MassCPAs Women to Watch Award Winners
August 20, 2024
MassCPAs is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Women to Watch Awards, recognizing outstanding women in the accounting profession. The awards are given in two categories, Emerging Leaders (professionals with fewer than 15 years of experience) and Experienced Leaders (professionals with 15 or more years of experience).
2024 Winners
Emerging Leaders
Alisha Crowley, CPA, MPAc
Principal
CLA
Alisha Crowley, CPA, MPAc, is a principal at CLA's Quincy office, bringing over 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She specializes in serving both nonprofit and for-profit organizations, including Skilled Nursing Facilities, Continuing Care Retirement Communities, Assisted Living Facilities and Home Health Care & Hospice Providers. Crowley’s technical expertise spans auditing and assurance services for healthcare organizations, HUD audits, tax services and reimbursement services. She is also an active member of MassCPAs' Young Professionals Committee and serves as a MassCPAs' Firm Ambassador.
Sophia Elton, CPA
Senior Audit Associate
KPMG LLP
Sophia Elton, CPA, is a senior audit associate at KPMG LLP, specializing in financial services with a focus on real estate and asset management. Since joining KPMG in 2021, she has actively contributed to both the firm and the accounting profession. Her involvement with MassCPAs spans over two years, during which she has led membership nights with the Celtics and Red Sox, promoted the benefits of membership to junior professionals and mentored students through various programs. Elton is also deeply committed to community service, serving as KPMG Boston’s team captain for the Boston Children’s Hospital walk, volunteering with Heading Home and supporting veterans through KPMG’s Veterans Business Resource Group. Additionally, she serves on the board of the Educational Foundation for MassCPAs, where she helps raise scholarship funds. Within KPMG, her leadership is evident as a member of the Boston Associates Council and through her participation in a firm-hosted DEI conference, which inspired her to engage more junior staff in firm initiatives.
Lauren Foley, MSA
Senior Associate
Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.
Lauren Foley, MSA, is a senior associate at Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. (MBK), where she plays a pivotal role in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial information for clients as the leader of review and compilation engagements. She develops and implements comprehensive tax training programs and serves as a mentor to tax interns, helping them navigate the complexities of tax principles and their professional development. Foley is also a leader in business development, driving new opportunities and contributing to MBK's thought leadership initiatives. Her active involvement with MassCPAs includes serving as a member on the Young Professionals Committee, representing MBK at industry events, speaking on outreach panels and earning the Thought Leader Award at MBK for her published articles. Additionally, Foley is deeply committed to community service, participating in various outreach programs and leading initiatives for numerous local organizations. Her leadership within MBK extends to workplace improvements, where she mentors junior accountants, contributes to process enhancements and promotes ethical standards within the accounting profession.
Kacie McManus, CPA
Associate Principal, Forensic Services
Charles River Associates
Kacie McManus, CPA, is an associate principal of forensic services at Charles River Associates where she tackles complex investigative and compliance matters, including forensic accounting and data incident response. With significant experience in government-related issues such as SEC and DOJ investigations, as well as white-collar crime, she has worked across diverse industries including higher education, pharmaceuticals and financial services. At CRA, McManus excels in leading staff training programs, managing recruitment and onboarding and fostering a collaborative environment. As a co-leader of the Women of CRA committee, she advocates for inclusivity and supports the advancement of women in the profession. Her dedication is also evident in her active roles with MassCPAs, where she co-leads the Litigation Consulting and Business Valuation Committee and contributes to the Women’s Committee, showcasing her commitment to enhancing the accounting field and developing future professionals.
Experienced Leaders
Tracy Noga, PhD, CPA
Professor and Accounting Department Chair
Bentley University
Tracy Noga, PhD, CPA, is a professor and accounting department chair at Bentley University where she oversees all aspects of the department, including faculty, staff and students, while teaching graduate-level taxation courses. Her career is distinguished by innovative teaching and significant scholarly contributions, earning accolades such as the American Accounting Association Innovation in Accounting Education Award. Noga has also served on the MassCPAs Educational Foundation Board, managing scholarships for accounting students, and established key programs at Bentley, including the Advanced Standing in Accounting Program and the Becker CPA Review. Her dedication to community service is evident through her organization of free tax workshops and engagement with local organizations. Her leadership is further exemplified by her creation of the new ESG minor and her receipt of prestigious awards, including the Bentley University Adamian Award for Excellence in Teaching and the MassCPAs' Outstanding Educator Award.
Carol Ruiz, CPA
Partner
PwC LLP
Carol Ruiz, CPA, is a partner at PwC LLP with over 20 years of experience in audit and advisory services, specializing in the health industries sector. At PwC, she leads audit engagements, enhances audit quality and contributes to thought leadership publications. Ruiz is also an active participant in diversity initiatives as a PwC Diversity Partner Champion and a leader in PwC’s National Latino Inclusion Network. She has served on the MassCPAs board for five years, including roles such as vice-chair and audit committee chair, and is recognized for her community engagement, including financial literacy programs and volunteer work with bilingual students. Her leadership extends to mentoring underrepresented staff through PwC’s Thrive program and facilitating DEI discussions. Ruiz’s contributions have been acknowledged with awards such as the ALPFA Rising Stars Award and recognition during Women’s History Month by Accounting+ social media channels.
