Chief operating officer Jeanette LeVie, CFE, celebrates retirement after 32 years with the ACFE

In March, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) staff gathered at the Chateau Bellevue in Austin, Texas, to bid farewell to Jeanette LeVie, CFE, who’s retiring after a remarkable decades-long career with the global anti-fraud company. LeVie was ACFE’s chief operating officer (COO).

“When I think about the past 32 years, the first thing that comes to mind is how did I get this old? The second is how grateful I am to have been part of such a dynamic organization,” reflects LeVie.

LeVie’s journey with the ACFE began in 1992 after she interviewed with ACFE founder and Chairman Dr. Joseph T. Wells, CFE, CPA.

“Jeanette responded to a newspaper article I’d placed for a personal assistant,” says Dr. Wells. “The competition was between Jeanette and one other person, and I didn’t originally pick Ms. LeVie. But after a week or so, it was clear I made the wrong choice. So, I called Jeanette back and offered her the job.”

LeVie was a course coordinator and helped edit and administer the CFE Exam, eventually becoming vice president of administration and chief operating officer. She helped Dr. Wells edit and prepare the ACFE’s Fraud Examiners Manual and made the CFE Exam accessible online. She also served on the ACFE Foundation Board of Directors, was a liaison to the ACFE Board of Regents, and helped establish the higher-education program, the Law Enforcement and Government Alliance program and the European Council on Economic Fraud.

“Jeanette was essentially the nerve center of the ACFE,” says ACFE Chief Executive Officer John Warren, J.D., CFE. “She helped lead us from a small startup association to what we are today: the world’s largest anti-fraud organization.”

“Jeanette was absolutely vital to the success of the ACFE,” says Dr. Wells. “And she’s a wonderfully kind person. To my memory, we’ve never exchanged a cross word. Even though she’s worked hard to earn her retirement, there’ll always be a place in our hearts here for Jeanette.”

LeVie’s influence paved the way for new leadership at the ACFE. Carrie Kelly, J.D., CFE, SPHR, was promoted from vice president of operations to COO.

“I’ll miss Jeanette’s leadership, institutional knowledge, support and guidance,” says Kelly. “She made sure the ACFE was a great place to work. My goal is to continue her legacy.”

Andi McNeal, CFE, CPA, is now chief training officer (CTO). McNeal served as Research manager, director of Research and vice president of education since starting at the ACFE in 2004.

“Jeanette’s been a trailblazer, especially for women who work here,” says McNeal. “I’m honored to join the ACFE executive team and use the lessons I’ve learned from her to help carry the ACFE into the future.”

The new chief financial officer (CFO) is Jeannie Kwong, CFE, CPA. She served as vice president of accounting and finance after working as assistant controller and controller.

“With Jeanette passing the torch, I’m grateful for the opportunity to join the executive team,” says Kwong. “I look forward to working closely with our talented teams to ensure the continual success of the organization and provide the best services to our members.”

The executive team congratulates the new promotions and looks ahead to a bright future.

“Each of them has been a major contributor to our growth over the last decade plus,” says Warren. “The ACFE is in good hands with them leading us into the future.”

LeVie will be missed, but everyone at the ACFE celebrates her well-deserved retirement and impressive career.

“I’m honored to have met and worked with so many amazing people who’ve enriched me personally and professionally,” says LeVie. “It was an experience of a lifetime.”

ACFE Foundation awards 23 Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarships for 2024-2025 term

The ACFE Foundation awarded its Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarships to 23 future fraud fighters for the 2024-2025 academic term. The scholarships, ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, recognize students interested in the anti-fraud profession for their academic achievements in accounting, finance, business administration or criminal justice.

“These scholarships serve as a beacon of opportunity, providing financial assistance and educational resources to passionate individuals committed to combating fraud in all its forms,” says ACFE Foundation Chair Jala Attia, CFE.

More than $1 million in scholarships have been distributed to over 600 students since the program was first established in 1992. The program was renamed in 1998 to honor Larry Jennings, CFE, and Tracy Ritchie, CFE, who died in a terrorist attack in Karachi, Pakistan, in 1997. Winners are selected based on essays, recommendation letters and fraud-related interests. 

