Ann C. Dzuranin, Northern Illinois University
Plenary The AI Classroom: Enhancing Teaching, Empowering Learning
Thursday June 5, 2025, 8:00 am – 9:15 am

Dr. Ann C. Dzuranin is the KPMG Endowed Professor of Accountancy at Northern Illinois University. She holds a B.S. from Fairleigh Dickinson University, an MBA from New York University, and a Ph.D. from the University of South Florida. A CPA (NJ) with 15 years of public and corporate accounting experience, Ann specializes in behavioral research on management accounting decision-making and accounting information systems.

Her work has been published in Issues in Accounting Education, Journal of Information Systems, Journal of Business Ethics, Strategic Finance, Management Accounting Quarterly, and more. She received the 2018 American Accounting Association’s Innovation in Accounting Education Award for her contributions to data analytics curriculum development. A sought-after speaker, she has presented to over 3,000 professionals and shared materials with 75+ universities. Coauthor of Data and Analytics in Accounting: An Integrated Approach, she has also served key AICPA committees, shaping CPA exam content and evolution.

Joe Harrington, PwC, Global Technology Head of AI, Engineering and Architecture
Plenary: Revolutionizing Accounting and Finance with AI Agents
Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 8:00 am - 9:15 am

Joe is a partner at PwC, leading the PwC Global Technology AI Group, where he oversees AI infrastructure and engineering for the PwC network across the globe. He has hands-on experience in all facets of AI, inclusive of full model systems design, ML and deep learning, simulation modeling, and generative AI. In his global role, he has been architecting AI service scaling and consumption for close to 400,000 global staff, spanning over 100 countries, maintaining data security and sovereignty where needed, and delivering cost-effective services to the PwC national firms.

Jana Hranaiova, Ernst & Young U.S. LLP
Plenary Embracing AI in Accounting: Preparing Future Generations
Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 8:00 am – 9:15 am

Jana Hranaiova, PhD, is a Managing Director at  Ernst & Young U.S. LLP,  based in Washington, DC. With extensive experience in risk management and data analytics, Jana has been a pivotal leader in integrating analytics into US EY Assurance quality and risk management. Jana's expertise in data-driven approaches has significantly improved audit quality controls and operational efficiency, making her a dynamic change agent in the field of data analytics, AI and disruptive technologies in general.

In her current role as the Americas Assurance AI Enablement Leader, Jana is responsible for driving the integration and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies within the Assurance practice across the Americas. Jana's leadership involves overseeing the development and deployment of AI tools and technologies to enhance audit processes, improve audit quality, and increase operational efficiency. She plays a crucial role in developing and implementing AI strategies that align with EY's broader goals, ensuring that the firm remains at the forefront of technological advancements in the accounting and audit space. Jana holds a PhD in Finance, Applied Economics, and Quantitative Methods from Cornell University.

Aryele Maye, University of North Texas-Dallas
Plenary: The AI Classroom: Enhancing Teaching, Empowering Learning
Thursday June 5, 2025, 8:00 am – 9:15 am

Aryele Maye is a Professor of Practice at UNT Dallas College of Law, where she has served since January 2022 in the Academic Success and Bar Readiness department. With a unique background that bridges entertainment law and legal education, Professor Maye brings practical industry experience and pedagogical expertise to her teaching.

Professor Maye earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Spelman College, followed by a J.D. from SMU Dedman School of Law. After gaining admission to the New York State Bar in 2017, she enhanced her legal expertise with an LL.M. in Fashion Law from Fordham University School of Law.

Her professional journey began in the entertainment industry, where she worked as a Legal Associate at Netflix drafting and reviewing production agreements, and previously as an Associate Manager at Twentieth Century Fox Television, serving as production attorney for shows including "Bob's Burgers" and "Last Man Standing."

Before entering the legal profession, Professor Maye taught middle grade students for several years, building a foundation for her current dedication to legal education. This teaching experience informs her student-centered approach to academic support and bar preparation.

At UNT Dallas College of Law, Professor Maye develops and delivers comprehensive curricula for foundational legal courses, including Legal Methods, Legal Skills & Analysis, and Bar Exam Skills & Strategies. She designs intensive bar-readiness workshops and creates targeted intervention programs to support students' examination preparation. Her teaching philosophy combines theoretical frameworks with practical applications, emphasizing personalized learning strategies and analytical skill development.

In addition to her faculty position, Professor Maye serves as a Bar Tutor for BARBRI since December 2022 and has worked as a Bar Coach during the summers of 2023 and 2024. In these roles, she provides individualized bar examination preparation through one-on-one tutoring sessions and leads strategic group sessions that deliver targeted exam preparation techniques.

Professor Maye's research interests focus on pedagogical innovation through AI integration in legal education and the application of AI-powered analytics to identify and address student learning challenges.

Through her multifaceted career, she continues to bridge the gap between legal practice and education, preparing the next generation of legal professionals for success.

Cathy Scott, University of North Texas-Dallas
Plenary: The AI Classroom: Enhancing Teaching, Empowering Learning
Thursday June 5, 2025, 8:00 am – 9:15 am

Cathy Scott is the Inaugural Director of the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, Program Coordinator for Graduate Business Programs and the Dealership Management Program, and an Associate Professor of Business Accounting. She is passionate about enhancing accounting education and fostering an inclusive learning environment.

Dr. Scott has published and presented extensively on topics such as emerging technologies (including AI), the effective use of technology in education, improving online learning, active learning strategies, data analytics, neurodiversity, and strengthening the accounting education pipeline. She is also the author of two college accounting textbooks and co-founder of TeachingAndLearningToolbox.com, a website and blog dedicated to connecting technology with pedagogy.

Additionally, Dr. Scott’s contributions to innovative teaching and research have been recognized with multiple local, state, and national awards, including the American Accounting Association (AAA)/EY Foundation Innovation in Education Award, the Bea Sanders/AICPA Teaching Innovation Award, and the AAA/J. Michael and Mary Anne Cook/Deloitte Foundation Prize.