2022 International Women’s Day Signature Event

Elena Richards (she/her/hers) is a Principal and Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer for KPMG LLP. She is an accomplished HR, talent management and diversity professional with deep knowledge of the professional services industry.

 

As CDEIO, Elena leads the firm’s national Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) team and works closely with KPMG’s management committee and board of directors to advance the Accelerate strategy, a commitment for more underrepresented talent to choose the firm as their employer of choice, experience thriving careers within an inclusive culture, and advance to partnership and leadership levels. Elena further collaborates with KPMG’s functional business leaders on the business integration of the firm’s strategic priorities. The outcome of her leadership has earned the firm recognition as a top workplace by Fortune, DiversityInc, Seramount, Human Rights Campaign, and more.

 

Elena leads key firmwide initiatives including the publication of KPMG’s annual Transparency Report outlining progress against the commitments set forth by Accelerate 2025 and the Business Resource Group (BRG) Leadership Council which oversees 200+ national and local BRG chapters and inclusion councils. She serves on the HR Leadership Team, driving the collaboration with HR processes to further embed DEI in talent acquisition, people strategy and solutions, learning and development, communications, and total rewards.

 

As a thought leader, Elena recently published KPMG’s first-ever whitepaper on embedding DEI into hybrid and return-to-office work strategies. She leads and launched KPMG’s Chief Diversity Officer peer exchange series, bringing together CDOs across various organizations to discuss DEI strategies and challenges impacting businesses across all industries.

 

With over 20 years of experience, Elena’s north star has been to create psychologically safe workplaces and equitable experiences for underrepresented talent. She is an ambassador of the firm’s DEI commitments, and has been the driving force behind KPMG being a signatory on pledges holding the business community accountable with organizations including Business Roundtable, the Gender and Diversity KPI Alliance, and Disability: IN. In 2021, she was the recipient of the NJCPA Ovation award, recognizing her passion and contributions towards promoting diversity and inclusion across the finance and accounting profession.

 

Elena earned her BA in criminal justice at the University at Albany, State University of New York, and is a certified executive coach.

 

She has also served as an advisory board member for Howard University’s Center for Accounting Education and as a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ National Diversity & Inclusion Commission.

Tandra Jackson is the Vice Chair of Growth and Strategy at KPMG LLP. In this role, she is responsible for leading KPMG’s Total Firm growth strategy, anticipating and responding to signals of change in the marketplace, and aligning the firm’s investments in innovative new services and capabilities. Prior to this role, Tandra served as Office Managing Partner for KPMG’s Houston Major Market where she helped lead the growth and success of the firm’s audit, tax and advisory practices in Houston; ensured KPMG’s clients received exceptional service; supported and empowered the firm’s extraordinary people; and coordinated the office’s community engagement. Tandra is co-Chair of KPMG’s African Ancestry Business Resource Group and serves on the KPMG Foundation Board. Tandra has served on the Nominating Committee for the KPMG Board of Directors. Previous speaking engagements include Center for Houston’s Future, KPMG’s Global Energy Conference, KPMG Global Japanese Practice Americas Meeting, KPMG Insights, National Women’s Council Houston Conference, Rice University’s Women in Leadership Conference, and Texas Society of Women CPAs. She holds an MBA degree and is a Certified Information Systems Auditor. Tandra is on the KPMG Foundation Board, KPMG African American Network Advisory Board, and serves on the Nominating Committee for KPMG's Board. Additionally, she is on several non-profit boards, including WomenCorporateDirectors; CEOs against Cancer; and the Houston Zoo, where she is the Audit Committee Chair; and is a member of Louisiana State University’s Dean’s Advisory Council and the Advisory Board of the National Association of Corporate Directors’ Houston Chapter.

Kevin (he/him/his) is a principal in KPMG’s Accounting Advisory Services (AAS) practice with 20 years of experience delivering advisory, audit, and audit-related services. Kevin currently provides clients with accounting and financial reporting support for mergers and acquisitions, accounting conversions, equity and debt offerings (including IPOs), and divestitures. This includes assisting clients with SEC and foreign filings, U.S. GAAP and IFRS technical accounting issues, and financial integrations. He also supports clients in the design and implementation of financial reporting, control policies, and procedures to meet the new internal and external reporting requirements as a result of a transaction or accounting conversion. Kevin is the KPMG Advisory leader for KPMG’s U.S. IFRS Institute and he also leads the Telecommunication, Media and Technology industry for AAS in the Northeast. Kevin provides training on technical accounting issues to client staff in various countries. He serves as a KPMG national instructor and has recently taught IFRS technical accounting courses and accounting conversion methodology courses to KPMG employees within the United States and internationally.

He also coauthored the “2013 NYSE IPO Guide”.

Grace Lao (she/her/hers) currently leads Microsoft’s Corporate Procurement function, responsible for delivering cost effective and compliant purchasing solutions, developing strategic supplier relationships, and enabling inclusive growth, equity, trust and sustainability through its supplier ecosystem.

Grace joined Microsoft in 1998 in its Corporate Accounting team. Since then, she had held a variety of financial analysis and controllership roles in Microsoft’s Commercial and Consumer businesses, influencing the Company’s growth through sound financial decisions and compliance excellence. Grace has also led Microsoft’s Global Financial Operations. She is known for transforming Finance functions through organizational transformation, digital technology and operational excellence. Grace grew up in Macau. She moved to Canada at the age of 16 and graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Business Administration at Bishop’s University. Grace started her career at EY Canada, qualified as a Chartered Accountant and worked in both auditing and management consulting.

Grace lives in Seattle with her husband Dave (a fellow Canadian) and their adopted daughter Sophie. As two working parents with a special‑needs child, their lives are busy, challenging and yet incredibly rewarding.

Elaine A. Rocha, Esq. (she/her/hers) is AIG’s Global Chief Investment Officer, based in New York City. In this role, she is responsible for leading a multi-asset, global investment organization and supervising the implementation of the company’s asset management strategies. In addition, Elaine is working on the separation of the Life & Retirement business from AIG. Elaine joined AIG in 2010, and has worked across multiple businesses and functions. Most recently, she was Global Chief Operating Officer

(COO) of Reinsurance where she oversaw the financial, operational, and administrative functions of the General Insurance Reinsurance organization, and ensured the consistency and discipline of ceded reinsurance globally. Prior to that appointment Elaine was Chief of Staff to the CEO, where she managed enterprise-wide initiatives and coordinated alignment with executives and stakeholders. Previously, she was Global COO for Investments, and led its middle and back office functions to support over $300B of assets under management for its clients. Before Investments, she was a member of the Global Legal, Compliance & Regulatory organization where she was Associate General Counsel and Vice President for several lines of business within General Insurance.

Prior to joining AIG, Elaine served as an attorney in private practice for more than 12 years, specializing in insurance, complex coverage issues and general litigation matters. Elaine received her B.A. from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and earned her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, where she has served as a member of the Board of Visitors since 2016. Elaine is also a member of the Board’s Women’s Leadership subcommittee. In 2018, she was nominated to serve on TCNJ’s Foundation Board of Directors and was a former member of its Finance subcommittee. Elaine was elected to the position of Chair in 2021.

Elaine is a strong advocate for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), and is a frequent presenter at industry events on DEI, leadership, mentorship and other related topics. At AIG, she serves as the Executive Sponsor of the New York LGBTQ+ & Allies Employee Resource Group (ERG) and as the co-Executive Sponsor for the New York Women & Allies ERG and the Woman’s Leadership Connection. She also actively works with other senior executives in leading and creating company-wide DEI programs.