Denise LeDuc Froemming, CPA, CAE, MBA President & CEO
CalCPA and CalCPA Education Foundation
CalCPA and CalCPA Education Foundation
Lead On
Leadership. It’s one of those things we all recognize, but sometimes have a hard time explaining.
Varied thoughts have been—and will continue to be— discussed for years because there isn’t just one blueprint for being a leader. For example, we used to think outspoken ones made the best leaders. Then we learned about the strengths that introverts bring. (For more on that, read Susan Cain’s “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.”)
While we can likely agree on general characteristics of good leaders—visionary, strategic, strong communicator—we now realize the diversity of leadership. From education to background to career path, leaders arrive at their positions in various ways and with different perspectives and ideas. And when we talk leadership today, we include competencies like gratitude, emotional intelligence and inclusion.
And at the heart of leading, I believe, is the concept of serving—thinking of others’ needs before your own.
As we start a new fiscal year, I’m excited and encouraged with our leadership landscape—from the chapter level to state committees to our statewide officers—that will move CalCPA forward.
At our annual meeting in late July, we welcomed Tayiika Dennis, principal at CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), as 2022-23 CalCPA Chair. Tayiika has displayed her leadership and commitment to CalCPA in many ways, including LA Chapter president, CalCPA Board member, a member of various state and LA Chapter committees, and is a recipient of the CalCPA Women to Watch Award. You can read more about Tayiika and her plan for the year on Page 10.
We also welcomed Adam Blitz, founder of Streamline CPAs, as 2022-23 CalCPA Education Foundation President. He brings the perspective of an entrepreneur and his experience in how businesses and firms can leverage today’s technology. More about Adam and what our learning team has in store for 2022-23 will be in September’s magazine.
Tayiika and Adam—and all our other leaders—are the latest in a long line of CalCPA members who continue to learn, innovate and use their unique skills and perspective to move the profession and our organization forward.
As author and Harvard Business School professor John Kotter says, “Leadership defines what the future should look like, aligns people with that vision and inspires them to make it happen despite the obstacles.”
I encourage you to seek areas—inside and outside of CalCPA—where you can lead. If you’re looking to give your leadership skills a boost, visit calcpa.org/leadership and calcpa.org/cpe. We would love to partner with you on your leadership journey.
Varied thoughts have been—and will continue to be— discussed for years because there isn’t just one blueprint for being a leader. For example, we used to think outspoken ones made the best leaders. Then we learned about the strengths that introverts bring. (For more on that, read Susan Cain’s “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.”)
While we can likely agree on general characteristics of good leaders—visionary, strategic, strong communicator—we now realize the diversity of leadership. From education to background to career path, leaders arrive at their positions in various ways and with different perspectives and ideas. And when we talk leadership today, we include competencies like gratitude, emotional intelligence and inclusion.
And at the heart of leading, I believe, is the concept of serving—thinking of others’ needs before your own.
As we start a new fiscal year, I’m excited and encouraged with our leadership landscape—from the chapter level to state committees to our statewide officers—that will move CalCPA forward.
At our annual meeting in late July, we welcomed Tayiika Dennis, principal at CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), as 2022-23 CalCPA Chair. Tayiika has displayed her leadership and commitment to CalCPA in many ways, including LA Chapter president, CalCPA Board member, a member of various state and LA Chapter committees, and is a recipient of the CalCPA Women to Watch Award. You can read more about Tayiika and her plan for the year on Page 10.
We also welcomed Adam Blitz, founder of Streamline CPAs, as 2022-23 CalCPA Education Foundation President. He brings the perspective of an entrepreneur and his experience in how businesses and firms can leverage today’s technology. More about Adam and what our learning team has in store for 2022-23 will be in September’s magazine.
Tayiika and Adam—and all our other leaders—are the latest in a long line of CalCPA members who continue to learn, innovate and use their unique skills and perspective to move the profession and our organization forward.
As author and Harvard Business School professor John Kotter says, “Leadership defines what the future should look like, aligns people with that vision and inspires them to make it happen despite the obstacles.”
I encourage you to seek areas—inside and outside of CalCPA—where you can lead. If you’re looking to give your leadership skills a boost, visit calcpa.org/leadership and calcpa.org/cpe. We would love to partner with you on your leadership journey.