Jamie Tong-Chow, CPA
Audit Shareholder
tonneson + co
Jamie Tong-Chow, CPA, is an audit shareholder at tonneson + co with over 23 years in public accounting, specializing in employee benefit plan audits and standardizing workpapers for efficiency. She is actively involved with MassCPAs, serving as co-chair of the ERISA Committee and participating in the Women in Accounting Committee and Women’s Mentor Circle meetings. She is a notable advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), chairing the Geneva Group International DEI Special Interest Group and leading Tonneson’s DEI Committee. Tong-Chow's community service includes volunteering for local food pantries and nonprofit organizations, and she mentors first-generation college students through CareerSpring. Her leadership at Tonneson includes driving DEI initiatives, enhancing business development and improving the recruiting process. Her contributions have also been recognized through various platforms, including her participation as a panelist in DEI webcasts and speaking engagements at global conferences.
About the Woman to Watch Awards
The Women to Watch Awards were created by the AICPA to recognize outstanding women in the accounting profession and are given in two categories: Emerging and Experienced Leaders.
Criteria for nominations included:
- Mentoring of other professionals
- Leadership or involvement in workplace initiatives and improvements
- Overall contributions to the profession and workplace
- Public or community service
- Involvement with their alma mater or other colleges and universities
Previous Women to Watch Awards Winners:
2023
Emerging Leaders
- Sandra Balogun, CPA, Audit and Assurance Senior, Deloitte LLP
- Jessica Greene, CPA, MSA, Governmental Manager, Powers & Sullivan, LLC
- Amanda Pelcher, CPA, Owner and Financial Consultant, Three-Kay Consulting, LLC
- Carolyn Warger, CPA, Partner, Accounting Principles Group, Grant Thornton LLP
Experienced Leaders
- Jessica Clancy, CPA, Managing Director, tonneson + co
- Courtney McFarland, CPA, MSA, 340B ACE, Partner, AAFCPAs
- Kathy Parker, CPA, Principal. BerryDunn
2022
Emerging Leaders
- Kayla Ducharme, CPA, Audit Manager, Audit Asset Management Practice, KPMG LLP
- Marni Kaufman, CPA, CFE, ABV, Senior Manager, Floyd Advisory LLC
- Madison Litwin, CPA, MBA, MST, Senior Manager, Private Client Services Group, KLR
- Ashley Meehan, CPA, MSA, Assurance Manager, CohnReznick LLP
Experienced Leaders
- Janine Danielson, CPA, Partner, Managing Director of Outsourced Management Accounting, LGA, LLP
- Nicole Florian-Theriaque, CPA, MSA, Audit Senior Manager, Wolf & Company, P.C.
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Merrill Puopolo, CPA, CGMA, CGMA, Managing Director, CBIZ & MHM
2021
Emerging Leaders
- Hillary Caplan, CPA, Assurance Manager, CohnReznick
- Shanikwa Davis, CPA, MST, MSA, Senior Tax Advisor and Principal, S. Davis Tax Consultants, Inc.
- Meredith Fuller, Senior Manager, Baker Newman Noyes
- Krista Huebner, CPA, MSA, Senior Manager, EY
Experienced Leaders
- Erin Coco, CPA, Audit Shareholder, tonneson + co
- Donna Roundy, CPA, Senior Manager, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.
- Leanne Scott, JD, LL.M. Senior Manager, Baker Newman Noyes
2020
Emerging Leaders
- Cheryl Cadle, CPA, MBA, Senior Manager, CBIZ & MHM
- Chelsea Cox, MSA, Senior Associate, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.
- April Gjoka, CPA, CCMP, Experienced Manager, Grant Thornton LLP
- Caroline Waweru, CPA, MBA, MSA, Senior Tax Manager, Stone & Company, LLC
Experienced Leaders
- Tarra Curran, CPA, MST, Managing Director, CBIZ & MHM
- Kristi Reale, CPA, CVA, Partner, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.
- Katie Soule, CPA, CFP, Wealth Management Advisor, Merrill Lynch
2019
Emerging Leaders
- Rebecca Connolly, CPA, Manager, Burkhart, Pizzanelli, PC
- Danielle Donovan, CPA, MSA, Supervisor, Walter & Shuffain, P.C.
