CPAs Make a Difference

Honoring our profession.
Celebrating our success.
Welcoming the future.

CPAs Make a Difference is an evening for all CPAs and their families. Join us as we recognize the recent contributions of CPAs with Everyday Heroes & Heroines, and Women to Watch, and to welcome new CPAs within our professional community

CPAs Make a Difference 2026
August 27, 2026, 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Denver Museum of Nature and Science
2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80205

Register Today

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Thanks to our sponsors:

Meet our 2026 Everyday Heroes

Bruce Gray, Bruce A. Gray, CPA

Over a 40-plus year career, Bruce has served the profession through the California Society of CPAs, COCPA's Technology Users Group and Independent Accountants Alliance, and countless community boards — all while running a solo practice. Nearing retirement, he still finds time to mentor young professionals and volunteer as a youth group leader, once spending fifty hours supervising a teenager's driving lessons so the boy could earn his license.

Todd Mihelich, McPherson, Goodrich, Paolucci & Mihelich, PC

As the President of the The Educational Foundation of the Colorado Society of CPAs Board of Trustees, Todd provides steady financial stewardship that lets the organization focus on serving students and families. Beyond his firm's client work, he's known for quietly stepping in to help individuals and families navigate difficult moments — offering guidance and reassurance without ever expecting recognition in return.

Tim O'Brien, Office of the Auditor, City & County of Denver

Denver's Auditor for over a decade, Tim has led hundreds of financial and performance audits, identified over $200 million in savings, and pushed for programs like the Great Colorado Payback, which returned nearly $400 million to Coloradans. His work has earned national recognition, including the 2022 David M. Walker Excellence in Government Accountability Award, but colleagues say it's his integrity and genuine care for Denver residents that stand out most.

Lance Grothe, Grothe Financial Services, P.C.

A CPA on Colorado's eastern plains for more than 35 years, Lance is a fixture in Bennett, Colorado — donating a tree every Arbor Day, leading the local Lions Club, supporting 4-H kids, and picking up trash on his daily walk to work. At over 70 years old, he keeps costs low for struggling small businesses and shows no signs of slowing down.

Meet our 2026 Women to Watch

Teresa Plaugher, ClearPath Advisors — Emerging Leader

Teresa's story is one of remarkable perseverance: an immigrant from Mexico, a teenage single mother, a first-generation college graduate who earned her accounting degree part time over eight years, and now a CPA living with multiple sclerosis who built a firm designed to serve her community while honoring her own health. As one of only a handful of Hispanic women CPAs, she runs free bilingual financial literacy classes for immigrant business owners, closing knowledge gaps that leave too many small business owners vulnerable. Her honesty about her own journey has made her a role model far beyond her client list.

Jennifer Klebold, KPMG LLP — Leader of Note

Recently promoted to Managing Director, Jen has built a career spanning public and private company audits, four years with KPMG New Zealand, and a leading role in KPMG's national office, where she helped shape the firm's response to the PCAOB's new confirmation auditing standard. She's known for mentoring rotational team members in a hybrid work environment — no small feat — while still prioritizing time with her young family.

Amanda Good, Kundinger, Corder & Montoya — Leader of Note

Amanda made partner just a few years into her tenure at KCM, where colleagues consistently point to her as the firm's best mentor. She's a sought-after speaker on not-for-profit auditing and Single Audit topics, presenting regularly at the Rocky Mountain NFP Conference, and volunteers with the Women's Bean Project and Colorado Beagle Rescue. Her staff describe her as demanding in the best way — someone who makes everyone around her better at their jobs.

Christine McLeod, Haynie & Company — Leader of Note

Christine's colleagues and clients know her as a steady, respected leader at Haynie & Company, earning this recognition for the impact she's had across her firm and the profession.

The Everyday Heroes Awards - Nominations for 2026 are closed, but you can nominate for 2027 anytime!

This award celebrates "everyday" heroes - those who have made meaningful contributions to their communities without seeking or receiving widespread recognition. Nominations should emphasize community involvement over leadership or accomplishments within the accounting profession.

Nominations should highlight the nominee’s meaningful community service in one or more of the following areas:

Involvement — Describe the nominee's community engagement, including the nature and depth of their involvement with non-profit organizations or community activities, the length of their commitment, and the time they have dedicated.

Leadership — Describe any leadership roles the nominee has held within a community organization, highlighting key accomplishments such as spearheading solutions to community problems, founding or revitalizing an organization, or developing an innovative program.

