HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA - CalCPA honored three exceptional women in accounting at its Elevate: Women's Leadership Forum, held May 7-8, 2026, in Huntington Beach. The annual Women to Watch Awards recognize professionals who demonstrate outstanding leadership, mentorship and community impact.
Trailblazer: Crystal Coleman, Principal, CLA (Sacramento and Roseville)
Coleman is a nationally recognized expert in ERISA and employee benefit plan audits. She built the ERISA audit practice at Gallina LLP, later acquired by CLA, and continues to lead in that specialty at the national level, contributing to published articles, conference presentations and co-authoring an industry audit guide. She taught as an adjunct professor at Sacramento State and UC Davis for more than two decades, established scholarship endowments for accounting students and personally funds educational opportunities for young adults in Zambia.
Experienced Leader: Destiny J. Flood, CPA Partner, AAFCPAs (Sacramento)
Flood leads AAFCPAs' Commercial Outsourced Accounting and Fractional CFO practice, where she has championed the integration of automation and AI to improve team workflows and service quality. She serves on the CalCPA Board as a Council Representative, chairs the 2026 Elevate: Women's Leadership Forum and sits on the AICPA Council. She supports student development through Sierra College and the CalCPA Sacramento Chapter Scholarship Committee, and has built mentoring programs and structured career development paths within her firm.
Emerging Leader: Precious Opaleke, CPA, MSC Senior Tax Specialist, LTax (Inland Empire)
Opaleke, who built her accounting career across the U.K. and U.S., was recognized for her rapid rise in both professional and volunteer leadership. Since joining CalCPA in 2019, she has focused on mentorship and outreach, guiding students and CPA candidates through the licensure process. She chairs the CalCPA Inland Empire Chapter Estate Planning Committee, serves on the statewide CalCPA Young Emerging Professionals Committee, and graduated from the CalCPA Leadership Institute. She has also received a certificate of recognition from the California State Senate and Assembly for her community contributions.
Together, the honorees reflect the depth of leadership, expertise and community engagement shaping the future of the accounting profession in California.
“These exceptional women are shaping the future of the accounting profession through their leadership, innovation, mentorship and commitment to service,” said Jillian Phan, 2025-26 CalCPA Chair. "Their accomplishments not only strengthen our profession but also inspire the next generation of CPAs to lead with confidence and purpose. On behalf of CalCPA, we are proud to celebrate these remarkable leaders and the impact they continue to make in their organizations, communities and beyond.”
The award recipients and CalCPA representatives are available for interviews upon request.
About CalCPA
Established in 1903, CalCPA is the largest state CPA society in the country, representing and supporting certified public accountants and related professionals in California.
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