FROM OUR CHAIR
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Becoming a CPA requires perseverance, preparation, and resources. Each year, we meet students and early-career professionals who’ve made a clear decision to pursue this path. They bring discipline, ambition, and purpose. Too often, what stands in their way isn’t ability but access to the right support at the right time.
Supporting this mission is personal to me. At a pivotal moment in my own journey, a scholarship from the CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois made all the difference. It covered my exam fees, gave me space to focus on studying, and reminded me that others believed in my future. That support helped launch my career, and the generosity behind it continues to shape how I lead today.
This year marked an important evolution for the CPA Endowment Fund. We didn’t simply grow—we broadened who we can reach and how we can help.
Through your partnership, we expanded investment across the CPA pipeline by launching new community college scholarships, increasing CPA exam awards, and strengthening career readiness programs. More individuals received timely assistance, and fewer qualified candidates went unsupported.
Your role as donors, mentors, and partners makes a meaningful difference. You help create opportunities for talented individuals, like Izzy, to keep moving forward. Together, we’re helping ensure the path to CPA licensure remains accessible and attainable for those ready to pursue it.
Thank you for your continued commitment to this work.
Sincerely,
Jason Parish, CPA Chair, CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois Partner, Prosperity Partners
OPPORTUNITY IN ACTION
Behind every scholarship is a story of determination, resilience, and future impact. Meet a student whose life and career path was shaped through donor support.
Iscleiry “Izzy” Pujols
When a professor described accounting as “the language of business,” Izzy discovered a profession that immediately captured her interest. As a first-generation college student, she faced challenges that could have derailed her plans, including financial barriers that threatened to put her future goals out of reach.
Through her campus accounting club, Izzy connected with Illinois CPA Society staff and became a Mary T. Washington Wylie Internship Preparation Program scholar. With support from CPA Endowment Fund donors, she has remained on track toward her goals, completed internships with Big Four firms, and grown into a student leader on her campus.
Today, Izzy sees a future filled with possibility and credits the scholarships, mentorship, and career development opportunities she received along the way for helping make that future possible.
From Classroom to Credential to Career
CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois initiatives support aspiring CPAs at every stage of their journey, from early awareness and college success to CPA exam completion and career launch. Together, these efforts support individuals who bring talent, determination, and clear professional goals, while navigating potential challenges along the way.
Your Support Reaches:
• Students balancing work, school, and financial pressures
• First-generation college students navigating unfamiliar systems
• Career-changers taking bold steps toward new futures
• CPA candidates in the final stretch who can’t afford to slow down
• Emerging professionals building confidence, networks, and workplace skills
• High-potential talent whose progress could stall without timely support
By pairing financial assistance with practical guidance, mentorship, and career readiness programming, donors help ensure that cost, timing, and access don’t derail promising futures.
CPA Exam Award Program
This program supports individuals at one of the most critical and financially burdensome stages of their CPA journey. By this point, candidates have already invested years of time, effort, and significant educational expense. Yet, exam-related costs are often paid entirely out of pocket and arise just as many are preparing to transition into full-time careers.
Recipients of these awards are already committed to licensure. These $1,000 scholarships help ensure financial barriers don’t interrupt progress during the final stretch, allowing candidates to move forward with focus and confidence.
Despite expanded funding this year, demand for these scholarships continues to exceed available resources. The ultimate goal is to provide this support for every qualified, motivated candidate, underscoring the importance of sustained donor investment.
As a first-generation Latina student, I’ve balanced my education with helping support my family, making the cost of the CPA exam a real barrier. I’ve seen firsthand how lack of access to financial knowledge and trusted, bilingual advisors impacts communities. This scholarship allows me to stay focused on earning my CPA so I can help low-income families and honor my parents’ sacrifice.
Ruby Hernandez CPA Exam Award Recipient
This scholarship has helped me stay on track toward earning my CPA while working at a small tax and bookkeeping firm that supports farmers and small business clients in a rural area. Earning my license will allow me to take on greater responsibility at my firm, which currently has only one CPA. After losing my father to illness, this support helped me regain momentum and remain committed to my goal of one day owning my own tax practice and serving rural communities.
Alex Olson
CPA Exam Award Recipient
Becoming a CPA is a goal I’m actively working toward, and your generosity makes it possible. I hope to serve my community as a member of my local school board and use my accounting knowledge to support informed financial decisions. Earning my CPA will help me grow professionally while upholding values of integrity, diligence, and service.
Ashley Fehr CPA Exam Award Recipient
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHTS
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHTS
Community College Scholarship Program
Community colleges are a vital entry point into the accounting profession. Many students are bright, focused, and motivated to build meaningful careers, yet often face financial and logistical barriers when transferring to four-year institutions. This program supports that critical transition, helping ensure talented individuals don’t miss opportunities due to limited access to resources.
Inspired by the leadership and lead investment of Kenton J. Klaus, CPA, and strengthened by a matching gift from the Debicki Foundation, this initiative helps students continue their education with momentum and confidence.
