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Elevating your Career 

Building our careers is an intentional process, which never stops. We invest time, energy, and money with the expectation of fulfillment and self-actualization. So, what are ways we can build and grow our careers?

Time: Invest in your future. A little, continual investment can yield big dividends.

Networking: Professionals having conversations with professionals yields new ideas, methods, and expands accessible experience.

Growth mindset / learning mindset: Ask questions, listen, learn, rinse/repeat. Stay open; challenge status quo continuously. Read articles, keep current. Be a lifelong learner.

Servant leadership: Share your experience, time, and talents with others. Pay it forward. Give back.

Diplomas and certificates: Dedicate time on these; ideally, gain company support (new education brings higher thinking and solutions to any employer)

Have a mentor: A good mentor will help you identify the right priorities, paths, and conversations.

Communication: Be a great communicator. Study the art of communication to develop your style in line with best practices.

Resilience: Career paths are not linear; embrace the stepping stones and side paths as part of the journey and use them for strength and growth. Focus on the truly important, don’t sweat the trivial.

Educate your employer: Ensure that they value career paths and are willing to invest in their people.

Surround yourself with high performers: People are noticed by the company they keep. Be involved in professional associations and events. Look for speaking or contributing opportunities.

Have fun! Enjoy what you do! The journey is then that much easier.

Mark Dendle
FEI Dallas President 2026-27

FERF's 2nd Annual Financial Executives Priorities Survey is Open!

How confident are financial executives heading into 2027, and where are they putting their resources? The 2nd Annual Financial Executives Priorities Survey, in partnership between FEI’s Financial Education & Research Foundation and Forvis Mazars, is open to all financial executives. It takes about 10 minutes to complete, and participants who opt in will be entered into a drawing for a $500 American Express gift card plus receive the final report before its public release. Responses are confidential and due by October 31.

Questions? Contact events@financialexecutives.org

Thank you for helping us make this year's findings as strong as possible. Your participation directly shapes the research that FEI Members and the profession at large rely on.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR 2026-27 MONTHLY MEETINGS

FEI Dallas Monthly Meetings have a new home!
The Clubs of Prestonwood | The Creek

15909 Preston Rd. | Dallas, TX 75248

Complimentary valet | Free surface parking

___________________

The September and October meetings are on 2nd Mondays.
Meetings for the remainder of 2026-27 will be held on our usual
2nd Tuesday meeting dates.

Registration deadline | Tuesday 10.06.26

Monthly Meetings are open to FEI Dallas members; chapter sponsors; individuals who meet FEI’s membership qualifications and are considering membership; and other non-members by invitation per the chapter’s Guest Policy. Pre-registration required.

FEI Dallas Monthly Meetings are on 2nd Tuesdays unless otherwise indicated, from September to April except December and the summer months when other events are scheduled. Meetings are 4:00-8:00 p.m. at The Clubs of Prestonwood – The Creek location, starting with a Professional Development Session (1.5 CPEs) followed by the Networking Social and a sit-down Dinner Meeting/Keynote presentation (1 CPE).

Registration deadline | Thursday 10.15.26

This event is INVITATION ONLY to FEI Dallas members who joined within the last year, Board Members, Ambassadors, and individuals who qualify for FEI membership. Pre-registration is required for all attendees.

Registration deadline | Tuesday 10.20.26

This event is open to FEI Dallas members and sponsors per the guidelines for their sponsorship level. Pre-registration is required for all attendees.

Sponsorships available

Contact Jackie Dunn for details.

12.10.26 | 7:00-12:00 p.m. | 4 CPEs available | SAVE THE DATE

Technology Symposium 2026

Location | UT Dallas, Jindal School of Management, Davidson Auditorium

Schedule | 7:00 Breakfast available, 8:00-12:00 p.m. programs

Open to FEI Dallas members, sponsors, and guests who qualify for FEI membership

04.27.27 | 6:30-10:30 p.m. | SAVE THE DATE

Spring Social 2027

Format | +1 dinner event with entertainment

Location | Hickory Street Annex, Deep Ellum, Dallas

Title Sponsor | Fifth Third Bank

Open to FEI Dallas members and sponsors

New Event in the Photo Gallery!

September Monthly Meeting | 09.14.26

FEI Dallas event photography and headshots by
james edward Creative  |  214-878-6008

FEI Dallas sponsors support our Chapter with both their service and monetarily. Please seek out our sponsor representatives at events, get to know them, and always give them a chance to earn your business. Scroll down for a list of FEI Dallas sponsors. If you need a contact at a sponsor company to discuss their services, please contact Jackie Dunn, FEI Dallas Manager.

Registration deadline | Friday 10.09.26

**NOTE DATE CHANGE FOR THIS MEETING**

Open to FEI members, and non-members who qualify for FEI membership.
Pre-registration is required for all attendees.

Career Management meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month year-round, hosted by S+H Search in the Ground Floor Conference Room at Sherry Lane Place unless otherwise noted. Meetings are open to FEI members, employed or unemployed, and non-members by invitation who qualify for FEI membership. 

