Welcome! I’m Gerri DeRubeis, and I’m honored to serve as your newly recruited Chapter President. It’s a privilege to lead such a dynamic and dedicated group of professionals. Thanks to the incredible efforts of our new board, we remained an active chapter as of August 2025—and I’m thrilled to introduce the team that made it happen.
Meet Your New Board
- Gerri DeRubeis, President – With a background in nonprofit finance and a passion for mentoring, I’m excited to help guide our chapter into a new era of engagement and growth.
- Naomi Withers, VP of Communications – Naomi brings her marketing expertise and infectious enthusiasm to our outreach efforts, helping us stay connected and visible.
- Sean Wang, VP of Education – A corporate trainer and tech advocate, Sean is diving into our CE platforms to bring fresh, relevant content to our members.
Thank You to Our Retiring Leaders
We extend heartfelt thanks to our retiring board members, especially William Seivers, who served as President with vision and dedication, and Robert Hulin, our longtime Treasurer, who faithfully led our continuing education and scholarship programs. Their leadership helped us award five $2,000 scholarships to outstanding accounting students at California State University.
Continuing Education Updates
Many of you have asked about the Kaplan monthly webinars and discussion groups. We’re currently in discussions with Kaplan to find a cost-effective way to deliver meaningful CE opportunities in the coming fiscal year. We’ll keep you posted as plans develop.
Networking Opportunities
Naomi Withers is championing a new collaboration with the Golden West Council to sponsor regular Zoom networking meetings. These virtual events will help us build connect across the region and share insights. The first event is scheduled for October. We hope you will consider joining us.
Education Tools in Progress
Sean Wang is actively exploring the Corporate on 24 platform, which we’ll be using to host future CE sessions. We’ll share the schedule and topics soon so you can plan ahead.
Let’s Meet Face-to-Face Again
It’s been two long years since COVID changed how we gather, and we’ve heard from many of you that it’s time to reconnect in person. Because Northern California is so geographically diverse, we’ll be sending a short survey in November to learn your preferences for event locations and topics. Look out for that email from Naomi in late October.
Membership & Volunteering
We’re always looking to grow our chapter. If each of you invites just one person to join IMA, we can expand our reach and impact. You don’t need to be a CMA to serve on the board—just a member with a desire to contribute. We offer plenty of “micro” volunteer opportunities to fit any schedule.
A Personal Note
Before I wrap up, I’d like to share something personal. When I was first approached about stepping into the role of Chapter President, I’ll admit—I paused. Life was busy, work was demanding, and I wasn’t sure I could take on one more commitment. But as I reflected on the incredible influence IMA has had on my professional journey, and the value I’ve been able to bring to the teams and organizations I’ve worked with through the lens of management accounting, the decision became clear.
Being able to interpret the numbers, guide strategic decisions, and contribute meaningfully has been deeply rewarding. That moment of reflection turned into a confident “yes,” and I haven’t looked back since. I’m truly honored to be part of this vibrant community, and I’m excited about what we’ll accomplish together.
We’re genuinely looking forward to connecting with each of you—whether virtually or face-to-face. Please feel free to reach out anytime. Your ideas, feedback, and conversations are always welcome.
Warm regards,
Gerri DeRubeis
President, IMA Northern Bay Chapter