- Kristen Longobardi, CPA, Audit & Assurance Manager, Deloitte & Touche LLP
Experienced Leaders
- Mon Chau, CPA, Partner, investment management practice, Deloitte & Touche LLP
- Laura McNeil, CPA, Tax Partner, PwC
- Laura O'Brien, CPA, MST, Principal, ALL CPAs
- Amy Phelan, CPA, Shareholder, tonneson + co
2018
Emerging Leaders
- Angela H. Barcelos, CPA, Partner, Corporate Finance Group, Inc (CFGI)
- Maura S. Hodge, CPA, Audit Partner, KPMG LLP
- Tracy A. LeMaire, CPA, MBA, Manager, AAFCPAs
Experienced Leaders
- Jessica T. Ackerman, CPA, Audit & Assurance Managing Director, Deloitte & Touche LLP
- Cheryl M. Burke, MBA, Partner and Chief Operating Officer, DGC (DiCicco, Gulman & Company)
- Janice O'Reilly, CPA, CGMA, Partner, AAFCPAs
- Jane Steinmetz, Boston Office Managing Principal, EY
2017
Professional Associate Leader
- Casey J. Blake, Marketing Manager, Edelstein & Company LLP
Emerging Leaders
- Sandra E. Costa, CPA, Assurance Senior Manager, PwC
- Laura L. Felice, CPA, CGMA, SVP Finance, Controller, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc.
- Sarah E. Shaw, CPA, Tax Senior Manager, RSM
Experienced Leaders
- Jennifer L. Gaudet, CPA, Partner, PwC
- Julie M. Quink, CPA, CFE, Managing Principal, Burkhart, Pizzanelli, P.C.
- Jennifer C. Williams, CPA, MBA, Partner, Director of Operations, McLaren & Associates CPAs, PC
2016
Emerging Leaders
- Jeanie I. Gorlovsky-Schepp, CPA, Manager, AAFCPAs
- Laura J. Gregoriadis, CPA, Principal, DiCicco, Gulman & Company
- Jessica Platt, CPA, MST, Principal In Charge - New Bedford, CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP
Experienced Leaders
- Pamela Kelleher, CPA, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP
- Zara Muradali, CPA, MST, Life Science Partner, Business Tax Services, KPMG LLP
- Linda M. Smith, CPA, Managing Partner, Smith, Sullivan and Brown, PC
2015
Emerging Leaders
- Melyssa Brown, CPA, MBA, Senior Manager, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.
- Lynne Coviello, Partner, Advisory Services, EY
- Kara Stevens, CPA, MBA, Director, Accounting Programs & Assistant Professor of Accounting, Bay Path University
Experienced Leaders
- Theresa Brockelman,CPA, Audit Partner, Deloitte
- Catherine Latham, CPA, MBA, Shareholder, CBIZ Tofias
- Margery Piercey, CPA, CGMA, Member of the Firm, Wolf & Company, P.C.
2014
Emerging Leaders
- Beza Asrat, CPA, supervisor, Abrams Little-Gill Loberfeld PC
- Katie J. Belanger, CPA, audit manager, Alexander Aronson Finning CPAs
- Yolanda Rego, BS, BA, tax supervisor, Gonzalez & Associates, PC
Experienced Leaders
- Mellinda Abbott, CPA, MBA, managing partner, Abbott & Company LLC
- Shay M. Blanchette-Proulx, CPA, lecturer, Babson College
- Kristin D'Ambrosio, CPA, assurance partner, financial services practice, PwC
2013
Emerging Leaders
- Karen Briggs McElroy, CPA, senior manager, Deloitte & Touche LLP
- Kristie Cotter, CPA, manager, Samet and Company PC
- Kathy Parker, CPA, partner, Rodman & Rodman, PC
Experienced Leaders
- Renee Davis, CPA, partner, Powers & Sullivan, LLC
- Kristin Kelley, CPA, MST, director, Abrams Little-Gill Loberfeld PC
- Carla McCall, CPA, CGMA, co-president, Alexander Aronson Finning CPAs
2012
Emerging Leaders
- Annie Boudreau, CPA, Grant Thronton LLP
- Colleen Dowd, CPA, PwC
- Angela Parziale, CPA, MST, Walter & Shuffain
Experienced Leaders
- Nancy Aubrey, CPA, McGladrey LLP
- Susan Klink, CPA, Deloitte
- Michelle Spriggs, CPA, MBA, CBIZ Tofias and Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C.
2011
Emerging Leaders
- Roberta Chirco, CPA, CCR
- LeeAnn Manning, CPA, Grant Thornton
Experienced Leaders
- Laura Barooshian, CPA, DiCicco, Gulman & Company
- Marla Beck, CPA, CCR
- Kristin Francisco, CPA, PwC
2010
Emerging Leaders
- Jackie Kelley, CPA, CCR LLP
- Marissa O'Connor, CPA, Grant Thornton LLP
- Erin Regan, CPA, Deloitte
Experienced Leaders
- Lillian Gonzalez, CPA, MST, CSEP, CSRP, Gonzalez & Associates PC
- Kristina Houghton, CPA, Meyers Brothers Kalicka PC
- Kim Reinert, CPA, Ernst & Young LLP
2009
Emerging Leaders
- Rachael Bradley, CPA, PwC
- Hillary Burr, CPA, Wolf & Company PC
- Kristin Costa, CPA, Braver PC
Experienced Leaders
- Krissy Davis, CPA, Deloitte
- Susan Esper, CPA, Deloitte