August Newsletter 
Monthly Meeting
Please join AFWA for our August 2026 Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, August 25th
11:30 am - 1:00 pm at the Walden Club
Presenter: Bethany Chaffin, Practice Director for Finance & Accounting with Robert Half
Topic: Demand for Skilled Talent
Field of Study: Personnel / Human Resources
CPE Credit: 1 Hour
Presentation Overview: The Demand for Skilled Talent is your guide to what's happening with the hiring market and the latest recruiting trends for 2026. This presentation dives into how AI adoption, growing skills gaps and shifting business priorities are pushing companies to rethink how they attract, hire and retain talent. Attendees will also get insights about what skills and roles are most in demand now, the growing complexity of candidate evaluation, why succession and pipeline planning are essential to sustaining growth, and more.
Learning Objectives:
Understand the major labor market and hiring trends influencing demand for talent in 2026, including the impact of AI, skills shortages and shifting workforce dynamics.
Identify common hiring challenges—such as increased application volume, skills validation and talent scarcity—and strategies to address them effectively.
Recognize the role of upskilling, contract talent and specialized recruiting in closing skills gaps and supporting strategic priorities.
Learn why proactive succession and pipeline planning is critical for organizational continuity, knowledge transfer and long-term leadership readiness.
Bethany Chaffin is Practice Director for the Robert Half accounting and finance contract team, focusing on consulting and contract talent solutions. She has over 17 years experience helping both companies and candidates in the greater Chattanooga and North Georgia hiring market.
AFWA is registered with the National Association of State Board of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State Boards of Accountancy have final authority in the acceptance of individual courses of CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of Sponsors through its website: www.learningmarket.org.
Tickets
$30.00 Member Reservation
$35.00 Non Member Reservation
$0.00 First Time Guest Reservation
$15.00 Student Member Ticket
Calendar of Events
August 25th - Demand for Skilled Talent with Bethany Chaffin, Robert Half
September 22nd - September Monthly Meeting with Melissa Blevins, CEO of Chattanooga Food Bank
October 20th-24th - Women Who Count Conference, AFWA National, Hilton Head SC
October 27th - October Monthly Meeting with Will Clegg, Partner with HHM CPA's
November 12th - Fall CPE Seminar, Chattanooga Marriott
November 17th - Monthly Meeting
December Christmas Party - TBA!
January 26th - Monthly Meeting with Emily Horn, Partner with Bradley Law
February 23rd - Monthly Meeting
March 23rd - Monthly Meeting
April 27th PR Luncheon
May 25th - Monthly Meeting
June 22nd - Monthly Meeting
Keep an eye out for dates on our CPE Seminars and updates to the calendar!
Open Board Meetings held via Zoom the second Thursday of every month.
We are always looking for topics and speakers of interest to our members. Any topic and/or speaker recommendations are welcome.
Any questions, suggestions or topics can be emailed to our general email address [email protected].
Hey Members!
Welcome to our new 2026-2027 Board. We are so excited for what the upcoming year will hold!
President - Jennifer Sabados
President Elect - Suzanne Beaty, Scholarship Committee
Vice President - Christie Jordan, Education/Legislation Committee
Treasurer - Kim Pace, Finance Committee
Secretary - Jennifer Lamb, Program Committee
Director Ex-Officio - Sandra Hogan, Public Relations Committee
Director - Morgen Rose, Publicity/Newsletter Committee
Director - Claire Ornsbee, Membership/Member Relations Committee
Director - Baylie Jones, Student Activities Committee
Director - Taylor Weaver, Bylaws Committee
Director - Taylor Chattin, Yearbook Committee
Off Board Committee Appointment - Melinda Askew, Chapter Development
Student Information
AFWA Meet and Mentor Program 2026
Chattanooga AFWA's mission is to enable women in all accounting and related fields to achieve their full personal, professional and economic potential and to contribute to the future development of their profession.
Chattanooga AFWA is made up of all different types of professionals (you do not have to be a woman to be a member!) in the Chattanooga area involved in Accounting and Finance fields.
If you are a student that would be interested in meeting with a local AFWA Member over coffee (or a snack!) to discuss their experiences in the workforce and build a relationship in a relaxed atmosphere, check out some of the available members here!
We hope this is a valuable experience for both the students and mentors who participate. Feedback is welcome throughout this process!
If you are a member that would be interested in participating in this program, please email us at [email protected] with a brief bio to add to our list.
Committee News
Feel free to email us at [email protected] if you'd like to be involved!
Chapter Development Committee
Education/Legislation
Finance Committee
Membership/Member Relations Committee
Program
Public Relations Committee
Publicity/Newsletter/Website
Scholarship
Student Activities
Yearbook
National Conference Report
National Conference Expense Fund Recommendation
The AFWA 2026 National Conference will be held in Hilton Head, SC at the Weston Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa from October 21 – October 23, 2026.
This is your opportunity to attend a national conference and defray some of your conference/travel expenses. The National Conference Expense Fund Committee has determined that funds are available for attendance to the 2026 National Conference.
Current active Chattanooga Chapter members may request financial assistance in the event that their employer provides insufficient financial support.
The committee is making the following recommendations to be voted on at the regular August membership meeting.
1. Active members would be those members who attended at least 4 events, AFWA Chattanooga monthly meetings, seminars, or social activities, in the past 12 months.
2. The Committee voted to leave a minimum of $1,000.00 in the fund to help provide financial support for the following year.
3. The President – if funds are requested may be reimbursed up to $1,000 plus the cost of the Signature Event from this fund. The President-Elect – if funds are requested may be reimbursed up to $1,250 plus
the cost of the Signature Event from this fund.
4. The committee is recommending that we provide assistance to other current active members attending, with the amount to be determined based on the number of members applying (and attending) but will not exceed up to $1,200 plus the cost of the Signature Event from this fund if funds are available. Reimbursement is subject to the rules set forth in the Standing Rules. Disbursement will be made after the conference and receipts must be submitted to the committee chair by November 15, 2026.
All requests for partial financial assistance must be submitted by August 31, 2026 to the committee chair, Carol Drinnon.
Requests can be submitted via e-mail at [email protected].
NO LATE REQUESTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Member of the Month
AFWA welcomes new member Mary Tye!
Mary Tye is the Managing Member of Butterfly Bookkeeping & Administrative Services, where she has provided full-cycle accounting, bookkeeping, and advisory services to small and mid-sized businesses and nonprofits since 2015. Before starting her own firm, Mary built a diverse background in accounting and finance, with previous roles in the wine industry as well as in public accounting and corporate finance. Outside of work, Mary enjoys spending time with her family and tending to her garden.