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Instructor
The annual COCPA Women’s Summit provides practical strategies for women to enhance their personal and professional development. With so many successful, professional women in one place, attendees easily connect, engage, and gain new perspectives. Networking opportunities are offered throughout the day.
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Women interested in personal and professional development
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Jenn knows resilience. She’s lived it and is proof that no matter what life throws at you, you have a choice, you can give up or you can get up. And get up is what she does, and hopes you do too. A highly sought-after speaker and resilience expert, Jenn DeWall creates a space for honest conversations about burnout, confidence, and success. She works with leaders from around the world to provide the tools needed to overcome imposter syndrome, become better than burned out, and build their growth mindset for success. Drawing from 15+ years of experience, Jenn’s relatable sense of humor and high energy captivate audiences and quickly create a safe space to talk about real issues and inspire lasting change. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Inc, Health, and more. Her clients range from large-scale enterprises like Meta to local community organizations and nonprofits. But that’s not the point. The point is that audiences want someone who can inspire real behavior change by providing tools and stories that they can learn from.
In an unpredictable world, resilience isn’t just about pushing through—it’s about how you choose to respond, lead, and grow in the face of adversity. This engaging and practical session offers a fresh, science-backed approach to resilience, challenging outdated beliefs and offering tools to build strength without burnout. Attendees will learn how to navigate personal and professional challenges with greater intention, self-awareness, and grit. Key takeaways include: reframing resilience as a proactive mindset, identifying thought patterns that deplete energy and clarity, and applying the “Response Reset” framework to stay grounded and effective during moments of stress, change, or uncertainty.
Artificial intelligence is changing the game—but it’s not replacing the human expertise that drives it forward. Designed especially for women in accounting and finance, this session offers an honest look at how AI is reshaping the profession and how to stay confidently relevant. Attendees will explore the evolving skill sets that matter most, how to integrate AI tools without losing the human touch, and what it means to lead in an AI-enhanced workplace. Key takeaways include: demystifying what AI can and can’t do, identifying where your value shines brightest, and learning how to future-proof your career with adaptability and clarity.
Elizabeth McDowell, CPA, CIA has nearly 20 years of audit experience and is the founder of Audit Forward, an innovative internal audit consulting and training firm. In addition to training and consulting, Elizabeth is an adjunct Professor of Accounting at Front Range Community College and serves as a Non-Executive Independent Director for an internal audit firm in the UK.
Elizabeth’s most recent industry experience was at Achieve, where she was Sr. Director, Audit Strategy; prior to that, she held internal audit leadership roles at Elevations Credit Union, Fidelity Investments, and Xcel Energy after first starting her career at Ernst & Young.
What does it mean to navigate the world with a constant delay in auditory perception—and what can it teach us about ethics, empathy, and inclusion? This powerful and personal session explores the lived experience of lifelong hearing loss and its intersection with professional ethics. Through real-life insights, attendees will reflect on the ethical principles of integrity, objectivity, confidentiality, and competency through the lens of disability inclusion. Key takeaways include: understanding the challenges and opportunities of delayed communication, applying core ethics principles to support accessibility, and adopting practical strategies to advocate for greater empathy and inclusivity in the workplace.
Madeline Kurcz is a certified public accountant (CPA) and undergraduate accounting educator, currently serving as an Assistant Teaching Professor of Accounting at the University of Colorado
at Colorado Springs (UCCS).
Madeline began her career in audit and assurance services at KPMG before transitioning to a local Indianapolis firm, called The Watermark Group. Madeline later accepted a full-time faculty
position at Marian University Indianapolis, where she taught accounting courses ranging from introductory to capstone.
As a Gen Z instructor, Madeline brings a unique perspective on the values and challenges facing the next generation of accounting professionals. Her experience entering the profession
and earning her CPA license during the COVID-19 pandemic fuels her passion for connection, knowledge-sharing, and building inclusive, supportive communities.
Dedicated to nurturing individuality and academic curiosity, Madeline advocates for mentorship as a key tool to break down barriers and promote long-term professional growth. In response to the 120-to-sit rule change for CPA candidates in Indiana, she developed a structured mentorship program to help students navigate the complexities of exam preparation and
licensure. Over the past two years, she has personally mentored more than 18 aspiring CPAs. Madeline earned her Master’s in Accounting and Data Analytics (MSADA) from Michigan State
University. She was named one of Indy’s 2023 Best & Brightest by Junior Achievement of Central Indiana and recognized as a 2023 Emerging Leader by the Indiana CPA Society (INCPAS).
Mentorship is one of the most powerful drivers of success for women in accounting—yet many continue to face gaps in access, support, and sponsorship. This session explores how mentorship can be intentionally leveraged to support women at every career stage, with a focus on the early-career phase where turnover risk is highest. Attendees will examine what makes mentorship truly effective, from the nuanced role of mentor gender to the impact of informal relationships and active sponsorship. Key takeaways include: identifying common mentorship gaps, evaluating the benefits of informal mentoring and advocacy-based sponsorship, and applying practical, research-backed strategies to foster growth, visibility, and leadership development for women in the profession.
Bill Craighead became director of the UCCS Economic Forum in July 2023 after 18 years as a college faculty member, including positions at Colorado College and the US Air Force Academy. His teaching and academic research focused on topics related to macroeconomics. He was born in Colorado and lived in Michigan, near Detroit, for much of his childhood. After graduating from Carleton College in Minnesota, he worked for a financial trade publisher in New York City. He then earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Virginia. Dr. Craighead tracks data on the local, state, and national economies and provides analysis to Economic Forum partners, local media and the public, including through the “Weekly Economic Snapshot” video series.
What sets Colorado apart economically—and where is there room to grow? Economist Bill Craighead of the UCCS Economic Forum provides a data-rich overview of the state’s economic strengths, challenges, and opportunities. This session will examine what makes Colorado’s economy unique, how it compares nationally, and what trends may shape the road ahead. Key takeaways include: understanding Colorado’s current economic performance, identifying areas for improvement, and exploring how national shifts in trade, immigration policy, and interest rates could influence the state’s economic future.
Jill Johnson is the President and Founder of Johnson Consulting Services, a leading management consulting firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her firm specializes in strategy development. Her work impacts the future of clients throughout the United States, as well as in Europe and Asia.
Jill is in the board rooms, the back rooms, and the executive suites where complex decisions are being made. She knows what it takes to develop and implement strategies for turnarounds or growth that also get results. Jill has personally impacted more than $4 billion worth of business decisions.
Jill’s deep expertise includes the evaluation of complex marketplace dynamics. She assists clients in assessing the impact of these market forces on their long-range strategic plans, at both the board and operating level. 
She is a Professional Member of the National Speakers Association. Jill mixes substantive and thought-provoking content by combining humor and actionable takeaways. She speaks on critical issues impacting business strategy and enhancing leadership effectiveness to evaluate market opportunities. Many organizations bring her back more than once to speak to their groups. Her content-rich presentations generally receive continuing education credit.
You don’t need a new title to make a bigger impact—you need the right mindset, strategies, and skills. In this high-energy session, business strategist and two-time Hall of Fame inductee Jill Johnson shares how to amplify your professional influence by building confidence, thinking strategically, and mastering authentic business development. Drawing from more than $4 billion in business decision influence, Jill offers practical, no-golf-required techniques for growing meaningful connections and translating expertise into executive-level insights. Key takeaways include: building career-defining confidence, converting technical skills into strategic value, positioning your contributions in C-suite language, and recognizing opportunities that lead to transformational growth.