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Our Team

Our Team

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President & CEO

Michael Lisenby, CDPSE, CRISC

Principal, Accounting & Finance

Wylie Roberts, CPA

Client Services Manager

Jesse Feller, CPA

Senior Recruiter

Ansley Lathem

Advisory Board Member, Former Fortune 500 CFO, CAO, Controller

Stephen Meadows, CPA

Advisory Board Member, Fortune 500 VP of Internal Audit & CAE

Lori Kaczynski, CPA, CIA, CGMA, CRMA

Board Director, Executive Advisor, Fortune 200 Leader, 2X Award-Winning CIO

Marie Mouchet

Advisory Board Member, Strategy and M&A Executive

Larry Maher, CPA

IT Audit Professional / Information Security Professional

Patricia Rowlett, CISA, CISSP

Information Security Consultant

Joshua C. Sorenson, CISA

Audit Professional

Don Penovi, CPA, MBA

IT Audit Professional

Kusela Jeter

Audit, Regulatory, Operational and Risk Management

Vicki Maxwell-Bustillos, CIA, CISA, CDPSE

Internal Auditor III

Ashlee Dorning

Human Resources Manager

Melissa Ossman

Audit, Regulatory, Operational and Risk Management

Scott Dwyer, CISA

Cyber Security Architect

Kasib Jarvis, GICSP, CISSP, CISM, CRISC, CISA

Manager, IT Audit

Megan Beeston Panella, CFE, CISA

Senior IT Operations Analyst

Austin Stealey

Client Services Manager

Reginald Turner

Senior Technical Recruiter

Alison Harrington

Director of Internal Audit Services

Petrina Bloodworth, MPA, CIA, CFE, CRMA

Client Services Manager

Sheyda Aboutalebi

Senior Recruiter

Brian Melamud

President & CEO

Michael Lisenby, CDPSE, CRISC

Michael Lisenby is one of the founders of Rausch Advisory Services. He founded Rausch in 2013. He is responsible for the firm-wide operations, with the executive team reporting to him.  Michael has over 20 years of experience helping businesses manage their accounting, finance, technology resources, and consulting needs effectively. His experience includes consulting and co-sourcing, IT audits, SOX compliance, technology security assessments, risk identification, assessment and evaluation, risk response, risk monitoring, IS control design and implementation, and IS control monitoring and maintenance. Prior to joining Rausch Advisory Services, Michael held leadership roles with Arthur Andersen and several other National Consulting Firms and has prior internal audit experience with Fortune Brands and Philip Morris. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Institute of Internal Auditors Atlanta Chapter and formally served on the Board of Directors for Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA/Atlanta & Milwaukee). Michael holds a CRISC (Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control) Certification and a CDPSE (Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer). Michael continues to speak nationally at events and has been published on information security topics including IT Audit & Governance, Malware, Ransomware, and Spear Phishing. He was awarded the William Mulcahy Excellence through leadership Award by the Institute of Internal Auditors.

Principal, Accounting & Finance

Wylie Roberts, CPA

Wylie Roberts is one of the founders of Rausch Advisory Services. Wylie leads the Rausch Business Performance Improvement, Systems, and Governance Practice. Wylie has over 20 years of expertise in Finance, strategic use of Information Technology, and Process Improvement for multinational corporations gained in senior positions with KPMG Consulting, other national consulting firms, and private industry.

Wylie has extensive experience in serving clients across multiple industries, including providing professional services in the area of SDLC Project Management, Governance, Internal Audit, Systems Implementations, Conversions, Business Intelligence, Process Improvement and serving as interim CFO and Controller. He has BBA in Finance from Georgia State University and is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Georgia.

Client Services Manager

Jesse Feller, CPA

Jesse brings a wealth of experience to the Rausch team. In his role he is responsible for communicating our value proposition to new prospective clients as well as continuing to support our existing clients. He has over 11 years of accounting and auditing experience, including internal and external audit. He began his career working for PricewaterhouseCoopers in their core assurance group working with clients in the manufacturing, distribution, financial services, broadcasting, and staffing industries including publicly traded companies, privately-held firms and US subsidiaries of foreign companies that ranged in size from $10 million to $5 billion. He has extensive internal audit experience in the financial services, hospitality and cannabis industries with managing and consulting on projects, process and procedure design and evaluation, internal control evaluation, risk assessments and continuous process and controls monitoring.

