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Tampa Bay Event | The Director’s Dilemma: Balancing Risk and Opportunity in Today’s Uncertain Market

Protiviti
4221 Boy Scout Blvd
Tampa, FL 33607

Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM EDT

Category: Tampa Bay

The Director’s Dilemma: Balancing Risk and Opportunity in Today’s Uncertain Market

Are you confident in your board’s ability to navigate today’s complex risk environment? From economic uncertainty to cybersecurity threats, regulatory and geopolitical factors, the risks facing organizations are evolving faster than ever. With a panel comprised of highly experienced Audit Committee chairs and heads of Internal Audit, this session promises to provide directors and aspiring directors with a framework for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks effectively while maintaining a strong governance structure. Don't miss this opportunity to strengthen your board’s risk resilience.

Parking

Complimentary on site parking is available

Registration

$25.00 Member Registration Fee
$30.00 Non Member Registration Fee

Register

Panelists

John Simmons, Jr.
CEO
Growth Advisors LLC.

John has served as a director of public Kforce since July 2014. He has also served on other public company boards, including Bonds.com, Technology Research Corporation, Medquist (a Philips Medical public subsidiary), and SRI Surgical Express. John has held most board leadership positions including chairman, lead director, and chair of audit, compensation, and nominating-governance committees.

John has served on the private company fiduciary or advisory boards of franchisors: Front Burner Brands (Melting Pot restaurants), College Hunks Hauling Junk, and Big Frog Apparel. John has also been a board member of Lifestyle Family Fitness, and served as its CEO from 2008 to 2012. His prior experience also includes the boards of Quantum Capital Partners, Invision Research Corporation, BrainBuzz.com, and over 20 not-for-profit boards.

On the Kforce board, John is the designated cyber and AI director who, in addition to being an audit committee member with risk management program oversight, meets separately with management including the CTO and CISO, to review quarterly results, strategy, and planning. John has obtained the National Association of Corporate Directors’ (NACD) cyber certification.

John Dyer
Head of Internal Audit
Kforce Inc.

John is Vice President of Audit and Risk at Kforce where he leads the Internal Audit and Risk Management functions, with a direct report to the company’s Audit Committee.

The annual Internal Audit Plan for which he is responsible includes audit coverage of IT, Cybersecurity, Financial, and Operational controls while the Risk Management department is responsible for Enterprise Risk Management and ensuring the adequacy of the company’s Insurance coverage inclluding D&O, Cyber, and all other liability insurance lines.

Prior to his now 10 year tenure at Kforce, John was the Director of Internal Audit at Bloomin’ Brands, Vice President and Corporate Controller at Agilysys Inc. He started his career at The Sherwin-Williams Company where he held numerous finance and accounting positions.

John is a CPA and a member of the American Institute of CPA’s (AICPA). He is also a member of the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS). John holds a B.A. in Accounting from John Carroll University and an MBA in Finance from Cleveland State University

Jake Birmingham
VP, Internal Audit (Ret.)
Carrier Corporation

Jake is a recognized thought leader in internal audit and compliance having most recently led the internal audit function for Carrier Corporation in Palm Beach, FL. He is a CPA, CIA and CRMA who has led global internal audit functions for over 20 years and driven ethics and compliance risk oversight at several publicly traded companies, including a role as Chief Compliance Officer. Jake continuously drives innovation and automation, seeking to maximize resources to manage the growing gap between ever expanding risks and vital budgets and resources. Although recently retired, Jake continues to stay involved in the audit and compliance community to coach, mentor and stay aware of growing trends and emerging risks.

Moderator

Kathryn Swintek
Managing Partner, Golden Seeds Fund LLP
Co-President PDA Tampa Bay Chapter

Honored by the National Association of Corporate Directors as the Private Company Director of the Year in 2020, Kathryn Swintek is a recognized governance expert with over 20 years of serving as an independent director of fourteen private, public and non-profit organizations. She currently serves as an independent director of three privately held companies with roles including Board Chair, Audit Committee Chair, and member of the Compensation Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee, and Technology and Strategic Planning Committee.

She is a Trustee of The Dali Museum, St Petersburg and serves as Co-President of the Tampa Bay Chapter of PDA.

Ms. Swintek holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Mt. St. Vincent and an MBA in Finance from New York University. She is a dual citizen of the United States and France.