Introducing the AICPA and CIMA Global Women to Watch program

Thirty women have been recognized by the inaugural AICPA and CIMA Global Women to Watch program for their efforts to shape the future of accounting and finance through leadership, innovation, and service.

The AICPA Women’s Initiatives Executive Committee (WIEC) helped establish the program to celebrate and elevate the achievements of women in the accounting and finance profession and to champion continued growth.

“This program shines a light on the incredible women who are redefining what leadership looks like in our field,” Jessica Foster, CPA, WIEC’s chair and a senior manager at Cohen & Co., said in a news release. “By recognizing women at every career stage, we’re not just celebrating success — we’re building momentum for lasting equality and opportunity within the profession.”

Recipients are honored in two categories: Emerging Leaders and Experienced Leaders.

2025 AICPA and CIMA Global Women to Watch honorees

Emerging Leaders

• Nicola Ellam, managing principal of NY/NJ offices, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
• Hope Brown, founder and CEO, The Tax Minded Bookkeeper, New York City
• Rachel Annelise Chaney, CPA, tax manager, Bernard Robinson & Company LLP, Greensboro, N.C.
• My (Rosey) Flaherty, CPA, tax manager, BPM LLP, Natick, Mass.
• Sarah Flishcel, CPA, director–Audit Transformation and Training, AAFCPAs, Denver
• Syeda Sana Kaukab, ACMA, CGMA, manager–Expense Monitoring and Analytics, Habib Bank Limited, Sindh, Pakistan
• Wassia Kamon, CPA, CFO, Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, Norcross, Ga.
• Kendra LaFleur, CPA, director, Forvis Mazars, Atlanta
• Stacey Mahajan, CPA/CITP, CGMA, assistant controller, Ambiq, Plano, Texas
• Carey Miller, CPA/CFF, managing director, J.S. Held, Reston, Va.
• Tania Miranda, CPA, director, PKF O’Connor Davies LLP, New York City
• Alexandria Romero, CPA, governmental and leadership training facilitator, Galasso Learning Solutions, Pueblo, Colo.
• Shayla Scott, CPA, senior manager–Audit/Assurance, Mengel Metzger Barr & Co., Rochester, N.Y.
• Jaclyn Veno, CPA, learning and development specialist, Galasso Learning Solutions, Charlotte, N.C.
• Zoe Yang, CPA, assistant controller, International Association for Dental Research, Washington D.C.

Experienced Leaders

• Michelle Avery, CPA/CFF, senior managing director–Financial Investigations, J.S. Held, Alpharetta, Ga.
• Jonyce Bullock, CEO, Squire, Orem, Utah
• Melisa Galasso, CPA, CGMA, CEO and founder, Galasso Learning Solutions, Charlotte, N.C.
• Amy C. Horner, CPA, DBA, founder and principal consultant, TRUE NINE, Houston
• Tricia Katebini, CPA, partner, GRF CPAs & Advisors, Bethesda, Md.
• Anita Krishnan, professor of accounting education, University of Southampton, Southampton, U.K.
• Jan Lewis, CPA, tax partner, BMSS Advisors & CPAs, AICPA vice chair, Ridgeland, Miss.
• Nancy McClelland, CPA, owner, The Dancing Accountant, Charlotte, N.C.
• Jackie Meyer, CPA, founder and president, TaxPlanIQ, Southlake, Texas
• Lisa Myers, CPA, CGMA, managing partner, Boyer & Ritter LLC, Philadelphia
• Trisha Nomura, CPA, owner, Ascend Consulting LLC, Honolulu
• Janice Stucke, CPA, CFO and foundation treasurer, CREW Network & CREW Network Foundation, Atlanta
• Wendy Stevens, CPA, partner and national director of profession relations, Forvis Mazars, Washington, D.C.
• Twyla Verhelst, CPA, vice president–Industry Relations and Community, Karbon, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
• Lauren Weddell, CPA, shareholder, Schneider Downs & Co. Inc., Pittsburgh

— To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Bryan Strickland at Bryan.Strickland@aicpa-cima.com.