Pub. 1 2019 Issue 6

N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9 18 nebraska cpas AWARDS NESCPA SARAH KRICK RECEIVES AWARD FOR SELFLESS DEDICATION TO HELPING OTHERS In an effort to recognize her outstanding leadership within charitable and not-for-prof it organizations, her work improving the lives of children and fellow Nebraskans, and for the example of “giving back” she is setting, the Nebraska Society of CPAs honored Sarah C. Krick of Omaha with the 2019 Public Service Award during its Annual Meeting. Krick began her career with Hancock & Dana in 2005 as an intern. She joined the firm full-time in 2008, and currently serves as a manager. She graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 2006 and a Master of Business Administration in International Business in 2008. Krick has been a Society member for seven years and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). Outside of work, Krick has spent a great deal of time volunteering for Special Olympics Nebraska, Susan G. Komen, and Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, better known as CASA. CASA is a nonprofit organization that trains and supports volunteers to represent the interests of victims of child abuse, neglect, and severe domestic conf lict. CASA volunteers like Krick are appointed by judges to be a voice for these children in court and the community. The desired result is that children be placed in safe, loving homes where they can thrive. Erica Parks, a partner with Hancock & Dana, who nominated Krick for this award, states: “[Sarah] has taken on a very involved role with children in foster care. She dedicates many hours and forms a very strong connection with otherwise vulnerable children.” Kayla Broksle, Krick’s advocate supervisor at CASA, wrote the following: “During her three years [at CASA], Sarah has been a steady and determined advocate on one case with two children. While advocating on the case, Sarah experienced the adoption of one of the children. Sarah continues to be a consistent person in the life of the child and to the team members on the case. During her time on the case, she has prepared six excellent court reports. In March 2019, Sarah’s report was objected to by the parent’s attorney. The judge ordered an evidentiary hearing be held later in the month. At the end of the month, Sarah took the stand to testify to the validity of her report . . . [and] did an excellent job. CASA for Douglas County is lucky to have her as a volunteer in our organization.” At Special Olympics Nebraska, Krick serves as a Unified Partner, helping to shatter stereotypes about intellectual disabilities. Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. Unified Sports Partners, like Krick, play an invaluable role in the lives of Special Olympics athletes. Hannah Ries, vice president of people and culture at OCI Services in Omaha, Neb., and a Special Olympics coach for the Barracudas delegation, had this to say about Krick: “When I started the advent ure of addi ng Un i f ied Bocce to our Special Olympics Nebraska’s Barracuda delegation, I didn’t know what to expect. Sarah jumped right in without hesitation not even totally knowing what Unified Sports were. . . . Sarah has helped build our program into something really special with new athletes added every year and created lasting relationships with each of them. Sarah especially fits the mold for what an ideal Unified Partner should be: caring, fun, competitive, and joyful. She has been paired with the same athlete for the last three seasons, and I am certain when I say Nicole wouldn’t settle for anyone but Sarah as her Girl Power partner.” Kr ick has also been using her CPA knowledge and skills to provide leadership, support, and financial oversight to assist nonprofit organizations like Susan G. Komen, whose mission is to end breast cancer. Karen Daneu, CEO of Susan G. Komen Great Plains, wrote in support of Krick, stating, “Sarah was the board treasurer for Komen Nebraska and she helped lead the merger with Komen South Dakota to become Komen Great Plains. When you merge two organizations, you have to delicately handle the finances and perceptions of a ‘take over’ and make sure all the contributions of every supporter are accounted for and appreciated. Sarah did a masterful job of working through the financial negotiations, asking the hard questions, and making sure donor intent was at the forefront of all the financial elements. We are able to serve more people in need impacted by breast cancer because of the foundation she helped establish.” t The purpose of the Public Service Award is to recognize Nebraska CPAs who have performed outstanding public service in their communities. The nominee must be a CPA, be a member of the Nebraska Society of CPAs, and be in good standing with the profession.