Linda began her career as an accountant and CPA at Arthur Anderson in New Jersey. She transitioned into corporate roles, accumulating extensive experience in financial reporting and financial planning and analysis (FP&A) for both public and private enterprises. Additionally, she has a background in business development, particularly in acquisitions and contract negotiations for financial issues. Her previous roles have also involved overseeing SEC filings, budgeting, and enhancing operational efficiency. Most recently, Linda served as the Senior Director of Finance and Controller at PLx Pharma, with prior positions at Amerigen Pharmaceuticals, Aquestive Therapeutics, and Suburban Propane.

Jon Walters became a member of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) in January 2026.

Mr. Walters is currently the Global Independence Leader for the PriceWaterhouseCoopers network of member firms. In this role he leads a global team of Independence professionals that are responsible for establishing PwC's independence policy, processes and systems, and for providing advice and consultations on a wide variety of auditor independence related matters. Prior to becoming the Global Independence Leader for PwC in January 2025, Mr. Walters was the UK Independence Partner since 2014, and has previously held leadership roles related to Ethics and Business Conduct for PwC UK. Outside of PwC, Mr. Walters was a member of the FRC's Ethical Standards Technical Advisory Group from 2016-2025 and was a member of the ICAEW Ethics Standards Committee from 2013-2018.

Mr. Walters is a Chartered Accountant and is a Fellow of the ICAEW. He also holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) degree in Aeronautical Engineering and Design from Salford University. 

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.