"I joined ASWA as a student Beta Alpha Psi member. I volunteered to serve my local chapter as a committee member for publicity, became the newsletter editor, and then served on the board before becoming President-Elect, President and Past President. I recently volunteered to serve the national organization as a Regional Director.

"I have found that an accountant can work in any industry. Sometimes it's difficult to choose a career path. As I felt my way along, first as an associate in a Big Five accounting firm, then as the owner of an accounting business and now as a government finance director, I had many mentors in my chapter. No matter what I was doing, nor what direction I was considering changing to, there was someone there in the trenches to answer my questions and help me decide. Because of their support, I eventually found the spot to land where I can use my best talents.

"ASWA has given me an opportunity to lead, to organize professional speakers that teach and influence what we do in our profession, and has provided me with special friends that I wouldn't have met otherwise. It is my first priority association after family and church because it enriches my professional self and helps me in my career."

- Allison Hamaker, Sacramento, CA Chapter, ASWA member since 1999

"I joined ASWA as a member of the Chicago, Illinois Chapter and served on numerous committees and board positions, including President. When I relocated to Iowa, I moved my membership to the Des Moines, Iowa Chapter before becoming a Member-at-Large. In 1990, I helped to charter the Ames, Iowa Chapter with a co-worker and a third woman who was also a relocated ASWA member. Since then, I have served several terms as President, as Membership Chair and in various other committee and officer positions in the Ames Chapter.

"In my opinion, new members join ASWA for the ability to network and meet other women accountants as well as for the opportunity to develop their leadership skills in a non-threatening environment. The student dues rate is also very attractive.

"Over the years, I have attended many regional and national conferences. During these conferences, I have served several times on the Credentials Committee for the Annual Business Meeting, often as a delegate, introduced speakers and served as a room monitor, assisted on Workforce Development, served on the ASWA Educational Foundation nominating committee and on the awards committee to review and recommend finalists.

"Because of the wonderful relationships (both personal and professional) that I have made throughout my ASWA career, I decided to give back by mentoring for the past 18 years through a program run by the Iowa Society of CPAs. As part of my annual mentoring activities, I bring each of my students to an Ames Chapter meeting so they can experience a professional organization. I also pay their first year's dues if they wish to join the organization. Two of my recent mentees are still members. This community outreach, in part, led me to become the 2007 North Central Region Balance Award winner for Individual Achievement and I was honored to also be named the 2007 Balance Award National Woman of the Year.
"The skills I have developed as a member of ASWA and the personal and business friendships I have made over the years have helped me become the successful professional that I am.I truly wish that everyone could see the value of ASWA and have the opportunity to experience it over the many years that I have."

- Karen Jacobson, Ames, IA Chapter, ASWA member since 1971

"I live in a small city which has limited opportunities for good accounting jobs.Because of my membership in ASWA, I learned of a full time accounting position available during one of our chapter meetings that was posted by a chapter member.I applied for the job and was hired. I know my association with this member in our chapter, who became my boss, helped me get hired for this job. It was also through my membership in ASWA that I was recruited by another member for my current position.Both of the jobs were highly sought after jobs within our community, offering a good salary and excellent benefits.I feel very blessed to have found employment in my community where many graduating students of the local University often move to a larger city for employment.And I feel strongly that it was ASWA that has helped me in my career path and in my personal life.

"I served as a regional director for the Southwest Region for two and a half years andI really enjoyed the opportunities that the position provided me.I was able to attend several different chapter meetings which allowed me the opportunity to see how other chapters work and to build relationships with other members outside of my own chapter.I really looked forward to receiving the newsletters of all the chapters that I oversaw.I was not able to visit all of them but was able to learn a lot about what their chapters were doing through their newsletters.At the annual JNC, I was fortunate to meet several of the chapter leaders with whom I had corresponded as their regional director.Being a Regional Director helped me feel more connected to the members at the National meeting, even though we only knew each other through email.

"One of the many benefits of ASWA membership is the opportunity to serve in different board and committee positions to gain leadership experience.Other great benefits include having a network of other accounting professionals with whom you can draw on for help or information, not only within your chapter but throughout the national membership, and of course job networking.For me, ASWA has given me a wonderful network of colleagues and friends that I would not have been able to develop any other way."

- Kelly Robertson, Flagstaff, AZ Chapter, ASWA member since 2001

"I joined ASWA as a college junior because a Seattle, Washington chapter member invited me to attend the chapter public relations dinner and my roommate encouraged me to attend.I met wonderful women who were most welcoming and joined soon thereafter.ASWA membership enables one to meet and talk to other women in the profession and learn to take a leadership role.
"I have served as Membership, Publicity, Bylaws, Awards and Program committee chairs as well as in the officer roles of Secretary, Vice President and President.While serving as the Publicity Chair, I helped prepare our Chapter statement on the Equal Rights Amendment in San Francisco, California.

"Some of the membership benefits I have received as a member are leadership experience, job networking and professional relationships.I even bought my tax practice from an ASWA member!"

- Mary Anne Schmitt, Seattle, WA Chapter, ASWA member since 1961

"Initially, I joined ASWA because I wanted to help with the scholarship fundraisers at my local chapter and network with local accounting professionals. However, I have gained so much more than I ever expected. ASWA has provided me opportunities for leadership and career growth. I have received phenomenal support and encouragement from mentors within my Chapter and throughout the organization."

- Christi McDonald, Raleigh, NC Chapter, ASWA member since 2006

"I have been a member of the Houston chapter of ASWA for 7 years. A coworker of mine invited me to a luncheon and I was hooked. ASWA has given me so much. ASWA has helped me develop my leadership and speaking skills. I have held numerous committee chairs and served as Treasurer, Vice President, President Elect and I am now serving my second term as President. ASWA has expanded my knowledge, resources and networking opportunities.

"I served on the National Nominating Committee this year and loved it. I am ready to focus on a national level now that I have been exposed and I hope all of my experience on the local level will benefit me on the national level. I love attending the National Conferences and have met some incredible ladies and made lifelong friends. Everyone makes you feel so welcome and that you matter. I was honored to receive the Emerging Leader Award this year. What excites me most is that this is only the beginning and I can't wait for what is to come.

"I feel that all women in the accounting and finance profession would benefit from the many opportunities that ASWA has to offer."

- Julianne Dorsett, Houston, TX Chapter, ASWA member since 2005

"My accounting professor posted an ASWA Student Night Event hosted by the Seattle Chapter on his bulletin board, which caught my attention. I was making a career transition from operations to accounting in the mid 90s and felt I needed to talk to other accountants about their different disciplines. I was inspired by the friendliness and diversity of expertise of the members at the dinner meeting. Finding a chapter closer to home, I joined the Bellevue Chapter and was immediately recruited to assist at the registration table. I found the members there just as welcoming. That was 17 years ago. ASWA has been a tremendous support for my professional career. I enjoy the friends I make at ASWA, the networking, the outstanding local, regional and national conferences. In addition, as an active board member in my chapter and national director, I am continually challenged to learn and practice new skills. My involvement with ASWA has helped me reach my career goals in both private and public accounting. The more involved I get with this organization, the more I get out of it both personally and professionally. I am very happy I made the decision 17 years ago to join ASWA !"

- Eleanor Siverts-Akerman, Bellevue, WA Chapter, ASWA member since 1994