In this issue
FEISV Chapter Newsletter | January 23. 2026 
FEI Silicon Valley Events
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 - Cybersecurity – Why Protecting Company Data is the #1 Issue of CFOs in 2026 - Save the Date! | JPMorgan Chase
Partners & Other Chapter Events
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
Thank you to everyone who attended yesterday's discussion about the credit market and M&A opportunities in 2026. We are so grateful to our Gold Partners at Reed Smith for hosting/
A special thank you to our expert speakers, Jan Robertson, Hershel Gerson, Craig Lilly, and Daniel Sanchez, for sharing their time and knowledge with us. There will be another amazing networking event and panel discussion coming next week. We hope you can join us!
Getting A Paid Board Seat - This Tuesday
Every CFO dreams of earning a seat at the table, but few make it to the boardroom. This Tuesday, discover how three industry veterans turned that ambition into reality. Join us for Getting a Paid Board Seat.
Join us this Tuesday for an exclusive fireside chat featuring three distinguished CFOs—Kelly Bodnar Battles, Prat Bhatt, and Ken Goldman—who have each successfully transitioned from corporate finance leadership to coveted paid Board positions.
Moderated by Jan Robertson of SiVal Advisors and host of The Strategic CFO Podcast, this dynamic session will go beyond the basics to reveal what truly differentiates finance leaders who make it to the boardroom. Expect candid stories, seasoned advice, and actionable insights on what to do—and what to avoid—on your own path to board service.
Gain an insider’s view of the board selection process and walk away with strategies you can apply immediately. You’ll learn how to position yourself for your first paid board seat, craft a compelling board bio, work effectively with recruiters, and leverage your professional network for visibility.
Getting a Paid Board Seat will be held at the Wells Fargo Innovation Center on Tuesday, January 27th, from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm Pacific.
FEISV Members & Partners: Free | Other FEI Chapters & Non-Members: $135 | Registration: Here
New FEIconnect - Now Live!
FEI’s Member community now has a refreshed design and enhanced functionality – making it easier than ever to connect with peers, follow important conversations, and stay engaged.
What to explore first:
- My Communities and Followed Content, now just one click away on your homepage
- The Career Center, with relevant opportunities integrated into your experience
- Your new activity feed, showing real-time updates from the communities you belong to
- Like, follow, and track discussions directly from your feed
The updated FEIconnect is built to support the way financial executives share insights and solve challenges – powered by a modern Higher Logic community experience used by leading professional organizations.
Lowering the Personal and Professional Risks of Online Data Exposure: Strategies to Protect Your Personnel
The shocking killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has shaken corporate C-Suites across the country, forcing leaders to ask themselves uncomfortable questions about their own preparedness for a threat landscape that is likely more serious than many realized.
Join FEI for an insightful webinar that explores ways in which financial services organizations can mitigate the danger surrounding their most senior personnel. In a political and social climate that fosters division and resentment, one that has triggered escalating threats and violence, discover how an integrated approach to enhanced personal privacy and security significantly reduces the risks to executives and their families.
Lowering the Personal and Professional Risks of Online Data Exposure: Strategies to Protect Your Personnel will be held virtually on Thursday, January 29th, from 10:00 am- 11:00 am Pacific.
FEISV & Other FEI Members: Free | 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].
Save on a Second-Chapter Membership!
Did you know FEI Silicon Valley and FEI San Fransciso Members can join the other 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 or Silicon Valley 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].
Market Minute: Markets Reassess Geopolitical Risk
Rhetorical assaults on postwar alliances and security among the developed economies have created conditions for a classic risk off moving across asset classes.
A rare simultaneous selloff in the dollar, Treasuries and equities comprise what the investing community has labeled the sell America trade.
That trade is similar to what occurred last year between April 2 and April 8, following the announcement of sweeping tariffs, when long-term relationships such as that between the U.S. dollar and long-term bond rates broke down.
Learn more. Read Market Minute: Markets Reassess Geopolitical Risk via our Gold Partners at RSM.
FEISV Member of the Week
Dr. Maria Bullen is an Associate Professor for the Department of Accounting and Finance at Lucas College and Graduate School of Business. She is a student-focused accounting educator committed to excellence in teaching, research, and professional service.
At San Jose State University, Dr. Bullen teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, including Intermediate, Managerial, and Forensic Accounting, as well as Financial Reporting and Analysis.
FEISV Partner of the Week
RSM is a leading provider of audit, tax, and consulting services focused on the middle market. They guide their clients through business challenges by understanding their needs and bringing together the right team to address them. RSM US LLP is the US member of RSM International, a global network of independent audit, tax, and consulting firms with more than 43,000 people in over 120 countries.
CONTACTS:
Adam Fauvre
Director
[email protected]
(408) 594-0876
Ahmad Ejaz
(408) 572-4473
[email protected]
Special Thanks to Our Strategic Partners
Marquee Partners
Platinum Partners
Gold Partners
Silver Partners
