Meet the Nominees
for the 2025-2026 WSCPA Board of Directors! In accordance with Article VI of the bylaws, all nominees will be declared elected by the secretary at the annual meeting unless other nominations, supported by at least one percent of membership, are received by April 1, 2025. If a contest for one or more positions develops, an election for those positions will be held at the meeting. The 2025 Annual Meeting is scheduled for June 12, 2025.
Meet the Incoming Chair
KELLY NELSON, CPA
JOEL WILLIAMS, CPA
Vice Chair
Term: 2 years, becomes Immediate Past Chair 2026-2027 Board service: since 2022
Joel Williams, CPA, is an Associate Director in KPMG’s Global Mobility Practice in Seattle. He has more than 20 years of experience in the global mobility industry. Joel has had the benefit of living and working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; London; and Houston during his career and has served clients primarily in the energy, financial and technology sectors. Joel is a leader within KPMG’s Global Mobility Services Innovation team, an interdisciplinary group of professionals that develops and delivers emerging technologies and creative solutions to help solve his clients’ challenges. His focus is on identifying ways clients can leverage AI to make their mobility programs more efficient and effective.
Kelly Nelson, CPA, is the Managing Principal of the Seattle Business Unit of Baker Tilly Advisory Group. Her role in leading is to elevate, empower, celebrate and provide opportunities to the members of her team. She is passionate about creating a culture of inclusion and belonging and thoroughly embracing the diversity of thought that comes with professionals being their authentic selves in the workplace. Additionally, Kelly serves ultra-high-net worth individuals, family businesses and family offices. She demonstrates a rare ability to develop and maintain an overall plan for the family while preserving harmony among family members and across the generations.
What is your biggest work pet peeve? My biggest work pet peeve is when people talk loudly in open spaces in the office. There are phone rooms for your conversation if you need to be on a call for more than a few minutes. By all means, make use of them!
How do you handle stress? I am pretty even tempered so I handle stress pretty well. Time cooking and baking are always a stress reliever for me but that also means time with my family to enjoy what I’ve created.
Do you think zombies should be slow or fast? Zombies would have to be slow. They’re dead, so I would expect dead people to be at least a little slower than the living.
Joel in front of the Rome train station during a trip with his wife to the Mediterranean to celebrate their 25th anniversary.
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Term: 3 years, becomes Chair 2026-2027 Board service: since 2023
The Washington CPA Spring 2025
In your opinion, what is the best type of cheese? Any cheese that doesn’t smell like cheese is the best type for me. I don’t like my food to be “cheesified”. Yes, I’ve made up that word, but most people understand what I mean. You can’t remove the taste or smell from pungent cheese, but I do love non-smelly cheeses. Especially in enchiladas or on pizza.
Kelly with family at her son's wedding.
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