Illinois CPA Society Honors Professional Women to Watch

Angela Hickey, CPA, is the Executive Director of Chicago law firm Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC. A member of the firm’s Executive Committee and Compensation Committee, she oversees the firm’s financial and operational functions, including business development, marketing, human resources and technology. A communication-focused leader, she has hosted Ask Angie sessions to offer attorneys and staff meaningful financial and operational updates. Idea Exchange, a peer mentoring group she established, provides an environment in which women leaders can share frank discussions of workplace strategies and life experiences. Angie currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities of Chicago and as a member of the Council of 100, an Advisory Board to the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana.  

Kristie Paskvan, CPA, serves as Mesirow Financial’s CFO and as president of the firm’s Retirement Plan Advisory business. She serves as a Steering Committee member of Mesirow Financial’s Women Connect, a professional development group formed to connect, educate and empower women. She is a member of the FINRA Financial Responsibility Committee, where she is responsible for advising FINRA about policies affecting the financial and operational activities of firms. She is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago and the Economic Club of Chicago. Kristie serves as a mentor in the New Leaders Circle Group Mentorship Program of the Executive Club of Chicago. She also serves as a governing board member of Gilda’s Club of Chicago, is a member of the board of directors of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, and treasurer of the James C. Tyree Foundation.

Emerging Leader Category:

Annie Kolman, CPA, is an Assurance Senior Manager at Ernst & Young LLP (EY) where she serves one of the largest, integrated oil and gas companies in the world and leads one of the largest engagement teams in Chicago. At EY, Annie has served as thePan-Asian Professional Network Leader and Professional Women’s Network Events Committee Chair,organizing affinity group networking events. She has also served on EY’s Chicago People Advisory Council and on the Board of Directors of Hands-On Suburban Chicago. Annie has organized two teams for EY’s Adopt-A-Family Holiday Giving Campaign that provided assistance for two adopted families in need. She has also served as a mentor in EY’s College Mentoring for Access and Persistence Program where she helped students write college application essays, apply for financial aid and identify scholarship opportunities.

“Angela, Kristie and Annie represent an emerging trend among CPAs. The CPA credential is now looked upon for guidance and stewardship in businesses and communities,” said Todd Shapiro, President and CEO of the Illinois CPA Society. “Each of these women has set an example of hard work and community spirit we all admire.”

The Women to Watch awards are a joint partnership between the Illinois CPA Society’s Women’s Executive Committee and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Women’s Initiatives Executive Committee to recognize and celebrate women who have promoted a work environment that provides opportunities for the successful integration of their personal and professional lives and the advancement of women to positions of leadership.