The American Institute of CPAs named Donny Shimamoto, founder and managing director of IntrapriseTechKnowlogies, the inaugural winner of the Maximo Mukelabai Award for his contributions in building the CPA pipeline, advocating for the profession and serving the community.
The award honors the legacy of Mukelabai, a member of the first class of the AICPA Leadership Academy and youngest chair of the North Carolina Association of CPAs’ board of directors, who died at the age of 36 last summer.
“Maximo Mukelabai was a truly special individual and his loss is felt throughout the accounting profession,” said Jeannie Patton, AICPA vice president of students, academics & membership, in a statement. “This award was created in his honor to continue his legacy as someone who exhibited tireless dedication to ensuring the future of the accounting profession.”
Shimamoto will be presented the award at the AICPA’s E.D.G.E. Conference in Orlando Aug. 8-10.
“I am humbled to have been chosen as the first recipient of the AICPA’s Maximo Mukelabai Award,” stated Shimamoto. “Max and I attended the first AICPA Leadership Academy together and bonded over our shared desire to work to increase diversity within the accounting profession. I am honored to be able to represent and continue Max’s legacy.”
Shimamoto is a current member of the AICPA’s governing council, assurance services executive committee, chair of its Information technology executive committee and served on the CPA Horizons 2025 advisory panel.
A member of the Hawaii Society of CPAs’ board of directors, Shimamoto was the first Certified Information Technology Professional in the state.
The Maximo Mukelabai Award was established to recognize passionate young accountants that encourage interest in and advance the profession while contributing to their communities.
More information about the award and submission process, which will open again in early 2013, is available by emailing
