MACPA

MACPA Champion Program

Become one of the key voices for your professional community.

Join the group of emerging leaders who represent your organization, MACPA, and the CPA profession.

What Does It Mean To Be A Champion?

Champions build awareness of the MACPA and the profession, foster engagement, and cultivate a sense of community within their organization. As a Champion, you will represent your organization’s interests, serve as a sounding board to help better the member experience for you, your peers, and your organization, and ensure the profession’s vitality.

Legislative & Regulatory Involvement

Program Value and Benefits

Benefits to You

  • Gain recognition and experience as a leader, not only in your organization, but in your professional community.
  • Expand your network and connect with industry leaders, experts and fellow emerging leaders.

Benefits to Your Organization

  • Promotes investment in employees' professional and personal development.
  • Shows your organization's involvement in advocacy efforts, sponsorship opportunities, and connections with future employees through student initiatives.

Strengthen the relationship between your organization and MACPA by participating in the Champion program!

Become a Champion

Requirements

  • Be an MACPA member
  • Have prior involvement in MACPA (e.g. event and/or continuing education attendance, committee service, advocacy efforts)
  • Have 3 or more years’ worth of experience in the profession

Commitments

In order to be an MACPA Champion, you must agree to the outlined commitments:

  • Initial 2-year term with option for continued service upon completion
  • Kickoff event and training
  • Monthly calls
  • Attend at least 2 events or meetings such as a town hall, student and young professional event, networking offering, and/or the MACPA Annual Meeting
  • Signed agreement outlining terms and conditions

Contact the MACPA team to learn more about becoming a Champion.

Advocacy Team

Meet Our MACPA Champions

CJ Alfuente, CPA, MBA

Senior Manager, Tax – Cohen and Company


“Being able to connect with CPAs in a variety of focus areas exposes me to new and different perspectives. Working at a firm where I have serviced a very focused group of clients, the MACPA provides additional resources for networking, recruiting, continuing education, and more that help me and my organization provide more opportunities for professional and personal development.”

CJ Alfuente, CPA, MBA

Senior Manager, Tax – Cohen and Company


Addie Blickenstaff, CPA

Audit Manager – DeLeon and Stang, CPAs and Advisors


“I believe MACPA bridges the gap between having the CPA credential and 'being' the CPA credential. As a CPA, I feel it is important to stay involved, educate ourselves, build relationships, and provide support to others within the profession. Membership within the MACPA offers all of the above, plus more.”

Addie Blickenstaff, CPA

Audit Manager – DeLeon and Stang, CPAs and Advisors


Quaezhawn Alford, CPA

Alford and Rambaran, LLC


“Being a member of the MACPA is a wonderful opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals as well as build a community that leaves a lasting impact on clients and businesses. By joining this network of CPAs, I look forward to collaborating with other accounting professionals in order to stay informed and continue shaping the future of the profession.”

Quaezhawn Alford, CPA

Alford and Rambaran, LLC


Dina Broydo, CPA, CFE

Manager – BDO USA, LLP


“The MACPA provides its members with countless opportunities to connect with CPAs across the state, stay up to date on new developments in the industry, and grow their knowledge through interactive learning. CPAs at every stage of their career can find something of interest to be involved in at the MACPA. There is no better way to stay connected.”

Dina Broydo, CPA, CFE

Manager – BDO USA, LLP


Brian Ballard, CPA, CCIFP

Senior Audit Manager, Aprio, LLP


“MACPA membership allows collaboration with peers on the evolving accounting profession and facilitates finding solutions to ensure it's both fulfilling and sustainable for the current and future generations."

Brian Ballard, CPA, CCIFP

Senior Audit Manager, Aprio, LLP




Earlene Charles, CPA

Sr Accounting Manager - Under Armour


“Being a part of MACPA has given me the opportunity to connect with my peers from other industries and backgrounds who have a common goal of driving the profession forward.  It has also allowed me to stay updated on latest accounting news, technical insights, quality CPE, and volunteer opportunities.”



Earlene Charles, CPA

Sr Accounting Manager - Under Armour


Rachel Seymone Ellis, CPA, CISA

Owner, Ellis CPA, LLC


“MACPA membership provides an opportunity to advocate on behalf of the profession to future CPAs and gain an understanding of what is important to them. MACPA membership also provides a broader sense of community, and an opportunity to collaborate with brilliant colleagues.”

Rachel Seymone Ellis, CPA, CISA

Owner, Ellis CPA, LLC


Kate Franey

Tax Manager – Tonneson + Co.


“MACPA involvement has made me feel not only more connected to the Accounting field but also to my community in Maryland. I have only been apart of the MACPA for a short while and every time that I go to an event or meeting I leave feeling excited, rejuvenated, and optimistic. You never know what connection you are going to make or amazing experience that may be in store for you!”

Kate Franey

Tax Manager – Tonneson + Co.


Lauren Jones, CPA

Manager – GRF CPAs and Advisors


Being a member of the MACPA allows me to be a part of a great network of accounting professionals who are passionate about what they do. It also allows me to have access to great events, CPE, and content that are all valuable to professional development. I’m proud to be joining the MACPA Champion group to give back to both current and future CPAs.

Lauren Jones, CPA

Manager – GRF CPAs and Advisors


Henry J. Kahwaty, CPA

Supervisor – Rosen, Sapperstein and Friedlander, LLC


“CPAs may never have been more essential than they are now. The MACPA offers a great platform for professionals in the industry to collaborate, share experiences, and stay informed as we all navigate these difficult times.”

