The James R. Baker Speaker of the Year Award is named for an ACFE faculty member who taught hundreds of classes and instructed thousands of anti-fraud professionals. The award is given annually to a speaker who demonstrates the best qualities that Baker exhibited: Dedication. Experience. Knowledge. Professionalism. Bethmara Kessler’s decades of experience leading audit, risk management, information technology and corporate investigation efforts offers her audiences unique, practical and entertaining information.

Dr. Carolyn Conn is a clinical assistant professor at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. In addition to her more than 30-year career in education, she has been published many times and has been an active member in the ACFE Austin Chapter. She demonstrated notable dedication to her students through her fraud examination course and helped secure funding for them to attend the ACFE Global Fraud Conference.

The ACFE is strong because of its more than 195 chapters in 70 countries. Chapters act as local representatives for the ACFE, providing continued support for members worldwide. They allow members to connect and collaborate with other fraud fighters in their area, and participate in local programs and events that promote awareness of the profession. Chapters help fraud fighters stay at the forefront of local anti-fraud issues and emerging trends.

The Walker Award is named for Morris R. "Red" Walker, CFE (1938-1989), a Charter Member and nationally recognized fraud examiner. Also established in 1989, the Walker Award is given to the person receiving the highest annual score on the CFE Exam.

This year’s Walker Award winner is Friya Randelia. Congratulations, Friya!