The Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA) on Monday presented its annual Women to Watch Awards, honoring Experienced Leader Mary Lou Ruderman and Emerging Leader Caroline Beasley.
The awards, presented during the Women’s Leadership Summit at MEGA 2026, were hosted by Alex Welsh, Chair of the FICPA’s Women in Leadership Committee, and Charissa Smith, Commercial Relationship Manager at Cogent Bank, sponsor of the 2026 awards presentation.
“Mary Lou Ruderman and Caroline Beasley exemplify what it means to lead,” FICPA President & CEO Shelly Weir said. “I am grateful for the contributions they have made to our committees, for their continued passion for volunteer service and for the role they play in driving the FICPA forward.”
Ruderman is the President of Ruderman and Company in Pompano Beach. She has more than 30 years of experience providing consulting, management, tax and accounting services to a diverse clientele throughout the state. She is the current Chair of the FICPA’s State Tax Committee.
Beasley is the Founder of Caroline Y. Beasley, CPA, in Jacksonville Beach. A former Big 4 public accountant, Caroline proactively helps small and mid-sized organizations and their high-net-worth owners navigate the business and tax landscape. She is a current member and Past Chair of the FICPA’s Women in Leadership Committee and past member of the Federal Tax Committee.
The Experienced Leader Award is reserved for women who have risen to leadership positions after more than 10 years in the profession.
The 2026 nominees also included Suzanne Forbes (James Moore), Sonali Fournier (Baker Tilly US), Kimberly Garcia (Socorro Partners), Mari Huff (Mari Huff CPA), Beatriz Martin (ZOMMA Group), Malena Martinelli (Stroemer & Company), Alena Miles (Attorney Legal), Lahteefah Parramore (Tri Star Sports & Entertainment), Tatiana Podel (Podel CPA) and Priscilla Thomasevich (Sawgrass CPA Advisors).
The Emerging Leader Award recognizes women who have made significant contributions to the profession in the early stage of their careers.
The 2026 nominees also included The Emerging Leader Award’s 2026 nominees also included Teresa Da Costa (Ashley, Brown & Smith), Emily Demurias (Rudler), Yessica Diaz (LerroSarbey), Katey Exum (A-LIGN), Mary Fernandez (DGPerry), Nicole Fiske (CohnReznick), Erin Griffin (RSM US), Nicole Heineken (Forvis Mazars), Madison Litwin (Home Run Consulting), Lindsey Martin (CLA), Candis Massey (Maven CPA), Alyssa Riley (Carr Riggs & Ingram), Mayra Soto (Baker Tilly US) and Lauren Villarreal (Carr, Riggs & Ingram).
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Tags: Accounting, awards, Florida, state cpa societies
