Women to Watch Awards
Your opportunity to spotlight and celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of women in accounting.
The 2026 Women to Watch Awards
Welcome to the CalCPA Women to Watch Awards, where we celebrate the inspiring women shaping the accounting world! This honor goes to those who lead with excellence, purpose, and inspiration. Winners will be announced at Elevate: Women’s Leadership Forum in Huntington Beach, May 7–8, 2026.
We're shining a spotlight on women who excel, mentor with heart, and make a difference in their workplaces and communities. By nominating someone, you're not just recognizing their work—you're elevating their incredible stories.
Let's come together to celebrate the women who inspire us all—submit your nomination today! For more details on the process and criteria, click here to visit our FAQs.
The nomination deadline is Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
Categories
CPA Emerging Leaders
2-8 years of Accounting industry experience
An emerging leader is an individual whose professional journey reflects ongoing and exceptional growth in contribution to the profession and increased levels of leadership, responsibility, and sphere of impact.
Qualifications include:
Public and/or community service
Demonstration of leadership
Involvement with alma mater or other local colleges and universities
Authorship of articles or industry-related written work
Improvement to the workplace
Awards of recognition
Apply for the CPA Emerging Leader category >
CPA Experienced Leaders
9-14 years of Accounting industry experience
An experienced leader is an individual who encourages strategic thinking, innovation, and action. They are self-aware, ethical and civic-minded. They prioritize personal development, and promote the development of their peers by way of guidance and mentoring.
Qualifications include:
Public and/or community service
Demonstration of leadership
Involvement with alma mater or other local colleges and universities
Authorship of articles or industry-related written work
Improvement to the workplace
Awards of recognition
Building on the previous category, additional qualifications include:
Mentoring and/or coaching other professionals
Creation and implementation of unique initiative(s) and/or affinity groups
Apply for the CPA Experienced Leader category >
CPA Trailblazers
15+ years of Accounting industry experience
A trailblazer is a seasoned leader who has fought for change and overcome setbacks on their own path. A trailblazer promotes abstract, creative, intuitive and innovative modes of thinking. They embody strength, courage and resilience, and are the first or among the first to pave the way for changes and improvements, showing others that they are possible.
Qualifications include:
Public and/or community service
Demonstration of leadership
Involvement with alma mater or other local colleges and universities
Authorship of articles or industry-related written work
Improvement to the workplace
Awards of recognition
Mentoring and/or coaching other professionals
Creation and implementation of unique initiative(s) and/or affinity groups
Building on the previous category, additional qualifications include:
Major or unique contribution to the Accounting profession
Development of a new business department and/or team
Contribution to company-wide decision-making (i.e. Board involvement)