Jesse is an accounting and auditing expert who has been relied on by C-suite executives to determine appropriate accounting treatments for complex transactions and design effective internal controls over financial reporting. He has led teams of external auditors to complete integrated audits of financial statements and internal controls as well as teams of internal auditors in the execution of operational audits and SOX audits. Jesse has also served as primary liaison between Management and external auditors to coordinate efforts and assist in the timely completion of annual financial audits and quarterly reviews in accordance with SEC reporting requirements. Prior to his role as a Client Relationship Manager, he was a consultant where he designed a SOX audit program, performed enterprise-wide risk assessments, and assisted in the development of processes and procedures for a privately-held company in preparation for their IPO. In previous roles, Jesse advised on the operational effectiveness of key cross-functional processes and controls (outside of accounting) and provided risk mitigation solutions for functional areas such as human resources, marketing, development, and information technology.

Jesse received his BBA and Master’s in Accountancy from Georgia Southern University. He is currently a licensed CPA in the state of Georgia and is a member of The Georgia Society of CPAs.

As a CPA and someone who has been on the delivery side, he is well positioned to support our clients needs as a Client relationship Manager.

Senior Recruiter

Ansley Lathem

Ansley joins Rausch with a well-established background in sales, marketing, and communications. She brings a lot of enthusiasm and inspiration to the team as she works with Rausch Leadership to build relationships with new clients and manage existing accounts. Ansley is passionate about providing clients with top services and works diligently to clearly understand their needs. Ansley studied Public Relations at Kennesaw State University and served on the leadership team within her sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi. She has a track record of success in her in sales and marketing. She is also passionate about volunteering and serves as a social media liaison for the Institute of Internal Audit in Atlanta.

Advisory Board Member, Former Fortune 500 CFO, CAO, Controller

Stephen Meadows, CPA

Stephen Meadows brings a wealth of information to the Rausch Advisory Board. Stephen retired as the Chief Accounting Officer of Westrock Company. He joined WestRock formally RockTenn in 2006 as the Chief Accounting Officer and served in this capacity until retiring in 2019. Since retiring, he leverages his extensive knowledge as a contract CFO, CAO, Controller, or senior FP&A role for companies that require changes in either their accounting and/or consolidation processes and systems, their financial reporting systems, their financial reporting processes, and systems or their budgeting and forecasting systems.

Stephen lends his significant financial and business expertise to the Rausch Advisory Board. His informed guidance serves as a tremendous ally in the quest for superior corporate governance. Stephen previously served as Chief Accounting Officer at Drummond Company, Inc., and Vice President, Finance and Risk Management at Progress Ventures. Stephen received his bachelor’s degree in social and political sciences from Cambridge University, England. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

 

Advisory Board Member, Fortune 500 VP of Internal Audit & CAE

Lori Kaczynski, CPA, CIA, CGMA, CRMA

Lori is the VP of Internal Audit & CAE at Graphic Packaging and as a globally recognized Executive leader and expert with broad experience in audit, accounting, compliance, finance, financial controls, financial reporting, governance, leadership, and risk management, Lori brings a wealth of knowledge to the Rausch Advisory Board.  Lori is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Charter Global Management Accounting (CGMA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Certified Risk Manager (CRMA).  Accomplished, versatile, and credentialed executive leader with 20+ years of demonstrated history leading dynamic change enabling the achievement of large and small companies’ strategic objectives through the management of the enterprise, business, and compliance risks, improved governance, processes, and controls, change management and driving optimal performance.

Lori has a large span of influence with many years of experience in a variety of industries and roles including the areas of external auditing, internal auditing, leadership, controlling, transaction and technical accounting, financial reporting, analysis, compliance and ethics, enterprise risk management, investigations, shared services, and cash management.  She is an expert at building teams, cross-functional partnerships, audit methodologies, and tools and processes to support company strategies. Accomplished, versatile, and credentialed executive with over 25 years of demonstrated history leading dynamic change enabling the achievement of large companies’ strategic objectives through management of enterprise, business, and compliance risks, improved governance, processes, and controls, change management, and driving optimal performance.

Accomplished Chief Audit Executive with demonstrated experience leading the audit function of four dynamic multi-billion-dollar organizations along with other key departments.  Proven executive leader and expert in Audit, Accounting, Finance, Governance, Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance, and Manufacturing.

