The Illinois CPA Society has named the recipients of their fifth annual “Women to Watch” awards, which recognize notable contributions to the accounting profession, their organizations and the development of women as leaders.
Chosen from nominations by their peers, the Illinois CPA Society’s Women’s Executive Committee and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Work/Life and Women’s Initiative
Executive Committee selected the following six leaders from throughout the state as their 2009 “Women to Watch:”
Experienced Leaders:
- Genevieve Burns, CPA, is a Partner in Charge of Blackman Kallick’s Not-for-Profit practice in the Chicago office. Ms. Burns interacts with each individual client while providing audit, tax and counseling services. She also serves as mentor to numerous colleagues, staff and clients and is a founding member of Blackman Kallick’s Women’s Networking Group.
- Kath Carter, CPA, is the Sub-Area Leader in charge of the Midwest Transaction Advisory Services Practice at Ernst Young LLP’s Chicago office focusing on mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. Ms. Carter is involved in the community as a board member of the Friends of Prentice Women’s Hospital and the Chicago Finance Network, among other organizations.
- Geralyn Hurd, CPA, is a Partner and Tax Exempt Practice leader at Crowe Horwath LLP in Chicago. Ms. Hurd has served hundreds of not-for-profit organizations in both a tax reporting and consulting role, and serves on the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board.
Emerging Leaders:
- Kathy Ford, CPA, is a Tax Partner with Ernst & Young LLP, where she is the lead tax executive for some of the firm’s largest multinational clients. Ms. Ford is a co-founder of the firm’s Midwest Pan Asian Professional Network, and a board member of Ascend, an organization committed to enhancing the presence and influence of Asian and Pacific Islander leaders.
- Sherrie Krowczyk-Mendoza, CPA, is a Managing Director at RSM McGladrey, Inc. where she leads the Great Lakes Financial Institutions Risk Management Practice. She is also active in her community, specifically with her alma maters Rockford College and Holy Family School and Catholic Church.
- Heather Paquette, CPA, is a Partner in KPMG LLP’s Midwest Advisory Services Practice. With over 19 years of information technology experience, including her time in the Air Force, Ms. Paquette has substantial experience leading and coordinating IT advisory engagements, as well as using her expertise in the community. She is the treasurer and former president of the Chicago Chapter of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association and serves as Treasurer on the ATHENA International Board, which focuses on supporting and developing women leaders.
Recipients are being honored at a breakfast on Friday, Nov. 13 at the Standard Club in Chicago.
More information on the winners and the event is available on the Illinois CPA Society Web site (icpas.org).
About the Illinois CPA Society
The Illinois CPA Society, founded in 1903, is the fifth largest state CPA society in the nation, with more than 24,000 members. It is the premier professional organization that represents CPAs in Illinois.
During its over 100 years of existence, the Society has advanced the highest ethical and financial standards of the profession, and has been a leader in educating the public on financial issues.