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PICPA Recognizes Exceptional Accounting Professionals with Young Leader Awards
PICPA members under 40 recognized for contributions to the accounting profession
PHILADELPHIA (April 2026) –
The Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), the leading advocate for accounting professionals in Pennsylvania, is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s Young Leader Awards. These awards honor PICPA members under the age of 40 who demonstrate a commitment to the accounting profession through active PICPA or community volunteer activities. Honorees will be recognized during PICPA’s Annual Meeting on May 4, 2026, at The Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa in Bedford, Pa.
“We are excited to recognize these talented young professionals who are shaping the future of accounting through their excellent work and tireless advocacy,” said PICPA CEO Jen Cryder. “Our industry is changing rapidly, and each of our honorees is focused on ensuring the accounting profession stays relevant through agile use of technology and keen attention to client needs. We look forward to their continued service to our organization and our field.”
In addition to climbing the ranks quickly at their organizations, past winners of the Young Leader Awards have gone on to serve as PICPA leadership, committee chairs, and respected speakers at conferences. Those who were chosen for this year's award were born on or after Jan. 1, 1986. This year’s honorees include:
- Hillary Alexander, Brinker Simpson & Company
- Eric Arbore, Deluzio & Company, LLP
- Mark Banks, Boyer & Ritter LLC
- Tiffany Bender, Trout CPA
- Christopher Boggs, Deloitte Tax LLP
- Alexis Burkhart, McGill, Power, Bell & Associates, LLP
- Robin Davis, Walz Group
- Kathy Dunham, McGill Power Bell & Associates
- George Eshak, Buckno Lisicky & Company
- Austin Everett, Grossman Yanak & Ford LLP
- Julia Fair, McGill, Power, Bell & Associates, LLP
- Steven Fisher, Louis Plung & Company LLP
- Joseph Frey, Baker Tilly
- Katie Gozzard, S.R. Snodgrass, P.C.
- Chris Hartman, Trout CPA
- Brittany Jovenall, Fred Rogers Productions
- Erik Klein, Brinker Simpson & Company
- Leah Kovach, Buckno Lisicky & Co
- Tim Krepps, Simon Lever
- Kris Lepka, Maillie LLP
- Joseph Manfre, Barbacane, Thornton & Company LLP
- Christian McGill, Isdaner & Company LLC
- Zachary McLaren, McKonly & Asbury LLP
- Jonathan Tyler Rutter, Wouch Maloney & Co LLP
- Bill Sadecky, H2R CPA
- Alyssa Scruton, EMC CPAs, LLC
- Anthony Searles, MillerSearles LLC
- Harry Sethi, PwC US Tax LLP
- Connor Unger, Isdaner & Company, LLC
- Shelby Wood, Maher Duessel
About the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants:
Founded in 1897, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) is the second-oldest CPA organization in the United States and the leading voice for CPAs in Pennsylvania. Representing nearly 18,000 members, the PICPA advances the profession by advocating for sound public policy, strengthening the CPA talent pipeline, and delivering education and leadership opportunities that keep CPAs relevant in a changing business environment. The PICPA supports CPAs and future CPAs at every career stage, helping them adapt, lead, and create value for the businesses and communities they serve. Learn more at picpa.org.
Media Contact: Becky Bergman, becky@furiarubel.com
