Wallace Plese + Dreher offers professional development, continuous learning, and upward mobility. In January, the Firm promoted 15 employees with diverse backgrounds and wide-ranging technical skills. Below is an overview of the people promoted and their backgrounds.
Sarah E. Gryp, CPA was promoted from Tax Supervisor to Tax Manager. Prior to joining the Firm in 2018, Sarah worked at a public accounting firm in Omaha, Nebraska. She earned her Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Accounting, from Creighton University, and Master of Science, Accountancy, from the University of Notre Dame. Sarah holds an Arizona certified public accountant license. She speaks Spanish and enjoys traveling, baking, and puzzles.
Brendan J. Higgins, CPA was promoted from Tax Supervisor to Tax Manager. He joined the Firm in 2017 and previously worked for a multinational professional services firm in Phoenix, Arizona. He earned his Bachelor of Science, Accountancy, and Master of Taxation, from Arizona State University. Brendan holds an Arizona certified public accountant license. He enjoys, running, traveling, and golfing.
Kaitlyn L. Hirakawa was promoted from Staff Accountant to Tax Senior. Kaitlyn joined the Firm in 2020 after graduating from college. She earned her Bachelor of Science, Accountancy, from Arizona State University, W. P. Carey School of Business. She enjoys sewing, crocheting, knitting, and crafts. Currently, Kaitlyn is studying for the CPA exam.
Miriam B. Jenkins, CPA was promoted from Tax Senior to Tax Supervisor. Prior to joining the Firm in 2020, she held accounting positions with a public accounting firm and behavioral health organization. She earned her Bachelor of Science, Accounting, from Post University, and Master of Science, Taxation, from Arizona State University, W. P. Carey School of Business. She holds an Arizona certified public accountant license, which she received while working full-time at the Firm. Miriam speaks Hebrew. She enjoys auto mechanics and overland camping with her family.
Jakob I. Klein, CPA was promoted from Tax Supervisor to Tax Manager. Jake joined the Firm in 2015 after graduating from college. While in college, he worked as an accountant with the Arizona Snowbowl and prepared taxes for a local CPA in Flagstaff, Arizona. Jake earned his Bachelor of Science, Accountancy, from Northern Arizona University. He holds an Arizona certified public accountant license, which he obtained while working full-time at the Firm. He enjoys personal fitness, playing chess, rock climbing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and scratch cooking.
Suzanne M. LaCross, CPA was promoted from Tax Supervisor to Tax Manager. She joined the Firm in 2016, previously worked for a global CPA firm, and taught middle and high school math as a substitute teacher. She earned her Bachelor of Science, Business, from the University of Maryland. She holds an Arizona certified public accountant license. She enjoys knitting, reading, and learning about craft brews.
Danielle N. McFadden, CPA was promoted from Tax Senior to Tax Supervisor. Prior to joining the Firm in 2019 and transitioning to public accounting, Dani held industry positions as an accountant and project manager. She earned her Bachelor of Science, Accountancy, from Arizona State University, W. P. Carey School of Business, and Bachelor of Science, Landscape Architecture, from Arizona State University. She holds an Arizona certified public accountant license. She enjoys cooking and taking her dog swimming.
Corey Y. Ng, CPA was promoted from Audit Supervisor to Audit Manager. In 2016, Corey worked as an Intern with the Firm and accepted a full-time position as Staff Accountant after completing his internship. He earned his Bachelor of Science, Accountancy, from Northern Arizona University. He speaks Mandarin and enjoys watching sports, playing racquetball, and cooking. Corey holds an Arizona certified public accountant license, which he received while working full-time at the Firm.
Hannah J. Oglesby, CPA, CFP® was promoted from Tax Manager to Senior Tax Manager. She joined the Firm in 2017 as a Tax Supervisor and previously worked for a midwestern CPA firm. She earned her Bachelor of Science, Accounting and Business Administration, from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. She holds certified public accountant licenses in Arizona and Wisconsin and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Hannah speaks Spanish. She enjoys reading and home improvement projects.
Adam C. Ortega was promoted from Audit Senior to Audit Supervisor. Adam joined the Firm in 2018 after graduating from college. He earned his Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, from the University of Arizona, Eller College of Management. He speaks Spanish and enjoys learning the latest software. Adam is completing his final educational requirements to apply to become an Arizona certified public accountant.
Brandy L. Ritz, CPA was promoted from Tax Supervisor to Tax Manager. Brandy joined the Firm in 2019. Previously, she worked as an accountant with two different CPA firms and financial assistant in a private company. She earned her Bachelor of Arts, Sport and Recreation Management, from Chadron State College, and Master of Science, Accounting, from University of Phoenix. She holds an Arizona certified public accountant license. Brandy enjoys hiking the mountains, walking her dog, painting, and reading.
Katelyn St. Sauveur, CPA was promoted from Audit Senior to Audit Supervisor. Prior to joining the Firm in 2018, Kate worked as an accountant in industry. She earned her Bachelor of Science, Accountancy, from Arizona State University, W.P. Carey School of Business, and Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, History, from Arizona State University, School of Politics and Global Studies. Kate speaks French and enjoys discovering new recipes and cooking. She holds an Arizona certified public accountant license, which she received while working full-time at the Firm.
Hiral Shah, CPA was promoted from Staff Accountant to Tax Senior. Prior to joining the Firm in 2019, Hiral worked in India and the U.S. in professional accounting firms. She earned her Bachelor of Commerce and Master in Commerce from Gujarat University. She speaks Gujarati and Hindi. She holds an Arizona certified public accountant license, which she received while working full-time at the Firm. Hiral enjoys traveling throughout Arizona, watercolor painting, and sand art.
Ankita P. Trivedi was promoted from Tax Manager to Senior Tax Manager. She joined the Firm in 2018 and previously worked with a multinational professional services firm serving public companies. She earned her Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting and Economics, from University of Mumbai. She specializes in international tax and provides guidance on IRS reporting requirements to expatriates, inpatriates, and assignees. Ankita speaks Gujarati and Hindi. She enjoys reading, music, badminton, and traveling.
Sarah A. Wright, CPA was promoted from Staff Accountant to Tax Senior. Sarah joined the Firm in 2019 after graduating from college. She earned her Bachelor of Science, Accountancy, from Arizona State University, W. P. Carey School of Business. She holds an Arizona certified public accountant license, which she received while working full-time at the Firm. She enjoys swing dancing and reading mystery novels. Interested in Aquascaping, she keeps a 10 gallon freshwater fish tank.