The annual awards celebrate those who positively impact the accounting profession.  

CHICAGO, April 21, 2025 – The Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS)—one of the largest state societies serving the certified public accountant (CPA) community—is proud to announce the honorees of its annual Outstanding Leadership Awards program, which celebrates distinguished leaders within the accounting community through a variety of prestigious awards.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate all those who’ve gone above and beyond in their service to both our organization and the accounting community as a whole,” says Geoffrey Brown, CAE, ICPAS president and CEO. “These outstanding accounting and finance leaders continuously embody our mission of ‘enhancing the value of the CPA profession’ and should be celebrated for their inspiring achievements. Congratulations to all our award recipients.”

ICPAS will formally present awards to the following honorees at the Leadership Recognition & Awards Dinner in Chicago on June 25, 2025:

Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor bestowed on a member who has demonstrated distinguished service to ICPAS and the accounting profession.

• Joseph F. Bigane III, CPA | Managing Director, JFB Tax Consulting LLC

Lester H. McKeever Jr. Advancing Diversity Award
Presented in two categories, Experienced Leader and Emerging Leader, the Lester H. McKeever Jr. Advancing Diversity Awards recognize individuals committed to advancing diversity in the accounting profession. 

Experienced Leader

• Danielle D. Booker, Ph.D., CPA | Assistant Professor of Accounting, Loyola University Chicago

Emerging Leader

• Kashane O. Morgan | Senior Audit Consultant, Komatsu Ltd.

Women to Watch Award

The Women to Watch Award is presented in two categories, Experienced Leader and Emerging Leader, to recognize women who have made significant contributions to the accounting profession, their organizations, and the development of women as leaders.

Experienced Leaders

• Nicole M. Lindley, CPA | Tax Partner, Mowery & Schoenfeld LLC
• Sylwia A. Nazar, CPA, CDFA | Partner, Friedman & Huey Associates LLP

Emerging Leaders

• Garima Arora, CPA | Risk and Financial Advisory Consultant, Deloitte LLP
• Ashley M. Carboni, CPA | Director, KPMG LLP

Outstanding Educator Award
Awarded to educators at Illinois colleges and universities, the Outstanding Educator Award honors those who have made significant contributions to the education of accounting students through their leadership, teaching excellence, and active involvement in the accounting profession.

• Lisa A. Busto, Ed.D., CPA | Associate Professor, Harper College
• Joshua Herbold, Ph.D., CPA | Teaching Professor and Associate Department Head, Gies College of Business, University of Illinois

Joshua D. Lance Young Professionals Leadership Award
The Joshua D. Lance Young Professionals Leadership Award recognizes a young professional who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in their career, in public or community service, and involvement in professional organizations.

• Andrew M. Guerrero, CPA | Senior Manager, Adelfia LLC

Beacon Award
The new Beacon Award recognizes an accounting firm or organization that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to supporting its employees’ professional growth, fostered a positive and inclusive workplace culture, encouraged social responsibility, and driven innovation in the accounting or finance profession.

• CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP)
• Sassetti LLC

Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is bestowed on ICPAS members who demonstrate a commitment to excellence by taking on additional challenges and responsibilities in their volunteer service with ICPAS.

• Eric Fader, JD, CPA – Duane Morris LLP | Taxation State & Local Committee
• Mark S. Gallegos, CPA – Porte Brown LLC | Media Expert
• David A. Hughes, JD – Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP | Taxation State & Local Committee
• James R. Javorcic, CPA – CBIZ CPAs PC | Audit & Assurance Services Committee
• Nadia Lagen, CPA – Ulta Beauty Inc. | Corporate Finance Conference and Financial Reporting Symposium Content Advisory Groups
• Kelly K. McCabe, CPA – Grant Thornton Advisors LLP | Audit & Assurance Services Committee
• Jason L. Treadwell – Treadwell Consulting Group | High School Outreach Program
• Leslie AW Van Wolvelear, Ed.D., CPA, CGMA – Oakton College | High School Outreach Program

Excel Award
The Excel Award recognizes the individuals who earned their CPA certificates in Illinois in 2024 and demonstrated exceptional performance across all exam sections by achieving the highest total average scores. The gold, silver, and bronze medals further distinguish the achievements of those earning the top three scores in the state.

Gold Medal (Tie)

• Matthew R. DiMillo, CPA – Mowery & Schoenfeld LLC | Illinois Wesleyan University
• Maclain Smigielski, CPA – Deloitte LLP | University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Silver Medal

• Jeremy Reda, CPA – Ernst & Young LLP | Indiana University Bloomington

Bronze Medal (Tie)

• Anna Rutkowski – PwC LLP | Loyola University Chicago
• Yuzhe Zhang – KPMG LLP | University of Illinois

The award winners list and their photographs can be viewed here.