By recognizing both the promise these students bring and the barriers they face, donor support helps them complete their studies, transfer successfully, and continue toward CPA licensure.
As a first-generation college student, this $5,000 scholarship helped me toward my goal in becoming a CPA and eventually a CFO, using my skills to help immigrant and underserved communities make informed financial decisions. This scholarship eased my financial burden so I could focus on school, internships, and becoming a CPA.
Jakub Pulka Community College Scholarship Recipient
Future CPA Outreach Efforts
The CPA Endowment Fund also supports outreach efforts that introduce students to accounting careers and offer practical guidance on the path to becoming a CPA.
From high school classrooms to college campuses, these initiatives build early awareness, confidence, and informed decision-making. Through refreshed presentations, volunteer engagement, and growing partnerships with educators and institutions, we’re growing the reach and impact of these efforts across Illinois.
Before the presentation, the CPA process felt confusing with so much information to navigate. During the session, everything became clearer— the requirements were explained in a straightforward way, and I could ask questions in real time. I left with a clear understanding of my next steps and the confidence to move forward.
Ali Neziri
“Be a CPA” Presentation Attendee
“Having a practicing accounting professional speak to the class was incredibly valuable. Students were fully engaged, asked thoughtful questions, and truly valued the chance to interact with someone working in the field. The experience brought real world perspectives into the classroom and made future career paths feel exciting, tangible, and achievable.”
Ken Kreykes
Agricultural Finance and Economics Teacher, Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences
Legacy Funds
Named funds are powerful investments in students and the future of the profession. They provide lasting support for scholarships, licensure assistance, and career readiness programs while allowing donors to align their giving with personal values, professional priorities, and long-term impact. Establishing a named fund helps meet evolving needs today while creating legacy impact tomorrow.
We’re grateful for the partnership and purposeful investment reflected in the following named funds:
• Arthur R. Wyatt Accounting Scholarship Fund
• Edilberto C. and Carmelita M. Ortiz & Jovencio P. and Violeta R. Mangahas Future CPA Scholarship Fund
• Herman J. Neal Scholarship Fund
• James A. Sikich Visionary Scholarship Fund
• Jeanette M. Cochrane Memorial Fund*
• Kenneth J. and Jacqueline M. Hull Accounting Scholarship Fund
• Marian Powers Accounting Scholarship Fund
• Mary T. Washington Wylie Opportunity Fund
• Needles, Snow, Wish Accounting Scholarship Fund
• Surendra and Shanta Daga CPA Scholarship Fund
• Women’s Executive Committee Advancing Women in Accounting Scholarship Fund
*Expendable Named Fund
Marian Powers Accounting Scholarship Fund
This fund helps provide students with the essential technology needed to succeed in today’s academic and professional environments. Through this fund, students receive laptop scholarships that remove a critical barrier to progress and open the door to greater opportunity.
Reliable technology is no longer optional for college success. It’s essential for coursework, virtual learning, research, job applications, internships, networking, and CPA exam preparation. Yet, for many talented students, the cost of a dependable laptop is out of reach.
By meeting this practical and immediate need, the Marian Powers Accounting Scholarship Fund helps students stay engaged, build confidence, and fully participate in the opportunities that shape their futures. It’s a powerful investment in student success and the next generation of the profession.
Receiving a new laptop was life changing. Having reliable access to my own computer allows me to complete assignments on my schedule without relying on library computers or limited availability. It has lifted a significant weight off my shoulders, and I’m forever grateful for this support.
Kayla Franch
Marian Powers Accounting Scholarship Recipient
Participants also benefited from connection with a cohort of their peers facing many of the same early-career realities, creating a supportive environment for honest conversation, shared learning, and professional growth.
The Fellows Program reflects an ongoing commitment to strengthening the profession by investing in talent at a stage when support, perspective, and connection can make a lasting difference.
This program was incredibly valuable during my first years in the profession. Like many young professionals, I was learning how to manage deadlines, navigate change, and build confidence in the workplace. The monthly sessions gave me ideas I could apply right away, and hearing from others going through similar experiences made me feel less alone. I especially appreciated the guidance on adapting during career changes and using AI tools more effectively at work.
Osvaldo Ruiz
MTWW Fellows Program Participant
Future CPA Scholarship Funds
Through their named funds, Edilberto and Carmelita Ortiz, Jovencio and Violeta Mangahas, and Surendra and Shanta Daga have chosen to direct their support to the CPA Exam Award Program, recognizing the important role its scholarships play in helping candidates complete the final stage of the licensure journey—an important milestone that can also be financially demanding. United by a shared commitment to access and opportunity, these donors help ensure that capable, motivated candidates have the resources needed to keep moving toward licensure.
In the past year, Surendra and Shanta Daga provided an additional gift, allowing more scholarships to be awarded. Together, these funds continue to strengthen the final stretch toward CPA licensure by helping candidates take this step with confidence.
My goal of becoming a CPA is rooted in supporting my family during ongoing financial hardship, especially after my father’s stroke and medical bills. While participating in various internships and helping support my younger sisters, I’ve struggled to afford CPA exam materials. This scholarship creates an important opportunity for me to uplift my family and pursue leadership in the profession.
