Take a moment to get to know your 2025–2026the NAEA Board of Directors. These individuals represent a blend of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences—some returning, some brand new—each with a personal story of how they became an Enrolled Agent, why the credential matters to them, and how they plan to serve the NAEA community.

Among them are former pharmacists, insurance professionals, even a professional actor and writer. Some found their calling after navigating personal tax challenges, others through careers in public accounting or by mentoring small business owners. Despite their different paths, they’ve all found common ground in the EA credential—and they’ve come together as educators, advocates, policy shapers, financial strategists, and lifelong learners committed to keeping EAs at the forefront of tax expertise.

Though their journeys vary, they share one purpose: to champion you, your practice, and the broader EA profession.

With the board now fully engaged in their new term, it’s time to get to know the people representing you.

 

Meet the NAEA Executive Committee

Jennifer MacMillan | President

Jennifer has long been a fierce advocate for the Enrolled Agent community, dedicating her career to upholding ethics, representation, and the integrity of the profession. A retired EA, she built her reputation standing up for taxpayer rights and ensuring the EA credential remains strong and respected.

Today, she’s cautiously optimistic. Jennifer believes new EAs can still be cultivated from today’s preparer pool, but she keeps a close eye on regulatory instability and evolving IRS practices that could impact the profession. She remains all in on advocacy and public relations, using her steady voice to make sure the EA story is heard loud and clear.

Her best advice? Keep researching, keep learning, and never lose your ethical compass. Her happy place? Camping under wide, open skies somewhere beautiful in New Zealand.

Emily Aprea | President-Elect

With over 25 years as a nonprofit CFO, Emily is laser-focused on growing NAEA’s membership, strengthening relationships with the IRS and Congress, and preparing the next generation of EAs. She knows the profession’s future depends on raising the visibility of the credential and attracting younger tax pros.

Emily has a deep love for mentoring and developing others. Her advice to EAs at any stage? Ask questions, seek out mentors who challenge you, and never stop evolving. When she steps away from spreadsheets and strategy, you’ll likely find her exploring new continents—she’s determined to see the world, one stop at a time.

Twila Midwood | Immediate Past President

Twila has a gift for building community. She believes strongly in member camaraderie and makes it her mission to connect with EAs of all backgrounds—ensuring each one, from new practitioners to seasoned experts, feels seen and valued.

A passionate advocate, Twila is focused on keeping EAs visible to policymakers and regulators. She often says tax professionals don’t “toot their own horn” enough—and she’s working to change that by showcasing how hard NAEA works behind the scenes.

Her advice? Don’t undersell yourself. Your expertise has real value—own it. Outside of advocacy, you’ll find her planning the next family cruise and savoring the moments that keep her grounded.

Susie DiMaggio | Secretary

Susie brings a deeply empathetic perspective to her role. With two decades in the insurance industry and firsthand experience navigating tax debt after divorce, she understands the transformative power of expert tax representation—and the importance of professional community.

As Secretary, she’s focused on growing membership and ensuring both members and non-members understand the value NAEA offers. She’s also committed to education and protecting taxpayer rights, particularly as more clients face complex resolution needs.

Her advice? Get involved. Build your circle of mentors, peers, and allies—and learn from every one of them. If she weren’t in tax, she might be chasing her dream job as an FBI investigator (ideally solving a case in Ireland).

Edward Ryan Jr. | Treasurer

Edward balances both sides of the financial equation—tax expert and financial advisor. With experience spanning corporate roles to running his own practice, he’s dedicated to safeguarding NAEA’s financial health and increasing public awareness of the EA credential.

He’s passionate about helping EAs build strong, sustainable careers. His motto? Network, network, network. Learn from your peers and make sure your community knows who to call.

If he could blend business and pleasure, Edward might one day run a sports franchise—after a detour through Italy, of course.

Tina Collins | Director at Large

Tina is a powerhouse of tax knowledge, specializing in individual income tax, trusts, estates, and small businesses. Her 30+ years in ministerial work also bring a people-first approach to her professional life.

She believes EAs should be the gold standard for tax expertise and encourages practitioners to stay current, stay equipped, and always be ready to guide clients. Her passion for mentorship shines through in her advice: find mentors, stay humble, and grow with intention.

When she finally gets a chance to recharge, she’s likely heading to the rolling green hills of Ireland.

 

Meet the NAEA Directors

Anne Burgess | Director

Anne thrives where others hesitate—tackling complex topics like household employment and untangling payroll challenges with confidence and care. She’s a detail-oriented tax professional who’s earned a reputation for digging in where others might back away. After serving her state affiliate as director, vice president, and president, she now brings that leadership experience to the national stage.

Anne is especially focused on helping other affiliates transition smoothly into the chapter model. Her broader mission is to elevate the EA as the trusted advisor clients can turn to without hesitation. In her view, that means speaking with clarity, projecting authority, and embracing the confidence that comes with deep tax knowledge.

Her happy place? Floating in the turquoise waters of the Greek Islands, preferably with a good book and no email alerts in sight.

Leslie Casteel | Director

For Leslie, governance and leadership are practically in her DNA. Raised by a nationally registered parliamentarian, she grew up immersed in Roberts Rules of Order—and now channels that structure and fairness into advocating for the profession. Leslie is passionate about establishing and upholding minimum competency standards, and she believes EAs are uniquely positioned to lead that charge.

Known for her warmth, sense of calm, and ability to de-escalate tense situations, Leslie is often the voice of reason in the room. She sees advocacy not just as legislative action but as a mindset.

