Three outstanding business leaders have been chosen by the Maryland Association of CPAs as Maryland’s “Women to Watch” for 2023.

The honorees are:

• Christa Hood, CPA, LLC member and managing partner at Askey, Askey and Associates, CPA, LLC, in the “Emerging Leader” category.
• Samantha Haines, CPA, director of Tax Services at Rosen, Sapperstein and Friedlander, LLC, in the “Emerging Leader” category.
• Samantha Bowling, CPA, CFE, CGMA, managing partner at Garbelman Winslow CPA, in the “Experienced Leader” category.

Launched in 2014, the awards highlight the accomplishments and contributions of women in the CPA profession and demonstrate to emerging female leaders that success is not out of reach.

“We are incredibly proud of this year’s winners — indeed, of all the honorees for this year’s awards,” said MACPA CEO Rebekah Brown, CPA. “They represent the best this profession has to offer, and they serve as role models not only for other women in the profession, but for every accounting and finance professional on the planet.”

“We had 21 nominees for this year’s awards,” said Christine Aspell, CPA, chair of the MACPA’s 2023-24 Board of Directors. “This symbolizes a commitment on the part of every person in this room and once again sets Maryland CPAs apart in a way that makes me proud.”

Here’s a closer look at the winners and honorees in each of the “Women to Watch” categories:

Emerging Leader: Christa Hood, CPA

Christa Hood is LLC member and managing partner of Askey, Askey and Associates. The impact of Christa’s innovative thinking and technology adoption as owner have positively impacted both the firm’s operations and culture. She is a member of the Leadership of Southern Maryland’s Board of Directors, underscoring her deep commitment to nurturing and empowering the leaders of tomorrow, a value that she holds dear both professionally and personally.

Emerging Leader: Samantha Haines, CPA

Samantha Haines is director of Tax Services at RS&F, where she has helped streamline operations and is viewed as an extension of her client’s team, always working in their best interests. Sam supervises many team members and goes above and beyond for her clients, colleagues, community, and the profession. Her dedication to community service is reflected in her active involvement with both Towson University’s MentHER program and Autism Speaks.

Other honorees in the Emerging Leader category are:

• Erin Clark, CPA, audit manager at SEK CPAs & Advisors.
• Sabrina Knott, CPA, CGMA, director of Tax and Compliance at Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.
• Elizabeth McPherson, CPA, tax director at CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP.
• Christie Stravino, CPA, MS, tax partner at Cohen & Company.
• Melissa Tarkett, CPA, MST, tax partner at Aprio LLP.
• Taylor Tharp, CPA, assurance manager at RSM US LLP.

Experienced Leader: Samantha Bowling, CPA, CFE, CGMA

Samantha Bowling is managing partner of Garbelman Winslow CPAs. She has dedicated her life to making this profession better, both for employees at GW CPAs and for the wider profession through her volunteer efforts within the MACPA, the AICPA Council, and the Auditing Standards Board. Her mentorship has not only shaped careers but has also fostered a sense of camaraderie and community within her firm, the MACPA, and the AICPA.

Other nominees in the Experienced Leader category are:

• Judy Barnhard, CPA, CFP, CDFA, executive vice president and director of Professional Services, Wealth Managing and Financial Planning Services at Councilor, Buchanan and Mitchell.
• Monique Booker, CPA, founding partner at SB & Company, LLC.
• Kim Chaney, CPA, owner of Kimberly S. Chaney CPA LLC.
• Meg DeGroat, CPA, director at SC&H Group, LLC.
• Nelly Gizdova, CPA, MS, partner at UHY LLP and UHY Mid-Atlantic Advisors.
• Susanne Holloway, MBA, CPA, professor of the practice, Salisbury University.
• Joan Leanos, CPA, director at Strategic Tax Planning CPAs LLC.
• Rachel Mahmood, CPA, principal at CliftonLarsonAllen LLP.
• Randi Marquez, MST, CPA, managing senior partner, Liptz, Roberts & Marquez, Chartered, Certified Public Accountants.
• Shelley Romano, CPA, partner and managing director, UHY LLP and UHY Mid-Atlantic Advisors.
• Janice Stucke, CPA, chief financial officer at Achieving the Dream, Inc.
• Kate Vasiliev, CPA, partner and managing director at UHY LLP and UHY Mid-Atlantic Advisors.

The 2023 MACPA “Women to Watch” awards were made possible by the MACPA Foundation, which is committed to building a diverse CPA talent pipeline to secure the future of our profession.

The awards also were made possible by the following strategic partners:

Premier Sponsors

• Aprio
• CLA
• Deloitte
• KPMG
• RSM

Event Sponsors

• Bookminders
• Cohen & Co.
• Councilor, Buchanan and Mitchell, CPAs & Business Advisors
• Garbelman Winslow CPAs
• GRF CPAs and Advisors
• RS&F Business Consultants and Certified Public Accountants
• SC&H Group
• UHY LLP