Alyssa Louise Geonanga Ortiz and Mangahas CPA Exam Award Recipient
Balancing full-time coursework with CPA exam preparation has been financially challenging, especially without a steady income. This scholarship eases that burden and allows me to focus on my studies with less stress. Earning my CPA represents confidence and a strong foundation for achieving my long-term career goals.
Olivia Sahana Dsouza
Surendra and Shanta Daga CPA Exam Award Recipient
NAMED FUND SPOTLIGHTS
Mary T. Washington Wylie Opportunity Fund
MTWW programs provide layered, long-term support by combining financial assistance with professional development, mentorship, and community. These initiatives are designed to help talented students and early-career professionals not only enter the profession but build confidence and thrive within it.
This year, the CPA Endowment Fund is especially grateful to the advisors for the Dempsey J. Travis Foundation for their major investment that significantly expanded scholarship support. This infusion of funding enabled broader baseline assistance for our program participants, along with additional scholarships for students demonstrating strong potential and financial need. Through this support, more talented individuals were able to continue moving forward with greater confidence, preparation, and momentum.
Internship Preparation Program
Completing the 14th year of this program is truly remarkable. This year, 39 students were prepared for success in the accounting workforce through intensive training, employer engagement, and financial support. All participants received scholarships, with higher amounts provided based on engagement, potential, and financial need.
The program continues to help students strengthen their professional presence, build confidence, and compete more effectively for internships that often serve as the first step toward long-term career success. And, as hiring timelines and internship opportunities continue to shift nationally, the program has adapted by adding more meaningful touchpoints, expanding job search support, and increasing scholarship access to meet students where they are today.
This program gave me access to career resources I had previously struggled to find. As a low-income, first-generation college student, I really valued the scholarship, mentorship, LinkedIn guidance, and networking opportunities. I gained a clearer understanding of how to position myself for success. This program strengthened my confidence and gave me practical tools I can carry into internships and future opportunities.
Mahnoor Fatani
MTWW IPP Participant
Fellows Program
The Fellows Program supports early-career accounting and finance professionals as they navigate the transition from college into the workforce. Through personalized mentorship, skills development, and a strong peer network, participants gained structure, clarity, and professional confidence during a pivotal stage.
During the past calendar year, 23 participants completed this yearlong program, engaging in monthly sessions focused on both timely and foundational workplace topics. Programming included managing busy season expectations, work-life harmony, navigating layoffs and career transitions, and using artificial intelligence (AI) strategically to enhance productivity while maintaining professional judgment.
ASPIRING CPA SPOTLIGHTS
When I transitioned from community college to a four-year university, this scholarship helped me gain an internship opportunity early on in my journey to an accounting major. Receiving a laptop allowed me to apply more broadly, build my network, and continue advocating for myself as I work toward a career in public accounting.
Yuma Yoshioka
MTWW IPP & Marian Powers Accounting Scholarship Recipient
“Raised in an immigrant household, I saw the transformative power of the CPA profession through my mother, who immigrated from Pakistan and earned her CPA while pregnant and caring for an infant. Her perseverance and success in public accounting embody the American dream and inspire my own path. This internship opportunity allows me to honor her legacy as I work toward becoming a CPA and building a career rooted in resilience and excellence.
Maryam Kahn Academic Scholarship Recipient & Student Influencer
Coming from an immigrant family has shaped my perspective and drive. My parents arrived in the U.S. with very little and built a life that allows my siblings and me to pursue higher education. Witnessing their sacrifices, and losing my grandfather during the war in Ukraine, reminds me how fragile opportunity can be. I never take this moment for granted, and I am committed to making the most of every opportunity placed before me.
Arthur Glinkin Academic Scholarship Recipient
My passion for accounting was inspired by my grandfather, who came to the U.S. from Mexico and built a successful construction business that created opportunity for our family. As a woman of color pursuing a career in business, I’m excited to bring fresh perspectives and serve as a role model for those who follow. This scholarship reminds me that I’m one step closer to achieving my dream and fuels my motivation to make the most of every opportunity ahead.
Mia Medina Freshman Scholarship Recipient
“Working multiple jobs kept my debt low, but graduate school and CPA exam costs were overwhelming. Your generosity eased that pressure and helped me stay focused on becoming a CPA. My goal is to advance into senior leadership, specialize within my field, and give back to others along the way.
Brock Krska Academic Scholarship Recipient
My mother’s journey as a single immigrant parent from Honduras has shaped my resilience and determination. As the first in my family to enter the profession, this scholarship motivates me to continue striving toward my long-term goal of using my accounting skills to promote financial literacy and support communities like the one I grew up in.
Erica Oversen Advancing Women in Accounting Scholarship Recipient
SPOTLIGHTS
OUR SUPPORTERS
We’re grateful to the individuals, firms, and foundations whose investments sustain this work. Annual giving, named funds, and partnerships collectively ensure that support is available when it matters most.
Special thank you to the Dempsey J. Travis Foundation for their generous donation of $235,600.
