By Samantha Friedlan, MBA, CFE
Prescott has always been a place where people still believe in community, where business owners know their customers, students know their professors, and neighbors still show up for each other. When I moved here and joined Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, I quickly realized that success in Prescott is not defined only by professional achievement. It is defined by service, relationships, and impact.
I serve as the Program Chair and a Professor for the Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. My work focuses on teaching students how to investigate financial crimes, analyze complex data, and protect organizations from fraud. Before coming to Prescott, I spent over a decade working in government auditing and fraud investigations, including directing audits protecting billions in public pension assets and participating in criminal fraud cases.
What makes Prescott special is that education here does not stay inside the classroom. Our students work on real-world case studies with professionals from federal agencies and local organizations. I frequently partner with community members, local businesses, and law enforcement professionals to provide students with hands-on investigative experiences. These opportunities help students not only build careers but also remain in Arizona, strengthening our local workforce and economy.
Prescott has allowed me to publish and speak nationally about fraud prevention and artificial intelligence in financial investigations, while still staying deeply connected locally. My research and writing on AI-driven fraud detection aim to help Arizona businesses prevent losses and protect employees and customers. But what matters most to me is applying those ideas right here, helping local organizations understand risks, strengthening ethical business practices, and mentoring the next generation of professionals who will serve our community.
The women of Prescott are entrepreneurs, educators, healthcare providers, and public servants. We are building careers while raising families, volunteering in schools, and supporting local charities. I have found that Prescott is a place where professional women genuinely support one another, sharing opportunities, encouraging leadership, and celebrating each other’s success.
For me, success is not a title or an award. It is seeing former students return to Prescott as professionals, hearing from local businesses that they feel more protected, and knowing the work we are doing contributes to a stronger, more ethical community.
Prescott is not just where I work. It is where I have built partnerships, friendships, and a purpose, and I am proud to be part of the women helping this community thrive.