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Four Michigan CPAs Named as Most Influential Women in Detroit

Crain’s Detroit Business has periodically highlighted the top women making an impact as leaders in fields ranging from accounting to law to nonprofits. Crain’s published a similar list in 1997, 2002 and 2007, focusing on Southeast Michigan.

Jun. 22, 2016

Michigan CPA Society loto

Four members of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants are among those named Crain’s 100 Most Influential Women in Michigan.

Crain’s Detroit Business has periodically highlighted the top women making an impact as leaders in fields ranging from accounting to law to nonprofits. Crain’s published a similar list in 1997, 2002 and 2007, focusing on Southeast Michigan. This year was its first statewide listing, winnowed from more than 300 nominees, according to the publication’s website.

The honorees were recognized during a ceremony on Tuesday, June 21 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.

The four MICPA members who were recognized in Crain’s special feature this year are:

  • Kouhaila Hammer, CEO and president of Ghafari Associates. Hammer has been CEO of the architecture, engineering, consulting and construction firm since 2000. It has about 500 employees. Hammer serves on a number of boards, including the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and Detroit Regional Chamber board and executive committee.
  • Marina Houghton, Michigan managing partner for the professional services firm Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP. Houghton, who helps lead a firm of 130 employees, told Crain’s, “I have been in love with accounting my whole life.” Board membership for Houghton includes the Wayne State University Board of Visitors and the Detroit Zoological Society.
  • Heather Paquette, Michigan managing partner of KPMG LLP since 2012. The audit, tax and advisory firm has 373 employees in Detroit and Grand Rapids. Paquette spent four years in the U.S. Air Force as a computer operator. She serves on boards that include the Detroit Economic Club and the United Way of Southeastern Michigan.
  • LaJune Montgomery Tabron, who is president and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The Battle Creek-based foundation has $8.5 billion in assets and nearly 200 employees. She has served on a number of boards, including currently on the University of Michigan Alumni Association and the Detroit Mayor’s Workforce Development Board.

“We are so delighted that these MICPA members are among the women recognized for this honor,” said MICPA President and CEO Peggy A. Dzierzawski, an honorary MICPA member who was named to the list in 2007. “This representation from our membership demonstrates the esteem with which CPAs are regarded and the leadership opportunities that are inherent in our profession.”

MICPA members who are prior recipients of this distinction include:

  • Nancy Bacon
  • Stephanie Bergeron
  • Shari Burgess
  • Peggy Dzierzawski
  • Pearl Holforty
  • Mary Kline-Cueter
  • Leslie Murphy
  • Anne Regling
  • Karen Wiltsie

For more on Crain’s 100 Most Influential Women in Michigan visit crainsdetroit.com/women.