President’s Pavers
$20,000 - $25,000
The Estate of Lee Gould
Joan Moore
$10,000 - $15,000
Debicki Foundation
Deloitte Services LP
Forvis Mazars LLP
Illinois CPA Society
Kenton Klaus
$5,000 - $9,999
Baker Tilly
Citrin Cooperman
Mardel Graffy
Miller Cooper
Charitable Foundation
Jason Parish
Topel Forman LLC
The Villinski Family
Wipfli
$500 - $999
Anonymous
Michael Amoroso
Gary Anetsberger
Kimi Ellen
Anthony Fuller
Maggie Hein
JFB Tax Consulting LLC
Lisa & Mike Kelly
Wendy Kelly
Kenneth & Kathleen Naatz
Laura Naples
Girlie O’Donoghue
Gilda & Jeffrey Priebe
Elizabeth Roghair
Warren Stippich
Marites Sy
Michael Wenzel
Mark Wolfgram
Andrea Wright
$250 - $499
Anonymous (3)
Brian Amoroso
Jon & Katie Assell
Owen Bailitz
BDO USA LLP
George Boyle
(April 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026)
$2,000 - $4,999
Anonymous
Alverin M. Cornell Foundation
Brian Blaha
Jennifer Cavanaugh
Cameron Clark
Surendra & Shanta Daga
Mark Glochowsky
Geoff & Ginny Harlow
Scott Hurwitz & Kelly Austin
Illinois CPA Society
Women’s Committee
David & Darlene Landsittel
Sara Mikuta
Thomas Murtagh
Beth Pagnotta
Belverd Needles Jr. &
Marian Powers
Charlene Rhinehart
Jeffery & Julie Watson
Nancy Cash
Jerry Catalano
Brian Chapin
Christopher Daugherty
James Dolinar
Gary Genenbacher
Bill Graf
Gary & Carol Hart
Joshua Herbold
Bernard Hicks
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Jason Klein
Harry & Lisa Kramer
Jeffrey Krol
Lopez & Company
CPAs Ltd.
Meyer & Associates
CPA LLC
Paul Oetter
William O’Malley
Matthew Panzica
Amanda Pictor
Elizabeth Pittelkow Kittner
Jennifer Rada
Elizabeth Rosenthal
Richard Shapiro
Laurence Sophian
Claire Stevens
$1,000 - $1,999
Jonathan Acevedo
Brent Baccus
Wayne Barbier
Geoffrey Brown
Martrice Caldwell
Rose Cammarata
Amy Chamoun
Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC
CNA Insurance
Jan & Wayne Ebersberger
Lindy Ellis
Mary Fuller
Sandra Gentry
Lawrence Gill & Christine Albright
Jonathan Hauser
Sheldon Holzman
Jeffery & Stacy Janiak
Arla Lach
Jerry Turner
Richard Walden
Catherine Wasylenko
Stephanie Zaleski-Braatz
$100 - $249
Anonymous (11)
Rose Ann Abraham
Paul Alpern
Dawn Andrey
Gus Antonopoulos
Sanford Bokor
Basil Booton
Mark Broutman &
Sandra Simon
Michelle Carrothers
Margaret Cartier
Danielle Ciechanski
Kristi Corpin
Thomas Daniels
Peter & Barbara DeBerge
Pedro Diaz de Leon
Jim Dickey
Sharon Ferrin
Gary Fish
Zack Fortsch
Leslie Galiano-Sanchez
Judith Garber
Kathryn Garlow
Damien Martin
Lester McKeever, Jr.
Dorri McWhorter
Elizabeth Murphy
Prado & Renteria Foundation
Jennifer Roan
Deborah Rood
Walter Dane Roush
Scott Steffens
Myra Swick
Richard Tarapchak
Leslie Van Wolvelear
Kimberley Waite
Lawrence & Nancy Wojcik
Donna & Phillip Zarcone
Robert Gibson
Robert Grecco
Richard Gullang
Robert Hannigan
Monica Nicole Harrison
Gregory Hodits
Melvin Houston
Krista Kapsa
Thomas Kelly
Leynette Kuniej
Kathleen Lakowski
Kathy Larson Horton
Cheryl Laska
Margaret Lawlis
Anthony & Sara Leone
Glinda LoVerde
William Malsch
Randy & Hadrian Markowitz
Andrea McDermott
Joseph McDonnell
Terry Michaels
Nichole Miksa
David Murphy
John Norton
William O’Neill
Marianne Phelan
Ivory Pineda
Hugo Portales
Ernest Potter
Richard Rizzo
Laura Rodriguez
Jimmy Santor
Lissa Savage
Jeffrey Schroeder
Todd Shapiro
Christine Smith
Diane Sotiros
Matthew Spering
Marcy & Harry Steindler
Carl Swanson
Michael Tadla
Harlan Ten Pas
Robert Tuider
John Vant Hoff
James Winikates
DeLeon Wright
Kenneth Yu
Chan-Yu Wang
Julie Zielke
UP TO $99
Anonymous (6)
Timothy Abbott
Deborah Aboudara
Philip Achusim
Cameron Ackbury
Sandra Adam
John Adams
Kazeem Adedamola
Beatrice Adelakun
