FICPA honors 2024-25 Leadership Academy graduates
February 10, 2025
By Nick Menta
FICPA Communications Manager
The FICPA is proud to recognize the graduates of its 2024-25 Leadership Academy. These 23 young CPAs comprise the academy's fourth annual class:
| Ethan Alexander | Hancock Askew & Co. |
| Amber Avila | EY |
| Ed Bernal | SBF Advisors & Co. |
| Naomi Cabrera | PAAST |
| Corey Connell | SBF Advisors & Co. |
| Alyssa Gonzalez | EY |
| Joe Garatti | Kaufman Rossin |
| Erin Griffin | RSM US |
| Joshua Harrison | EY |
| Leonardo Hernandez | Berkowitz Pollack Brant |
| Yovanny Hernandez | Berkowitz Pollack Brant |
| Jarrod Huntley | Grant Thornton |
| Lauren Lamb | Withum |
| Ariana Martinez | Kaufman Rossin |
| Colin Meehan | RSM US |
| Allison Mooers | Carr Riggs & Ingram |
| Liz Morales | Berkowitz Pollack Brant |
| Brooke Porche | Kaufman Rossin |
| Matt Reitz | BDO |
| Katie Roca | RSM US |
| Laura Valdes | Kaufman Rossin |
| Stephen Vinarub | Withum |
| Christian Watkins | Carr Riggs & Ingram |
The FICPA Leadership Academy is a selective, high-impact program for CPAs age 35 and under who are looking to grow as leaders within their firms and the profession.
The members of this year's class took part in a trio of Leadership Academy sessions hosted in both Orlando and Tallahassee. These multi-day meetings addressed the nuances of situational leadership, decision making, management techniques, communication styles, and other interpersonal dynamics. Participants also explored the broader topics impacting the future of the profession, including rapid shifts in technology and the state of the CPA pipeline.
The graduates were honored in a special ceremony on Feb. 5 as part of our 2025 CPA Day at the Capitol. They quickly put their new skills to use, participating in meetings with members of the Florida Legislature to advocate for the profession and help advance the FICPA's newly introduced priority bills.
For the fourth year in a row, the FICPA has partnered with former AICPA Chairs Bill Reeb and Tommye Barie of the Succession Institute. Reeb and Barie develop the program's curriculum and facilitate open discussions between the participants, offering their unique insight acquired across years of service to both the CPA profession and their clients.
"Tommye and I work with state associations and firms across the country, and we never cease to be impressed by the talent sent to us from the FICPA," Reeb said. "Each year, FICPA Leadership Academy graduates distinguish themselves as among the most engaged and most thoughtful young professionals we encounter. It’s an honor to play a role in their development and to watch them take the reins as the future leaders of the profession."
"Bill and I delight in the opportunity to work with many of the brightest young CPAs in Florida," Barie added. "As a Past President of the FICPA, I take great pride in the continued success of Leadership Academy and celebrate the Institute’s commitment to molding the next generation of leaders. I have the utmost confidence that these esteemed graduates will propel the profession forward."