Johnson Lambert Manager, Lauren Graves, CPA, ACI was one of only 30 CPAs honored by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) as a member of the Leadership Academy’s 13^th graduating class. Lauren was selected based on her exceptional leadership skills and professional experience for the four-day Leadership Academy program, which will be held October 25-28, 2021.

Lauren has been with Johnson Lambert since 2015, upon her graduation from the University of Vermont where she earned both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master of Accountancy. In her role at Johnson Lambert, she manages client engagements, working closely with both client contacts as well as other internal team members. Beyond her client responsibilities, she is a leader in building and maintaining the firm’s celebrated culture. Outside of Johnson Lambert, Lauren was a founding member of the VT Society of CPA’s Young Professionals Committee and served as the Chair of the committee from 2018 until 2021.

The AICPA Leadership Academy was designed to strengthen and expand the leadership skills of promising young professionals while they network with a peer group of talented and motivated CPAs. 

The Leadership Academy features career-development workshops and sessions with some of the accounting profession’s most prominent influencers, including William (Bill) Pirolli, CPA/CFF/PFS, CGMA, chairman of the American Institute of CPAs and Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, American Institute of CPAs president and CEO, Association of Certified Professional Accountants CEO.

Participants were selected from public accounting firms of all sizes, business and industry, government, and consulting firms. 

The 2021 Leadership Academy attendees were recommended by their employers, state CPA societies, and/or volunteer organizations. Candidates submitted resumes and a statement explaining how participating in the Leadership Academy would impact them personally and professionally. They also wrote an essay on the topic “The future will bring significant changes to the accounting profession. What do leaders have to get right in order to successfully lead?”

To date, more than 415 CPAs have participated in the AICPA Leadership Academy, many of whom have gone on to take on leadership positions in their firms, businesses, and volunteer organizations.

For more information about the AICPA Leadership Academy, visit AICPA.org/Leadership.