Elizabeth Simon has done most all jobs accounting but her passion has always been fraud prevention.  Take a listen to how she almost became a lawyer (I considered it too) but the insights of working fraud is been helpful throughout her career.  She is a former Regent for the ACFE and a regular speaker on ethics and compliance.  Show links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethsimoncpa/Ethical Systems https://www.ethicalsystems.org/Twitter for Ethical Systems: https://twitter.com/EthicalSystemsRob Chestnut’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Intentional-Integrity-Companies-Ethical-Revolution-ebook/dp/B0818PP2YP/ref=sr_1_1?crid=290BP47KT5UYC&dchild=1&keywords=intentional+integrity+by+robert+chesnut&qid=1609708187&sprefix=intentional+in%2Caps%2C332&sr=8-1

Tom Hughes closed the 2019 ACFE Global Conference.  “The first dollar, because you have a genuine financial emergency … that first dollar, you’re going to agonize about that money,” said Hughes. “You’re going to go to work the next day and you’re expecting the police to be there, probably with a television crew, because you have done this awful thing. But the next morning, you go to work, and nobody’s there. And you say, ‘I’ll never do this again.’ But stealing is going to turn you into a thief.”I was there and heard his story first hand.  As Tom said in this episode he's not famous because he didn't steal enough. That is the thing about pink-collar crime. Petty amounts stolen by low to medium level employees (he was an outside bookkeeper), primarily women,  from the workplace.  Tom is a regular guy.  He wasn't on the front page of the Wall Street or New York Times. But that is what makes his story so interesting and relatable.  Links: https://hireathief.com/https://hireathief.wordpress.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/speaker-tom-hughes/https://twitter.com/formercriminalhttps://www.fraudconferencenews.com/home/2019/6/29/stealing-will-turn-you-into-a-thief

Today’s episode with Matt Christensen is extra special for many reasons.  Matt is a big supporter for all things #pinkcollar crime and #greatwomeninfraud.  He is the first Great Man in Fraud for our series.  Matt is a leader in all things anti-fraud and cybersecurity and mentorship.  I consider myself extremely lucky to consider him a colleague.  Please take a listen and definitely reach out to Matt.  He is the real deal.  If you weren’t able to attend CyberCraft Summit there is still time to get the videos.  Matt and Lindsey Ivie did an amazing job connecting all people anti-fraud.  Hear about manels. Spoiler alert CyberCraft Summit was not a manel. Let’s finish off the year with a real superstar.  Here’s to 2021.#ilovemyjob

Mary Breslin knows how to throw a party.  I was very lucky to have been invited to her party at the Global ACFE in 2019.  When we are back in person you need to get the invite for ACFE Global.  What I love about this episode is that everything that Mary brings up is relevant, timely and actionable.  You will never look at a Lamborghini again the same way.  Or as the fraudsters say a Lambo.  "Internal auditors are my people" is just one of the takeaways.  We talk about accounting, COVID, full employment for fraud professionals and so much more.  

Jerri Williams, Retired FBI Agent, who is the podcast host of Retired FBI Case File Review, is on the show today.  We talk economic crimes, women as embezzlers, advance fee scams, her career and so much more.  This was filled with case examples, fun stories and lots of great information about the FBI.  She should be getting sponsored by the FBI for her podcast.  

Today’s episode is a bit different with Mel Stanley and your personal brand.  I heard Mel on Great Women in Compliance and was immediately drawn to her and her message. What does personal branding have to do with Great Women in Fraud?  A lot.  You are your brand. What does your brand say.  Even before you walk into a meeting people have a perception of you. Fraud professionals often bring bad news from their investigations.  That can lead to a lot of misconceptions about you and your brand.  I had a personal experience with a boss about my brand.  It was completely wrong. Partially my own fault but needless to say I learned from it.  We talk Dorie Clark, your likeability factor, and how Mel took a big risk but like me I think she is doing her best work ever.  Please take a listen.  You are going to get some great tips and information.

Nicole Landau is a CFE that specializes in construction fraud.  I was lucky enough to meet her in person pre-COVID thanks to Dan Ramey.  Nicole got into fraud investigations by seeing her boss get their CFE. She thought it looked interesting and so she also did it.  Next thing she knew she was on her way to Texas for her first investigation.  The fraud bug stuck and it changed her career trajectory.  If you are in audit and looking for someone who has made it to fraud investigations, Nicole has done it.  Nicole has built her career via networking.  Take time to reach out to Nicole on LinkedIn. She provides lots of great content.  

