Member Spotlight
Courtney Leamon, the Indiana CPA Society
There are a number of bright young professionals working for associations in the State of Indiana. These young professionals offer a fresh perspective on the business of associations. One such young professional is our member spotlight for April, Courtney Leamon from the Indiana CPA Society. Courtney is part of the Member Services Department at the Society. With membership being the driving force behind the Society, 8 of the 23 total employees work in the Member Services Department. Courtney began her association career at the CPA Society 3 ½ years ago as a Communications Specialist and within just a few years was promoted to the Membership Manager. In her current role Courtney focuses on overall recruitment and retention of membership. In addition, she works with the Society's affinity programs, the career center and young member networking events.
Courtney hadn't set out with the goal of working for the membership department of a non-profit, but says a "fluke" landed her in a position at the Indiana CPA Society. She attended the Indiana University and graduated with a BS in journalism and also a BS in sociology. After searching for a position she had decided to enroll in the nursing program at IUPUI when she got the call from the Indiana CPA Society and decided to take the position. Since joining an association Courtney says what surprises her most is how much her organization runs like a for profit. Landing the position may have been by chance, but that isn't what's keeping her around. I asked Courtney what she likes most about working for the Society and she said that besides having a great staff and membership to work with she loves the variety of work that she gets to experience while working with a large variety of members. In addition, what started as a job has now turned into a career path for her. Courtney isn't sure where time will take her, but she would like to stay in association management. She is very proud to work for the Society and speaks very highly of the organization, staff and members.
The Indiana CPA Society serves over 8,500 members across the state and works with approximately a $5 million annual budget. The majority of members are CPAs, but the membership spans 11 categories. The society's main function is to enhance the professional success of their members while promoting the public interest in conjunction with other services including representing the profession. The Society isn't stopping there. The Indiana CPA Society is currently revamping their strategic plan, focusing on working more closely with the state and promoting their CPA members as a level of high quality CPAs. The Society's work certainly doesn't go unrecognized. Just recently the Society was awarded a STAR Award for Best Membership Program for associations with a budget over $750,000.
During my time with Courtney I took the opportunity to find out more about the challenges and rewards of her job:
Q: What is the biggest challenge that Indiana CPA Society is facing?
A: Making it clear that the Indiana CPA Society does not actually license CPAs, but does provide education.
Q: What is something most people may not know about the Society?
A: There is actually only one CPA on the staff, the Vice President of Finance.
Q: Why is it important for an accountant to become a CPA? How does the Society provide support?
A: In the public accounting sector typically an accountant will hit a ceiling without obtaining their CPA designation. The Society provides support and continuing education to both current CPAs and those who are preparing to become a CPA.
Q: What do you look for in professional development?
A: A program that provides valuable, relevant take aways that are easy to start implementing right away at the office.
Q: What are your current professional goals?
A: To earn her CAE designation.
Q: What is the best book you have read lately?
A: Here Comes Everybody, Clay Shirky
Q: Why are you an ISAE member?
A: ISAE is a good organization to help me obtain my professional goals and it would be hypocritical of me to not enhance myself professionally when that is what I do for a living for my members.
I I I want to thank Courtney for taking the time to participate as this month's member spotlight for ISAE.
If you know someone who should be in the member spotlight, please email your recommendations to Katie.