Keshav Agrawal
Naveed Ahmed
Jude Alagna
Omar Alaskari
John Albrecht
Mohammad Al-Dahleh
Michael Aleckson
Karin Alfors
Allin Alibegovic
Alonzo Allen
Terri Allen
Constantine Anagnostopoulos
Brett Anderson
Susan Anderson
Valerie Anderson-Jones
Telemahos
Andrianopoulos
Sandra Anglin-Caldwell
Ronnie Archie
Gregory Arnold
Sherry Ashcraft
Elaine Atristain
Robert Aument
Daniel Austin
Phillip Austin
Richard Ave
Maria
Donna Babarskis
Bolanle Babatunde
Janet Babbitt
Sarah Badamo
David Balderson
Maria Balita
Michael Bansley
Eugene Barinholtz
Gerardo Barron
Robert Barrows
Amarinder Bartkoske
Cynthia Bass
Teresa Baumgartner
Derrick Bay
Terence Bay
Charles Baygood
David Becker
Karl Becker
Michael Beesley
Sharon Behme
Bashir Bello
Curtis Bennett
Barbara Bereskin
John Berge
David Bergman
Paul Berley
Heather Birkett
Terry Bishop
Jonathan Blake
Carla Blanchard
Anna Bluhm
Howard Blumstein
Sarah Ann Bohnsack
Christopher Bokhart
Steven Bokiess
Ronald Borden
Kelly Borgardt
Gary Bowen
Vanessa Boykin
Thomas Breecher
James Brennan
Dominic Brisson
William Brock
David Broutman
Barbara Brown
Christopher Brown
Gregory Brown
Marcia Brown
Dale Brubaker
Victoria Bruno
William Bruno
Bryan Bruns
Matthew Bruns
Karla Bryk
Albert Buabeng
Lauren Buccola
Kymberly Buchanan
Elizabeth Buffardi
Tricia Buhrfiend
Loren Bult
Theresa Busker
Velma Butler
Claire Byrne
Nicholas Caccamo
Christopher Calabria
Mitzi Calhoon Moore
Patrick Callan
Charla Calmer
Christian Camarillo
Russell Cannizzo
Paul Caponigri
Dawn Carlson
Joseph Carroll
Theresa Carroll
Patrick Carter
Dominic Cascino
Joseph Castriano
Harry Cendrowski
Melissa Chankin
Daniel Charleston
Joseph Charneske
Harpreet Chawla
Jasdeep Chawla
Theresa Chen
Robert Chicoine
Hsia-Yu Chu
Marcel Chudoba
Marc Chudy
David Ciasto
Ted Cirals
Ryan Cislo
Susan Clarke
Ayala Clinkman
Douglas Close
Bridgett Coleman
Julian Coleman
Mary Collins
Richard Colombik
Kevin Conarchy
Patrick Condon
Bret Conklin
Joy Coombes
Jason Coon
Christian Cops
David Corradino
Louis Cosentine
David Costabile
Kenneth Coulter
Sheila Coyle
CPAfaye
Randall Crabtree
Paul Cronin
Thomas Cronin
Joann Cross
Sandra Crowe
Gerald Cukierski
Alan Cunningham
Kevin Currid
Harold Cutler
Andrew Dahle
Richard Dale
Angie Dallam
Christopher D’Andrea
Brian Daniell
Donald Danner
Lucy D’Avanzo
Brian Davidson
Mark Davis
Pablo de Leon
Ronald Dearman
Dennis Deeke
Charles Delahunt
Alicia Derrah
Patrick Desch
Wendy Diamond
Diehl & Co. LLC
Scot Dobbs
Deidra Doerr
Bruce Domash
Nancy Dombrowski
Brenda Douglass
Angela Dowell
Benjamin Drizin
Jeremy Dubin
Douglas Duffy
Gregory Dunham
Donald Duszynski
Donald Dvorak
Daniel Dwyer
Roger Dykstra
Ann Dzuranin
Joseph Dzurinko
William Eagan
Susan Eby
Terumi Echols
Jennifer Eddy
Norman Edelcup
Jonathan Eessalu
Rolf Eilhauer
Barton Eilts
Robert Eisenstadt
Timothy Elafros
Joe Elberts
Christopher Elder
Michael Emmert
Robert Engstrom
Susan Esa
Elizabeth Estrada
Gloria Evans-Melton
Wanda Evison
Cheryl Fabis-Allemand
Maurice Falcon
Ayodele Famewo
Teck Hwa Fang Yen
Michael Fehlen
Bradley Feitl
Thom Feldhacker
Sarah Ference
Megan Fergus
John Ferrentino
Cole Fisher
Stan Fisher
Robert Fitzjarrald
Sara Flaherty
Graciano Flores
Jacqueline Flores
Jere Fluno
Patrick Flynn
Jennifer Foley
Michael Fontana
Vincent Forgione
Linda Forman
Suzzanne Franz
Jacqueline Freeman
Martin Freeman
Jake Friedenfeld
Juan Fuentes Sierra
Richard Fugiel
Annette Fulcher
Vivian Funches
Robert Galante
Michael Gallimore
Norma Gamalinda
Maria Garcia
Lynda Garrison-Carlton
James Gavin
Jana Gehrke
Steve Gerol
Aaron Gertzen
Cali Geschke
Jason Ghera
Tracey Gibbons
Sidney Gilberg
Faye Gisi
Ben Golden
Matthew Golland
Alexa Gonzalez
