The Massachusetts Society of CPAs announced Monday that its longtime president and CEO, Amy Pitter, will retire Dec. 31, 2023, and will be succeeded by deputy CEO Zach Donah on Jan. 1, 2024.
Donah, a former vice president of advocacy at MassCPAs, was named deputy CEO, effective May 1, by the board's search committee.
"I am thrilled Zach was selected, as no one is better suited to lead MassCPAs at such an important time in the profession," Pitter said in a statement. "In the years I've worked with Zach, he has developed a track record of leadership, not only in the accounting industry, but also within the association and business communities. His vision will be instrumental in guiding the profession, growing the accounting pipeline and maintaining the society's unwavering commitment to helping our members learn, connect and prosper."
Massachusetts Society of CPAs president and CEO Amy Pitter
"I am honored to have led MassCPAs for nearly a decade and am grateful for the many opportunities and experiences I've had throughout my career," she added. "I'm extremely proud of our team and their dedication to our members. Given the strength of our people and culture, and under Zach's leadership, I believe MassCPAs is well-positioned to thrive in the years ahead."
Pitter took charge of MassCPAs in 2015, after serving as a former commissioner at the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Donah joined the society in 2013 and has worked with her to champion many of the society's priorities, including advocacy, pipeline, government affairs, and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives.
"I am excited to serve as MassCPAs' next president and CEO," Donah said in a news release. "I'm grateful to the board for their confidence and their partnership, and I would like to thank Amy for her sound guidance and strategic leadership over the years. Her contributions to the society and the profession are enormous and deserve much recognition and celebration.
"MassCPAs is a key voice in the Commonwealth, the accounting profession and community as a whole," he added. "We have a solid foundation and long history of shaping the CPA community in Massachusetts, and I am honored to work with our talented team and lead the society into the future."
The board thanked Pitter for her service and welcomed Donah to his new role.
"On behalf of MassCPAs' board of directors, I'd like to extend our sincere thanks to Amy for her eight years of service to the society and its members," said MassCPAs board chair Laura O'Brien in a statement. "Under her leadership, MassCPAs has grown and cemented itself as a trailblazer and voice of reason in the accounting industry and business community, with a trusted brand reputation and strategic outlook. Amy's efforts have earned her the utmost respect from the board, membership and employees, and we wish her the best in her retirement.
"The board is very pleased to announce Zach as Amy's successor," she added. "Zach's promotion was the culmination of a deliberate and strategic succession planning process, through which we expect a seamless transition. He is a steadfast leader with experience, industry perspective and passion to successfully execute the society's strategic goals, building on Amy's incredible legacy. We are delighted to have Zach at the helm as the accounting profession enters its next phase of growth."