The application period for the 2025-2026 academic year opens Sept. 9, 2024, and ends Feb. 7, 2025. Applicants must be enrolled full time in an accredited, four-year college or university for the 2025-2026 school year. Students must also be interested in pursuing a career related to the anti-fraud profession. Visit ACFE.com/scholarship to learn more about how to apply. 

$10,000 scholarship: Zack Peters, Brigham Young University (United States)

Zack Peters is on track to complete both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting at Brigham Young University (BYU). Peters’ interest in forensic accounting and fraud examination were sparked by an elder fraud case that his father litigated. This experience also inspired him to form the first ACFE Chapter at BYU, where he served as president. He also sought out professionals in the industry to mentor him and built an extensive network of anti-fraud professionals to connect with ACFE BYU Chapter members. Peters plans to sit for the CFE and CPA exams, along with the Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) exam. He’ll be working with the KPMG International Limited Forensic team in Dallas, Texas, during summer 2024.

$10,000 scholarship: Elvira Seferagic, Utica University (United States)

Elvira Seferagic has maintained a 4.0 GPA while pursuing a master’s degree in financial crime and compliance management. She uses her education in her current role as a fraud analyst to discover red flags and outliers that indicate where potential fraud, waste or abuse might exist within her organization. She received the Community Service Excellence Award from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) for her outstanding volunteer efforts in raising awareness about elder financial exploitation. Seferagic will sit for the CFE Exam this year and is an active member in the ACFE community.

$7,500 scholarship: Isaac Amponsah, University of Illinois Springfield (Ghana)

Isaac Amponsah is a doctoral student studying public administration with a specialization in health care. He works as a research fellow at the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (Medicaid) Office of Inspector General, which liaises with law enforcement in Illinois to combat fraud. He fights health care fraud through his research and analyses of the Illinois Medicaid program. He also presented to the ACFE Chapter in Ghana on health care fraud in Africa and contributed to the ACFE Insights blog with an article on substance abuse treatment fraud. (See “Precision Protection: The Future of Healthcare Fraud with AI.”)

Amponsah’s dedication to his work and education is shown through his memberships in several related professional organizations, including the ACFE and the ACFE’s Ghana Chapter. Amponsah plans to continue his professional work fighting health care fraud after he graduates.

$7,500 scholarship: Mary Raymond, Texas A&M University (United States)

Mary Raymond is pursuing a five-year accelerated master’s professional program in accounting. She’ll graduate in 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in technology (information systems). In 2023, Raymond was invited by PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited (PwC) to attend the Women’s Consulting Experience, where she participated in multiple professional development events focused on the anti-fraud profession. During summer 2024, she’ll intern with PwC’s Investigations and Forensics Consulting in their Silicon Valley office in California.

Raymond is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, a student organization that encourages leadership and community mindedness. She plans to obtain a CPA license, become a CFE, work for PwC to gain experience in the anti-fraud industry, and eventually work for the FBI as a forensic accountant.

$5,000 scholarship: Shaneeza Hasnani, John Jay College of Criminal Justice (United States)

Shaneeza Hasnani has always been interested in fraud examination, which deepened during her studies at City University of New York (CUNY) – John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She’s majoring in fraud examination and financial forensics with a minor in computer science and has maintained a 3.98 GPA. During her internship with the New York State Office of the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Hasnani conducted four comprehensive investigations and meticulously analyzed financial records.

Hasnani demonstrates her commitment to learning about the anti-fraud field by participating in the Citizen’s Academy project and KPMG’s Audit Virtual Experience Program. She also plans to sit for the CFE Exam.

$5,000 scholarship: Stacy Jackson, Lamar University (United States)

Stacy Jackson is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in finance. She’s been working in the fraud investigations field for the past three years. She plans to utilize her skills and knowledge at her current company and become a supervisor in the fraud strategy department. She’ll sit for the CFE Exam upon graduation.

$5,000 scholarship: Eric Jeon, The University of Texas at Dallas (United States)

Eric Jeon is completing a master’s degree in accounting. He previously graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from UT Dallas. He works as a graduate teaching assistant to support other students at his university and is a member of the ACFE Student Chapter. Jeon is a dean's list student with a 4.0 GPA and is fascinated with uncovering hidden patterns to unveil fraudulent schemes thanks to his interest in Sherlock Holmes books. He plans to obtain various anti-fraud related certifications and will intern with Ernst & Young Global Limited this summer as an enterprise risk consultant.

