In this issue
SEMCACFE Newsletter - March 2024
President's Message
Hello Fellow SEMCACFE Members,
Hope this message finds you all doing well. As we move from winter into spring, I have been reflecting on this quote a good friend recently shared with me:
“Life is like a kaleidoscope of seasons, each one a unique and beautiful experience.” ~Anonymous
We are blessed to have so many diverse and talented members and speakers that make each of our monthly meetings and annual training a unique and wonderful experience.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OUR PRESENTERS who shared their knowledge and experience during our winter meeting months.
January 2024
In January 2024, Rachel Kook, CFE, Compliance Discipline Head-Human Rights Office at Stellantis shared a dynamic and engaging presentation on “Human Rights in the Supply Chain”. Rachel shared an overview of human rights topics, current and forthcoming regulations, key focus areas of human rights in general as well as the supply chain. Many thanks, Rachel for your informative presentation.
February 2024
We had another excellent meeting in February 2024 with Fannie Moore, CFE, CFCI, CICA, Director of Forensic Audits & Training at Wayne State University leading a discussion on “Ethics in the Workplace”. Fannie presented information on how new and emerging workplace trends such as remote/hybrid work environments, technology, and behaviors create new challenges and situations that impact employees, one’s morals/beliefs, workplace culture, and more. Thank you, Fannie, for facilitating a great conversation on this topic during our meeting.
March 2024
In March 2024, Angella Durkin, CFO, Michigan Humane Society, & Debora Martin, CFO, Forgotten Harvest, joined us and shared “Navigating Fraud Risks in Nonprofits: Insights & Strategies.” Angella and Debora shared several examples of how fraudsters take money from their respective organizations, challenges not for profit organizations face, and actions Michigan Humane Society and Forgotten Harvest have implemented to prevent and detect fraud.
Thank you, Angellan and Debora, for sharing this valuable information with us.
As we move from winter into spring, we have more engaging, exciting, and unique experiences in store for you.
Don’t forget to register for the 34th SEMCACFE Annual Fraud Conference on April 16, 2024 at Schoolcraft College VistaTech Center in Livonia, MI. Sign-up by March 31 to take advantage of early bird rates!
Registration is open on our chapter website for our April, May, and June 2024 meetings. We’re pumped up to have these amazing speakers present on the following topics:
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April 4 – Vicki Riley (SEMCACFE/ISACA Member & Retired Ford Motor Company Cyber Security Compliance Team) – “Deep Fakes”
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May 2 – Doug Lubahn (Blackfog Threat Intelligence) – From Old Style Organized Crime Gangs to Today’s Cyber Gangs – It’s All in the Details!
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June 6 – Panel Discussion – Fraud in Academics – Panelists To Be Announced Soon
Thank you to all of you, our members, guests, and board members for your continued support. Please reach out to [email protected] with any suggestions and ideas you may have for future speaking opportunities or how we may enhance your experience with our chapter.
We will strive to continue bringing the best experiences to you throughout the spring and many upcoming seasons to come.
With gratitude,
Sheila
Annual Fraud Conference
30th Annual Fraud Conference
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE APRIL 16, 2024 – 30TH ANNUAL SEMCACFE CONFERENCE
Our annual training takes place at VistaTech/Schoolcraft College, Livonia, MI. We have an exciting program in store this year!
Confirmed Speakers
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Michael D. Wynn, Wynngate Associates LLC and Coach Win LLC – Mastering the Habit Effect: Cultivating Effective Practices for Fraud Examiners
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Jennifer A. Rickabaugh, Novara Tesija Catenacci McDonald & Baas, PLLC, – Fraud in Claim Presentation
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Breck Nowlin, Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) & Ron Pulaski, Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) – Facing Off With Fraud: Prevent, Detect, & Respond
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Brian Menard, The Auto Club (AAA) – The Bad Guys! Fraud and Money Laundering in the Comic Book Industry
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Zee Abdelnabi, SAP Global Security & Cloud Compliance & Sanur Sikdar, SAP Global Security & Cloud Compliance – Fake or Real, Catch Me If You can. A Real Life Event Using Deepfake Tech
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David Soubly, CISA Principal, Information & Cyber Security ICEX – Fraud, Fear and Hope: Living Well In Our Challenging World (2 Ethics CPEs)
Additional information will be posted on the conference website
Early Registration Pricing Through March 31, 2024
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Members -- $250
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Non-Members -- $300
Regular Registration Starting April 1, 2024
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Members -- $275
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Non-Members -- $325
Discounted pricing available for students. Please email [email protected] for additional information.
