FEISV Chapter Newsletter | July 10, 2026 
FEI Silicon Valley Events
07/21 - FEISV Annual BBQ | Pillsbury
07/24 - Financial Officers Forum (Virtual)
08/19 - FEISV TopGolf & Social
09/15 - Monthly Speaker Event - Save the Date!
10/20 - Monthly Speaker Event - Save the Date!
11/28 - Annual Women CFOs of the Year Awards - Save the Date!
12/09 - Annual President's Party
Partners & Other Chapter Events
07/15 - Q2 2026 IFRS Accounting Standards Quarterly Update (Virtual) | BDO
07/16 - The Story Continues: Evolve with Sage Intacct (Virtual) | Armanino LLP
07/22 - Where to Find Money in Your Merchant Account (Virtual) | FEI
07/30 - How Nonprofits Endure: Balancing Strategy, Data and Operations (Virtual) | Armanino LLP
06/25 - Mid-year Compliance Check and Emerging Trends (Virtual) | Reed Smith
09/12 - Back to Business: Post-Summer Compliance Priorities (Virtual) | Reed Smith
Latest Trends in FEI
What’s one decision on your plate right now you’d want another perspective on?
In one week from today, the Financial Officers Forum (FOF) brings together CFOs, Controllers, and VP Finance leaders to do exactly that. The session is built around what participants are actively working through, with the conversation shaped in real time by the group.
Whether you’re evaluating AI, rethinking close and reporting, or weighing new tools, the focus stays grounded in what’s actually working. You’ll hear how others are approaching similar decisions, what's held up, and what they’d do differently.
There’s no preset agenda and no presentations to sit through—just a working session where you can bring specific scenarios and get direct, experience-based input.
It’s confidential, candid, and most valuable if you come ready to take part.
Financial Officers Forum (FOF) will be held virtually on Friday, July 24th, from 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm Pacific.
FEISV Members & Partners, Other FEI Members, and Non-Members: Free | Registration: Here
Welcome New Members
Our Members are at the center of everything we do, and the strength of our Chapter comes directly from the people who make up this community. The experience, insight, and willingness to connect with one another are what make FEI Silicon Valley so valuable.
It’s also what makes it especially exciting to welcome new Members into the fold! Each new perspective adds something meaningful and helps keep the Chapter dynamic, relevant, and growing.
Please join us in welcoming new FEISV Members:
- Carlos Gonzalez: CFO, StackCFO
- Christian Lambacher: Director FP&A, SAP
- Michelle Maynard: Financial Executive
- Joseph Montes: Assistant Controller, Synaptics, Inc.
- Gargi Ray: VP Finance, Synopsys Inc.
- Manavendra Sial: Executive Vice President and CFO, Tenneco
- Winnie Wei: Head of Finance, Genspark Inc.
- Katie Yang: VP of Finance, Aera Technology
We look forward to getting to know you at upcoming virtual and in-person events!
Where to Find Money in Your Merchant Account
Merchant accounts allow you to perform a vital business function: processing credit and debit card payments. However, the complexity of the industry means almost all merchant accounts are filled with junk fees, errors, and significant wasted spending.
Join FEI for a virtual presentation where experts will walk attendees through the five steps every finance team should take to identify where and how they are overpaying on processing fees. They'll show you how to correct these problems, and we'll work through a "mock statement analysis" together so you can see the practical application.
Where to Find Money in Your Merchant Account will be held virtually on Wednesday, July 22nd, 10:00 am - 11:00 am Pacific.
FEISV Members & Partners, and Other FEI Members: Free | Registration: Here
AI Is In Your Financial Processes. Are Your Internal Controls Ready?
The efficiency case for AI in finance has been made, and in many organizations, the decision has already been made along with it. AI is now embedded in journal entry processing, financial close workflows, variance analysis, and more. The conversation has moved from whether to adopt these tools to how to govern them – and for financial leaders responsible for the integrity of their organizations' financial reporting, that’s where the real work begins.
Because the same AI systems creating operational efficiency are operating inside environments governed by Sarbanes-Oxley, subject to PCAOB scrutiny, and dependent on the trust that capital markets place in reliable financial statements. Getting the governance right isn’t optional. And the frameworks most organizations are relying on weren’t built for this.
Learn more. Read AI Is In Your Financial Processes. Are Your Internal Controls Ready? via FEI Daily.
BDO's AI Meets Reality Podcast Launches
As artificial intelligence moves from concept to daily practice, organizations are discovering both its potential and its complexities. AI Meets Reality explores how AI is being used in real-world settings, highlighting practical applications, unexpected challenges, and successes. From automating routine tasks to supporting strategic innovation, AI is changing how businesses adapt and grow in a rapidly evolving landscape.
BDO’s AI Meets Reality is a podcast hosted by Kirstie Tiernan, AI Solution Leader. Each episode features candid conversations with executives and innovators about the realities of AI - what’s working, what’s challenging, and what’s still uncertain.
Learn about emerging trends, practical applications, and real-world experiences to help your organization navigate the opportunities and complexities of artificial intelligence.
Check out the latest episode of BDO's AI Meets Reality.
FEISV Member of the Week
Uday Devasper is CFO for Stardust Power, Inc. Stardust is developing a strategically central, vertically-integrated lithium refinery capable of producing up to 50,000 metric tonnes per annum of battery-grade lithium. Previously, Uday served as a Partner for Effectus Group.
Other experience includes Director roles at Echeclon Corporation and Senior Manager, Technical Reporting and SEC Reporting at Synposys, among other prominent positions at other organizations. Uday earned a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from the University of Mumbai.
FEISV Partner of the Week

BDO is a global business advisor that delivers assurance, tax, and advisory services to help organizations navigate challenges, uncover opportunities, and adapt to a rapidly changing business environment. Their experts serve publicly traded and privately held companies, as well as nonprofit organizations, from pre-revenue through multi-billion-dollar enterprises.
BDO helps CFOs and finance leaders strengthen performance, manage risk, and accelerate value creation. Their teams support organizations across the business lifecycle with services such as:
- IPO readiness and public company preparedness
- SEC reporting support
- SOX/ICFR design and testing
- Technical accounting (ASC 606, ASC 842, business combinations, equity, and share-based compensation)
- Tax planning and compliance—including federal, state, and local, international tax, transfer pricing, and tax provision support
- Finance transformation and close optimization
- FP&A and performance management
- Enterprise risk and internal audit
- Cyber and privacy risk
- Transaction advisory (QoE, buy-side and sell-side due diligence), valuation, and modeling
- M&A integration/separation planning, carve-outs, and post-deal accounting and reporting
- People, Strategy and Solutions (culture, talent, organizational effectiveness, leadership alignment)
- AI Innovation
- ESG readiness and reporting
- BDO Capital – Investment Banking
BDO’s Bay Area practice—served by their San Jose, San Francisco, and Walnut Creek offices—is a hub for our Technology and Life Sciences industry focus. They bring local market presence and a hands-on approach, backed by national and global technical resources. With more than 100 years of experience, BDO serves clients through offices across the U.S. and, as an independent member firm of BDO International Limited, provides access to a global network of professionals across 160+ countries and territories.
CONTACTS:
Kim Bradley
Director Business Development Assurance, Tax and Advisory, BDO
M: 312-933-5929
E: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Kim Bradley | LinkedIn
Jessica Horrillo
Tax Principal, BDO
M: 408-529-5126
E: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Jessica Horrillo | LinkedIn
