September 8, 2021

Introducing the Lead to the Future (L2F) Class of 2021-2022

Introducing the Lead to the Future (L2F) Class of 2021-2022

September 8, 2021

Last week, we welcomed the 2021-2022 class of KSCPA's Lead to the Future (L2F) Program! This is the 11th year of our elite leadership training program, previously branded as "20 up to 40". The program continues to prepare CPAs for their leadership roles, providing them with future-focused strategies that empower within their organizations, communities, and the CPA profession. Graduates of the leadership program have advanced to key leaders in their organization, and many have served on the KSCPA Board of Directors, KSCPA Educational Foundation Board of Trustees, AICPA Committees, and the AICPA Board of Directors. Alumni have also praised the program for providing expanded opportunities & meaningful life-long connections with colleagues.

We applaud the 2021-2022 class participants for choosing to take this giant step forward to enhance their leadership journey!

We also celebrate the organizations that believe in this program and support their team leaders in their career development, significantly impacting the future of our profession in Kansas.

Together we are moving accounting excellence forward, so our leaders have the best, most vibrant careers.

The L2F participants immediately gained momentum with the program's first wave of coaching with top leadership expert Sarah Elliott, PCC, CPA. Sarah is the co-founder of Intend2Lead, a leadership development firm that coaches accountants to access the Dimension of Possible.

Sarah Elliott
“This new class of L2F participants immediately demonstrated their commitment to what true leadership requires – looking within, being vulnerable and open to change, and connecting authentically with one another. They are already envisioning new futures for themselves, their organizations and the profession, and I can’t wait to see what they create together. Working with this incredible group of leaders gets me excited about what’s possible for the accounting profession in Kansas and beyond!” -Sarah Elliott, PCC, CPA

Introducing the 2021-2022 Lead to the Future (L2F) Participants:

JAMI BENYSHEK, CPA
JAMI BENYSHEK, CPA

Senior Manager


Adams Brown Strategic Allies and CPAs
"Leadership means helping others find what they are passionate about and helping them achieve their goals; setting a good example of how we (me and my firm) want our future to look like and instilling those values into the next generation(s)."

CASSANDRA CAROLAN, CPA
CASSANDRA CAROLAN, CPA

Manager


BT&Co., P.A.
"Leadership is not a title, a job or position that you are promoted to. Great leaders capitalize on their natural talents and put in hard work to gain the skill set needed to exceed. Leadership is about having courage to do the right thing, follow your values, and inspire people to do better and be better."

JOE DEBAUCHE, CPA
JOE DEBAUCHE, CPA

Manager


Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk & Loyd, LLC
"Leadership is the ability to motivate people and keep them moving towards a common goal. It means having the integrity to do the right thing even when it is not easy. Great leaders give credit to the team when things go well and take responsibility when they do not."

KEATON DUGAN, CPA
KEATON DUGAN, CPA

Senior Associate


KCoe Isom LLP
"Leadership is helping my team towards a common goal by listening, understanding, connecting, motivating, and most of all, being an example. A leader works to understand and weigh all options to help make the best decisions possible. Lastly, without trust, a leader cannot be effective." 

BEAUTY M. HENECKE, CPA
BEAUTY M. HENECKE, CPA

Senior Tax Associate


Goering & Granatino, PA
"Leadership means challenging others to new opportunities, listening to their feedback, and being willing to roll-up my sleeves and do the hard work!"

TARA A. MOLLHAGEN SHEPARD, JD, CPA
TARA A. MOLLHAGEN SHEPARD, JD, CPA

Associate Attorney


Bever Dye, LC
"Leadership means constantly looking for the best ways to move forward with my colleagues."

ALLISON WHITFIELD, CPA
ALLISON WHITFIELD, CPA

Senior Tax Associate


Goering & Granatino, PA
"Leadership means helping others identify and utilize their strengths."

RYAN SCHECK, CPA, ABV
RYAN SCHECK, CPA, ABV

Senior Manager


Adams Brown Strategic Allies and CPAs
"Leadership is providing a positive example for those around you that inspires them to work towards achieving a common goal."

CANDICE JOHNSON, CPA
CANDICE JOHNSON, CPA

Manager


Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk & Loyd, LLC
"Leadership is inspiring, encouraging, and growing others as well as the surrounding environment while handling difficult situations with grace and humility. Great leaders bring out the best qualities in each team member and set them up for their own successes."

CHRISTINE KIRCHNER, CPA
CHRISTINE KIRCHNER, CPA

Senior Associate


KCoe Isom LLP
"Leadership is the ability to effectively delegate work, identify team members’ strengths and weaknesses, and foster healthy, productive environments in order to complete the tasks at hand. An effective leader leads by example."

SHAWNELL LINOT, CPA
SHAWNELL LINOT, CPA

Senior Manager


BKD, CPAs & Advisors
"Leadership is the act of guiding your team toward a goal. The leader must understand each team member - the best way to communicate, what motivates them and how to create dynamic relationships. Understanding the intricacies of the team and how to effectively lead each person is the core of great leadership."

RACHEL OGLE, CPA
RACHEL OGLE, CPA

Director of Accounting & Inventory


PTMW, Inc.
"Leadership is the ability to build others up (to train others into and yourself out of your role); finding ways to support the team that will make others more productive and effective; selecting the right individuals for the right jobs; and maintaining trust and respect for others when it is rightfully earned."

KELLY TERHUNE, CPA
KELLY TERHUNE, CPA

Senior Associate


KCoe Isom LLP
"Leadership is setting a good example. A good leader not only drives results but is a teacher, mentor, and champion for their team members. A good leader understands that the key to success is dependent on those they lead, celebrates the accomplishments of others, and recognizes the contributions of the team."

CHLOE ZIMMERMAN, CPA
CHLOE ZIMMERMAN, CPA

Senior Associate


KCoe Isom LLP
"Leadership is working with a team to aid in everyone collaborating to reach the desired endpoint. Leadership is most successful when the leader builds up the participants to gain skills and traits, so the participants can also become influential leaders. Leadership requires adaptability, patience, and the ability to manage several tasks simultaneously.”

 

The Ignite blog is an official publication of the Kansas Society of CPAs, Copyright 2021. 


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