Crystal leads and manages strategic initiatives for the Education Foundation of the Colorado CPA Society.

A proud graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder (Go Buffs!), she earned degrees in both Business Administration and Psychology while competing on the Women’s Basketball Team.

She brings purpose and heart to every project she leads and is committed to delivering programs that benefit accounting students, institutions, professionals and employers. 

Outside of work, Crystal’s world revolves around her family—she’s a devoted mom of four children (two by blood and two by love), two fur babies, and one grandchild. When she’s not cheering on her Buffs, you can find her on the golf course, traveling to new destinations, or volunteering in her community.

Richard L. Wobbekind is Associate Dean for Business and Government Relations, Associate Professor of Business Economics and Finance, and Faculty Director of the Business Research Division at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

He participates annually in the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank Regional Economic Roundtable and is a contributor to the Western Blue Chip forecast newsletter and the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) economic outlook and policy surveys. He is a member of the Boulder Economic Council. He serves as a board member for the Western Regional Science Association. Rich is past President of the NABE.

He is frequently interviewed by local and national broadcast and print media. He has received numerous awards for his teaching research and service including the University of Colorado Community Outreach Award (1997); member of Distinction by the Boulder Chamber of Commerce (2002); the Robert L. Stearns Award from the University of Colorado Alumni Association for career achievement in teaching, research and service(2006); the Thayne Robsen award from the Association for University Business and Economics Research for career achievement in applied regional economic analysis (2008); key contributor by the Boulder Chamber of Commerce(2010); and named a fellow by the National Association for Business Economics. (2011). In 2022 and 2023 he was been named to the top 50 list of influential business leaders in Northern Colorado by Bizwest.

Dr. Wobbekind teaches MBA students in macroeconomics and public policy. He has received four awards for teaching excellence from the students of the Leeds School of Business. Richard Wobbekind has lived in Colorado for over 43 years and has spent much of his time studying the development of the Colorado and regional economies. Dr. Wobbekind received a BA in Economics from Bucknell University and an MA and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Colorado-Boulder.

Cole Buerger is a strategic policy, communications, and advocacy professional with 15 years of experience shaping public affairs across government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors. Before joining COCPA as the Director of Government Relations and Advocacy, he operated a small consulting practice advising clients on government affairs, communication strategy, and policy.

In addition to his professional work, Cole is deeply engaged in civic leadership, serving on local nonprofit boards, the Colorado advisory board of the U.S. Global Leadership Council, and as a Planning & Zoning Commissioner for Garfield County. Cole holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from George Washington University. Cole and his partner live in Glenwood Springs with their coonhound Ellie Mae.

Cherish Morris is a summa cum laude graduate of Metropolitan State University of Denver with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, where she developed a solid foundation in financial reporting, GAAP principles, and tax preparation support through strong academic performance and hands-on financial analysis projects. She has accepted an upcoming Accounting Internship with Topel Forman, where she will gain experience in tax accounting and client-focused public accounting services. Cherish brings several years of professional experience in client-focused roles, having developed strong organization, time management, and communication skills, and is particularly interested in building a career in tax accounting and small business accounting.