Elva Gonzalez
Craig Gordon
Marla Gordon
Dennis Gorman
Ekaterina Gorzheltson
Phillip Goslawski
Ryan Goulding
David Govert
Susan Gray
Brad Greenberg
Jack Greenberg
Daniel Greenman
Gurinderpal Grewal
Michael Griffin
Jayda Grissett
Chad Grosam
Anita Grzebien
Andrew Gund
Michael Gurgone
Lucas Haase
Margaret Hacus
Harold Hale
Pauline Halgas
Kathleen Hamilton
James Hamlin
Georgann Hanna
Rebecca Hannan
Roger Hannan
Paul Hansen
Richard Hanson
Melissa Harden
Laura Hardy
James Hare
Dawn Harrelson
Norris Harstad
Patrick Hart
William Hartwig
Patsy Hasty
James Hatch
Larry Hau
James Haugh
Paul Hayden
Kevin Hayes
Paul Hecimovich
Joseph Heidbreder
Richard Heinz
Colleen Heitzler
Curtis Helwig
Gwendolyn Henry
Elizabeth Herbst
Michael Herman
Jessy Hernandez
Cheryl Hild
Joshua Hill
Keishee Hill
Alan Ho
Man Kit Ho
Rexesha Hollis
Eleonora Holmes
Russell Holmgren
Bradley Homan
Harold Hooks
John Hopkins
Michael Horst
Shawn Horwitz
Eric Hott
Forrest Howse
Robert Hriszko
Yongyi Huang
Joseph Hubbard
Vicki Hudson
David Hughes
Joseph Hughes
Ernest Huling
Melanie Hummer
Richard Hunt
David Hutchison
Robert Iannotta
Lois Iseminger
Kenneth Iwanicki
Kenyetta Jackson
Robert Jacobson
Stacey Jahnke
James Japczyk
Donna Jaslinska
Barbara Javorcic
Michael Jefvert
Mark Jewell
Saul Jimenez
Lori Johnson
James Johnston
Arpit Joshi
Paul Julien
David Jurcenko
Kaori Kameya
Trudie Kanter
Howard Kaplan
Edward Karasek
Robert Kavanaugh
Karl Keane
Brian Kearns
John Kellen
Timothy Kelly
Michael Kennelly
Chakyah Kessouagni
Martin Kicki
Danny Kiedaisch
Ross Kimmey
Jeffrey King
John Kintner
David Kipp
Thomas Kirn
Scott Klamm
Gary Kleinrichert
Diane Klocke
Donald Knorr
David Knutsen
Melissa Koehler
Chester Kolodziej
Lester Koryczan
James Kostrewa
Christina Kottoor
Judith Kreher
Michael Krol
Joseph Kula
William Kulanda
John Kulczewski
John Kustes
Phillip Labak
Radojka Lalich
Sarah Landeros
James Lang
Tina LangstonAndersen
Alexander Laskowski
Paul Lau
Steven Lavenda
Judy Lazik
Ciara Leahy
Alan Lee
Gilbert Lee
Shelly Lee
John LeMay
Arthur Lemke
William Lemna
Cindy Lepoudre
Debra Lessin
Stuart Levin
Fan Li
Michael Liccar
David Lilek
James Limna
Juiyuan Lin
Lin Lin
Caroline Linton
Ira Lipkin
Joel Litman
Mary Little
Brendan Loftus
Daniel Lorenty
Aerica Love
Robert Lowe
Hong Lu
Marian Luchechko
Eric Lundstrom
Hi Choi Ma
Brian Magnavite
Louis Mago
Linda Mahler
Michael Mahoney
Lauren Maier
Nicole Maimon
Daniel Maloney
Lawrence Manelis
Gregory Mannie
Daniel Marchetti
Norman Mareci
Jennifer Mark
Margaret Martin
Alexandro Martinez
Judy Mason
Kenneth Mason
Anthony Massaro
Stephen Mathias
Alan Maty
Philip Maughan
Catherine May
Adam Mayster
Joan Mazurek
William McAllister
Michael McCarthy
Steven McCoin
Andrew McCormick
Betty McCormick
Jeffrey McCutcheon
Rachael McEniry
Jessika McGarvey
Michael McGeever
Kyle McGinnis
Kathryn McIntyre
David McKeand
Danielle McMahon
Terence McMahon
James McPhedran
Nicholas Mechales
John Meister
Bruce Melling
Richard Meltzer
Kevin Merkell
Rebecca Mesplay
Kevin Metke
Leonard Metzl
Emmanuel Mijares
Glenn Mikell
Paul Millis
Charleen Mills
James Mitchell
Matt Mitzen
Ericka Mixon
Omar Mohammed
Bethaney Mojsoski
Robert Monahan
Cynthia Moody
Donna Moore
Sabrina Moore
Sydney Moore
Brian Moreth
Lyle Morris
Richard Morris
Robert Muange
Gregory Mudd
Carmen Mugnolo
Anne Mullen
Edward Nadler
Jeffrey Narcisi
Peggy Nasti
Kari Natale
John Naughton
Michael Nawrocki
Lawrence Neal
Leonardus Neggers
Roger Nelson
Brad Neuman
Gary Neumayer
William Newkirk
Jordan Nianick
Andrew Nichols
Matt Niemiec
Michelle Notini
Jerome Novotny
Armando Nuricumbo
Robert O’Brien
Isaiah Olmos
Olsen Accounting & Business Service Inc.
