Maryland CPAs Honored Women in Leadership
The Maryland Association of CPAs recognized ten professionals for their contributions to the accounting industry.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Women’s Issues
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The Maryland Association of CPAs presented its 2026 Women to Watch Awards to ten honorees during the inaugural Rise Together Retreat. Megan McKnew received the Emerging Leader award, while Laura Vansuch was honored as the Experienced Leader.
Why it matters
The awards highlight women who have shown significant leadership and provided notable contributions to the accounting profession. The recognition serves to celebrate professional growth and excellence within the state sector.
The judging panel selected 10 total honorees after an independent review of applications and recommendation letters. The selection process followed specific criteria established for each distinct award category.
The players
Maryland Association of CPAs
This is a professional organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for certified public accountants across the state.
Megan McKnew
She was recognized with the Emerging Leader award for her professional contributions.
Laura Vansuch
She was named the recipient of the Experienced Leader award for her leadership in the field.
The details
Judges consisting of board members, champions, and past honorees reviewed and scored candidates to determine the recipients. This ceremony marked the conclusion of the first-ever Rise Together Retreat hosted by the organization.
Timeline
September 23, 2026: The Women to Watch Awards took place during the Rise Together Retreat.
Culture Shift
The awards reflect a broader societal shift toward formalizing recognition for women in finance and leadership roles. This initiative by the Maryland Association of CPAs follows the structural precedent set by the national AICPA Women to Watch Awards framework to improve industry representation.
For local accounting professionals, these awards provide a clear benchmark for career milestones and leadership recognition within the state. The Rise Together Retreat also offers a networking opportunity for those looking to engage with local industry leaders.
The takeaway
Recognizing leadership at the state level helps foster a supportive environment for career advancement among local practitioners. Professionals can implement similar peer-nomination strategies to increase the visibility of high-performing colleagues within their own firms.
Further reading
For more on professional development initiatives, visit the Women’s Issues section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CPA Practice Advisor.
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