Lori believes in the power of education and has dedicated her time to not profit organizations focused on education.  She is a board member and also serves on the Finance Committee for Sheltering Arms, Georgia’s largest nonprofit early education and child care organization focused on high-quality early education, child care, and comprehensive family support services to more than 3,600 children and their families annually at 16 metropolitan Atlanta locations.  She currently serves as Chair of the KSU Accounting Department Academic Advisory Council, as a member of the Internal Audit Center Advisory Board, and on the Board of the KSU Athletics Association Board.  She serves the community as Treasurer and board member for additional professional organizations and other not for profit

Board Director, Executive Advisor, Fortune 200 Leader, 2X Award-Winning CIO

Marie Mouchet

Energy and Infrastructure Veteran and Translator of IT, Marie Mouchet provides a rare trifecta of Board,
IT/Tech/Cybersecurity, and Commercial acumen within both regulated and unregulated environments. Marie offers
a big-picture perspective across various ownership structures: Fortune 200, Privately Held, Investor-Owned, and
Mid-Tier. She is highly influential with adept ability to “connect the dots” and demystify the complexity of
technology and translate into strategies for Boards and the C-Suite.

Marie serves on the Board of Advisors for HData, a company focused on developing and providing business
intelligence to the US energy industry. She also serves on the Advisory Board for Rausch Advisory Services, a
consultancy that specializes in auditing, accounting, and data security.

As a trusted advisor to boards and executive teams, she has provided guidance in navigating crisis and changing regulatory
environments and political administrations. Leveraging a broad and diverse technology background that spans IT and
engineering/OT (operations technology), digital transformation, cybersecurity, physical security, M&A, and IT governance,
as the first CIO for Colonial Pipeline and CIO for Southern Company Operations & Southern Nuclear, she successfully
engaged executive peers and boards to address technical debt and move off legacy systems, transforming legacy platforms
into state-of-the-art.

Prior to these appointments, Marie held progressive leadership roles in commercial sales and services, national accounts,
financial & contract services, regulatory affairs, and electric transportation at Southern Company and its largest subsidiary,
Georgia Power, where she established her expertise in corporate governance, compliance, growth strategy, and ESG
across regulated and unregulated industries.

Advisory Board Member, Strategy and M&A Executive

Larry Maher, CPA

As the VP of Strategy and Business Development, Colonial Group, Inc.  Larry Maher lends his experience in growth strategy and sales & marketing expertise from having worked with over 30+ management teams to the Rausch Advisory Board.

Larry joined Colonial Group, Inc. (a diversified, 100-year-old, family-owned oil & gas distribution, chemicals distribution, and terminal storage holding company) in 2021 and is responsible for investment portfolio optimization, M&A target identification, due diligence, and evaluating organic investment opportunities.

Prior to this role, Maher led Strategy, M&A, and the Corporate Venture Fund for Aaron’s, Inc. which is a publicly-traded lease-to-own retailer.  Maher’s prior roles also included strategy and corporate innovation at Kimberly-Clark, corporate strategy for Target, management consulting at McKinsey, and financial and IT audit at Arthur Andersen.   Maher received his bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his MBA from Northwestern University.  He was previously a CPA and CISA (inactive).

IT Audit Professional / Information Security Professional

Patricia Rowlett, CISA, CISSP

Patricia is an IT Audit / Information Security Professional within our Business Advisory Services.  Patricia has over 25 years of experience conducting Information Technology audits and Information Security assessments.  Patricia has served in Information Technology Audit and Information Technology management roles where she was responsible for information security, risk, compliance, governance, and IT audit functions and activities.

She has demonstrated proven audit and analytical skills in a variety of industries including government, healthcare, and utility. She has assisted companies with Sarbanes Oxley 404, SSAE 16 (SOC 2), HiTrust, Payment Card Industry (PCI), and SOC®  assessment preparation by identifying and facilitating the implementation of technology and security controls. She has developed information security programs and policy content and guided efforts to remediate and improve security programs.

Patricia is a graduate of Seton Hill University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management. She has maintained the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) since 2000, and the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) designation since 2011. Patricia is a veteran of the United States Air Force where she specialized in technology and communication systems.

Information Security Consultant

Joshua C. Sorenson, CISA

Joshua is a Security Consultant for Rausch Advisory Services with a specialty in organizational transformation focused on People, Process, & Technology. Joshua is responsible for conducting both Physical and Cyber Security Assessments. These engagements include vulnerability scanning, physical security reviews, wireless security tests, data center security reviews, and disaster recovery assessments.

Joshua also performs IT Audits and IT Security consulting with a focus on security strategy, security program design and development, security infrastructure evaluation and deployment, security metrics & reporting, continuous controls monitoring, SOX and PCI compliance, and governance processes implementation & improvement. Across all these disciplines, Joshua leverages data analytics to drive efficiency and accuracy.

