If there is one thing I’ve been reminded of time and time again in this role, it’s that this profession shows up.
You show up for your clients. You show up for your communities. And, importantly, you show up for each other.
As we begin a new membership year, that spirit is worth recognizing. Dues notices have been sent, and if you have not already renewed, I encourage you to do so—not just as a transaction, but as a continued investment in a profession that is stronger because of your involvement.
Before anything else, it is worth pausing on one important point: there is real strength in numbers. The more members who are engaged, the stronger our collective voice becomes and the greater impact we can have on the future of accounting.
You saw that firsthand this year.
Because of your membership and support, our advocacy efforts gained real traction. The CPA pathway legislation moved swiftly through the legislative process without opposition—a reflection of the strength and credibility of a unified profession. Even for those who weren’t directly engaged in that specific effort, your continued membership made this success possible. It is that collective support that gives our profession a strong, trusted voice when decisions are being made that affect your career and the future of accounting.
At the same time, you helped strengthen the pipeline in meaningful and lasting ways. Through the work of the Society’s Accounting Careers Committee, we reached hundreds of high school students—introducing them to opportunities they may not have otherwise considered. Through the Foundation, we expanded our Pipeline Scholarship Program, welcomed new donors, and are extending support to students at community colleges across Nebraska. These are not small wins. They are critical steps in addressing one of the biggest opportunities facing our profession.
That kind of impact does not happen by accident. It happens because members like you choose to stay involved.
Your membership also supported the programs and connections you rely on every day. From expanded learning opportunities—including additional AI-focused programming and our new Demo Days series—to valuable partnerships through our Member Benefits Program, to the peer-to-peer relationships built through conference roundtables and leadership opportunities, you are part of a community that is actively evolving with you.
And behind the scenes, your support is helping us invest in technology and strengthen regional collaboration—so we can deliver more value, stay responsive to change, and continue moving the profession forward.
This is what your membership makes possible.
As I write this, I am also reflecting on what has been an incredibly meaningful chapter in my career. Serving as president and executive director of the Nebraska Society of CPAs has been an honor I do not take lightly. I have had a front-row seat to the dedication, integrity, and quiet leadership that define this profession—and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it.
I would be remiss if I did not recognize those who made this journey possible. My sincere thanks to Past Society Chairman Ryan Parker and the search committee who entrusted me with this role. I am also deeply grateful to both our past and current board members for their leadership, guidance, and unwavering commitment to the Society. And to former president Dan Vodvarka—thank you for your leadership and for helping lay the foundation that allowed our work to continue to grow and evolve.
I also want to extend my sincere thanks to our exceptional Society staff: Kelly Ebert, Michelle Lyons, and Lori Vodicka. Quite simply, they are the heart of this organization. Their professionalism, creativity, and unwavering commitment to serving our members are what turn ideas into action and plans into real impact. They are the reason we are able to deliver on our mission every single day.
I am also thrilled to pass the baton to my successor, Kristen VanWinkle. Kristen brings thoughtful leadership, a strong voice for the profession, and a clear understanding of both the challenges we face and the opportunities ahead. The Society is in very good hands, and I look forward to seeing all that will be accomplished under her leadership.
On a more personal note, I want to thank my husband, Bob, an (inactive) CPA whom I met when he was at KPMG back in the mid-1990s. At the time, I could not have imagined that my path would lead me to this role and to serving the CPA profession in such a meaningful way—life has a strange way of connecting the dots! His support, perspective, and occasional CPA commentary have been invaluable along the way.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you, and thank you for showing up, for staying engaged, and for continuing to strengthen this profession in ways both big and small.