Henry J. Kahwaty, CPA

Supervisor – Rosen, Sapperstein and Friedlander, LLC


Allan Mathew, CPA

Supervisor | Technology Consulting
RSM US LLP 


Being a MACPA member empowers me to lead in promoting the CPA profession and collaborate on elevating the industry. With the MACPA's resources, we can advocate for the value of CPAs, foster a culture of stewardship, and connect others to broader opportunities within the industry. As a Champion, it is fulfilling to contribute to professional growth, building meaningful networks, and giving back while supporting the next generation of CPAs.

Allan Mathew, CPA

Supervisor | Technology Consulting
RSM US LLP 


Matthew Keadle, CPA, MSA

Supervisor – Withum


“I feel it is important to be a member of the MACPA so I can learn from our vibrant community about the latest technology, trends and issues facing CPAs around Maryland. In doing so we can better serve our clients, colleagues and community.”

Matthew Keadle, CPA, MSA

Supervisor – Withum


Kristina Lebron-Vega, CPA


“I feel it is important to become a member of the MACPA in order to advocate for the accounting profession to other professionals outside of our field and to potential young candidates that might find an enriching career in the field of accounting. As the profession has evolved, speaking out about the importance of obtaining your CPA license has never been more crucial to the growth of firms around the world as it opens endless opportunities to explore the various fields existing within the accounting career path itself. Joining the MACPA is also a great opportunity to connect with other fellow CPA’s and our communities to discuss ways in which we can improve our profession in future years. I look forward to joining this elite group and represent both the CPA profession and promote the importance of women taking on more leadership roles.”

Kristina Lebron-Vega, CPA


Denise Lumpkins, CPA

Lombardo Ayers & Company, LLC


“Being together as a team instead of competition allows us all to be involved in current issues, opportunities, and ensure the future of the profession continues.”

Denise Lumpkins, CPA

Lombardo Ayers & Company, LLC


Luke Murray, CPA, CFP

Supervisor, Tax Services – RSM US LLP


“The MACPA is an excellent way to get involved in the accounting profession within Maryland. The community atmosphere that the MACPA provides, along with the tremendous learning opportunities, allow us to better serve our clients and grow as professionals.”

Luke Murray, CPA, CFP

Supervisor, Tax Services – RSM US LLP


Remi Omisore, CPA, CISA, MBA

Principal – CLA


“The MACPA is an avenue that allow CPA’s and business professionals to connect and learn about issues impacting the business community. Being involved in the MACPA allows me to develop leadership and soft skills while serving and giving back to the profession.”

Remi Omisore, CPA, CISA, MBA

Principal – CLA


Cliff Petenbrink, CPA, PMP

Senior Manager - Myers and Stauffer LC


“I feel it is important to be a member of the MACPA because it provides a source of advocacy for our profession (and my career/wellbeing), an avenue for professional development, and gives me a chance to network with industry experts. I also feel like I get exposed to a broader view of the industry by being a part of the MACPA as opposed to associating strictly with my CPA firm.”

Cliff Petenbrink, CPA, PMP

Senior Manager - Myers and Stauffer LC


Renata Reis, CPA

Senior Auditor – SB and Company, LLC


“Being a member of MACPA allows me to develop connections with other CPAs, enhance my business profile, and show commitment to the profession. It also allows me to stay up to date with developments in the industry. I have been a member since I was a student and the opportunities I’ve had are countless.”

Renata Reis, CPA

Senior Auditor – SB and Company, LLC


Ethan Schless, CPA

Audit Senior – CohnReznick LLP


“It is important to be a member of MACPA to stay informed about the accounting profession and develop professional relationships. Getting better connected with peers is one of the biggest boosts to an accountant in any stage of their career, and MACPA provides the forums to build and maintain those connections.”

Ethan Schless, CPA

Audit Senior – CohnReznick LLP


Leah Shiffman, CPA, MBA

Manager – Gardiner and Appel


“As a CPA, it is important to know what is happening in the industry, and the MACPA is the best source. There is endless continuing education, town hall meetings, mentors, and countless other resources to help you stay at the top of your organization.”

Leah Shiffman, CPA, MBA

Manager – Gardiner and Appel


Patrick St. Clair, CPA

Supervisor – Ellin and Tucker


“The work that the MACPA does advocating for the CPA profession and guiding it into the future is crucial for the profession’s continued success. But this work can only be done with support and involvement from the Maryland CPA community.”

Patrick St. Clair, CPA

Supervisor – Ellin and Tucker


Jordan Stack, CPA

Tax Manager – E. Cohen


“As a former coach, being a part of a team and a broad community are an integral part of growth and success. The MACPA offers a tremendous platform to connect and expand our networks, advocate for the changes we want to see within our profession and provides endless resources to stay current and informed. It is up to us to keep the profession moving forward and to develop the next generation of CPAs.”

Jordan Stack, CPA

Tax Manager – E. Cohen


Ryan Welling, CPA, MBA

Senior Accountant – Weyrich, Cronin and Sorra


“The MACPA provides its members with a platform to collaborate with other motivated leaders in the industry to identify, innovate and adapt to the rapid changes in our profession. The many resources and opportunities provided by the MACPA have allowed me to build relationships and stay connected with other business professionals as we share our insights and experiences in order to shape our vision for the future.

Ryan Welling, CPA, MBA

Senior Accountant – Weyrich, Cronin and Sorra


Diana Keener

Questions?

To learn more about the Champion Program, contact Lauren McDonough, Director, Member Engagment:

lauren@macpa.org, 443.632.2328