Prior to joining Rausch Advisory Services, Joshua spent over 15 years working in the Fortune 500 in roles ranging from software developer (Tech Lead) and database administrator (DBA) to IT Security Auditor and Senior Director, Global Security.  Joshua spent more than two years performing security assessments abroad and has visited 41 countries across 6 continents.

Joshua holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in Finance and Management Information Systems from the University of Iowa.  He holds a CyberSecurity professional certificate from Georgia Tech.

Audit Professional

Don Penovi, CPA, MBA

Don Penovi is a results-driven, customer-focused risk and control management professional with extensive experience in planning, performing, and completing SOX requirements.  He has demonstrated the ability to address clients’ needs in an efficient, timely manner.  In addition to exceptional written and verbal communication skills, Don is known for meeting deadlines on a consistent basis while interacting positively with client personnel on an ongoing basis

Following public accounting audit experience, Don worked in internal audit, operations, and SOX at Coca-Cola Enterprises and The Coca-Cola Company.  Now with Rausch, Don has a major emphasis on internal audit and SOX.

Don received his BBS degree in Communications from the University of Florida.  Don received his MBA with a track in accounting from Florida Atlantic University.  Don is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the certification is active.  Don has earned his Advanced Communicator Silver in Toastmasters. Don volunteers for the City of Atlanta as a member of their audit committee.

IT Audit Professional

Kusela Jeter

Kusela is a Senior Auditor within our Business Advisory Services practice. Kusela has over nine years of experience working with large to midsize banks, public accounting firms, Federal, State, and Local Governments, and publicly traded IT companies providing services within industries ranging from financial services to technology.

He has assisted with Audits performing Risk Assessments, Testing and Monitoring, and Reporting, allowing companies to assess risk to the organization that had the most significant potential for legal, financial, operational, and reputational harm, and worked with leadership to effectively mitigate the risk. These audits allowed the companies to optimize resources and define risk management and compliance programs that are efficiently aligned to their business operations.

Kusela has also assisted Internal Audit organizations by providing internal control assessments, operational control testing, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance testing for financial, IT, and business processes, internal audit outsourcing and co-sourcing, SOC 1 and SOC 2 examination procedures, and process improvement assessments.

Audit, Regulatory, Operational and Risk Management

Vicki Maxwell-Bustillos, CIA, CISA, CDPSE

Vicki Maxwell-Bustillos is a results-driven, customer-focused risk and control management professional with extensive experience in planning, performing, and completing SOX requirements. She has demonstrated the ability to address clients’ needs in an efficient, timely manner.

Vicki has designed and led Internal Audits, Regulatory and Compliance Audits, Enterprise, and Information Technology Risk Assessments, and Reporting.  She has led Internal Audit organizations providing internal control assessments, IT security and baseline audits, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance testing for financial, IT, and business processes, internal audit outsourcing and co-sourcing, SOC 1 and SOC 2 readiness audits, and process improvement assessments. She has also performed IT Audits and special investigations with a focus on SOX and PCI compliance, and governance processes implementation and improvement.

 

Internal Auditor III

Ashlee Dorning

Ashlee Dorning is an Internal Auditor for Rausch Advisory responsible for Business Advisory Services. Her role includes project execution, service delivery, quality control, and client satisfaction. Ashlee has a substantial amount of experience assisting clients with the implementation, management, and execution of BSA/AML programs and compliance audits. Her experience includes managing and consulting on projects, process and procedure design and evaluation, and continuous process and controls monitoring.

Prior to joining Rausch Advisory Services, Ashlee was in the banking industry for 11 years. Her prior experience includes BSA/AML at both a community bank of $2 billion asset size as well as a regional bank with $14 billion in assets. Ashlee has also worked in the fintech realm and assisted a startup in the design and implementation of their BSA/AML program. In addition, she spent three years as an internal auditor of bank compliance areas including both open and closed-end credit, real estate lending, deposits, financial recordkeeping, and marketing and advertising.

Ashlee received B.A. degrees in both Economics and Business Administration and an A.A. in Spanish from Thomas More University, from where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She is currently pursuing both an MBA and an M.S. in Customer Analytics at Xavier University. She is also pursuing ACAMS certification.

Human Resources Manager

Melissa Ossman

Melissa is responsible for Human Resources and office management at Rausch. She brings over 20 years of experience in accounting, finance, office management and Human Resources.   Prior to joining Rausch Advisory Services, Melissa held leadership roles with both large and small companies in a variety of industries.

