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

NOMINATE AN EVERYDAY HERO

NOMINATE A WOMAN TO WATCH

CPAs Make a Difference 2026
August 27, 2026, 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM

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

Register Today

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The Everyday Heroes Awards

Nominations are due by JUNE 8, 2026.

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 2026 Everyday Hero

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

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 2026
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.^*

required

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

The Women to Watch Awards

Nominations are due by JUNE 8, 2026.

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