Barbara A. Zorn, a trailblazing association executive who in 1990 became the first woman to serve as executive director of the Maryland Association of CPAs, died on Sunday, Jan. 5 at the age of 86.

Born Feb. 22, 1938 in Baltimore County and raised in Baltimore, Zorn joined the MACPA staff in 1975 as secretary and bookkeeper. Her responsibilities grew with the MACPA’s membership, and in 1988 she was named the association’s director of member services and administration. Two years later, she succeeded Thomas Woods as MACPA executive director.

“Perhaps I was looking at the world through rose-tinted glasses, but my concerns when I became executive director didn’t include how I would fare in a male-dominated field,” she said on becoming the first woman to lead the MACPA. “I had always had positive experiences at the committee and leadership levels of MACPA and continued to build those trust relationships with all members, male and female, as we attempted to improve the MACPA’s value to members.”

As executive director, Zorn guided the MACPA through a number of important initiatives, including its first strategic plan, a campaign to boost the CPA brand and image, and the creation of a model CPE program that led to her appointment on the AICPA’s CPE Board of Management. She also helped shape the MACPA into a leader in legislative advocacy and helped craft numerous pieces of legislative policy in Annapolis.

"I have been fortunate to know three of my predecessors, including the remarkable Barbara Zorn," said MACPA President and CEO Rebekah Olson, CPA. "Barbara embodied a unique combination of generosity and executive presence that left a lasting impression on everyone she interacted with. Her leadership paved the way for me and countless others, and for that, I am forever grateful to have known and loved her."

"For 45 years, Barbara was always my boss and always my friend," added Jackie Brown, who joined the MACPA staff in 1980 and served as the association's CEO from 2021 until her retirement in June 2022. "She taught me many things, but the most important was how those two things can co-exist, and that made my work and my life better.”

Former MACPA President and CEO Tom Hood was a member of the MACPA Board of Directors that voted in 1990 to appoint Zorn as executive director, a decision that he said "would profoundly shape the future of the MACPA and our profession." Ultimately, he said Zorn's leadership elevated the MACPA to national prominence as one of the top CPA societies in the nation.

"Under her guidance, the MACPA became a leader in legislative advocacy, cutting-edge professional education, and fostering a vibrant, engaged membership," said Hood, who served as MACPA president and CEO from 1997 to 2021. "Her vision and dedication laid the foundation for the profession’s growth and resilience, setting a standard that continues to inspire.

"During my time as an officer from 1990 to 1995, I had the honor of working closely with Barbara, particularly on the association’s strategic planning initiatives," he added. "Those intense annual planning sessions were not just about building the future of the profession — they were moments where I came to deeply admire Barbara’s professionalism, wisdom, and commitment. Barbara’s work left an indelible mark on me, the association, and the entire CPA community. She was a true pioneer whose impact endures, and we all stand on the strong foundation she built."

After retiring from the MACPA in 1997, Zorn spent considerable time in leadership roles at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Bel Air, where she served as chair of the Church Council and its Finance Committee.

She is survived by her daughters, Donna Singer, CPA, and Suzanne Cathell; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Anders Zorn, in 2007.

A memorial service will be held at the Oak Crest Chapel at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25. An informal reception will follow from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Garden Terrace Room.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Oak Crest Resident Care Fund
Oak Crest Philanthropy
8820 Walther Blvd.
Parkville, MD 21234