When she’s not working to improve the profession, Leslie dreams of returning to Alaska and Hawaii, places filled with memories and a sense of wonder she’s eager to relive.

David Gannaway | Director

David brings a rare blend of insider knowledge and practical experience to the NAEA board. With over two decades at the IRS—including time as a revenue agent and special agent—plus 17 years in private practice representing clients before the IRS, Appeals, and U.S. District Court, David is a seasoned tax controversy expert.

He joined the board to grow membership and raise national awareness of the EA credential, especially among those who still don’t fully understand the value of specialized representation. David envisions a future where clients know exactly why they need an EA.

When not helping clients or advising peers, he dreams of managing a Major League Baseball team.

Tony Frezza | Director

Tony’s career journey—from pharmacist to Enrolled Agent—reflects a deep commitment to serving people with both precision and empathy. He draws on his scientific background to bring analytical strength to every tax case, while his personal drive comes from a desire to help others navigate financial complexity with clarity and confidence.

On the board, Tony is focused on helping EAs shift from once-a-year compliance work to becoming trusted, year-round advisors. He believes public awareness of the credential must improve—and that EAs must recognize their value from the start.

Tony’s advice for new and all EAs is always center your client’s needs, but don’t lose sight of your own professional worth. Off-duty, he’s happiest perfecting his pizza recipe.

Lauren Hagwood | Director

Lauren brings a uniquely versatile background to the board: part entrepreneur, part software developer, part government relations strategist. She’s built businesses, developed tech solutions, and now works to ensure policy decisions make sense in the real-world lives of tax professionals.

She’s especially passionate about how complex and shifting regulations impact both practitioners and the clients they serve. Lauren is focused on making sure EA voices are heard early and often in policy conversations and that NAEA remains a leader in bridging the gap between theory and practice.

Her long-term dream is to run a teaching farm that combines agriculture, education, and service. But she’s content with her backup plan: a year-long cruise to 120 countries.

Dannie Lynn Murphy | Director

Dannie Lynn Murphy brings strategic focus, an inclusive mindset, and a deep commitment to elevating the next generation of Enrolled Agents. With a background in entrepreneurship and experience working with major tech companies like Google and Intuit, she understands the unique challenges small business owners and solo practitioners face every day.

On the board, she’s focused on helping NAEA strengthen its approach to second-year membership retention, a key area she identifies as vital for long-term association growth. She’s also a passionate advocate for DEIA, particularly around accessibility and creating spaces where all members feel welcome, seen, and supported.

Dannie believes the future of the EA profession lies in empowering members through education, adapting to technological shifts, and ensuring that both new and tenured EAs have the tools they need to thrive.

Her advice to those just starting out? Master the fundamentals early, gain real-world experience ASAP, prioritize relationships (not just returns), and embrace technology.

If she weren’t an EA, you’d probably find Dannie writing full time as a globe-trotting travel writer—possibly from Everest Base Camp, an Arabian desert, or an African safari.

Jeffrey Thompson | Director

A tax pro with an entertainment twist, Jeffrey doesn’t just bring tax experience to the board—he brings a creative spark. A tax professional with a thriving practice, he specializes in entertainment clients, audit defense, and tax court work. But he’s also a professional actor and writer, and that creative background informs him how he supports clients and fellow EAs alike.

He’s especially passionate about helping tax professionals build sustainable, balanced careers that honor their expertise without leading to burnout. His message to others in the field? “Things might be scary, but I think we’ll be okay.”

Maybe one day Jeffrey will be the first Enrolled Agent to win a Writers Guild Award!

Kathryn (Kat) Tracy | Director

Kat brings both heart and vision to the board. She has a special passion for guiding new business owners—particularly farmers, landlords, and realtors—as they build successful financial futures. Her tax knowledge runs deep, but it’s her ability to connect and teach that truly sets her apart.

On the board, she’s most excited about leadership development and fostering big-picture thinking that keeps EAs competitive in a noisy marketplace. A natural teacher, Kat’s joy lies in learning, encouraging others, and reminding them to see themselves through a lens of confidence and ambition.

Her dream job (besides being an EA) would be teaching high school agriculture as an FFA advisor. Her travel bucket list includes Mt. Rushmore, NYC, Switzerland, Australia—and yes, Mars and Venus, if space travel picks up.

Emily White | Director

With five years of board service and a strong foundation in healthcare accounting, Emily knows how powerful it is to find your niche and own it. She’s dedicated to helping EAs move beyond tax prep and toward shaping careers that reflect their unique skills and passions.

Emily is particularly interested in developing programs that help members branch out, whether into advisory work, niche specialties, or public policy. She believes that the future of the profession lies in diversification and visibility.

When she takes a break, she’s searching for the perfect mix of peace and fun. Somewhere to reset, reflect, and re-energize for the work ahead.

 

Want to Get Involved?

As we step into a new year filled with opportunity and momentum, we’re excited to welcome this board of directors and the fresh ideas they bring to the table.

As an NAEA member, you have a voice in shaping the future of the profession. Board elections open this November—keep an eye on your inbox and social media for more details. Considering a leadership role? Nominations are open July 20 – August 11.

In the meantime, don’t hesitate to connect with any of your board members. They’re eager to hear your ideas, answer your questions, and help you find ways to get involved.

This is your association. Whether you volunteer, attend events, or run for a future leadership position, NAEA is here to support your growth and help you thrive as one of America’s tax pros.