Kayla Kania’s Post

Hard to believe the ACG awards season is over! I had a blast chairing the awards this year along with my friend Jennifer Wappaus, CEPA, CFP®. Many thanks to our amazing awards committee that met diligently and pounded the pavement to get an astounding number of nominations in. I'd also like to thank Andy McEnroe for his leadership as ACG National Capital president for all of his support, which involved quieting the crowd, important script changes and assistance with tough decisions along the way - you've been a great prez! Last but not least, thank you to Nicole Brophy, Claire Sutton, and our very own Ingrid Amaya for all of the last-minute preparations and dry runs yesterday to make the awards function as seamless as possible. Congratulations to all of the winners and the finalists, it was amazing to hear your acceptance speeches and to celebrate with you! Last, but not least, don't forget to try the CAVA steak!

And just like that nominations are closed for the ACG Awards! Our group of esteemed colleagues on the awards committee met last week to review the record-breaking number of nominations to determine the finalists for the awards. Needless to say, it was an amazing year in the National Capital region in terms of corporate growth and M&A! Sponsors of the awards and the nominees are invited to join us to reveal the finalists at our reception on May 16th - https://lnkd.in/eVc3fsPS And tables are still available at the awards show on June 6th - join us! https://lnkd.in/e9_GaFMK Next, I would like to express my gratitude to our awards committee for all of their hard work to make this awards program one of the best! And last, but not least, a special shout out to my co-chair, Jennifer Wappaus, CEPA, CFP®, as well as our ACG team, Nicole Brophy and Claire Sutton, for bearing through the endless amounts of meetings, emails, calls and texts to make it all possible - thank you!

As National Donate Life Month comes to a close, I would be remiss to not give a plea for organ donation myself given the impact it has had on my family. At this point last year, we were patiently waiting for my dad to be listed on the lung transplant list. He had a horrific disease called pulmonary fibrosis that was severely limiting his ability to breathe and thereby limiting his quality of life. The disease was progressing at what felt like warp speed and we all knew our time with my dad was short without a double lung transplant. Luckily on June 14th, my dad received the call from UPMC, and an organ donor saved his life. I still struggle to compute how fortunate we are as a family that someone was a perfect match to my dad and was an organ donor. We are eternally grateful to them and their family that gave my dad a new lease on life. I became an organ donor when I got my license at the age of 16. Clearly, I was young and definitely not understanding of the full impact, but I remember breaking it down into a simplistic thought. That if I was dying and could save someone, I should. And now in hindsight, I am beyond proud that I am one. Becoming an organ donor takes very little effort but can have the most profound impact on a family, or many families for that matter. Please consider becoming a donor and saving a life! #Everydayisagift

Excited to begin Professional Services Council's Annual Conference festivities today! You can find me on the course with the self-proclaimed best dressed golf team or at my usual spot on the craps table this evening... Looking forward to seeing everyone along with my fellow Aprio teammates!

Happy International Women's Day! As I reflect on the past year, I am beyond grateful for the women I have had the support from at a professional (and a lot of times friendship) level. I am the luckiest person ever as the pictures are only a small sample of the awesomeness I work with every day! Also shout out to Morgan Higgins for giving us all a reason to get together today!

Thanks Matt Stavish for inviting me to participate in Season 3 of #RCAShorts! It was a great little busy season break! For those wondering, I can still twist a pretzel with the best of them...

Way to go James Fennel! Absolutely the power player and exceptional expert in govcon! I could not be prouder of you!

I was honored to be nominated as a DCA Live Power Woman of Govcon last night amongst many great ladies in the industry. It was a great event and I am humbled by the recognition. I also wanted to give a shout out to the best cheering section a girl could ask for - I am so lucky to work with the best people around. Thanks for being there team Aprio!

Had a blast visiting Aprio headquarters for a very special event. Our own Kelli Lyde, CPA moderated a panel discussion on doing business with the government in conjunction with the black business forum. It was a great event with amazing insights!