Learning & Development Panel

As firms navigate evolving workforce expectations and increasing talent challenges, investing in employee development has never been more important. Join a panel of industry leaders as they discuss practical strategies for building future-ready teams through upskilling, career pathing, and employee engagement initiatives.

Featuring insights from Tamera Loerzel (ConvergenceCoaching), Kerkering, Barberio & Company, and Summit West CPA Group, this interactive discussion will explore how firms can create meaningful development opportunities that strengthen retention, support succession planning, and help employees thrive at every stage of their careers.

Whether you're responsible for HR, talent management, operations, or firm leadership, you'll leave with actionable ideas to help your people grow—and your firm succeed.

Session Objectives:

• Identify effective strategies for upskilling employees to meet evolving firm and client needs.
• Explore approaches to career pathing that support employee growth, retention, and succession planning.
• Understand how learning and development initiatives can improve employee engagement and performance.
• Evaluate best practices for building a future-ready workforce in today's competitive talent environment.

Area of Focus:
Human Resources

Presenter and Moderator Bios

Presenter: Tamera Loerzel, Partner, ConvergenceCoaching

As a partner of ConvergenceCoaching, LLC, a national leadership, management, and marketing consulting firm dedicated to helping CPA and consulting firms achieve success by developing sustainable leadership, succession, and growth plans.

Prior to ConvergenceCoaching, I managed the BDO Seidman, LLP Minneapolis consulting group and implemented their middle market financial software service methodology. In addition to local responsibilities in Minneapolis, I directed the national sales and marketing efforts of the package solutions group at BDO Seidman. Prior to BDO Seidman, I acted as the National Sales Manager for State of the Art, Inc. (now known as Sage Software, Inc.), where I was responsible for financial systems sales, CPA and VAR programs and recruitment, and channel communications.

I've been a frequent speaker, teacher, and facilitator and have written articles for several state and national CPA publications on the topics of sales, marketing, leadership and succession planning.

My involvement in associations and organizations includes the Minnesota Chapter of Sales and Marketing Executives, Toast Masters, and the Association for Accounting Marketing.