$5,000 scholarship: Kennedy Nielsen, Southern Utah University (United States)

Kennedy Nielsen is pursuing a master’s degree in accounting. She’s intrigued by the combination of accounting and investigative work and hopes to become a forensic accountant. Nielsen has worked as an assistant internal auditor at Southern Utah University for two years. She conducts risk assessments, which enables her to better understand where fraud could occur and the controls used to prevent and detect it. She also analyzes data to identify outliers. Nielsen has a 4.0 GPA and is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, a national business honor society.

$2,000 scholarship: Tosin Akinsowon, Sam Houston State University (Nigeria)

Tosin Akinsowon’s interest in fraud examination led him to pursue a doctoral degree in cyber and digital forensic science. He regularly attends workshops, seminars and conferences focused on fraud prevention and investigation, which give him opportunities to learn from industry experts and stay current in the field. He’s enthusiastic about supporting the mission of organizations like the ACFE to promote excellence in fraud examination and related fields.

$2,000 scholarship: Tatiana Bagrii, McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific (Russian Federation)

Tatiana Bagrii is pursuing a law degree. She joined the Institute of Business Ombudsman and Protection of Entrepreneurs from illegal Criminal Prosecution project to gain insights into the judicial practices related to legal accountability for fraud. She presented on the challenges of legal regulation of fraud in the Russian Federation and was later published in a legal journal. She’s participated in the Economic Crime Moot Court, ultimately winning second place in the competition. Bagrii plans to study abroad, widening her breadth of knowledge related to fraud and the law.

$2,000 scholarship: Hassatou Barry, John Jay College of Criminal Justice (United States)

Hassatou Barry majored in fraud examination and financial forensics. He has a 3.76 GPA and received the dean’s list awards in fall 2022 and spring 2023. During the 2024 tax season, Barry volunteered at the local food bank’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and plans to complete the CFE and CPA Exams after graduation in 2025. He’s a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, the Association of Latino Professionals for America and Phi Theta Kappa, an international college honor society.

$2,000 scholarship: Rebecca Chrisman, University of Colorado Denver (United States)

Rebecca Chrisman is pursuing a master’s degree in criminal justice and is a dean’s list student with a 4.0 GPA. She’s actively involved in her community and has raised funds for Court Appointed Special Advocates. Chrisman was also a mental health center case manager and research assistant. Her parents’ dedication to fighting fraud and educating others about the risk factors that lead to criminal activity inspired her career path.

Chrisman’s ultimate career goal is to become a special agent working as a criminal profiler for the FBI. She aims to leverage her psychology background to increase awareness of systemic vulnerabilities and foster an interest in preventing fraud in marginalized populations. Chrisman plans to obtain certifications such as the CFE credential, and later pursue a Ph.D. in criminal justice to research white-collar crime.

$2,000 scholarship: Urszula Cieslak, University of Maryland, College Park (United States)

Urszula Cieslak is pursuing a double major in accounting and finance. She was introduced to fraud and white-collar crime during her first accounting course in college, which included a case study on the importance of transparency in financial statements and highlighted cases such as Enron and WorldCom. Cieslak works in the prosecution division of the U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division and assists prosecuting attorneys during investigations and trials. She hopes to complete an audit internship in the summer of 2024.

Cieslak plans to obtain her CPA license and pursue a law degree. She maintains a 3.92 GPA and has been on the dean’s list for three consecutive semesters at the University of Maryland.

$2,000 scholarship: Caitlyn Eckstein, University of North Carolina Wilmington (United States)

Caitlyn Eckstein will graduate with a master’s degree in accounting in 2025 and maintains a 3.94 GPA. She’s an audit intern with KPMG and intends to become a CPA focused on auditing. Her mother’s experience as an accountant inspired Eckstein to study accounting. Eckstein has received multiple awards and scholarships and is an active volunteer. She aspires to become a skilled auditor specializing in financial fraud.

$2,000 scholarship: Aveontae Frazier, University of Connecticut (United States)

In addition to obtaining a master’s degree in data science, Aveontae Frazier will obtain the CFE credential next year. He currently works as a junior federal investigator and plans to use his data science degree to support fraud cases with large datasets through big data management, statistical analysis and data visualization. Frazier hopes to contribute to cybersecurity investigations and improve strategies for conducting cybersecurity audits to make it possible for investigators without technical backgrounds to conduct successful cyber investigations.

