Derek DeWinter graduated from Santa Clara University in 1993 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Finance. Throughout his undergraduate studies, Derek worked as a Senior Financial Analyst for Applied Materials. Upon graduating, Derek joined PwC as an Audit Associate before launching his career in executive search in 1994. He spent six years working for a boutique, Bay Area search firm as an Executive Recruiter, before meeting the DeWinter Group’s co-founder, Mike Tomasello, in 1996. In August 2000, the Dewinter Group officially opened its doors and has since grown into one of the largest and fastest-growing, privately-owned executive search firms in the country. Today Derek serves as Founding Partner and President of the DeWinter Group and is responsible for advising the DeWinter Group’s executive leadership team and overseeing strategic growth initiatives. 
Derek is an active Board Member, Chair of the Finance Committee, and Chair of the Nominating Committee for Watermark. He also serves as Chair of the Membership Committee for the American Association of Finance and Accounting, a national network of premier accounting and finance search firms located in over 40 cities across the continental United States and Canada. 
Derek lives in Los Gatos, California, with his wife and 3 children. In his free time, he volunteers for the Los Gatos Chapter of Boys Team Charity, or BTC.  Born in Oakland, Derek has lived in a variety of places including Michigan, Germany, and Oahu. At the age of 9, his family settled in Maui and to this day he considers Maui his home. His hobbies include many pastimes traditional to Maui culture including paddle-boarding, surfing, spearfishing, and talking pidgin if necessary.

Born and raised in Kauai, Hawaii, Shane Oberg moved to the mainland in 2001 to attend California State University, Long Beach. After graduating with a  Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 2005, Shane joined Robert Half International as a Staffing Manager in Hawaii before being offered a position with the company’s San Jose team in 2007. After moving to the Bay Area, he was promoted to Branch Manager of the San Jose office’s accounting and finance special project and interim support recruitment division. There, he oversaw a team of 6 sales professionals & recruiters. In 2009, Shane joined the DeWinter Group’s accounting and finance contract and consulting division, DeWinter Consulting (DWC), as a Partner with the division’s founder, David Sullivan. Today, Shane Oberg serves as Partner and Chief Executive Officer for the DeWinter Group. In his role, Shane is responsible for corporate development, strategy, and growth for all lines of business.  Outside of work, Shane serves as a Board Member for the 1st Tee of Silicon Valley, a local non-profit working with underprivileged youth to teach them life skills through golf. Shane lives in Silicon Valley with his wife and two children. He is an active member of the community, oftentimes volunteering for activities in which he can be active and engaged in his children’s lives including serving as Assistant Coach for his son’s little league team and Coach of his son’s South Bay Soccer team.

Born and raised in Alexandria, VA, Mike Tomasello moved to the Bay Area in 1988 to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo. Upon graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Mike started his career in accounting with a Big 4 public accounting firm, KPMG, as a Senior Assurance Associate. He joined Bank of America in 1994 and spent two years assisting with all aspects of SEC reporting, including financial reporting and technical accounting research. In 1996, Mike launched his career in executive search with a boutique, Bay Area search firm. He spent the next three years refining his approach to recruiting accounting and finance professionals before meeting another rising star within the Bay Area recruitment industry: Derek DeWinter. In August 2000, Mike and Derek formally opened the doors of the DeWinter Group and have since grown from a team of two to one of the Bay Area’s largest, privately-held accounting, finance, and IT search firms in the country. Although the DeWinter Group has grown extensively since its formation over 18 years ago, Mike remains an integral member of the DeWinter Group’s executive leadership team serving as Chief Operating Officer. In his role, he is responsible for the day-to-day oversight and strategic leadership of the DeWinter Group’s accounting, finance, human resources, information technology, marketing, legal, and administrative functions. Mike still resides in the heart of Silicon Valley with his loving, patient wife of 25 years and two children. Like most Bay Area transplants, he brought with him his passion for East Coast sports and is often found watching the Redskins, Capitals, or Orioles games with friends. He has also come to love rooting for the Giants and spending time at the beach with his family. With one child attending the University of Michigan and another in their senior year of high school, he is currently open to ideas for hobbies as he braces for life as an empty nester. Get in touch with Mike to let him know your empty nester hobby ideas or to learn more regarding the DeWinter Group.

Born and raised in Northern California, David Sullivan graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting in 1995. Upon graduating, David joined Arthur Andersen’s audit team. In 2000, he transitioned into executive search, landing a role as Business Development Manager for Jefferson Wells International’s Chicago office. There, he was recognized for his efforts with the firm’s New Business Development Award for two consecutive quarters. In 2002, he returned to the Bay Area where he was offered a Business Development Manager role in Silicon Valley with a large, international accounting and finance search firm’s special project and high-level interim support division. Within 12 months, he was promoted to the Division Director of the San Jose office. David was consistently recognized for top production through the implementation of various strategic sales growth initiatives. including the office’s first Salaried Professional Services (SPS) program, which resulted in an increase in revenue margins that exceeded all other offices on the West Coast. David joined the DeWinter Group in 2008 to launch the company’s accounting and finance contract, contract to hire, and special projects division, DeWinter Consulting. Today, David serves as Partner & Executive Vice President, Consulting. In his role, he is responsible for overseeing the strategic growth of DeWinter Consulting, as well as the DeWinter Group’s various sales and business development initiatives. David currently volunteers for the Boys Team Charity’s, or BTC, Los Gatos Chapter, an organization dedicated to helping young boys develop philanthropic interests through volunteerism. In his free time, David devotes the majority of his time to his wife and two boys. He can commonly be found coaching soccer, basketball, baseball, and flag football games for his sons. He and his family enjoy skiing, attending live entertainment whether it be a band or theatre, and enjoying great food at many of the Bay Area’s best restaurants.

