Women's Leadership and Women To Watch Awards

Women's Leadership Committee

The Women's Leadership Committee promotes the growth, advancement and recognition of women in the accounting and finance profession through professional development, mentoring and recognition through the Women to Watch awards.

The Committee objectives include:

Develop, advance, and recognize woman CPAs.
Develop and host the Women in Leadership Summit at the FICPA Mega Conference that provides practical information and enhances leadership skills for development and growth.
Promote, administer and presents the FICPA Women to Watch Awards.
Develop and enhance the website with resources that support women initiatives.

Meet the Women in Leadership Committee Members.

Started in 2010, the FICPA Women to Watch Awards were created to focus on the outstanding women who not only shape the Florida Institute of CPAs but also the profession. Nominees are eligible for one of two awards:

Experienced Leader: A woman who has advanced to a higher level or leadership position within her profession. Titles include, but are not limited to, partner, shareholder, owner, elected official or appointee, executive, etc.

Emerging Leader: A woman who has made significant contributions to the profession and her community, but who has not yet reached the highest levels of advancement. The candidate should be licensed less than 10 years as of July 1 of the current FICPA fiscal year. Typical roles include business owners, sole proprietors, and small firm principals.

1369322642_2024 W2W Award Announcment Social 1080x1080 CRISTINA (1).png

Cristina Hale

Experienced Leader

Cristina Hale is the Tax Practice Leader at BDO USA’s Tampa and Orlando offices, where she oversees compliance and quality control.

She developed her knowledge and technical skills over a 20-year career that’s taken her from Miami to Washington D.C., Boston, Abu Dhabi and Tampa.

She is a regular volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and Feeding Tampa Bay and sits on the Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters Tampa Bay.

1369322642_2024 W2W Award Announcment Social 1080x1080 CARMEN (1).png

Carmen Velasquez

Emerging Leader

Carmen Velasquez is a partner and owner at Tapia, Rojas & Associates.

She has distinguished herself early in her career through her experience in the Common Interest Realty Associations industry.

She is a member of the FICPA, AICPA and Community Association Institute and serves on the FICPA’s CIRA Committee, Young CPAs Committee and Women in Leadership Committee.