$2,000 scholarship: Lisa Kasamba, University of California, Berkeley (Swaziland)

Lisa Kasamba is pursuing a master’s degree in information management systems and a minor in business management. Her interest in a fraud-related career began while working as a crime laboratory technician assigned to the evidence management unit of the Baltimore City Police Department. She aspires to help develop and manage cybersecurity products as a technical product manager and plans to become a CFE.

As an undergraduate student, Kasamba was awarded the Outstanding Forensic Science Service Award for research conducted and presented during the school’s symposiums and at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in Anaheim, California, in February 2020. She has a 3.83 GPA at the University of California, Berkeley.

$2,000 scholarship: Jonathan Manik, John Jay College of Criminal Justice (United States)

Jonathan Manik, CFE, is a master’s student studying digital forensics and cybersecurity. He’s presented as a keynote speaker for a national webinar on “Digital Forensics in Investigative Auditing.” Manik received certifications in computer-hacking forensic investigations and banking and risk management from the Law School Partnership Program (LSPP). He actively works to stay up to date and enhance his practical skills and knowledge through cybersecurity competitions and other methods.

$2,000 scholarship: Monica McCue, Rutgers Business School – Rutgers University (United States)

Monica McCue is a part-time student pursuing a master’s degree in governmental accounting. She plans to graduate in May 2025 and currently has a 4.0 GPA. McCue works for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and was recently promoted to external audit supervisor in the Audit Operations Unit. She’s a Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP) and an active member of the Boston Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants. McCue plans to become a CFE and build a career at the state government level.

$2,000 scholarship: Karla Martinez Mora, Menlo College (United States)

Karla Martinez Mora is a double major in finance and accounting and has maintained a 3.88 GPA throughout her college career. From a very young age, she’s had a strong interest in commerce. She decided to pursue a business degree because of her experience running an Etsy store while in high school, for which she needed to track expenses, profits and how to optimize her business. Once she graduates, she plans to take her business degree further into the forensic accounting and fraud examination fields where she can apply her knowledge of business to fight fraud.

$2,000 scholarship: Ashlyn Roche, The University of Southern Mississippi (United States)

Ashlyn Roche intends to complete a master’s degree in public accounting and become a CPA. She’s completed an audit internship at public accounting firm, Horne, which sharpened her analytical skills and data analysis work on tracing transactions and internal controls. Roche is a member of Beta Alpha Psi and gained knowledge on tackling fraud and unethical behavior through her Student Center for the Public Trust membership sponsored by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). As an honors college scholar, she’s working with her advisor on a thesis project on career success in accounting.

$2,000 scholarship: Debbie Sanchez, Rider University (United States)

Debbie Sanchez is pursuing her bachelor’s degree as a dual major in accounting and finance. She’s active in her campus community as a tutor to fellow students and volunteered at her local United Way after obtaining the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly certification to assist low-income families in filing their tax returns. Sanchez has previously obtained the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter Society NextGen scholarship because of her dedication to the anti-fraud industry. She’s passionate about identifying vulnerabilities that are a crucial component to combating fraudulent activity across industries.

Sanchez participated in a comprehensive rotational internship that covered tax, audit and advisory services at KPMG. She plans to pursue the CFE credential and CPA license and will intern at KPMG this summer.

$2,000 scholarship: Karalyn Timmes, William & Mary (United States)

Karalyn Timmes graduated with a bachelor’s degree in May 2024 and will earn a master’s degree in accountancy in 2025. She plans on interning with PricewaterhouseCoopers’ forensic investigations team to hone her skills in data analytics and fraud investigations. Timmes was involved in peer mentoring and the Deloitte Audit Innovation Campus Challenge at her college and maintained a 3.94 GPA. She plans to sit for the CFE Exam and CPA exam.

$2,000 scholarship: Justin Watkins, Texas A&M University, Mays Business School (United States)

Justin Watkins is pursuing a master’s degree in business administration with a focus on data analytics. He’s a passionate auditor and consulted with Sarbanes-Oxley clients in biotechnology and technology industries. The skills he learned working in public accounting helped him transition to a career in corporate audit. Watkins helps with early fraud detection and deterrence at his current organization.