Don began his recruiting career over 20 years ago and joined DeWinter Group upon their launch in 2000. Today, he serves as a Partner for DeWinter Associates (DeWinter Group’s contingent search division). Don has expertise sourcing candidates for all levels of an organization and takes pride in the lasting partnerships he has built with Bay Area finance leaders. While he continues to work with individual professionals dispensing career guidance, he also enjoys consulting with companies on organizational development and process improvement projects to help CFOs grow and scale their business.

Don can leverage his extensive network of finance and accounting professionals to ensure the success of any search. With a singular commitment and nuanced approach, Don has successfully placed hundreds of professionals into roles they love.

Don is a family man and spends all his free time with his wife and three sons. He enjoys the local art and music scenes and is always open to receiving hiking or camping recommendations.

Originally from Los Angeles, Lexi Navarro is majoring in Finance from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. She has completed various internships on holiday breaks in the accounting and finance industry along with experience as a Casting Coordinator in Los Angeles. With her background in Finance, she decided to venture out to the recruiting world to enhance her knowledge base. Lexi joined the DeWinter Group as an Administrative Intern in September 2019.

Outside of work, Lexi dives into her creative side via painting, active side via hiking, and charitable side via volunteering for the Ronald McDonald Foundation.

Born and raised in the Bay Area, Denise began her career in the Accounting and Human Resources field over 15 years ago. Her role as Accounting & HR Manager encompasses all aspects of accounting and related tasks, as well as the administration of our new hire onboarding, employee benefit program, and 401K plan. She is based in our Campbell office and works closely and is committed to excellent service with our candidates and clients.

Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, skiing, biking, and spending time at her family cabin in Lake Tahoe.

Norma Sanchez graduated from San Francisco State University, majoring in Communications. Originally, her plan was to be in media as a TV host or news anchor; however, life took her down the accounting route. She started her career in accounts receivable and continued with accounts payable, totaling over 6 years of experience.

Her hands are full handling her 2 children. She loves the outdoors and spending time with family.

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Sarah Sachs moved to the Bay Area in 1997. After graduating high school, Sarah attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. She began her career in staffing in 2012 working with a large, publicly-traded recruitment firm. For the last several years, Sarah has worked with a variety of boutique companies across the Bay Area to build and manage their recruiting teams.
At the DeWinter Group, Sarah will focus her efforts on managing and streamlining internal recruitment efforts as the company continues to expand their footprint across the Bay. Her proven experience recruiting for high performing teams have enabled her to continuously excel and generate lasting relationships.

Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with family and friends, relaxing at the beach, living an active life, cooking, drinking all the delicious wine the Bay has to offer, and traveling.

A Bay Area native, Nelly is currently completing her Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Studies with a minor in Global Leadership and Innovation at San Jose State University. She joins the DeWinter Group as an Administrative Intern in Silicon Valley, supporting the DeWinter Group's recruiters and sales professionals throughout their recruitment efforts. In her free time, she enjoys dancing to Latin music, going on hikes, and traveling to tropical locations.

An East Bay native, Josie Barsi graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Santa Clara University. During her undergraduate career, she had two very valuable internships: working as a marketing and communication intern at T&G Global in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand and working as a bridal consultant intern at Kleinfeld Bridal in New York. Her love for working with people was what attracted her to the recruiting world. Josie joined the DeWinter Group’s Internal Operations team as an Internal Sourcer in September 2019.

Outside of work, Josie loves exploring the Bay Area and spending time with her family and friends. In her spare time, she also volunteers for Father Frank’s Kids.

Originally from the Philippines, Ivee Bruce moved out to the Bay Area in 2000 after she graduated from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. Ivee started off her career in a Big 4 accounting firm as a Staff Auditor, earning her CPA in 2006. She was introduced to the DeWinter Group in 2007, continuing consulting work in SEC Reporting and Revenue for various clients before converting full-time to DeWinter Group as a Senior Accountant.

Outside of work, Ivee can most likely be found at The Bar Method in Campbell, either taking classes or volunteering her time at the front desk. She is a fanatic of barre studio workouts and always enjoys a good musical.

Originally from Seattle, Amy Ainsworth graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. She then relocated to the Bay Area in 2005 and started her career in Accounting and Finance at a Big 4 firm. Amy has management experience in various industries and joined DeWinter Group as VP of Finance in June 2019.

Outside of work, Amy spends most of her time with her family, a beautiful boy, and girl. She also attended Le Cordon Bleu when she lived in London and continues to pursue her love for pastries in her free time.

