Connecticut Society of CPAs Women’s Awards Program to Honor Outstanding Connecticut CPAs and Finance Professionals
(Rocky Hill, CT) – The Connecticut Society of CPAs (CTCPA) will honor 12 outstanding women at the CTCPA Women’s Awards event on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the TPC River Highlands.
Awardees will be honored in three categories: Distinguished Service, Women to Watch, and Aspiring CPAs.
This is the sixth year the CTCPA has honored outstanding females in the profession.
“We are thrilled to honor the 2025 recipients of the CTCPA Women’s Awards,” said CTCPA Executive Director and CEO Bonnie Stewart. “As the accounting profession continues to evolve and grow, these dynamic female leaders are helping to blaze the path. From serving their organizations and their communities to mentoring and supporting others, they have all made a significant and positive impact in the state of Connecticut.”
Honorees are as follows:
Meet the 2025 Honorees
Distinguished Service Award Winners
The Distinguished Service Award recognizes CPAs with at least 15 years of experience who have advanced to a higher level or leadership position within their organizations.
LeeAnne W. Creevy
Risk & Regulatory Consulting (an affiliate of RSM)
As a partner with Risk & Regulatory Consulting (an affiliate of RSM), LeeAnne co-leads a team of more than 100 individuals who provide professional services to the regulatory insurance community. In her current role, she is responsible for leading client service and business development teams, developing and training people, and providing financial and operational oversight for the team.
Stacey A. Curran, CPA
Whittlesey PC
Stacey is a senior assurance manager at Whittlesey, specializing in audits for nonprofits and healthcare organizations receiving federal and state funding, and is the senior manager of many of the firm’s largest nonprofit clients. Her client work spans diverse industries, ensuring she maintains a broad perspective and versatile skills.
Mary Manfredi, CPA
General Dynamics, Electric Boat
Mary is the manager of finance at General Dynamics, Electric Boat where she manages several accounting functions including payroll, timekeeping, accounts payable, and travel expenses.
Lauren Shugrue, CPA
The Innovative CPA Group, LLC
Lauren is a founding partner of The Innovative CPA Group, LLC. She works with businesses, high-net-worth individuals, and nonprofits in both the tax and attest areas. She is also involved in the day-to-day operations and growth of the firm.
Women to Watch Winners
The Women to Watch category honors CPAs with fewer than 15 years of experience who have made significant contributions to the profession and their communities.
Melanie Ballestas, CPA
CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP)
As a nonprofit principal in CLA’s West Hartford office, Melanie provides audit services to a variety of nonprofit organizations. She is passionate about supporting nonprofits not only through her work at CLA, but through her involvement with The Bridge Family Center and muscular dystrophy-related organizations.
Kaitlyn Baron, CPA
CBIZ, Inc.
As an assurance supervisor at CBIZ, Kaitlyn specializes in conducting, reviewing, and analyzing financial information within the life sciences, biotech, and manufacturing industries. Beyond providing exceptional client service, Kaitlyn is committed to mentoring and developing her team, helping them grow, and fostering a passion for the profession.
Megan D’Alessandro, CPA
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Megan is an audit manager with Deloitte & Touche LLP and currently serving a two year rotation in Deloitte’s National Office. In addition to serving her own financial services audit clients, Megan advises teams on complex transactions including public offerings, accounting for financial instruments, and adoption or evaluation of accounting standards.
Destiny Hartmann, CPA
Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina LLP
Destiny is a tax manager at Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina LLP, providing tax services to a variety of clients in the environmental, technology, and medical space. Destiny is co-chair of her firm’s Women’s Group, onboarding, training and development, and is a mentor to several young colleagues.
Kariann McDougall, CPA
CBIZ, Inc.
Kariann is a senior manager at CBIZ and is part of the tax team. She has expertise in tax compliance and planning for high-net-worth individuals and small and mid-size businesses with focuses in food and beverage and professional services.
Nicole Pelletier, CPA
Whittlesey PC
As an assurance manager at Whittlesey, Nicole provides audit and other attest services to financial institutions with a primary focus on banks, credit unions, and community lending organizations.
Aspiring CPAs Winners
The Aspiring CPAs category recognizes outstanding women working in accounting or finance while progressing toward the CPA credential.
Hannah Cleary
Ernst & Young
As an audit senior in the financial services sector of Ernst & Young, Hannah provides assurance services for high-profile insurance clients and investment managers by developing audit strategies, coordinating audit procedures, and bringing innovation to both her clients and her engagement team.
Erin Jose
Whittlesey PC
Erin is a tax supervisor at Whittlesey where she provides tax preparation and compliance services to high-net worth individual, pass-through, and corporate clients.