My presidency came at a pivotal time for TEI and the greater tax community on the international stage. I’ve made it my mission to advance our profession, hoping to make a significant difference now and to plant the seeds for my successors to build the TEI brand for the next generation of in-house tax professionals.
Without nurturing those seeds, we will not grow. During my term, I have engaged with thousands of TEI members, future members, and tax professionals throughout the world. I’ve also worked to cultivate the next generation through TEI’s Young Tax Network and our annual International Tax Student Case Competition. In just three years, that competition has grown from five to sixteen participating schools—far faster than I ever imagined.
To our chief tax officer members, we are sincerely grateful for your commitment. TEI is honored to be your go-to training partner, empowering your teams with the tax technical expertise, tax technology skills, and leadership development they need to thrive—now and into the future.
I’m also impressed by the advances made in TEI’s Women’s Tax Network toward supporting women (and all genders) in their work as in-house tax professionals, and I’m grateful for the support provided for all of these programs by peers, mentors, educators, speakers, sponsors, and advocates.
Coming up in September, TEI will continue its support of our community through exceptional programming, hosting a series of webinars about Pillar Two. The range of topics addresses several key issues, including the in-house perspective, financial reporting and auditing implications, and practical readiness. I encourage all TEI members to attend.
In June, I took the opportunity while in Europe to end my presidency meeting with leaders from the Institute’s EMEA Chapter in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. This boots-on-the-ground approach has allowed me to meet so many members and to extend our brand, introducing others to what TEI is, what we do, and what our mission is today and moving forward. It has also been a prime opportunity to encourage and inspire members from around the world to think seriously about leadership within this outstanding organization.
I could not have accomplished all of this without the assistance of the Institute’s devoted staff, led by Executive Director Pilar Mata. Her dedicated support has been key in helping me accomplish all four of my presidential goals—milestones that will leave a meaningful and lasting impact on our members for generations to come.
I urge you all to welcome TEI’s 2025–2026 International President Walter Doggett. He has formulated a fantastic set of goals and will lead TEI with an energetic and steady hand. I also want to recognize past presidents Teri Wielenga, Katrina Welch, Jim Kennedy, Wayne Monfries, Sandhya Edupuganty, and many others for their collaboration in officer transitions and their dedication to keeping the momentum going.
It has been my honor to serve as the first Canadian female international president. TEI is in my heart. I believe in this organization. It’s given me opportunities as a presenter, mediator, and ambassador as well as a front-row seat for seeing how we can teach, mentor, and nurture one another. Although I may be at the finish line of my presidency, I’ll always be on the sidelines, providing proactive support for TEI and its exceptional work.
Thank you all. I look forward to seeing you again soon at the next great TEI event.
With gratitude and well wishes,
Josephine Scalia
TEI 2024–2025 International President