Audit, Regulatory, Operational and Risk Management

Scott Dwyer, CISA

Scott is an innovative auditor who effects positive change by combining real leadership with strong collaborative skills and expertise in internal auditing, IT auditing, and risk management. Scott has a proven record of success throughout his career as an auditor/consultant providing services across a wide range of industries and government agencies including some at the County level.

Specialties include: IT governance, IT risk assessments, IT audits, GAGAS, COSO, CObIT, operational audits, construction audits, and staff development.

Scott Has held leadership positions with Deloitte and two other national consulting firms. Scott has also served in leadership roles for both governmental agencies and corporations.  His versatility and flexibility have allowed him to successfully serve clients across a wide range of industries and at all levels of government. Scott has reported directly to a number of Boards of Directors and has worked closely with both Audit Committees and Risk Committees in investigating sensitive situations.

Scott is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and has attained his Masters of Business Administration. He has taught courses in auditing, accounting, and statistical sampling at several colleges as a member of their adjunct faculty. He has been active in, and often presented specialty topics to professional organizations such as the Institute of Internal Auditors, the Information Systems and Control Association, the New York/New Jersey Intergovernmental Audit Forum, etc.

 

Cyber Security Architect

Kasib Jarvis, GICSP, CISSP, CISM, CRISC, CISA

Kasib Jarvis is a consultant with 20 years of cyber security experience, including the previous 10+ years as a cyber security architect or program manager with in-depth experience in Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS). A record of success in hardening systems, mitigating risk, and remediating events in OT environments. Excels at learning new techniques and technologies and remaining rigorously current on the ever-evolving security/risk landscape. Expert in integrating cyber security goals and capabilities with broader business objectives to craft a cohesive strategy. Outstanding communication skills, leadership ability, and business acumen.

 Kasib performed ICS/OT assessments and developed reports, roadmaps, IT security policies, processes, governance, automation, and architecture for a variety of organizations based on a variety of leading frameworks, laws, and standards including the following: NIST800-82, NERC CIP, ISA/IEC 62445, etc.

Manager, IT Audit

Megan Beeston Panella, CFE, CISA

Megan is a Manager within our Business Advisory Services.  Megan has over 6 years’ experience working in a mid-sized public accounting firm providing IT audit services to a wide variety of companies, ranging from mid-market, privately held companies to companies traded on the NYSE, within industries ranging from financial services to technology. She has assisted companies with performing internal control assessments, IT security and baseline audits, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance testing for IT and business process, internal audit outsourcing and co-sourcing, SOC 1 and SOC 2 examination procedures, pre-IPO internal control assessments and process improvement assessments.

Megan is a graduate of Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting and a master’s degree in accounting. She has maintained the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) since 2018, and the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) since 2020.  Megan is the 2019 recipient of the William J. Mulcahy “Excellence Through Leadership” Award from the IIA Atlanta Chapter for volunteer speaking to students and professionals as well as serving on IIA committees. Megan was also named one of fifteen in the world as a 2019 – 2020 Global Emerging Leader in the Internal Audit Profession by Internal Auditor Magazine, official publication of the 200,000-member Global Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA).

Senior IT Operations Analyst

Austin Stealey

Austin, a Senior IT Operations Analyst at Rausch, collaborates closely with professionals to address software and hardware challenges. His primary role entails overseeing the helpdesk support and technical support team. He assumes responsibility for engaging with both current users and clients who encounter potential issues with The Rausch Assessment Solution (RAS) platform.

In his position, Austin plays a pivotal role in the deployment of Salesforce and O365, leveraging his expertise to ensure seamless integration. He guides users through a structured troubleshooting process, offering assistance and adapting the steps or guidelines as necessary. Additionally, he diligently monitors the functionality of our Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) deployments, proactively resolving issues in a timely manner and delivering updates that cater to business requirements, all while maintaining high client satisfaction levels in line with established Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

Austin graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Auburn University,  Harbert College of Business.

Client Services Manager

Reginald Turner

Reggie’s experience in relationship building and sales spans almost two decades. He has demonstrated success in the ability to actively listen to a client’s needs and deliver the right solution at the right time. He has been instrumental in building solid relationships with clients from all types of industries. He has worked with C-level executives in Financial Servies, Accounting, Call Centers, Waste Management, and Information Technology.

His understanding of staffing and professional placement also gives him an edge in helping clients meet staffing challenges in Risk Assessment, Informational Security,  and Finance and Accounting.

