FEISV Chapter Newsletter | February 17, 2026 
FEI Silicon Valley Events
02/18 - FEISV Happy Hour | Wells Fargo
03/04 - Winning and Retaining Finance and Tech Talent | JPMorganChase
03/31 - Cybersecurity – Why Protecting Company Data is the #1 Issue of CFOs in 2026 | JPMorganChase
04/03 - Financial Officers Forum (Virtual)
06/04 - 27th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament Hosted by Robert Half & FEISV
Partners & Other Chapter Events
02/17- How Geopolitics and AI Are Redefining the Next Moves in Risk (Virtual) | PwC
02/17 - Leveraging Analytics & AI for Excellence & Efficiency in Higher Education (Virtual)| FEI Detroit
02/18 - Private Company Priorities Conference (Virtual) | FEI
02/19 - Developing Leadership Excellence through the Leader Maturity Model (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
A heartfelt thank-you to all of our 27th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament sponsors for your generous support. We truly couldn’t do this without you. Your partnership not only makes this event possible, but it also strengthens our shared mission to support the future of finance through education and opportunity.
Please join us in acknowledging our current list of sponsors:
- Tournament Sponsor: Robert Half
- Beverage Cart Sponsor: SOAProjects
- Swag Bag Sponsor: Alliant Insurance Services
- Sponsor: Janice Berthold | Heffernan Insurance Brokers
THERE ARE STILL SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE. See the attached document to support a great cause while building awareness for your company.
Now celebrating its 27th year, this time-honored event blends great golf and great company with an even greater purpose: Supporting the next generation of talented students pursuing finance and accounting degrees at California State University East Bay, UC Berkeley, San Jose State University, and Menlo College.
To date, this longstanding tradition has provided $774,000 in scholarships to remarkable individuals recognized for their academic excellence, leadership, and drive to make a difference in the financial world.
Every contribution, from tournament sponsors to hole and prize sponsors, helps continue this proud FEI Silicon Valley tradition. Together, we’re driving real impact for the next generation of financial leaders while enjoying a day of connection, competition, and community.
The 27th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament, hosted by Robert Half & FEI Silicon Valley, will be held on Thursday, June 4th, at the Coyote Creek Golf Club in Morgan Hill.
FEISV Members & Non-Members Round of Golf: $275 (+The Deal: $390) | Foursome (Value $1,100): $1,000 | Registration: Here
FEI Silicon Valley Happy Hour - Tomorrow!
After a packed start to the year, take a moment to unwind and reconnect with the people who make Silicon Valley’s finance community so exceptional. Join us tomorrow at the Wells Fargo Innovation Center for an exclusive FEI Silicon Valley social event!
This relaxed gathering is the perfect setting to strengthen professional relationships, exchange ideas, and expand your network among fellow finance leaders in the Bay Area.
Come reconnect with colleagues, welcome new Members, and enjoy meaningful conversations outside of our regular programming. We look forward to an inspiring evening together.
FEI Silicon Valley Happy Hour will be held at the Wells Fargo Innovation Center on Wednesday, February 18th, from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm Pacific.
FEISV Members & Partners: 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].
Winning and Retaining Finance and Tech Talent
In today’s hypercompetitive landscape, the real differentiator isn’t capital. It’s talent. As CFOs and finance executives navigate digital transformation, the ability to attract and retain high-performing finance and technology leaders now defines an organization’s long-term success.
Join us for an exclusive evening at J.P. Morgan Chase as three groundbreaking CFOs share how they’re redefining the finance function by harnessing talent strategies that deliver measurable business impact.
This insider conversation will explore how leading companies are aligning workforce planning with organizational goals, using data to make smarter talent decisions, and building cultures that keep top performers engaged and driving innovation.
You’ll walk away with proven, executive-level strategies to align talent management with enterprise growth and future workforce needs. Attendees will be able to apply data-driven insights to strengthen hiring, retention, and succession planning. Learn skills to help build integrated finance and tech teams that perform with agility and vision!
Featured Speakers:
- Anup Singh, CFO, Illumio — Guiding talent through the intersection of cybersecurity and finance.
- Rohan Sivaram, CFO, Confluent — Building high-growth teams at the heart of the data streaming revolution.
- Kevin Hettrich, CFO, QuantumScape — Shaping the talent strategies powering innovation in next-generation energy storage.