Impact — Describe how the nominee's contributions have benefited the community, whether by improving quality of life, helping others overcome adversity, or serving as a role model who exemplifies the profession's core values of integrity, competency, and objectivity.

Nominate a 2027 Everyday Hero

Nominator First Name^*

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Nominator Phone^*

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Nominee First Name^*

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Nominee Last Name^*

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Nominee Organization^*

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Nominee LinkedIn Profile Link

Please provide a short narrative explaining why you believe the candidate should receive this award. Please note, we may reach out for additional information.^*

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Nominate a 2027
Woman to Watch

Nominator First Name^*

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Nominator Last Name^*

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Nominator Email^*

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Nominator Phone^*

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Nominee First Name^*

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Nominee Last Name^*

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Nominee Organization^*

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Nominee LinkedIn Profile Link

Award Category^*

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Please provide a short narrative explaining why you believe the candidate should receive this award. Please note, we may reach out for additional information.^*

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REMINDER: Nominees must hold a CPA certificate and be a member in good standing of the COCPA.

The Women to Watch Awards - Nominations for 2026 are closed, but you can nominate for 2027 anytime!

The Colorado Society of CPAs is seeking nominations for women in the accounting profession who are emerging leaders or have demonstrated notable leadership within the profession. Individuals are welcome to submit more than one nomination and may also nominate themselves. Please submit a separate form for each nominee.

Nominees must hold a CPA certificate and be a member in good standing of the COCPA.

LEADERS OF NOTE
A Leader of Note is someone who has advanced to a higher level or leadership position within their organization. Qualifying titles include, but are not limited to, partner, owner, elected official or appointee, and executive.

Nominees should demonstrate achievement in one or more of the following areas:
1. Authorship of articles
2. Major or unique contribution to the profession
3. Public and/or community service
4. Mentoring other professionals
5. Improvement to the workplace

EMERGING LEADERS
An Emerging Leader is a professional who has made significant contributions to the profession and her community, but has not yet reached the highest levels of advancement within her organization.

Nominees should demonstrate achievement in one or more of the following areas:
1. Public and/or community service
2. Demonstration of leadership
3. Contribution to the profession
4. Creation and implementation of unique initiative(s)
5. Involvement with alma mater or other local colleges and universities.

Past Award Winners

2023-2025

2023
_{Every Day Heroes & Heroines}Tiffany Knight, CPA
Rachel Roberts, CPA
Fernando Varela, CPA
Amanda "Jo" Erven, CPA, CIA, CFE, CTQA

Watch the 2023 Video

_{Women to Watch}
_{Leaders of Note}
Sherri Baca, CPA
Judy Thomas, CPA
Rhonda Sparlin, CPA

_{Emerging Leaders}
Kelsey Gore, CPA
Caitlyn O’Neil, CPA

2024
_{Every Day Heroes & Heroines}Aloah Kincaid, MBA, CPA
Jim Gilbert, CPA, CITP, CGMA
Jonathan Youngs, CPA

Watch the 2024 Video

_{Women to Watch}
_{Leaders of Note}
Maria Montoya
Heidi O'Neil, CPA, CGMA, IAP

_{Emerging Leaders}
Alexandra (Ali) Haller, CPA
Danielle Starks, CPA, MPAcc

Watch the 2024 Video

2025
_{Every Day Heroes & Heroines}Jim Brendel, CPA
Gary Hypes, JD, MBA, CPA, CFE
Hillary Morgridge, CPA
Dan Seff, CPA, CVA

_{Women to Watch}
_{Leaders of Note}
Melissa Armstrong, CPA
Keely Gohl, CPA, CGMA

_{Emerging Leaders}
Stephanie Daniels, CPA, MAcc
Tiffany Davis, CPA
Astride Mukabagula, MSA, CPA Candidate

2023
_{Every Day Heroes & Heroines}Tiffany Knight, CPA
Rachel Roberts, CPA
Fernando Varela, CPA
Amanda "Jo" Erven, CPA, CIA, CFE, CTQA

Watch the 2023 Video

_{Women to Watch}
_{Leaders of Note}
Sherri Baca, CPA
Judy Thomas, CPA
Rhonda Sparlin, CPA

_{Emerging Leaders}
Kelsey Gore, CPA
Caitlyn O’Neil, CPA

2024
_{Every Day Heroes & Heroines}Aloah Kincaid, MBA, CPA
Jim Gilbert, CPA, CITP, CGMA
Jonathan Youngs, CPA

