New format this year! In collaboration with the Towson University Dr. Nancy Grasmick Leadership Institute, this innovative two ½ day workshop takes the best-in-class, research-based leadership development program at the Institute and customizes it for the accounting and finance profession. Participants will partake in self-exploration, practice intentional influencing through various leadership styles, forge team collective leadership to drive goals forward, and harness hands-on strategies and applications to foster employee engagement. Customized for accounting & finance, participants will also have the opportunity to hear from leaders in the profession, learn about the trends relevant to their roles, and grow their network.
In the fast-approaching future, successful accounting and finance professionals must be leaders. Leadership Academy is the starting point for unlocking the full potential in the profession’s best and brightest.
Specifically designed for emerging leaders with 5+ years of experience to help them navigate from an individual contributor to a leader in their organization. This innovative two ½ day workshop is for individuals with the capacity and determination to ascend within their organizations. Participants will partake in self-exploration, practice intentional influencing through various leadership styles, forge team collective leadership to drive goals forward, and harness hands-on strategies and applications to foster employee engagement.
“The leadership academy was a worthwhile experience that I would recommend to any upcoming leader in the profession. We must first better ourselves, before we can better others, and attending the leadership academy is a great first step!” – Addie Blickenstaff, CPA, Deleon & Stang, Audit Supervisor
FACILITATORS:
Rebekah Olson, CPA
Rebekah (Brown) Olson, CPA, is the CEO of the Maryland Association of CPAs and an influential figure in the accounting profession, recognized as one of Accounting Today's Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting for 2022.
Joining the MACPA in 2012, Rebekah assumed the position of Manager of Membership Development and Engagement in 2014. In 2018, she was appointed Director of Development, where she served on the leadership team steering the association through the complex challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the departure of longstanding CEO Tom Hood. Passionate about the future of the accounting profession, Rebekah is a sought-after speaker who frequently shares her insights on professional trends and opportunities. As a certified facilitator, she has guided numerous organizations, both in the United States and Canada, in the strategic planning process.
Rebekah's contributions have garnered recognition from various prestigious entities. CPA Practice Advisor recognized her as a top thought leader under 40 in the CPA profession in 2017, 2019, and 2020. In 2019, she was honored with the President's Award by the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) Baltimore Chapter for her community service. Additionally, Rebekah was named a Maryland Daily Record Leading Women Honoree in 2020.
Rebekah holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, dual specializing in Accounting and Sports Management, from The Max M. Fisher School of Business at The Ohio State University, which she earned in 2009. She obtained her CPA designation in 2011. After gaining invaluable experience at a Top 100 firm, Rebekah decided to leave public accounting and leverage her talents and experiences to work on behalf of the profession at the Maryland Association of CPAs.
Adam Bradley
Adam joined the Institute, as the founding facilitator of all the Institute’s public programming and signature program, Next Level Leaders. Adam is also the founder and president of a leadership and character program used by thousands of teams and athletes around the world. For the past five years, he’s traveled the country working with athletic directors, coaches, athletes, teams and corporations, helping them develop their individuals into the leaders needed to win. Adam also serves as the on-staff leadership coach with 8-10 high school and collegiate sports teams throughout the Baltimore/Washington region.
During this time, he’s had the opportunity to host two nationally recognized podcasts, the Hardwood Hustle and the Lead 'Em Up podcast, both of which have featured interviews with Mark Cuban, Kevin Durant and many others. In addition to this work, over the past 15 years Adam has worked in various corporate sales and marketing positions including the role of vice president of sales for a Baltimore-based supply company. Adam lives in Maryland with his wife and two daughters.
This program is brought to you by the MACPA Foundation. Scholarships are available, please contact Lauren@macpa.org
Hotel accommodations can be booked here.
CEO
*Maryland Association of CPAs
Rebekah (Brown) Olson, CPA, is the CEO of the Maryland Association of CPAs and an influential figure in the accounting profession, recognized as one of Accounting Today's Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting for 2022.
Joining the MACPA in 2012, Rebekah assumed the position of Manager of Membership Development and Engagement in 2014. In 2018, she was appointed Director of Development, where she served on the leadership team steering the association through the complex challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the departure of longstanding CEO Tom Hood.
Passionate about the future of the accounting profession, Rebekah is a sought-after speaker who frequently shares her insights on professional trends and opportunities. As a certified facilitator, she has guided numerous organizations, both in the United States and Canada, in the strategic planning process.
Rebekah's contributions have garnered recognition from various prestigious entities. CPA Practice Advisor recognized her as a top thought leader under 40 in the CPA profession in 2017, 2019, and 2020. In 2019, she was honored with the President's Award by the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) Baltimore Chapter for her community service. Additionally, Rebekah was named a Maryland Daily Record Leading Women Honoree in 2020.
Rebekah holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, dual specializing in Accounting and Sports Management, from The Max M. Fisher School of Business at The Ohio State University, which she earned in 2009. She obtained her CPA designation in 2011. After gaining invaluable experience at a Top 100 firm, Rebekah decided to leave public accounting and leverage her talents and experiences to work on behalf of the profession at the Maryland Association of CPAs.
Facilitator
The Dr. Nancy Grasmick Leadership Institute
Adam joined the Institute, as the founding facilitator of all the Institute’s public programming and signature program, Next Level Leaders. Adam is also the founder and president of a leadership and character program used by thousands of teams and athletes around the world, Lead ‘Em Up. For the past five years, he’s traveled the country working with athletic directors, coaches, athletes, teams, and corporations, helping them develop their individuals into the leaders needed to win. Adam also serves as the on-staff leadership coach with 8-10 high school and collegiate sports teams throughout the Baltimore/Washington region.
During this time, he’s had the opportunity to host two nationally recognized podcasts, the Hardwood Hustle and the Lead 'Em Up podcast, both of which have featured interviews with Mark Cuban, Kevin Durant and many others. In addition to this work, over the past 15 years Adam has worked in various corporate sales and marketing positions including the role of vice president of sales for a Baltimore-based supply company.
Adam lives in Maryland with his wife and two daughters.
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Emerging Leaders
