Ms. Akiko has been the Technical Director of the Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (JICPA) since 2024. She previously worked for Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in Japan.

Yigga Zhang, CPA is a Senior Manager in the Office of the CEO at Caseware International, where she leads enterprise-wide strategic initiatives from the Toronto, Canada headquarters. She began her career at McKinsey & Company and completed her CPA while working in Caseware’s R&D organization, giving her unique insight into how technology and AI are reshaping the profession globally. With a Master of Accounting from the University of Waterloo, Yigga is deeply committed to inclusion and mentorship and looks forward to championing a more international, innovative, and future-ready accounting profession.

Zhiwei Xu is a final-year undergraduate student majoring in Accounting at Hunan University of Technology in China. He was awarded the Champion and Best Individual Award of Changsha Final in ACCA Job Hunting Competition 2025, where he demonstrated exceptional strategic and financial modeling skills. Passionate about social volunteering, Xu has led multiple rural education initiatives, delivering digital literacy and English programs in underserved communities. He is committed to advancing ethical accounting practices and sustainable development through youth leadership.

Nipun Alwis has over 10 years of experience in both Australia and Sri Lanka across investment, fund management, risk management, and internal and external auditing. He is currently working as an Audit Officer for the Northern Territory Government, Australia. He has completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. He is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA – UK), Certified Practising Accountant (CPA – Australia), and the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA – Australia). Through IFAC, he hopes to explore ways to modernise audit and risk frameworks, promote transparency, and better attract young talent to the profession.

Matheus Zurli is an accountant with an MBA in Finance and Controllership from the University of São Paulo and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the Federal University Fluminense. He has progressed from a trainee to an Audit Manager at EY – Ernst & Young, specializing in external auditing, project management, and financial analysis across various sectors, including Automotive and Retail. At IFAC, Matheus aims to advance the accounting profession globally and is eager to engage in discussions with professionals worldwide to generate innovative ideas and solutions for the challenges of an interconnected and dynamic global environment.

Sawan Shah is an Audit Quality Improvement Manager at Baker Tilly International with extensive experience in audit quality reviews, regulatory compliance, and professional standards. He began his career in audit before moving into quality reviews, thematic reviews, and the implementation of ISQM 1 and 2 across Baker Tilly’s global network. Through his role, Sawan has supported firms across all regions in strengthening compliance with ISAs and enhancing their overall audit quality. His work has contributed to meaningful quality improvement initiatives worldwide.

Nifemi Ogunbiyi is an award-winning Chartered Accountant with a background in Biochemistry. She trained at PwC, earning top 4 placements in her ACA exams before becoming a Financial Accountant at Fenergo, an Irish fintech unicorn. In 2025, she was named Rising Star Accountant of the Year at the Irish Accountancy Awards, recognising her impact within and beyond the profession as a mentor to aspiring accountants and a champion for education and representation. She is eager to contribute to the IFAC Young Leaders Collective, learning from peers globally while helping to shape the future of the profession.

Sandile Nkala is an Audit Supervisor at KPMG Lower Gulf with five years of experience in the accounting profession. She is a part-qualified ICAEW ACA accountant and currently serves as Chair of the ICAEW Middle East Student Committee. Sandile holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from Curtin University, where she graduated as Valedictorian. Her experience spans external audit, financial reporting, and client service across various industries. Passionate about women’s empowerment and inclusive leadership, she is committed to creating spaces where young professionals can thrive. Sandile is excited to contribute to the global profession through the IFAC Young Leaders Collective.

Aysu is an audit professional with experience in financial reporting and statutory audits, working across different industries. Her work focuses on financial statement analysis, risk assessment, and compliance with accounting standards.

She joined her current role to broaden her international perspective, strengthen her technical skills, and collaborate with professionals from diverse backgrounds.