Michael Shultz is an accounting and finance leader with over 20 years of experience in auditing (Big 4), consulting, and financial reporting management. As a product expert and BlackLine’s Director of Finance Transformation, Michael guides companies on their path to modern Finance. 

To date, he’s traveled to four of the seven continents, speaking about the importance of digital finance transformation for cutting-edge companies. He’s known for delivering powerful presentations that inspire innovative approaches, increased productivity, and an accelerated month-end close.

Michael earned his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Purdue University and currently serves on Purdue Alumni’s Board of Directors.

When he’s not traveling, Michael enjoys smoking meat in his backyard and adding wine from his travels to his collection

Laura leads RGP’s BlackLine practice with over 22+ years of experience interpreting U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and implementing solutions for Accounting & Finance.  For the past three years, Laura has been focused on the implementation of accounting & finance technology solutions, including BlackLine’s continuous accounting platform, revenue recognition solutions, and lease accounting software.  Prior to joining RGP, Laura spent 20 years at Cargill, gaining expertise in multiple areas of accounting and finance across many industries, including commodity trading, financial services, agriculture and manufacturing. Laura specialized in monitoring, interpreting, and implementing GAAP, and training global teams on the impact and practical application of the accounting standards.
 

Brandee is a Senior Director of Strategic Innovation at BlackLine and has 15+ years specializing in accounting, finance and process improvement. She designs and leads strategic initiatives that drive innovation and transformation across multiple disciplines with direct P&L impact. Her background includes internal controls, financial reporting, process improvement, program management, and post-merger integration. She has a proven track record leading successful Accounting and HR Shared Services initiatives to support scalable operations. Brandee helps organizations ensure transformational success by incorporating Change Management strategies into optimization project plans. She is also a Certified Change Management Practitioner.
 

Ms. Cooper is a Manager in RSM’s Management Consulting Practice and leads Operations for RSM’s Close & Reporting/BlackLine Practice with over 11 years of experience in the application. She is a proven accounting and customer-facing visionary and growth strategist who is focused on leading others to success by maximizing resources, talents, and passions.  

Prior to joining RSM, Ms. Cooper spent 18 years in various audit and controllership roles across multiple industries.  Her passion for accounting process improvement and automation led her to BlackLine where, over her 10-year tenure, she built out and led five different teams, including Customer Success and Account Management.  She was fortunate enough to be part of BlackLine’s successful rise from less than 100 customers to over 2000, and from private to public company.  She most recently was the Senior Director, Strategy, working with the CSO to drive strategies that shape BlackLine’s vision including the launch of their Voice of the Accountant (VoA) Program. 

Shana has had the unique opportunity to utilize her expertise in accounting, operational, and customer experience in entrepreneurial environments at both small and large organizations.  This makes her ideal to support RSM’s BlackLine Practice to ensure project excellence and operational efficiency.   

She has served clients across a number of industries including Professional Services, Technology, Retail, Healthcare, Consumer Products, Telecommunications, Financial Services, Insurance, and many others.