On the move: AAM names Karen Waga 2026 Marketer of the Year

On the move: AAM names 2026 Marketer of the Year

The Association for Accounting Marketing named Karen Waga of WilkinGuttenplan its Marketer of the Year, and gave out a number of other awards; the Governmental Accounting Standards Board is looking for a new member; CohnReznick launched a public finance and sustainability practice; PICPA CEO Jen Cryder was honored by the University of Scranton; former institute board chair Tommye Barie was given the AICPA Gold Medal Award of Distinction; and other firm and personnel news from across the profession.

These summaries were drafted using AI and subjected to editorial review.

CONNECTICUT

Kristopher Knight

The Financial Accounting Foundation Board of Trustees is seeking nominations for a member of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, Norwalk. The position will become available July 1, 2027, when Kristopher Knight completes his second term. The board is seeking candidates with substantial experience as a preparer of state government financial statements or a public accountant with a practice emphasis on state and local government accounting and auditing. The part-time role requires approximately one-third the time commitment of a full-time position, with an initial five-year term and eligibility for reappointment for up to an additional five years. Applications must be submitted by July 3, 2026, at www.govhrusa.com.

ILLINOIS

Tim Boyle/Getty Images

BDO USA released its 2026 Tax Strategist Survey, which found that 57% of tax leaders are deploying AI to improve real-time reporting and planning, and over half plan to increase tax technology spending by more than 10%. The full survey is available at BDO's website.

Forvis Mazars was named a global partner of the 2026 Presidents Cup, scheduled for Sept. 22–27 at Medinah Country Club's Course No. 3 outside Chicago. The firm joins Rolex and Barings in the exclusive global partner tier for the biennial international golf team competition between the United States and an international team.

KENTUCKY

Karen Waga

Karen Waga, chief marketing officer at WilkinGuttenplan, was named the Association for Accounting Marketing's 2026 Marketer of the Year at its Annual Summit in Palm Springs, California, on May 19. AAM recognized a number of other individuals, including inducting Marc Busny of CBIZ into its Hall of Fame; and naming Sam Pagel of Resound Creative Volunteer of the Year, Taylor Partezana of McGuire Sponsel Rookie of the Year, and Melissa Lingo of James Moore & Co. 2026 Business Developer of the Year.

A number of firms were also recognized in specific categories: Sponsel CPA Group for advertising campaign (with consultant Inovautus Consulting); Wipfli for business development initiative and external brand awareness content marketing and for events (budget above $25,000); RKL for client experience and for internal audience content marketing; Sorren for external talent recruitment content marketing and website design (budget below $59,999; with consultant Sovrn Creative); Blue & Co. for inclusion impact program; Doeren Mayhew for events (budget below $24,999); Whitley Penn for marketing innovation; Withum for integrated branding (firm revenue above $40 million); Saltmarsh for integrated branding (firm revenue below $40 million); PBMares for video and multimedia; and EisnerAmper for website design (budget above $60,000).

Separately, the association, which is based in Lexington, rebranded itself the Association for Accounting Growth.

NEW YORK

CohnReznick launched a public finance and sustainability practice, led by partner Ted Kowalsky. The practice combines the firm's public finance and sustainability advisory capabilities to help public sector, nonprofit, and sustainability-driven clients access capital, structure finance solutions, and advance sustainability goals.

The AICPA honored Tommye Barie with its Gold Medal Award of Distinction, the highest honor granted by the institute. Barie previously served as chair of the board of the AICPA and as an audit and assurance partner at Mauldin & Jenkins. She currently serves as executive vice president of leadership development at the Succession Institute.

PENNSYLVANIA

PICPA CEO Jen Cryder (l), with the John P. McLean Leadership Award, and Alice Dierkes, senior accounting major and PICPA student ambassador

Jen Cryder, CEO of the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs, Philadelphia, was honored with the University of Scranton's John P. McLean Leadership Award. The award recognizes accounting professionals who have blazed a path forward for others in the profession. Cryder joined the PICPA as CFO and vice president, was promoted to executive vice president and COO, and was named CEO in 2021. She is the first woman to serve as chief executive in the institute's history.

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