2024 Women to Watch Award Winners
Started in 2010, the FICPA Women to Watch Awards were created to focus on the outstanding women who not only shape the Florida Institute of CPAs, but also the profession. The Women to Watch Awards were created by The American Institute of CPAs to recognize outstanding women in the accounting profession and are given in two categories:
Experienced Leaders: A woman who has advanced to a higher level or leadership position within her profession. Titles include, but are not limited to, partner, shareholder, owner, elected official or appointee, executive, etc. Characteristics include:
- Authorship of articles
- Major or unique contribution to the profession
- Public and/or community service
- Mentoring other professionals
- Improvement to the workplace
Emerging Leaders: A woman who has made significant contributions to the profession and her community, but who has not yet reached the highest levels of advancement. The candidate should be licensed less than 10 years as of July 1st of the current FICPA fiscal year. Typical roles include business owners, sole proprietors, and small firm principals. Characteristics include:
- Public and/or community service
- Demonstration of leadership
- Contribution to the profession
- Creation and implementation of unique initiative(s)
- Involvement with alma mater or other local colleges and universities
Nominees must be a CPA and a member of both the FICPA and the AICPA
Congratulations to all our 2023 nominees
Experienced Leaders
- JoAnn Ackerman, Lecturer, Nova Southeastern University
- Sharon Bradley, Partner, Daszkal Bolton LLP
- Kathleen Braica, Client Partner, Anchin Private Client
- Laura Chirichigno, Founder & Principal, EllentonCPA
- Ashlie Forum, Partner, Marcum
- Vivian Gant, Audit Partner, De La Hoz, Perez & Barbeito, PLLC
- Katie Gilden, Partner/COO, Fiske & Company
- Marena Loeffler, Owner, Allure International Tax Consulting
- Barbara Nooney, Partner, Flavin, Nooney, & Person
- Cristina Osgood, Tax Practice Leader, BDO USA, PC
- Leslie Welsh, Principal Owner, Leslie Welsh CPA, Inc.
Emerging Leaders
- Katie Carabeo, Assurance Manager, RSM US LLP
- Neemie Chery, Senior Client Accounting Advisor, PYA
- Karol Haugan, Manager, Withum
- Tyler Heckman, Partner, Flavin, Nooney & Person
- Jennifer Keller, Senior Tax Manager, Crowe LLP
- Dena Landress, Senior Assurance Associate, RSM
- Leah Lewis, Partner, Blue Heron CPAs
- Emily Ray, Mergers & Acquisitions Tax Manager, RSM
- Savannah Snow, Associate Director, Berkowitz Pollack Brant
- Carmen Velasquez, Partner/Shareholder/Owner, Tapia, Rojas, & Associates, PA
- Alex Welsh, Staff Consultant, A-Lign
- Katelyn Wonsock, Supervising Senior, Carr, Riggs, & Ingram LLC
Women's Leadership Committee
The Women's Leadership Committee promotes the growth, advancement and recognition of women in the accounting and finance profession through professional development, mentoring and recognition through the Women to Watch awards.
The Committee objectives include:
- Develop, advance, and recognize woman CPAs.
- Develop and host the Women in Leadership Summit at the FICPA Mega Conference that provides practical information and enhances leadership skills for development and growth.
- Promote, administer and presents the FICPA Women to Watch Awards.
- Develop and enhance the website with resources that support women initiatives.
Meet the Women in Leadership Committee Members
Previous Award Winners
2023 Experienced Leader
Marie Rosier, MMR, CPA
MMR Certified Public Accounting
2023 Emerging Leader
Elizabeth Jackson
Manager, RSM US LLP
2022 Experienced Leader
Jodi M. Malis, CPA, CGMA, Hancock Askew & Company, LLP
2022 Emerging Leader
Veronica Larriva, CPA McHale, P.A
2021 Experienced Leader
Genevieve Hancock
2021 Emerging Leader
Rummesa Abar
2020 Experienced Leader
Karen Lake
2020 Emerging Leader
Kathryn Horton
2019 Experienced Leader
Wendy Y. Terry
2019 Emerging Leader
Gretel Perez
2018 Experienced Leader
Jamie Campbell
2018 Emerging Leader
Amanda Porupski
2017 Experienced Leader
Gail Markham
2017 Emerging Leader
Caridad Vasallo
2016 Experienced Leader
Debbie Leonard
2016 Emerging Leader
Natasha Novikov
2015 Experienced Leader
Susan Thompson
2015 Emerging Leader
Amanda Bonifay
2014 Experienced Leader
Sheri Schultz
2014 Emerging Leader
Allison Harrell
2013 Experienced Leader
Karen Mosteller
2013 Emerging Leader
Stephanie Martin