COCPA is celebrating six accounting professionals who recently graduated from our LeadFit program. This class brings together professionals who invested their time in becoming stronger leaders for their firms, their companies, and the profession.

Please join us in congratulating Garrett Adams, Alli Goldhammer, Alexis Cossentino, Harrison Hood, Kaylee Kern, and Max Newman.

About LeadFit

LeadFit is COCPA's cohort-based leadership program for emerging professionals ready to move from high performer to effective leader. 2026 marks the program's 13th year, with sessions running from June 23 through a graduation reception on September 17.

The program is built around practice rather than lectures, through interactive sessions, peer discussion, and real-world application. Over four sessions, participants worked through topics that matter as responsibilities grow:

• Relationship building, listening, and presence
• Managing a team versus leading one, including goal setting and conflict resolution
• Performance evaluation and giving feedback
• Negotiation and tailoring a message
• Rainmaking, thinking styles, and generational styles
• Defining your role and your "best work"

Every participant is paired with a mentor from their own organization, who serves as an advocate and sounding board as new skills are put to work day to day. Participants also receive a one-on-one leadership coaching session and build a peer network that lasts well beyond graduation.

Meet the Graduates

Why Leadership Development Matters

Technical skill gets CPAs in the door, but leading people is what moves careers and organizations forward. The jump from strong individual contributor to manager is one of the hardest transitions in the profession, and it rarely comes with a playbook.

LeadFit gives emerging professionals that playbook early, alongside peers facing the same challenges. For employers, sponsoring a participant is a direct investment in the managers they want leading tomorrow, and a clear signal to talented team members that their growth matters.

Congratulations, Graduates

To Garrett, Alli, Alexis, Harrison, Kaylee, and Max: congratulations on completing LeadFit. We can't wait to see how you put these skills to work in your organizations and across Colorado's accounting community.

Thank you as well to the mentors and employers who championed these graduates throughout the program. Your support is a big part of what makes LeadFit work.

Know an emerging leader who's ready for the next step? Keep an eye on the LeadFit page for details on next year's program.