Senior Technical Recruiter

Alison Harrington

As a Senior Recruiter for Rausch, Alison brings 4+ years of agency experience working in Recruitment and Talent Acquisition connecting the right talent with the right opportunity. She is dedicated and passionate serving as a career coach to consultants, and provides full service recruiting including resume review and interview prep. Finding success in fast-paced and goals-driven environments, Alison has the ability to partner with HR leaders, always supporting and improving her clients’ internal recruitment capabilities and strategies.

Alison has a proven ability to strengthen any organization’s hiring initiatives in a competitive marketplace through contributions to talent acquisition teams, development, and retention.

Specialties: Executive Search, Recruitment, Talent Acquisition in Enterprise Environments (Permanent, Contractor, RPO Relationship Management, Preferred Supplier Negotiation, People Management, Budgetary Management, Talent Management)

Director of Internal Audit Services

Petrina Bloodworth, MPA, CIA, CFE, CRMA

Petrina Bloodworth is a dynamic and skilled auditor who effects positive change by applying a combination of strong collaborative skills, leadership, knowledge of best practices, and expertise in internal auditing, risk management, fraud investigations, and IT general controls. Petrina has a proven record of success throughout her career providing consulting services across a wide range of industries complemented by a diverse background with various organization types and structures.

Petrina has served as the Chief Audit Executive of a $2B publicly traded company where she led the build out of the audit department, was responsible for annual SOX 404 scoping and compliance activities, managed external auditors and co-sourcing relationships, and reported to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Petrina has also led audit teams at other organizations in providing SOX controls testing, reporting, and remediation follow-up services, SOC controls testing, Risk Assessments, Operational Audits, Investigations, Green Book compliance readiness, and Quality Assurance Reviews.

Petrina is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). She also holds a Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) and certification in performing Quality Assessment Reviews. She has a Master of Professional Accountancy degree and taught Mercer University’s first internal audit class offering to accounting grad students. Petrina is a long-standing member of the Institute of Internal Auditors and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Client Services Manager

Sheyda Aboutalebi

Sheyda serves as a Client Services Manager at Rausch Advisory Services, with a primary focus on Rausch’s West Coast presence and client base, she is based out of our Irvine Office. Sheyda’s 10 years of direct industry experience, including both internal/external audit roles and specialized IT audit responsibilities at large multinational companies and public accounting firms, positions her with an expansive knowledge base and a unique understanding of how Rausch can help better optimize our client’s finance and accounting needs utilizing Rausch’s broad service offerings.

During Sheyda’s tenure on the delivery side, Sheyda worked at one of the top regional accounting firms in Atlanta, GA, where she focused on external audit financial services across a variety of industries including hospitality, real estate, construction, and manufacturing; eventually finding her niche in the hospitality industry. Sheyda joined Inspire Brands’ Internal Audit team, formerly Arby’s Restaurant Group, where she focused on Franchise Audits, Operational Audits, SOX Compliance, and Relationship Management with franchise owners, prior to transitioning to work at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). In Sheyda’s previous role as a Senior Audit Manager at IHG, she led audits across Finance, Marketing, HR, Development, and Operational segments, eventually focusing strictly on IT and Information Security-based reviews during her last several years on the delivery side. Sheyda played an integral component in forming business relationships with key stakeholders, including C-level executives in addition to managing the global team’s co-souring relationship.

Sheyda graduated Magna Cum Laude from Spring Hill College where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance.

Senior Recruiter

Brian Melamud

Brian joins our team as a valuable addition to our recruitment department. With a solid educational background in accounting and extensive experience in the field, Brian brings a unique perspective and a passion for helping people and providing exceptional client services.

Brian’s academic journey began at the prestigious University of Alabama, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Building upon his strong foundation, he pursued his Master’s degree in Accounting at Florida Atlantic University, further honing his expertise in the field.

Having spent three years in public accounting, specializing in manufacturing and technology clients, Brian gained comprehensive knowledge and insights into the intricacies of financial processes within these industries. Seeking new challenges, Brian transitioned into the dynamic world of digital healthcare in Atlanta, where he served as a Senior Accountant for two years. His dedication and attention to detail enabled him to excel in handling complex financial matters, ensuring accurate reporting and compliance.

Driven by his innate desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives, Brian has now redirected his career path towards the realm of recruiting. His decision to switch from accounting to recruitment stems from a genuine passion for helping individuals find the right opportunities that align with their skills and aspirations. His strong interpersonal skills, combined with his background in client services, make him an invaluable asset to our team.