Troy, Michigan, September 14, 2021 – The winners of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants’ 2021 awards have been announced. The MICPA Awards are designed to recognize the outstanding contributions of accounting professionals within their communities and the industry at large.
Once again, to ensure the safety of its honorees and attendees, the MICPA will host its 2021 awards celebration virtually on Tuesday, November 9, 2021. All members are invited to share in a special presentation to celebrate those striving to make a difference for the public, the profession, and other CPAs.
The recipients of this year’s awards include:
Student Champion of the Year Award –Katie Farah, student at Walsh and Internal Analyst at Masco Corporation. Student champions are charged with growing the CPA pipeline by maintaining relationships among fellow students and faculty to encourage other students to pursue the profession while finding support and opportunities through the MICPA. Katie exudes these qualities in her pursuit of multiple extracurricular activities and participating in several MICPA events throughout the year all while maintaining a 3.9 GPA.
Accounting Teaching and Excellence Award – Dr. Stacy L. Boyer-Davis, Assistant Professor of Accounting at Northern Michigan University (NMU). This award recognizes educators in the accounting profession for the crucial role they play in shaping and growing the CPA pipeline and the future of the industry. The developer of NMU’s 4+1 MBA program which allows students to sit for the CPA Exam and earn their MBA in just five years, Dr. Boyer-Davis has made a direct impact on the accessibility and expansion of the CPA pipeline.
Distinguished Achievement in Accounting Education Award – Cathy Shakespeare, Associate Professor of Accounting at the University of Michigan. Recipients of the MICPA Distinguished Achievement in Accounting Education Award are dually engaged both in the classroom and the national forum of accounting for their contributions. During her tenure at the Ross School of Business, Cathy Shakespeare spearheaded a curriculum redesign that resulted in not only greater recruitment numbers for the accounting department but improved learning outcomes as well.
Volunteer of the Year Award – Adam C. Schubatis, CPA, and Audit Senior Manager at KPMG Detroit. Because volunteerism is the backbone of the MICPA, the Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes the dedication of time and talent of volunteer member(s) who demonstrate outstanding leadership and service to both the MICPA and the profession throughout the year. Known as “the best” among his peers, Adam consistently demonstrates unrivaled dedication to sharing knowledge and engaging with both community leaders and other members within the association. His commitment to the High School Leaders Planning Committee and MICPA Mentorship program are but a few examples of his dedication to growing the CPA pipeline and driving the profession forward.
Women to Watch Emerging Leader Award – Jessica R. Boyd, CPA, Controller at Michigan Humane. Women to Watch Emerging Leaders are those young professionals that, from early on, take initiative to not only grow themselves but those around them through their contributions, collaboration and mentorship.
An enthusiastic mentor and leader, Jessica Boyd elevated to the role of director in a remarkably short amount of time. By taking lead on several organizational priorities such as process improvements, deploying new accounting systems and increasing employee engagement, Jessica demonstrates that CPAs are a force for change.
Women to Watch Experienced Leader Award – Loni E. Winkler, CPA and Principal at UHY, LLP. The Women to Watch Experienced Leader Award recognizes those who consistently demonstrate throughout their careers unmatched enthusiasm and passion for the profession through exemplary leadership and service. Described by her clients as a fantastic problem-solver and an asset to any firm, Loni proved her salt as an experienced leader most recently by providing guidance to clients as they navigated pandemic-related policies in the CARES Act, such as the Paycheck Protection Program.
Women to Watch Experienced Leader Award – Susan J. Koss, CPA/ABV/CFF, CVA, Partner and Managing Director, is head of the Litigation Support Group at O’Keefe. She is no stranger to providing levelheaded, calm leadership to businesses in the process of some of their most important transactions. Susan is one of the few women in the Detroit metropolitan region who testifies in various courts as a financial expert witness. She has been referred to as an invaluable asset to any litigation team having worked with some of the area’s most prominent law firms, suppliers and family-owned businesses.
4 Under 40 Award – Brittani Shantel Jackson, CPA, Ph.D. candidate and teaching assistant at Indiana University. New to the MICPA Awards this year, the 4 Under 40 honorees are recognized as professionals under 40 making notable contributions to the profession and their communities at all levels of experience. Frequently a guest speaker at the Kelly School of Business Accounting Leadership Weekend and PhD Project representative, Brittani Shantel Jackson is making waves as a Ph.D. candidate with a focus not only on growing her own career but raising others, specifically underrepresented students, up alongside her.
4 Under 40 Award – Melissa A. Seguin, CPA, CSEP and Tax Principal at Baker Holtz, P.C. Known among her colleagues as a consistent, positive source of encouragement and actionable advice, Melissa is dedicated to growing other young women within the profession through mentorship and advocacy. Giving back to her community through volunteerism at multiple organizations, Melissa seeks to show other young women that no matter their background or circumstances they, too, can find success.
4 Under 40 Award – Regina T. Nock, CPA and principal at Capocore Professional Advisors. An active member within the MICPA with roles on the Elder Care, Emerging Leader and Small Firm Practitioners Task Forces, leadership is second nature to Regina. This past year, she participated in numerous MICPA roundtables and webinars aimed at guiding the business community through the pandemic and its related policies, including a recent presentation on the PPP given to the Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. She also volunteers with the Hospitality Food Pantry where she serves as a board member.
4 Under 40 Award – Timothy P. Cowley, CPA, ABV, CFF, CFE and owner of Cowley CPAs, PLC. An experienced educator with over 10 years of instruction between his time at Oakland County Community College and Walsh, Tim Cowley has spent much of his career preparing accounting students to enter the profession with their best foot forward. Tim has also served on several AICPA committees and task forces, including its many mentorship programs.
Advancing Equity Award – Sara R. VanderVeen, Tax Senior Manager at Crowe, LLP. The MICPA Advancing Equity Award recognizes individuals that champion awareness and action on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) initiatives within their organizations and communities.
As the leader of Crowe’s Grand Rapids DE&I Council, Sara makes it a priority to add forward momentum to Crowe’s DE&I efforts through the development of a book club, hosting office-wide discussions and coordinating educational events. Outside of the office Sara frequently engages with the Boys and Girls Club and the Literacy Center of West Michigan and drives several initiatives with Grand Valley State University such as the Crowe LLP Strive For Progress Scholarship, which is awarded to accounting students from underrepresented groups.
Public Service Award – James N. Lopiccolo, CPA, CGMA, founder and managing member of Capocore Professional Advisors. The purpose of this award is to acknowledge those that put duty, service and dedication to community above all else to represent the profession in the highest caliber.
Throughout the pandemic, Jamie has proven his adaptability by immediately shifting focus to tracking the resultant tax and federal aid policies and their impacts to the business community. He prioritized participation in MIPCA roundtables, open forums, educational panels and presentations, all aimed at providing businesses and other professionals with the most up-to-date information, leveraging his over 30 years of experience to help business owners and other CPAs navigate the uncertainty associated with impacts from the Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Impact Disaster Loan program, Employee Retention Credit and others.
For additional information on all of this year’s honorees and to register, keep an eye on your inbox for the official invitation to be sent later this week. And don’t miss your chance to Celebrate with us on November 9, 2021!
About the MICPA
The Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants is the leading statewide professional organization dedicated to promoting and enhancing the value of the CPA profession. Our more than 17,500 members work in business, education, government and public accounting. Established in 1901, MICPA members serve as trusted advisors for businesses and individuals while embracing the highest standards of professional and ethical performance. For more information, visit www.micpa.org.