TEI at 75: Recognizing the Individuals, Departments, and Tax Systems We Serve Around the World.

• Author: Welch, Katrina

Happy seventy-fifth birthday, Tax Executives Institute!

This milestone in the evolution of TEI belongs to everyone associated with the Institute, and I am greatly honored and humbled to serve as your international president during TEI's seventy-fifth year.

Seventy-five years ago (August 8, 1944, to be exact), under the leadership of Paul Smith, TEI chartered its first chapter in New York to serve tax executives and the in-house tax profession. Three-quarters of a century later, TEI has grown from one chapter to fifty-seven, from fifteen members to over 7,000 across five continents, and has become--and remains without question--the preeminent association of in-house tax professionals worldwide. Our message of inclusiveness, as well as to connect, engage, and impact, resonates throughout the organization.

Celebrations, recognitions, and tributes of all types will occur over the coming months at every level of our organization. We will not only honor TEI's past and recognize our present but also spread the word about TEI's future, most notably to prospective members, the broader business and financial community, the media, academia, regulators, and policy makers around the world. Our celebration will culminate in New York City, with TEI's 75th Annual Conference, October 25-28, 2020.

TEI's milestone provides the context for my 2019-2020 goals, styled "TEI at Seventy-Five: Recognizing the Individuals, Departments, and Tax Systems We Serve Around the World," and allows me to pursue my personal and professional passion to help make TEI--in every way--a more diverse and inclusive organization.

In the coming year, we will take a detailed snapshot of the in-house tax professional community, including the structure and operation of the tax departments we work in, staffing needs, skills and capabilities, and technology, through TEI's 2019-2020 Corporate Tax Department Survey. The tax and business worlds have dramatically changed since our last detailed snapshot (2011-2012), and thus having an up-to-date picture of those we serve is important.

After two-plus years of diligence, consultation, and collaboration, two new membership categories have been approved and will be rolled out this fall. Now, students and associate members will be able to share in the richness of TEI's education, networking, and advocacy benefits as they progress toward regular TEI membership. This first-ever membership expansion reflects a careful balance of preserving and...