Karen Olson
Walter Olson
Wendi Olson Ramsay
Suet Ching Ong
Kirk Openchowski
Gerard Oprins
Vincent Osaghae
Barton Osher
James Osiol
Thomas Ottenhoff
Thomas Ouseph
David Paczak
Marline Pagan
Deborah Palmer
Martin Paltzer
Bruce Paradise
Kevin Parker
Thomas Parker
Jay Parsons
Wayne Parsons
Karl Pasker
Rob Pasquesi
Amy Patton
Whitey Patton
Dominic Pedota
Jonathon Peek
Lilia Pereira
Eduardo Perez
Floyd Perkins
Anthony Pescatore
Kenneth Peterson
Kurt Peterson
Laura Peterson
Sarah Peterson
Mary Pettey
Benjamin Pettie
Richard Pfleeger
Luke Phelan
Dana Phillips
David Piazza
Catherine Pickhardt
Samuel Pincich
William Pittman
Jason Pizza
Megan Pogue
Bruce Pollock
Martin Pomrehn
Rebecca Porth
David Post
Joshua Poucher Bellas
Rebecca Powell
Richard Powell
Lawrence Prazak
Lyle Prempas
Cheryl Presswood
David Pritsker
Clyde Proctor
Steve Ptasinski
Kyle Putnam
Joseph Quillin
Patricia Quinlan
Connor Quinn
Thomas Quinn
Farooq Rahman
Mohamed Razaq
Donna Rebeck
Richard Reck
Harvey Redfern
Jean Regan
Michael Regan
Philip Reid
Walter Rein
Marvin Reinglass
Hilda Renteria
Michael Rheintgen
Kathryn Rice
Robert Rich
Sherry Richard
Catherine Riddick
Rochelle Riffer
John Ritt
Elliott Robbins
Terry Robbins
Alan Robertson
Jack Robertson
Dennis Robin
Tyler Roesler
Bert Rosenberg
Nancy Ross
Linda Rossi
Michael Rubin
William Ruddy
William Rudolphsen
Lilla Runco
Robert Rush
Mark Rusiewski
Cliford Sakutukwa
Michael Saltzman
Alan Sanchez
J. David Sanner
J. Bradley Sargent
Milan Saric
Everett Sather
Mark Sauser
John Scanlan
Marvin Schaar
Michelle Scheffki
William Schirmang
Laurie Schmidgall
Martin Schmidt
Kurt Schneider
Mendel Schneider
Gregory Schroeder
Robert Schroeder
Kristin Schultz
John Schwager
Francine Schwartz
Robert Schwartzers
Victor Sciborski
John Seaman
Jeff Seda
Allen Sered
Howard Serlin
Manal Shalabi
Becky Sheehan
Mustafa Sherwani
Marvin Siegel
John Simcoe
JoAnna Simek
Helene Simmons
Arlen Simon
Beth Smetana
Mark Smetana
Paul Smit
Dayton Smith
Mark Smith
Laura Smock
Nick Snopek
Andre Sosa
Robert Soule
Vincent Sparrow
Michael Spoden
Joseph Spokas
Matthew Spokas
Diane Spolar
Zachary Sprague
Kurt Starovich
Linda Stawicki
Joseph Steck
James Stern
Christina Stevens
Deborah Stevens
Jeff Stojak
Thomas Story
Gregory Stover
Robert Stumpf
Raymond Sullivan
Steven Swan
Rhonda Swanson
Raymond Swapa
David Sweas
Tamra Sweeney
Barry Swenson
Kimberley Szalkus
Steven Szymanski
Donna Tam-Perez
James Taylor
Charles Teel
Joel Teglia
Roland Thoma
Kenneth Thomalla
Hubert Thomas
Jeffrey Thomas
Sandra Thomas
Cynthia Timmerman
Iliana Trifonova-Ingram
Lisa Trotter
Paul Trotter
Olha Tymochko
Brian Unger
Ron Van Epps
Mathew Vanderkloot
Patricia Vardalos
Downey Varey
Kenneth Veach
John Verchota
Daniel Vincenti
Maxwell Vinik
Joseph Vladislav
Frederick Vogel
Raymond Voros
Mark Vottero
James Vourvoulias
Nicholas Vourvoulias
Julie Vuotto
Anthony Waelter
Jacqueline Wagner
Shavonne Wagner
Ernest Walker
Kendall Walker
Regina Walker
Bradley Walton
Matthew Wangard
Sean Ward
Jeffrey Waters
James Watson
Timothy Watson
Daniel Weidenbenner
Sheila Weinberg
Michael Weisberg
James Welge
Nicole Wells
Gary Wencel
Jonathan Wernick
Mary Wesche
Ronald Whaley
Maureen Wheeler
William White
Colin Whitford
Robert Wilcoxen
David Williams
Jennifer Williams
Jerald Williams
Robert Willmschen
Dawn Winkelmann
Brian Wold
Adam Wolf
Charles Wolf
Cheryl Wolfersberger
Steven Wood
Gregg Woodruff
Scott Woodward
William Woolf
Scott Worthem
Jeffrey Wunderlich
Hang Xie
Leiyang Xin
Suleyman Yacoub
Jon Yarusso
Heather Yevcak
John Yu
Jonathan Yu
Carl Yudell
Kwok Kwong Yuk
Yu Zeng
Zijian Zeng
Lucinda Zink
William Zink
Howard Zodikoff
Catherine Zurek
Donors with a multiyear pledge are recognized for the full amount of their pledge in the first year and for their pledge installment amount paid in the remaining years of the pledge. Every attempt was made to acknowledge all donors who have given during this period. If you see a discrepancy, please call 312.517.7656.