Register at the conference website.
Reminder: Paid members who attend the most meetings between September 2023 and April 2024 will receive free admission to the conference. (We will do a drawing for any tie-breakers)
Questions? Contact Debra at [email protected]
SEMCACFE Board News
WELCOME MARY MACHTEL, SENIOR, ERNST & YOUNG TO THE SEMCACFE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Career highlights:
- I am a Senior in EY's Forensic & Integrity Services practice in Detroit, Michigan. Specifically, I have worked on the Business Intelligence team, which sits under the Investigations and Compliance unit, for over five years. As a forensic professional at EY, I conduct open-source intelligence (OSINT), public record investigative research and third-party and investigative due diligence. I received my degree in International Relations from Michigan State University, where I also studied Portuguese in Brazil for a few semesters.
Why did you get involved with the SEMCACFE?
- I got involved with the Southeast Michigan Chapter after obtaining the CFE certification during the in-person certification in Washington, DC. The course was led by the ACFE president, John Gil and it was an amazing weeklong intensive course. After the pandemic and working from home office often, I wanted to become part of a community again that had similar values, interests and passions. I also wanted to learn how the CFE could be applied in different industries as I enjoy connecting the dots.
How has/will being a CFE help you?
- I obtained the CFE certification in August 2023 by completing the week-long course in Washington, DC. The CFE has allowed me to pursue and take a deeper dive into important fraud related components within the compliance and due diligence field. It also allows me to have different work opportunities when the CFE certification is preferred/required. The CFE and this Chapter have allowed me to make connections within different industries and learn from very intelligent and experienced professionals.
Fun Fact/s:
- I love traveling, especially to places that are untouched and well preserved in terms of nature, marine life, and wildlife.
- I really enjoy summers in Northern Michigan and swimming in the Great Lakes.
What are ideas/initiatives you have for helping the chapter grow and evolve?
- I really want to contribute to our Chapter in terms of helping it grow and continue to flourish by helping people connect from different professional backgrounds. I also really look forward to helping the group organize our student night by collaborating with my alma mater, MSU.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR SEMCACFE BOARD DIRECTORs
Our SEMCACFE Board currently has two openings for Board Directors. The roles/responsibilities for this position include:
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Member in good standing (paid annual SEMCACFE dues)
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Consistent attendance at monthly board meeting (help prior to the monthly chapter meeting)
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Consistent attendance at monthly chapter meetings. Greet and network with guests and fellow members. Help support registration/check-in at Chapter Meetings as needed.
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Help support annual conference planning activities such as reaching out/confirming speakers. Support day-of activities such as registration/check-in, coordination of speakers, etc.
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Take the lead on finding speakers with relevant topic for monthly meetings
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Take lead or support special projects such as Annual Student Night Planning, College/University/Student Outreach, Membership Engagement Activities, Etc.
Serving on the board is a great way to give back to the fraud profession, gain leadership experience, and build your CFE network.
Please submit your nomination and curriculum vitae to [email protected] by April 30, 2024.
Call for Speakers
We are looking for speakers to present at our 2024 Chapter Dinner Meetings and 2025 Annual Conference. If you have a topic you would like considered for a Chapter Dinner Meeting, complete our new SEMCACFE Speaker Submission Form.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Debra R Richardson at [email protected].
Join SEMCACFE on LinkedIn!
Join our chapter group and chapter page on LinkedIn to get up to date information on chapter events, connect with local fraud professionals, and information about the latest fraud trends. Share the group with other local fraud professionals in your network, and if they need CFEs, we’d love to have them at our next event!
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