Two outstanding business leaders have been chosen by the Maryland Association of CPAs as Maryland’s “Women to Watch” for 2025.

The honorees are:

• Sarah Glynn, CPA, of GRF CPAs & Advisors, in the “Emerging Leader” category.
• Susan Colladay, CPA, also of GRF CPAs & Advisors, in the “Experienced Leader” category.

Launched in 2014, the awards highlight the accomplishments and contributions of women in the accounting profession and demonstrate that success is within reach for all emerging leaders.

“We are so proud of this year’s Women to Watch honorees — and truly, of all those recognized with this year’s awards,” said MACPA CEO Rebekah Olson, CPA. “They embody the very best of our profession and stand as role models not just for women in accounting, but for every accounting and finance professional worldwide.”

“Our Women to Watch honorees exemplify the leadership, innovation, and excellence that define this profession,” added Maxene Bardwell, CPA, CIGA, CIA, CFE, CISA, CITP, CRMA, chair of the MACPA’s Board of Directors. “Their achievements inspire all of us and remind the entire accounting and finance community of the incredible impact women continue to make in shaping our future.”

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

Emerging Leader: Sarah Glynn, CPA

Sarah Glynn, CPA, is a senior manager in the Non-Profit Audit Department at GRF CPAs & Advisors. She is a passionate leader known for driving staff development, audit quality, and community service, and she actively advances diversity in the profession through inclusive leadership and mentorship. A dedicated advocate for others, Glynn is committed to building a stronger, more equitable future for accounting. 

Other honorees in the Emerging Leader category are:

• Heather Posey, EA, Esq., associate attorney, Frost & Associates, LLC.
• Anca Stradley, CPA, MBA, tax principal, CliftonLarsonAllen.
• Sara Tendler, CPA, MS, team lead and director of operations at Graber & Associates.
• Jaime Thompson, CPA candidate, co-founder and CFO, Nicholynn Advisors, LLC.
• Kristin Unger, CPA, founder and CEO, Crimson Tide Tax.
• Emily Updegraff, CPA, CFCM, shareholder, Audit and Assurance Department chair and board member, KatzAbosch.
• Lauren Zeigler, CPA, MS, director, Rosen, Sapperstein & Friedlander, LLC.

Experienced Leader: Susan Colladay, CPA

A partner with GRF CPAs & Advisors, Susan Colladay is a visionary leader and advocate for women in accounting. Known for her technical excellence, empathy, and commitment to mentorship, Colladay champions diversity and inclusion across the profession. She also lends her expertise to mission-driven organizations, serving on the Board of Directors of the Mindful Memorial Foundation and the Audit Committee of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Also nominated in the Experienced Leader category is Tina Peacher, CPA, audit principal with Jones, Maresca & McElwaney, P.A. 

Inaugural Leadership Forum

The MACPA’s 2025 Women to Watch Awards were followed by the association’s first-ever Leadership Forum, a two-hour symposium of insights and conversation centered on three key areas.

• Communication, technology, and artificial intelligence.
• Confidence, mentorship, and goal-setting.
• Work-life harmony and burnout.

Attendees heard brief presentations on each topic before participating in roundtable discussions and compiling takeaways that are meant to lead to tangible action in each area. The ultimate goal was to leave CPAs feeling inspired, motivated to act, and connected to peers in the accounting community.

“Our first Leadership Forum gave CPAs a unique opportunity to learn from one another, share real challenges, and build practical solutions together,” Olson said. “The energy in the room was inspiring, and attendees left not only with new insights but with the motivation and community support to put those ideas into action.”
Among the CPA leaders who guided the Leadership Forum discussions were:

• Samantha Bowling, CPA, CFE, CGMA, managing partner with GWCPA.
• Maxene Bardwell, CPA, CITP, CIA, CFE, CISA, CRMA, CIGA, CIG, MACPA chair and acting chief administrative officer of Prince George’s County.
• Tricia Katebini, CPA, MBA, audit and assurance partner with GRF CPAs & Advisors.
• Janice Stucke, CPA, CFO with CREW Network and a member of the MACPA Board of Directors.
• Lexy Kessler, CPA, CGMA, AICPA chair, past chair of the MACPA's Board of Directors and a partner with Aprio.
• Jessica McClain, CPA, CITP, CISA, PMP, CGFM, CFO with the American Staffing Association.
• Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CPA, CGMA, CISA, CIA, CITP, chair of the MACPA Foundation's Board of Directors and CEO of KET Solutions.

The 2025 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 and Leadership Forum were made possible by the following strategic partners:

Premier Sponsors

• Aprio
• CLA
• CohnReznick
• GRF CPAs & Advisors
• KPMG
• RSM

Event Sponsors

• Aon
• Cohen & Co.
• Frost Law
• GWCPA
• Ramp
• RS&F

EVENT PHOTOS

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