James Blake, Keri Fleming, Paula Ferreira and Ryan Berdnik awarded New Jersey Society of CPAs 2022 Ovation awards

We congratulate James Blake, Keri Fleming, Paula Ferreira and Ryan Berdnik on their exceptional achievements!

James Blake received the Impact Ovation Award; Keri Fleming received the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award; Paula Ferreira received the Women to Watch Ovation Award; and Ryan Berdnik received the Emerging Leaders Ovation Award.

The awards, announced June 16 at the 2022 NJCPA Convention & Expo in Atlantic City, NJ, were distributed in seven categories: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Emerging Leaders; Exceptional Educators; Impact; Innovation; Lifetime Leader; and Women to Watch.

About the awards and winners

The Impact category recognizes those who dedicate meaningful time and energy to giving back to the community; sharing professional expertise to support others; or advancing the interests and needs of the accounting profession through active engagement, leadership or advocacy.

Jim, the Chief Operating Officer of Mazars in the US, has been a member of the firm’s Executive Board for 12 years. He has been active with the NJCPA on various committees and boards, including launching new ones. Jim has served on the AICPA Council and is currently a PCPS board member. He believes in giving back to the community and supports many causes and the needy. Jim finds that, other than monetary contributions, giving his time and support to a variety of causes  are most impactful.

The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion category recognizes the champions of diversity, equity and inclusion who work passionately to make the accounting and finance profession open, welcoming and fair. It honors those who encourage and promote initiatives and change, regardless of race, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender, disability status or other dimension of diversity.

Keri, Chief People Officer for Mazars in the US, formed the Mazars Inclusion & Diversity Council in 2020 to give voice to, and enable action to address, issues that matter. She also serves as a Mazars professional mentor to veterans transitioning to civilian live through American Corporate Partners. Keri is equally privileged to serve as a volunteer and board member for Oasis – A Haven for Women and Children in Paterson, NJ; its mission it is to break the cycle of poverty, abuse, neglect and oppression.

The Women to Watch category recognizes the growth and success of female NJCPA members for their leadership, potential, contributions and/or commitment to fostering colleagues’ success.

Paula, Office Managing Partner in New Jersey, was recognized for being a proactive leader, mentor and trusted advisor. Her core characteristics focus on a team centric culture, equality and client service. Paula inspires others through thoughtful actions and leads by example. She also leads Mazars’ A&A practice in New Jersey, and is a trustee of the NJCPA PAC committee.

The Emerging Leaders category recognizes savvy superstars who’ve been working in the accounting profession 10 years or less and have had noteworthy professional accomplishments; combined personal and professional achievements that merit special recognition; and/or actively participated in the advancement of the profession or NJCPA.

Ryan, a Senior Manager in the New Jersey Accounting & Advisory Practice, is known as an active leader in the accounting profession and the community. He is a member of the NJCPA Emerging Leaders Council and a mentor through the NJCPA mentor program. At Mazars in the US, he is a career coach and a member of the We Are Mazars committee. For the last four-years, Ryan has organized and driven the Mazars Thanksgiving food drive in partnership with the NJCPA Emerging Leaders Council. He has represented Mazars at various NJCPA career nights including Level Up. Ryan also participates annually in the NJCPA scholarship interviewing process. When not providing advisory and accounting services to his clients, he is promoting the accounting profession and helping tomorrow’s future CPAs achieve their goals.

With more than 14,000 members, the NJCPA represents the interests of the accounting profession and advances the financial well-being of the people of New Jersey. The NJCPA plays a leadership role in supporting the profession by providing members with educational resources, access to shared knowledge and a continuing effort to create and expand professional opportunities.

View all the Ovation Award winners at njcpa.org/awards.

For more information, contact:

Olivia Collins
Olivia.Collins@mazarsusa.com