The awards are split into two categories: Experienced Leader and Emerging Leader awards. Emerging Leaders are judged on criteria including demonstrated leadership, involvement with educational institutions, and overall contributions to the profession. Experienced Leaders are similarly judged, with additions of mentorship and contributed articles and written works. Both groups are also judged on public service.
This year's Experienced Leaders included Donella Wilson, of Green Hasson Janks, Los Angeles; Mary Case, of Moss Adams, Walnut Creek; and Anna Mok, of Deloitte, San Francisco. Wilson was also honored with the CalCPA Trailblazer Award for her charitable contributions.
Emerging Leaders chosen were Katherine Jackson, of Moss Adams, Rancho Cordova; and Ashley Jacobsen, of Moss Adams, Fresno.
- Wilson, originally from South Africa, is the partner of Green Hasson Janks’ nonprofit practice. She also serves as president of the board of directors of the Downtown Women’s Center, Los Angeles and a partner with Social Venture Partners Los Angeles.
- Case currently serves as an audit partner at Moss Adams and is the firm's national practice leader for higher education. She has presented on various topics and served on the boards of United Way agencies and various other committees.
- Mok, a Deloitte advisory partner, is the founding president of the northern California chapter of Ascend, a nonprofit focused on pan-Asian business professionals in North America. During her time with Ascend, she created the "Pinnacle" program that focuses on the placement of more Asians on corporate boards.
- Jackson, a senior manager in Moss Adams’ assurance practice, serves on the finance committee of the Girl Scouts Heart of Central California, as well as the board of the Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern California.
- Jacobsen serves as the business assurance senior manager at Moss Adams’ Fresno office, as well as the lead tabulator for the Miss California pageant and the audit committee chair for her local Community Food Bank.
CalCPA chose this year's class in conjunction with the AICPA and their Women’s Initiatives Executive Committee, with the Trailblazer Award presented by CalCPA.
For more on CalCPA and the Women's Leadership Forum, head to the Society's
