Wendy Thompson, CPA, CGMA of Guthrie, OK was one of only 38 CPAs honored by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) as a member of the Leadership Academy’s ninth graduating class. Wendy was selected based on her exceptional leadership skills and professional experience for the four-day Leadership Academy program, which will be held from October 1-5 in Durham, N.C.
Wendy is a 2008 graduate of Oklahoma State University and began her career at Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores later that year. Since then she has been recognized by the Oklahoma Society of CPA’s as a 2016 Trailblazer and recently graduated from Leadership OKC’s LOYAL Program.
“She exhibits a drive and determination that is contagious and effective. Her team and peers respect her and willingly follow her lead. When she sets her mind to accomplish something, it will happen. “said Shane Wharton, CPA, Executive Vice President of Accounting and Administration.
The AICPA Leadership Academy was designed to strengthen and expand the leadership skills of promising young professionals while they network with a peer group of talented and motivated CPAs.
The Leadership Academy will feature career-development workshops and sessions with some of the accounting profession’s most prominent influencers, including Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CPA, CGMA, chairman of the American Institute of CPAs and Association of Certified Professional Accountants, Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, American Institute of CPAs president and CEO, Association of Certified Professional Accountants CEO, and Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA, Executive Vice President – Firm Services, Association of Certified Professional Accountants.
Participants are selected from public accounting firms of all sizes, business and industry, education and government. The 2017 class contains a diverse range of ethnicities and is split evenly between females and males.
The 2017 Leadership Academy attendees were recommended by their employers, state CPA societies or both. Candidates submitted resumes which included work history, licensure information, professional volunteer activities, community service and awards and honors. Candidates also submitted a statement explaining how participating in the Leadership Academy would impact them personally and professionally and wrote an essay on the topic “what leadership competencies and characteristics will be essential to successfully lead and advance the CPA profession in 2025?”
To date, more than 270 CPAs have participated in the AICPA Leadership Academy, many of whom have gone on to take on leadership positions in their firms, businesses and volunteer organizations.
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