Karisse Hendrick is the go to person for all things e-commerce fraud related.  She runs the Fraudology podcast https://fraudologypodcast.libsyn.com/website and is the founder of Chargelytics http://www.chargelyticsconsulting.com/. Karisse and I met online because my sister's store was having some chargeback issues.  I reached out to Karisse and she graciously responded.  We ended knowing several people from my time at Nike.  Our paths just seem to keep crossing.  Rejection leads to redirection is how Karisse looks at the world and it has served her well.  Her experience at FraudCon in Israel in 2019 happened due to serendipity and all sorts of amazing things continue to result from her trip.  

As a fraud professional you will eventually, if you have not already, have a whistleblower case.  Jackie Garrick's experience will change the way you see whistleblowers. Her work as a social worker helping prevent suicides in the military led her down a path that she never saw coming.  She only did what she thought was necessary and it changed her life.  Her story is inspiring yet chilling.  This is a must listen because at some point in your career you may face a decision to become a whistleblower.  What is even more inspiring than listening to Jackie is the incredible resources and guidance she provides to the whistleblower community.  Please reach out to Jackie on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-garrick-321189a/Her Whistleblowers of America website: https://whistleblowersofamerica.org/Resources: https://whistleblowersofamerica.org/resources/https://whistleblowersofamerica.org/education-training/

Imagine finding out that a caregiver for your parents stole $1 million.  What would you do?  How would you feel?  This is an interview with "Lena" who found out that her mother had been the victim of elder financial fraud.  The caregiver stole and was eventually sentenced but the story is so much more.  From being disappointed in both the criminal justice system and the financial system Lena tells you how it can happen to anyone.  This is an incredibly sad story but it also helps you understand and protect your family.  A huge thank you to Lena for sharing her story.  

Mary Shirley, co-host of Great Women in Compliance, is this week's guest.  I was lucky enough (through networking) to be a guest on her podcast and she did me a favor by being a guest here on Great Women in Fraud.  Mary's origin story started in New Zealand and has taken her all over the globe doing investigations and compliance.  She is also the co-author with Lisa Fine of Sending the Elevator Back Down.  Mary is inspirational in her career and where it has taken her.  Even if you aren't considering a career in compliance you will take away so many helpful career tips from Mary.  

Next Generation Fraud Fighter Yelesina Hernandez.  Yelesina is the perfect guest to highlight her career, her drive, her inspiration and her passion for the anti-fraud field.  I met “Sina” several years ago when I spoke at the ACFE Houston Fraud Conference.  She was sitting in the front row and came up to introduce herself.  She is a winner of the ACFE Ritchie Jennings Scholarship.  Sina is the Alumni Relations Director for the HBSA Bauer.  She also is the President of the ACFE University of Houston Student Chapter. What is amazing about her is the attention to detail and hard work  combined with intellectual curiosity.  If you want someone to inspire you while starting out your career in anti-fraud you will want to listen to this episode.  I can’t wait to see where her career takes her because the possibilities are limitless.  It is an honor to see such a strong woman working against so many obstacles while being able to do so much for her community.  

Leah Wietholter of the Investigation Game is this week's guest.  She recently designed the Case of the Cash Flow Fiasco which debuted at CyberCraft Summit.  I played the game and it is really fun.  From initially wanting to be an FBI agent to the now owner of Workman Forensics Leah is a Great Women in Fraud leader. She is known for her data sleuthing skills.  While she has been doing investigations for 15 years I still consider her an up and comer.  

Tracy Coenen is my go to person when it comes to all things forensic divorce.  Her depth of experience and expertise is unparalleled.  Take a listen to her hidden talent but also her work on an Instagram investigation case tied to a divorce.  Tracy talks about how important it is to network in your field.  Tracy is also noteworthy for her fixed fee arrangements.  Say goodbye to the six minute increment.  If you are tired of keeping track of your time you should hear how she did this.  The riches are in the niches and Tracy is a great example of how it has worked for her.  She resisted for a while but in the end it has been her calling card.  

Sophia Carlton is an up and comer in the anti-fraud field.  She is the primary author of the Anti-Fraud Playbook by Grant Thornton.  It's a must download if you are wanting to improve your anti-fraud education.  Here's a link: https://www.grantthornton.com/services/advisory-services/risk-advisory-services/ACFE-global-fraudcon-and-playbook.aspx.