- Manpreet Grover: Managing Partner & CEO, SOAProjects — Moderating the conversation while offering her own unique insights from a CEO and Partner perspective.
This is your chance to hear how these industry leaders are closing the talent gap...and setting the pace for what’s next in finance.
Winning and Retaining Finance and Tech Talent will be held at JPMorgan Chase in Palo Alto on Wednesday, March 4th, from 5:00 pm- 8:30 pm Pacific.
FEISV Members & Partners: Free | Other FEI Chapters & Non-Members: $135 | Registration: Here
Cybersecurity – Why Protecting Company Data is the #1 Issue of CFOs in 2026
Cyber-attacks/cybercrime are a multi-billion or even trillion-dollar global problem for companies and growing. It affects large and small, public and private companies alike. Unveil key issues before, during, and after a cyberattack at an interactive discussion hosted by JPMorgan Chase.
Reported victim losses in the U.S. alone exceeded $16.6B in 2024, up 33% from 2023, based on the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. And the FBI explicitly notes underreporting, especially around ransomware/extortion situations. For CFOs, cyber risk is no longer an IT problem—it is: A liquidity risk, earnings risk, disclosure risk, and reputational risk rolled into one.
Please join us for a timely and essential Cyber Security panel featuring experts representing different focus areas.
Cybersecurity – Why Protecting Company Data is the #1 Issue of CFOs in 2026 will be held at JPMorgan Chase in Palo Alto on Tuesday, March 31st, from 5:00 pm- 8:30 pm Pacific.
FEISV Members & Partners: Free | Other FEI Chapters & Non-Members: $135 | Registration: Here
Inspiring Your Team in 2026: How Discipline Can Build Stronger, More Motivated Teams
There are mornings when we'd rather stay warm in bed. But we also know the longer we stay, the harder it becomes to move. Discipline is choosing action when motivation is absent. That same principle applies to leadership and team culture. Discipline is what we must instill in our teams if we want consistent results.
Life happens to all of us. We experience loss, heartbreak, grief, joy, love, and celebration. But no matter what we're personally facing, we still have a responsibility to show up. Our clients trust us with their businesses. They pay premiums, invest real money, and rely on us to guide them. Showing up fully for our clients is non-negotiable.
And here's the truth many leaders miss: When you show up at your best for your clients, you can also become the best version of yourself for your family.
Learn more. Read Inspiring Your Team in 2026: How Discipline Can Build Stronger, More Motivated Teams via our Marquee Partners at Acrisure.
FEISV Member of the Week
Ricardo Castillo is a Senior Finance and Accounting Executive with over 22 years of experience driving enterprise-level accounting, financial operations, and strategic business initiatives across multiple industries. Proven success collaborating with world-class teams at leading organizations such as Meta, Expedia, Walmart, Deloitte, and Arthur Andersen to deliver impactful results.
Ricardo earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from UCAB - Universidad Católica Andrés Bello and an MBA in Business Management from Arkansas State University. He also completed the Stanford University Graduate School of Business LEAD Program.
FEISV Partner of the Week
Acrisure is a leading insurance and financial services company that operates globally with a focus on the Silicon Valley. They provide a wide range of services to their clients, including insurance brokerage, risk management, employee benefits, and consulting services. Their team of experienced professionals works closely with clients to understand their unique needs and develop customized solutions to protect their assets and mitigate risks.
With a strong presence in Silicon Valley, Acrisure's experts possess deep industry knowledge and expertise in serving technology companies and startups. Their team leverages their extensive network of carriers and strategic partnerships to deliver innovative and comprehensive insurance solutions that help clients thrive in a rapidly changing business environment. Whether it's property and casualty insurance, cyber liability coverage, or employee benefits programs, Acrisure is committed to delivering exceptional service and value to their clients in the Silicon Valley and beyond.
CONTACTS:
Carlos Ayala
Sr. Vice President, Lead Consultant and Client Advocate | CA Lic. # 0E66643
Acrisure West Region
Email: [email protected]
Direct: 408-418-2746
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/carlosayalajr
Lanea Riley
Client Advisor | CA Lic 0I23365
West Division
[email protected]
Direct: 408.350.5745
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laneariley
Special Thanks to Our Strategic Partners
Marquee Partners
Platinum Partners
Gold Partners
Silver Partners