LEADING THE FUTURE
Board of Directors (April 1, 2026 - March 31, 2027)
Officers:
Chairperson: Jason Parish, CPA | Prosperity Partners
Vice Chairperson: Jeffery P. Watson, CPA | Miller Cooper & Company Ltd.
Treasurer: Geoffrey J. Harlow, CPA | Wipfli LLP (Retired)
Secretary: Rosaria Cammarata, CPA, CGMA | Malwarebytes
Immediate Past Chairperson: Kimberley A. Waite, CPA | CBIZ CPAs PC
Directors:
Jonathan C. Acevedo, CPA | Wipfli LLP
Martrice Caldwell, CPA | Chicago Fire FC
Mary K. Fuller, CPA | Citrin Cooperman
Mark S. Glochowsky, CBM | Schuler Shook Inc.
Jonathan W. Hauser, CPA | KPMG LLP
Scott E. Hurwitz, CPA | Deloitte LLP (Retired)
Kenton J. Klaus, CPA | Deloitte LLP (Retired), DePaul University
Bridgette E. Mahan, CPA | Harold Washington College
Damien R. Martin, CPA | Ernst & Young LLP
Andrea J. McDermott, CPA | Grant Thornton LLP
Sara J. Mikuta, CPA, CGMA, CIA, CRMA | Wipfli LLP (Retired)
Thomas B. Murtagh, CPA | Forvis Mazars LLP
Charlene D. Rhinehart, CPA | GoodRx
Leilani N. Rodrigo, CPA, CGMA | Galleros Robinson
Deborah K. Rood, CPA | CNA Insurance
W. Dane Roush, CPA | KPMG LLP
Jason Treadwell | Treadwell Consulting Group
Leslie AW Van Wolvelear, Ed.D., CPA, CGMA | Oakton College
Ex-Officio Directors:
Brian J. Blaha, CPA | Winding River Consulting
Geoffrey Brown, CAE | Illinois CPA Society
CPA Pipeline Partners Program
IN MEMORIAM
Lee A. Gould, CPA, JD 1958-2025
We honor the memory of Lee Gould, a generous leader, trusted advisor, and truly kind person whose impact on our organization and the CPA profession cannot be overstated.
Through the enduring generosity of a $25,000 legacy gift from the Gould Family Charitable Fund, his commitment to supporting scholarships and programs that open doors for future CPAs will continue to change lives for generations to come.
Participating organizations invest in high-impact programs while gaining meaningful engagement opportunities, early access to emerging talent, and visibility as champions of the CPA pipeline. Together, these partners help strengthen the profession through shared responsibility, aligned priorities, and a commitment to developing future CPAs.
Founders’ Council
A heartfelt thanks to our founders. Without them, none of this would be possible.
Ernest R. Wish, CPA
Eugene L. Delves, CPA*
Arthur I. Farber, CPA
William K. Flowers, CPA
R. Neal Fulk, CPA*
William A. Gifford Jr., CPA*
Lawrence M. Gill, CPA
Harold H. Hensold Jr., CPA*
James Hill Jr., CPA*
John E. Hughes, CPA*
Kenneth J. Hull, CPA
*Deceased
James R. Kackley, CPA
David L. Landsittel, CPA
Michael N. Mayo, CPA
Lester H. McKeever Jr., CPA
Eugene J. Midlock, CPA
Belverd E. Needles Jr., Ph.D., CPA
Edilberto C. Ortiz, CPA
Martin Rosenberg
Myra A. Swick, CPA
Cheryl S. Wilson, CPA
Arthur R. Wyatt, CPA*