AIM Early Career Leadership Conference

April 18, 2026

UT Student Union
1502 Cumberland Ave
Knoxville, TN - 37916

Join the inaugural AIM Early Career Leadership Conference hosted by the Department of Accounting and Information Management at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business!

Created for early-career professionals, this AIM alumni conference examines what it means to build a meaningful career in accounting and beyond.

The 2026 conference will open with a keynote from Meg Myers Morgan, award-winning author and leadership expert, who will deliver “Know Your Worth,” an engaging talk on navigating ambition, setting boundaries and embracing value in the workplace.

Panels with alumni and subject matter experts will equip participants with actionable strategies for:

Strengthening confidence in salary, promotion and workload negotiations
Managing career transitions

Community building is a central element of this AIM alumni conference, with multiple opportunities to connect throughout the event, including an evening networking social.

Whether you’re preparing for your first leadership role, considering a new opportunity or looking to connect with fellow alumni, we look forward to welcoming you back to campus for the AIM Early Career Leadership Conference!

This event is open to registered attendees only. Registration closes April 6.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifies for “early-career professionals”?

There is no strict cut-off for being an early-career professional. If you are an accounting alumnus who would benefit from networking with other alumni and engaging in conference sessions on topics like negotiating pay, managing workload, and navigating career changes, this conference is for you. The alumni helping us plan the conference are part of our Early Career Accounting Alumni Board, which is open to alumni within 10 years of their graduation date.

What is the cost of the conference?

There is no cost to our attendees. If you would like to make a gift to the department to support student scholarships or future alumni events like this one, please visit https://haslam.utk.edu/aim/give/.

Can I bring a guest?

We cannot accommodate non-alumni guests during the main part of the conference, but there will be an evening social event on campus where you are welcome to bring a guest.

Is there a designated conference hotel?

There are a number of great hotels in the Knoxville, TN, area. We do not have a designated hotel for the conference.

Where should I park?

Registered attendees will receive additional instructions on parking in their registration email. This parking will be paid for by the department.

What is the dress code?

There is no formal dress code for this conference. We encourage you to wear whatever makes you feel confident, comfortable, and like yourself. Whether that’s business casual, a suit, or jeans and sneakers — you’re welcome here. There will be an opportunity to take updated headshots, so feel free to bring a change of attire if you’d like something different for your photos.

Can I earn CPE at the event?

This event qualifies for 3.6 CPE-hours of non-technical professional development content. Instructions for receiving CPE will be provided at the event.

Event Speakers

Meg Myers Morgan

Keynote Presentation: Know Your Worth
Workshop: Time Blocking & Negotiating

Meg Myers Morgan is an award-winning and best-selling author, as well as a highly sought-after keynote speaker who helps audiences discover their worth and wield it with confidence. Trained in executive and leadership coaching, she has helped hundreds of leaders sharpen their clarity, strengthen their confidence and successfully resolve conflict. Morgan is an associate professor at the University of Oklahoma, where she mentors hundreds of graduate students. Her best-selling books explore the intersection of ambition, identity and self-worth. Through her keynotes, Morgan has equipped thousands of people to know their worth, clarify their asks and negotiate for everything they want in life and work.

Robert Fuller
Faculty Moderator

Alumni Panel Session: Navigating Career Transitions

Dr. Robert M. Fuller is the EY Professor in Accounting in Haslam’s AIM department, which he joined in 2006. His research focuses on collaborative technologies for virtual teams, how individuals use communication technologies and participate, and improving requirements elicitation through semi-structured communication techniques. As he completes his last year as the Master of Accountancy program director, Fuller is preparing to step into the department head role beginning August 2026. Fuller worked in Nashville as a midrange server specialist for IBM prior to entering higher education.

Miranda Falcon
Alumni Co-Host

Alumni Panel Session: Navigating Career Transitions

Miranda Falcon, CPA, began her career with LBMC, specializing in financial and internal audit services for manufacturing and healthcare clients. She later joined Smith & Wesson as a senior financial analyst during their move to Tennessee, collaborating closely with the executive team on high-impact financial initiatives. Falcon currently serves as the internal audit manager for MasterCraft Boat Holdings, where she partners with teams across the company to strengthen controls and improve efficiency.

Alicia Fuller
Alumni Co-Host

Alumni Panel Session: Navigating Career Transitions

Alicia Fuller, a CPA candidate, began her career as an accounting and assurance staff at Pugh CPAs, supporting clients in the not-for-profit, financial institution and governmental industries. Fuller then joined Coulter & Justus, P.C. as an accounting and assurance senior associate, where she primarily works with Knoxville-area not-for-profit organizations. Her service experience includes financial and compliance audits, as well as review and compilation services.

Teresa McClung
Alumni Co-Host

Alumni Panel Session: Navigating Career Transitions

Teresa McClung, CPA, is a senior manager in Deloitte & Touche LLP’s assurance practice, specializing in IT risk and controls for consumer and industrial products clients. She leads technology and business process risk assessments, SOX and integrated audit support and controls design and testing across complex environments. Her work frequently includes supporting system implementations, audit transitions and readiness efforts for acquisitions and capital markets events.

Connor Mykelby
Alumni Co-Host

Alumni Panel Session: Navigating Career Transitions

As a wealth advisor and compliance associate with Red Door, Connor Mykelby, CPA, advises clients on comprehensive investment and planning strategies, applies regulatory knowledge in financial reporting and audits and ensures activities remain aligned with current laws. Mykelby advises both internal and external parties to update all financial documents accurately and sufficiently as regulations continually evolve. Prior to joining Red Door, he was an assurance senior manager at EY with a focus in the financial services industry, and he participated in the EY Quality Network, where he assisted in internal quality inspections.