Watch the 2024 Video

_{Women to Watch}
_{Leaders of Note}
Maria Montoya
Heidi O'Neil, CPA, CGMA, IAP

_{Emerging Leaders}
Alexandra (Ali) Haller, CPA
Danielle Starks, CPA, MPAcc

Watch the 2024 Video

2025
_{Every Day Heroes & Heroines}Jim Brendel, CPA
Gary Hypes, JD, MBA, CPA, CFE
Hillary Morgridge, CPA
Dan Seff, CPA, CVA

_{Women to Watch}
_{Leaders of Note}
Melissa Armstrong, CPA
Keely Gohl, CPA, CGMA

_{Emerging Leaders}
Stephanie Daniels, CPA, MAcc
Tiffany Davis, CPA
Astride Mukabagula, MSA, CPA Candidate

2021-2022

2021
_{Every Day Heroes & Heroines}Laurie Anderson
Jamie Kilcoyne
Lynne Lehr-Buck
Caitlyn O’Neil
Ryan Sanger

_{Women to Watch}
_{Leaders of Note}
Lisa Hackard
Sebrina Ivey
Tammy Rivera

_{Emerging Leaders}
Sarah Flischel
Allyson Lindsey
Alexandria Romero

The CPAs Make a Difference Celebration did not take place in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2022
_{Every Day Heroes & Heroines}
Stephanie E. Daniels
Stacey E. Duke
Daniel J. Hawkinson
Alexandra Tune

_{Women to Watch}
_{Leaders of Note}
Sarah Jackson
Meredith E. Kuehler
Dr. G. Suzanne Owens-Ott

_{Emerging Leaders}
Ashley N. Granger
Kelly Johnston
Kristy M. Lindquist
Kelly D. Watson Watson

2021
_{Every Day Heroes & Heroines}Laurie Anderson
Jamie Kilcoyne
Lynne Lehr-Buck
Caitlyn O’Neil
Ryan Sanger

_{Women to Watch}
_{Leaders of Note}
Lisa Hackard
Sebrina Ivey
Tammy Rivera

_{Emerging Leaders}
Sarah Flischel
Allyson Lindsey
Alexandria Romero

The CPAs Make a Difference Celebration did not take place in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2022
_{Every Day Heroes & Heroines}
Stephanie E. Daniels
Stacey E. Duke
Daniel J. Hawkinson
Alexandra Tune

_{Women to Watch}
_{Leaders of Note}
Sarah Jackson
Meredith E. Kuehler
Dr. G. Suzanne Owens-Ott

_{Emerging Leaders}
Ashley N. Granger
Kelly Johnston
Kristy M. Lindquist
Kelly D. Watson Watson

2015-2019

2015
_{Every Day Heroes & Heroines}
Kevin Gile
Patricia Ridge
Marilynne Tarrall
Julia Taylor

_{Women to Watch}
_{Leaders of Note}
Lori Gibson
Katrina Salem
Laura Srsich

_{Emerging Leaders}
Tyra Litzau
Monica Martinez
Shauna Shafer

2016
_{Every Day Heroes & Heroines}
Brett Hanselman
Marc Hendrikson
Chad Mulliniks
Greg Pfahl

_{Women to Watch}
_{Leaders of Note}
Judy Cain
Christine Noel
Debbi Warden

_{Emerging Leaders}
Erin Breit
Meghan Mahala Dack
Kerri Hunter

2017
_{Every Day Heroes & Heroines}
Pete Aden
Sean McDonald
Brad McQueen
Jeff Mueller
Buddy Newton
Dan Soukup
John Wetherington

_{Women to Watch}
_{Leaders of Note}
Laurie Anderson
Jane Everhart

_{Emerging Leaders}
Ksenia Popke
Rebecca Kelley
Andrea Geerdes

2018
_{Every Day Heroes & Heroines}
Lauren Davis
Scott Norquist
Richard (Rick) Whipple

_{Women to Watch}
_{Leaders of Note}
Kimberley Higgins
Sharon Lassar
Leslie Schaus

_{Emerging Leaders}
Kristin Holthus
Danika Greiner

2019
_{Every Day Heroes & Heroines}
Steven Corder
Shari Lutz
Julie Troutman Lerudis
Lauren Napheys
Alexandria Romero
Jennifer Scholz
Timothy Watson

_{Women to Watch}
_{Leaders of Note}
Stephanie Drew
Amanda Jo Erven
Kelly Kozeliski

_{Emerging Leaders}
Janeen Hathcock
Elizabeth Maldin
Rosie Sanchez