Originally from San Francisco, Margie Bernal earned her Bachelors of Science from California State University, Hayward. She is a seasoned accounting professional with over 15 years of experience, with an emphasis in Payroll and Accounts Payable. She has her payroll experience from Virgin America Airlines, Stanford University, and other various start-up companies.

Outside of work, Margie loves to spend time with her family and friends, whether it be a Lake Tahoe trip or enjoying a 49er game.

A Bay Area native, Kevin Rui graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce. After graduation, he took his first step into the Accounting world as an Auditor for a Big 4 firm out of their San Jose office. After 7 years in audit, Kevin moved on to a tech startup as their SEC Reporting Manager, working with them all the way to post-IPO. Kevin joined the DeWinter Group in August 2019 as our Controller.

Outside of work, Kevin enjoys staying active via a variety of activities: marathons, triathlons, biking, yoga, etc. During hockey season, you can catch Kevin rooting for the San Jose Sharks.

A Bay Area native, Kathryn Krueger graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She started her career in technical recruiting at a well-known recruiting firm in Sacramento, moving on internally to account management after a year. Kathryn was then given the opportunity to be an Account Manager in San Francisco, which she took up as well as branching off to a virtual recruiting role for their San Jose office. After 5 years, she was moved up to a VP of Delivery role, where she oversaw all account management efforts as well as recruitment strategies for a large healthcare provider. Kathryn joined DeWinter Group as VP of Internal Acquisition, Learning & Development in August 2019.

Outside of work, Kathryn has two kids that keep her busy. She stays active with a run in the morning but also tends to her sweet tooth with baking.

Originally from Virginia, Sara Sedlmeyer graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management. She is a PHR certified Human Resources professional with over 10 years of experience supporting both federal and commercial clients. Sara moved out to the Bay Area in 2018 and joined DeWinter Group in 2019 as Director of Human Resources Operations.

David began his professional career as a corporate banker with Union Bank in San Francisco. He later took management positions at HSBC and Sanwa Bank, where he specialized in international trade finance. Ten years ago, he started his recruiting career at a leading recruiting and staffing firm, where he helped pioneer the firm's senior–level finance and accounting consulting service in Silicon Valley. David is a graduate of Duke University, has a Master's degree from Stanford, and attended the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley.

Originally from San Jose, Vivien Trinh graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and concentrated in Human Resources and Management from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Throughout university, she was an active member of several organizations, including the business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi, where she worked as a Development Trainer for almost four years. Before graduating, she also joined a healthcare firm as a pro-bono consultant, where she was responsible for coordinating market research focus groups and analyzing survey data to develop a business framework for launching a new contraceptive. Throughout her undergraduate career, Vivien did freelance photography, where she worked on a variety of projects, from taking professional headshots to capturing life’s little moments. As Front Desk Administrator, Vivien is responsible for coordinating and supporting the day-to-day efforts of the San Francisco Office’s recruiters.

Outside of work, Vivien is always moving. She can often be found dancing, baking, strength training, watching basketball, or out taking photos to add to her photography portfolio.

A San Francisco native, Janny Lee graduated from San Francisco State University with dual Bachelor's Degrees in International Business and Chinese Language. During her undergraduate studies, Janny applied her academic studies to a year-long study abroad program in China, where she served as an Event Planning Intern with the world’s largest non-profit dedicated to workforce readiness and professional development for youth.

Outside of work, Janny volunteers for C.A.M.P San Francisco, a non-profit organization dedicated to youth development and engagement. She loves exploring the world in search of gorgeous sights, fantastic food, and awesome concerts.

Kit, born in Oakland and raised in San Jose, brings over 9 years of experience in administration, project coordination, and technical support. He’s self–motivated and driven to support executives of the firm as well as all internal staff. He is also a team–oriented worker who thrives under pressure and new challenges.

Allison Dugas, or Alli, graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2012 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Global Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, this yinzer began her career in account management and marketing with a boutique healthcare consulting firm, where she was responsible for East Coast sales and client engagement management. She joined the DeWinter Group’s Pittsburgh affiliate, Pinnacle Accounting and Finance, in 2014 as an Accounting and Finance Recruiter before being promoted to Manager of Business Development and Marketing. During her tenure at Pinnacle, she identified a huge opportunity to assist great executive staffing firms with communicating their message beyond traditional recruiting means. As a result, in November 2015, she left to start a boutique creative agency dedicated to improving the reach of executive staffing companies in local communities with Pinnacle’s support.
As of January 2019, Alli joins the DeWinter Group as the company’s Director of Marketing. She is responsible for working with our organization’s contract, direct hire, and retained search divisions to assist with improving each line of business’ footprint across the greater Bay Area.

In addition to her work at the DeWinter Group, Allison serves as the President to the Board of Directors for the Western Pennsylvania Healthcare Financial Management Association, an organization dedicated to providing ongoing education and networking opportunities for the greater Pittsburgh area’s healthcare financial executives. She also volunteers her time providing marketing support for the American Association of Finance and Accounting’s various social media and blogging efforts.