MICPA Award Season is just kicking off and as we begin to #Celebrate the many contributions of our members to the profession and their communities, we also acknowledge the effort and time our outgoing MICPA board members have expended to ensure that the organization’s many initiatives continue forward momentum throughout their service. We recently spoke with our outgoing board members Lisa Howze, CPA, MSF and author of upcoming book, “Candy Girl Mentality: Keys to Turning Bitter Moments Into Sweet Success,” Marc Lichtman, Partner at UHY, LLP, Stacie Kwaiser, CPA and Chief Operating Officer at Rehmann, and outgoing officer and past chair Rob Johnson (2018-19), CPA, MSF and CFO at Shift Digital to discuss their time on the MICPA board of directors.
“Board member engagement is key,” said Howze, who recently became the chair of Accounting Aid Society and won a 2020 MICPA Women to Watch Award. She adds that the MICPA keeps her connected to accounting and many of its leaders.
“When I decided to enter politics, the MICPA and the PAC were supportive of my candidacy. Since that time, the recognitions I have received from the Association has been incredible.” Howze also recalls that participating in the selection of a new president and CEO of the organization and driving HR policy revision discussions were among the times when she felt most engaged while acting as an MICPA board member.
Likewise, Lichtman adds that being involved with the MICPA board of directors was an enjoyable experience and assisted him as an audit and assurance leader at UHY, by keeping him up to speed with important issues currently impacting today’s profession. “This has helped me in providing advice to my firm and engagement teams. It has also helped me expand my business network and build relationships that I otherwise might not have had.” He continues, “Finally, it has provided several opportunities for me to present at MICPA conferences, which has helped me and our firm expand certain industry practices.”
Like Lichtman, Kwaiser, agrees that her understanding of the direct and indirect factors impacting the profession has grown as a result of her involvement with the MICPA. Even more importantly, she says, “[It] has provided me the opportunity to build relationships and learn from a diverse group of leaders in our profession.”
Johnson, an outgoing officer, notes that being active on the board was a way to pay it forward. “I have been fortunate to work with some great community leaders while being involved with and on the board of the MICPA.” He adds, “Being involved with the MICPA board has allowed me to give back in a small way to a profession that has given so much to me and my family.”
As our outgoing MICPA board members move forward on their journey to welcome whatever challenges lay ahead, the MICPA would like to #Celebrate the addition of a new perspective from incoming board member, Victoria Mundinger, CPA, and Senior Manager of Advisory and Tax Services at Rehmann. Recipient of the 2020 MICPA Women to Watch Emerging Leader Award, Mundinger is also a member of the Michigan Accountancy Foundation Board of Trustees and the MICPA Membership Committee. Formerly, Mundinger served as the past chair of the MICPA Emerging Leaders Task Force as well.
As she continues to show dedication to service, the MICPA shares its excitement for the addition of this new, valuable perspective to its board of directors. We are looking forward to working with you, Victoria, and we can’t wait to see all the ways in which we will continue to grow together.
Thank you all for your continued support of the MICPA, especially to those that have given time to serving on our board of directors. Your input on important decisions and determining the direction of the MICPA is an invaluable asset to our continued shared success.