The Board of Directors of the Ideas x Innovation Network (i2n) met recently to appoint a new member: Samantha F. Musser, CPA, Partner at Stephano Slack. Samantha leads the outsourced accounting practice, recently rebranded as Stephano Plus. She brings a wealth of experience to help entrepreneurs and early-stage companies understand their financial condition and adopt strategies to scale and grow.
“i2n is all about helping young, innovative companies achieve their potential, and Samantha is a terrific addition to that mission,” says i2n co-chair and tech entrepreneur Guy Fardone. “We are thrilled to have her.”
“For me there is nothing more satisfying than helping a small company take off. i2n does important work for our region. These small companies today will be major employers and economic engines tomorrow, and I’m excited to play a more active part in it,” says Samantha. Among the topics she has assisted companies in the past year are navigating PPP loans, managing technical grants like SBIR and STTR, KIZ and R&D Tax credits, and implementing new accounting systems for high-growth companies.
“At i2n, we focus on giving entrepreneurs the guidance and resources they need to advance, whether it’s access to funding, workspace, strategy, or key connections. Samantha herself has that entrepreneurial spirit that is crucial to putting yourself in their shoes and finding creative ways to get things done. We are so glad to have her to help us build stronger programs and make our region the best place possible for startups,” says Patrick Hayakawa, VP at CCEDC and i2n director.
Samantha began her career with Stephano Slack as a tax intern before graduating from Philadelphia University with a B.S. in Accounting and Finance, then went on to earn her CPA and gain experience in tax and non-profit audits. She spent over two years as a Controller in private industry, helping run a family-owned business before she returned to Stephano Slack. Samantha spends her free time with her husband & two kids at home in Berks County or taking weekend beach excursions along the East Coast. She also serves as a point-person for Upstart, a virtual incubator at the University of Pennsylvania.