Directors & Managers

Amy has more than 16 years of experience in public accounting, providing tax and accounting services to individuals, partnerships, corporations, and not-for-profit organizations. She has worked closely with many privately owned businesses, advising and executing accounting and tax services. Amy began her career in Honolulu, Hawaii where she acquired in-depth experience with professional service companies, specializing in law and dentistry, as well as real estate partnerships. She is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in the states of California and Hawaii. Amy earned her Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She also has her Master of Science Degree in Taxation from Golden Gate University. Amy is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the California Society of CPAs and the Hawaii Society of CPAs.

Winona has more than 10 years of public accounting experience. She works closely with many privately held businesses and high-net worth individuals to provide income tax compliance and planning services. Her industry experience includes technology, private equity, professional service, and real estate. Winona is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the California Society of CPAs. She earned her B.S. in Accounting from Florida State University and her M.S. in Taxation from San Jose State University.

Matt joined Hood & Strong in 2014 after spending two years with a large regional firm based in Texas. As an audit manager, he oversees the audit process for closely-held businesses, non-profit organizations and employee benefit plans. Additionally, Matt has been a member of Hood & Strong's audit efficiency group and has led several in-house trainings. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the California Society of CPAs. Matt received his accounting degree from Texas Christian University and received a Masters in Accounting from The University of Texas at Dallas. Fun fact: Matt is a proud husband and dad to two beautiful children.

Margaret has more than 15 years of public accounting experience. She previously worked for various Bay Area CPA firms where she specialized in providing tax consulting, planning and compliance services to high-net worth individuals and families as well as business entities. Her industry focus includes real estate, professional services, technology, and venture capital. Margaret is a member of the California Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs. She earned a B.S. in Accounting from San Francisco State University and a Masters in Taxation from Golden Gate University.

Jill has worked with Hood & Strong for more than eight years and has deep technical knowledge and experience helping not-for-profit clients strengthen their internal control policies and procedures. She manages and oversees financial statement audit reviews and other consulting projects for a variety of clients including foundations, universities, charitable organizations, and professional service firms. She also performs employee benefit plan audits. Jill is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the California Society of CPAs, and co-chairs Hood & Strong's Volunteer Committee. She earned a B.S. from the University of the Pacific and an M.B.A. from Saint Mary's College of California.

Lixia brings more than eight years of experience to her role as tax manager. Prior to joining Hood & Strong, Lixia worked at a national firm where she provided a wide range of consulting and compliance services. Her industry experience includes health care, technology, food and beverage, and manufacturing. She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the California Society of CPAs. She has been involved with local chapters of CalCPA, writing articles and alerts and speaking on various topics at CalCPA events. Lixia also volunteers at a local food bank. She holds a B.A. in Economics from China and earned a certificate of Advanced Accounting Proficiency from Santa Clara University.

Jennifer McDonald brings more than 10 years of recruiting experience to Hood & Strong. Her prior experience includes a partnership role with a successful Bay Area boutique retained search firm, as well as three years with a large international accounting and finance recruiting firm where she specialized in the placement of professionals focusing on tax, audit and general accounting. Jennifer leads the experienced and entry-level recruiting efforts for Hood & Strong's Assurance, Tax and Consulting practices. She is responsible for managing all aspects of recruiting for the Firm, including campus recruiting efforts. Jennifer earned a B.S. in Business from San Francisco State University.

Emily started her public accounting career with Hood & Strong in 2013 after receiving her business management economics degree from University of California, Santa Cruz. Emily oversees the audit process for closely held businesses and non-profit organizations. She recently became a member of the firm’s quality control committee and has assisted with several technical research projects for client matters and the firm’s in-house training. She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the California Society of CPAs.

Samantha has more than 19 years of experience in public accounting, specializing in providing tax services to high-net worth individuals and closely held businesses. Samantha began her career in the East Bay, where she acquired in-depth experience with defined contribution plan audits, taxation of high-net worth individuals, professional service companies, trucking companies, and real estate partnerships. She is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in the state of California. Samantha is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the California Society of CPAs. She earned a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Sonoma State University and earned her M.S. in Taxation from Golden Gate University. Fun fact: In high school, Samantha was accepted into the music program for the California State Summer School for the Arts and received the California State Bronze Medal Governor Seal for her designation as a California Arts Scholar.

Payal has more than 10 years in public accounting, including tax preparation, planning and research for closely-held businesses and high-net worth individuals. Her industry experience includes start-up companies, professional services, manufacturing, real estate, health care and foreign tax issues. Prior to joining Hood & Strong, she worked as tax manager at a South Bay CPA firm where she was responsible for managing bookkeeping services, tax engagements and working closely with clients with complex tax issues. Payal is member of American Institute of CPAs, the California Society of CPAs and the Colorado Society of CPAs. She is a licensed CPA in Colorado.

Pinder joined Hood & Strong in 2009 to pursue her desired focus of serving not-for-profit organizations. With more than 15 years of experience, she is part of Hood & Strong’s Not-For-Profit Service Group, where she works with schools, private foundations, social service organizations, museums, and membership organizations. She manages single audits in addition to financial statement audits, and has assisted with and lead technical trainings both internally and externally. She currently serves on the board finance committee of Silicon Valley FACES and is a former board member of Loaves and Fishes Family Kitchen. Pinder is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the California Society of CPAs. She has a B.S. in Accounting from Fresno State University.

Tammy specializes in the preparation, review and processing of nonprofit tax returns and related consulting. She previously worked for a Bay Area accounting firm for more than seven years, where she specialized in providing tax services to tax-exempt organizations. Before this, Tammy worked at a local CPA firm and for a sole proprietor CPA in Oakland. Tammy offers more than 15 years of public accounting experience. Tammy is an enrolled agent with the IRS and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. She chaired the CalCPA Nonprofit Interest Group of the East Bay committee and has served on the CalCPA board for the East Bay chapter. She graduated from Pacific Union College in 2005 and from Golden Gate University with a Masters of Science in Taxation in 2014.

Jacob is a tax director with Hood & Strong LLP. With seven years of experience in public accounting, he is responsible for coordinating tax engagements and advising clients from public charities, private foundations, schools, and social clubs. His prior experience includes a position as a senior tax analyst for one of America's leading integrated health plans, and tax senior for a major accounting firm's partnership tax services group. Jacob holds a B.S. from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. He is a licensed CPA in California.

Erin has more than 10 years of experience in public accounting, primarily in tax compliance, planning and consulting for closely held businesses and high-net worth individuals. Her industry focus includes high-tech, real estate and professional services. Erin is a member of CalCPA State Committee on Taxation and is a council representative. She also serves as a board director of the CalCPA Peninsula Silicon Valley Chapter. Erin earned a Master of Science in Accountancy from San Jose State University.