Not just for job seekers!

The Career Management Committee exists to enhance the professional success of FEI members by delivering career development programs, leadership and ethics education, networking opportunities, and employment resources that support career advancement, successful transitions, and lifelong professional growth. Through collaboration with recruiters, employers, and the broader financial community, the committee also promotes member engagement and contributes to the growth and value of FEI.

10.28.26 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. (Central) | 1 CPE

RHSB Insurance Dallas Office, Dallas

Technology SIG

What CFOs Should Be Doing with AI Right Now: Practical, Trusted, and Scalable Approaches  

AI is evolving quickly, creating new opportunities for CFOs to improve efficiency and strengthen the finance function. This panel will explore practical AI applications finance leaders can implement today while maintaining the accuracy, controls, and governance their organizations require. CFO panelists will share real-world examples, priorities, and lessons learned.

Benjamin Isley | Principal, Baker Tilly

Neilson Burns | Managing Partner, Destination IT

Chris Bryan | Managing Director, Digital Transformation Baker Tilly

Omar Choucair, Chief Financial Officer, Trintech

Open to FEI Dallas members, and non-members with financial or executive roles in the technology sector.

Registration deadline | Monday 10.26.26

Event details and registration

10.29.26 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. (Central) | 1 CPE

Work Shield's Office, Dallas

Retail and Restaurant SIG

Trade as a Strategy  

Trade has earned a permanent seat at the executive table. In today's environment of evolving tariffs, supply chain challenges, and regulatory complexity, trade decisions directly influence profitability, operational resilience, and business growth. Organizations that treat trade as a strategic business function, rather than a compliance requirement, are better positioned to mitigate risk, reduce costs, and create competitive advantage.

Tosca Derrick | Director, Global Customs and Trade Advisory, Baker Tilly

Open to FEI Dallas members, and non-members with financial or executive roles in the retail and restaurant sectors.

Registration deadline | Tuesday 10.27.26

Event details and registration

11.04.26 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. (Central) | 1 CPE

Maggiano's Little Italy, Plan

G.R.O.W. SIG

Closing the Gap on Economic Opportunity for Texas Women

Texas Women’s Foundation CEO Karen Hughes White will provide an overview of the Foundation’s 2026 research and the barriers to women’s economic opportunity in Texas.

Karen Hughes White | President and CEO, Texas Women’s Association

Open to FEI Dallas members, and non-members with financial or executive roles.

Registration deadline | Monday 11.02.26

Event details and registration

10.06.26 | 11:00 a.m. (Central) | No CPE | Presented by BDO

WEBINAR

AI Build or Buy? Health Tech Strategic Decision Making for Healthcare Leaders

Debate the pros and cons of building versus buying AI solutions in healthcare, including strategy, risk, and lessons learned from industry leaders.

Event details and registration

10.08.26 | 11:45 a.m. (Central) | No CPE | Presented by Personiv

IN PERSON

Westin Stonebriar, Frisco

CFO Leadership LIVE - Lunch & Learn

Every decision finance leaders make today comes with tradeoffs. Hear how leading CFOs are navigating competing priorities, making confident decisions, and building resilient finance organizations.

Event details and registration

10.07.26 | 11:00 a.m. (Central) | No CPE | Presented by Baker Tilly

WEBINAR

What's Next in Digital Transformation: Trends, AI, and Lessons From the Field

Event details and registration

10.14.26 | 11:00 a.m. (Central) | 1 CPE | Presented by BDO

WEBINAR

Q3 2026 IFRS Accounting Standards Quarterly Update

Each quarter, BDO USA's IFRS Accounting Standards Quarterly Update webcast series will provide updates to international standards, continuing our tradition of providing an easy way for financial management, board directors, and audit committees to stay on top of today's hot topics and developments.

Event details and registration

10.14.26 | 11:00 a.m. (Central) | 1 CPE | Presented by BDO

WEBINAR

Q3 2026 IFRS Accounting Standards Quarterly Update

Each quarter, BDO USA's IFRS Accounting Standards Quarterly Update webcast series will provide updates to international standards, continuing our tradition of providing an easy way for financial management, board directors, and audit committees to stay on top of today's hot topics and developments.

Event details and registration

10.21.26 | 11:00 a.m. (Central) | 1 CPE | Presented by BDO

WEBINAR

2026 BDO Board Survey Highlights

Join us to review highlights from our 2026 BDO Board Survey of U.S. public company directors. We will examine emerging and specialized governance, risk oversight, and board-priority matters affecting public company boards in the current business and regulatory environment.

Event details and registration

The financial support of our Chapter Sponsors is key to continuing to raise the bar on member value, and we are grateful for their participation. We encourage members to consider these companies first when a need arises for their services. Click on a logo below to go to the company website.

TITLE SPONSOR

STRATEGIC PARTNERS

SPECIAL EVENTS PARTNER

PLATINUM SPONSORS

SPECIAL PARTNERS

ACADEMIC PARTNERS

COMMUNICATION/MEDIA PARTNERS