunities like leads, partnerships, and mentorship through regular meetings, events, and shared resources, fostering a supportive environment for mutual business growth, often through structured introductions, casual mingling, and specific referral systems.
Core Mechanisms
- Relationship Building: The primary goal is to form connections based on trust and credibility, not just direct sales.
- Information Exchange: Members share industry insights, best practices, and market trends through meetings, workshops, and seminars.
- Referral Systems: Members actively refer business to each other, creating a pipeline of potential clients.
- Mutual Support: Groups provide a platform for collaboration, mentorship, and problem-solving.
- Increased Visibility: Active participation boosts members' presence and reputation in their fields.
If you think you might be interested in joining the FEI SV networking group, please reach out to Scott Taylor at [email protected].
Top Podcast Episode: Dave Daetz
Take a closer look at how the explosion of cloud computing and unsanctioned technology has wholly transformed the cybersecurity landscape. Listen to The Strategic CFO! Check out one of our most popular episodes, featuring Dave Daetz, SVP of Corporate Development at Netskope.
In this episode, Dave explains how the shift from office-based servers to a cloud-first world has left companies exposed to hidden risks. He shares eye-opening research showing that most organizations vastly underestimate the number of SaaS applications in use, leading to a surge in shadow IT and "shadow data" that can drive up the cost and frequency of data breaches.
The conversation goes beyond technology, exploring how Netskope's recent acquisitions are helping companies secure sensitive information wherever it lives. Daetz also emphasizes the importance of cultural fit in mergers and acquisitions and discusses why Zero Trust security models are quickly becoming the new standard. For CFOs and technology leaders, this episode provides timely, actionable guidance for navigating the complex realities of cybersecurity in today's distributed, digital-first environment.
Download or stream any time: Zero Trust, Maximum Security: The New CFO Imperative.
6th Annual HR Leaders Compliance Summit
Get ready—Acrisure’s largest and most anticipated virtual summit is back for another year, and the line-up is the best yet!
The 6th Annual HR Leaders Compliance Summit (HRLCS 2026) will return on February 24–26, 2026. This exclusive, no-cost virtual event is designed to empower HR and operational leaders with cutting-edge insights and actionable strategies for their business.
Over three dynamic days, attendees will hear from top subject matter experts on critical topics, including:
- Labor and employment law
- Employee benefits compliance
- Talent management and culture strategy
- Recruiting, workplace safety, and emerging HR trends
Register here: HR Leaders Compliance Summit
Save On A FEI San Francisco Membership
Did you know FEI Silicon Valley members can join the San Francisco chapter as a second chapter at a discounted rate? Second-chapter memberships are pro-rated making it an affordable way to expand your network and attend additional programs.
If you’re interested, FEI National can provide the exact cost and help you add San Francisco and align renewal dates. It’s a great way to get even more value from your FEI membership.
Those who are interested, please email [email protected].
Job Openings at SOAProjects
Partnering with our Platinum Partners at SOAProjects opens the door to a dynamic, entrepreneurial work culture where driven professionals thrive and collaborate toward joint success. The environment at SOAProjects is built on empowering employees, fostering innovation, and celebrating both individual and group achievements, reflected in our consistent recognition as the Best Place to Work in the Bay Area and high employee retention rates.
Employees benefit from a comprehensive compensation and benefits package, continual professional development opportunities like in-house training and CPE sessions, and a welcoming, family-like atmosphere that makes colleagues feel like true partners in growth.
SOAProjects' work culture emphasizes flexibility, trust, and professional advancement, enabling team members to balance ambitious client projects with personal wellbeing through flexible work arrangements and formal agreements supporting a healthy work-life balance.
Annual traditions such as employee appreciation BBQs, inclusive celebrations, and support for maintaining professional certifications demonstrate a commitment to both personal satisfaction and career progression, making SOAProjects the ideal home for experienced professionals seeking impactful, fulfilling careers with motivated partners.
Check out current job openings at SOAProjects!
FEISV Member of the Week
Michael Golomb is a senior-level exeuctive with a career record of success in launching startup companies and leading them through explosive growth, and profitable exit or IPO across a broad spectrum of industries. Currently, Michael serves as CFO for Blockstream. Michael is an official member of the Forbes Business Council. He is also the Founder of FANVESTER.
Michael earned an MBA in Finance from Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business. He earned his Master of Science in Management, with an emphasis on Organization Behavior and Entrepreneurship.
FEISV Partner of the Week

SOAProjects, Inc is a fast-growing leading professional advisory firm with service offerings supporting clients through all stages of the business life cycle; from VC-backed / early stage, to Series B and later rounds of Preferred Stock, through successful IPO (or acquisition) and post-IPO, making SOAProjects the CFO`s first choice.
SOAProjects delivers a comprehensive suite of services, with expert assistance in:
- Technical accounting, IPO & Financial Reporting,
- Equity administration & accounting,
- SOX Compliance & Internal Audit,
- IT Risk & Compliance,
- ERP Advisory– NetSuite,
- Cybersecurity & Privacy Risk,
- RPA & Data Analytics,
- Direct Hire and Interim Operational Accounting Support, and
- Start Up Services – Bookkeeping, Tax Compliance, and CFO/Backoffice support
SOAProjects’ dedicated team of experts deliver exceptional results, by applying a client-centric approach that leads to customized solutions that address each organization’s unique needs.
CONTACTS:
SOAProjects contact in SF Bay Area:
Manav Singh
Founding Partner
(650) 771-6662
[email protected]
Yuko Wakasugi
Partner in Charge – Technical Accounting & IPO Services
(415) 309-6086
[email protected]
Joe Talley
Sr Partner – Technical Accounting & IPO Services
(408) 621-2947
[email protected]
Robert (Bob) Strasser
Sr Partner – SOX & Internal Audit
(408) 396–6170
[email protected]
www.SOAProjects.com
Phone: 650.960.9900
Fax: 650.960.2400

