Since my last letter, I have had the privilege of representing TEI across North America, the Middle East, and Asia—starting with our dynamic, Western-themed annual conference in Texas and then traveling to the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, and Japan. These visits provided firsthand insights into the evolving challenges our global tax community faces.
Key Takeaways From My Travels
In Dubai, a transformative tax regime is prompting professionals to build tax departments from scratch. As the first international president to visit the Middle East, I appreciated learning about how our in-house tax community is adjusting. Our record-breaking EMEA Chapter event highlighted the growing need for TEI’s support in the GCC region.
In Singapore, following a major Asia-Pacific tax conference of 1,400 tax professionals, our TEI Asia Chapter hosted a flagship event where I delivered a keynote speech and moderated a discussion on transfer pricing and audits in the region. I attended the Asia Chapter board meeting and dinner, connected over lunch with the Tax Academy of Singapore, and met with inspiring tax professors and students at the National University of Singapore.
In Bangkok, I had the privilege of being a guest speaker at the Faculty of Law at Thammasat University, where I connected with students and their professors in the international program’s income tax class. The enthusiasm for tax was truly inspiring, and during this session, I was asked many questions about the role of AI in tax and the increasing importance of leadership development for tax professionals.
In Seoul, I attended the local chapter TEI event hosted by PwC, where I moderated an insightful session on best practices for in-house tax professionals working in South Korea.
In Japan, I had the honor of meeting with the global head of tax at Toyota’s headquarters.
Across the globe, common challenges persist—transfer pricing pressures, audit complexities, Pillar Two implementation, and resource constraints. Yet wherever I went, I found exceptional enthusiasm and dedication to our profession.
A key highlight was identifying regional leaders to step into the vice chair roles for the Young Tax Network and Women’s Tax Network committees, ensuring this vision and commitment to the next generation is consistent around the world.
Another key highlight was surveying chief tax officers globally to develop the foundation for the launch of TEI’s Tax Leadership Academy (TLA) program, a leadership development program designed for in-house tax managers with direct reports and ten years of experience. The exclusive hybrid program will run from March to October, with in-person sessions at our Midyear and Annual Conferences and three virtual modules in between. Successful participants will receive a certificate of completion. Led by esteemed TEI leaders and industry experts, TEI’s TLA aims to enhance leadership, communication, and strategic skills crucial for navigating today’s complex tax landscape. By empowering and connecting leaders, this unique program aligns perfectly with TEI’s core pillars of networking and education.
Reflecting on my travels, I am proud of TEI’s role in empowering in-house tax professionals worldwide. I extend my sincere gratitude to the Institute’s dedicated staff, volunteers, and leadership, who have been instrumental in the success of this TEI presidential trip. This global outreach reinforced the importance of investing in our chapters, embracing technology to overcome time zones and foster collaboration, and providing training that crosses departmental lines.
It’s clear that our global network craves the connection and practical know-how that TEI can provide.
Sincerely,
Josephine Scalia
TEI International President
