The Illinois CPA Society and its CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois have announced that Kari Natale, senior director of planning and governance at the Illinois CPA Society and senior director of the CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois, has been honored with the Association Forum’s Inspiring Leader Award.

The award honors those who have “established a culture leading to employee satisfaction, motivation, engagement, and achievement.” Natale was recognized for her efforts in leading professional development, mentorship and involvement with the CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois scholarship, which looks to boost diversity and inclusion across the CPA profession.

“Kari is an intelligent, strategic and dependable association leader whom we hold in high regard,” said Illinois CPA Society president and CEO Todd Shapiro in a statement. “We are very proud of Kari and all she has accomplished. What great recognition from her colleagues in the association community.”

Natale, 37, is a Chicago resident, native of Crete-Monee and an alumna of Eastern Illinois University and DePaul University. She is also a member of the Association Forum, the American Society of Association Executives and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Natale will be formally recognized with her award at the Association Forum’s Honors Gala on June 18, 2020, held at the Chicago Marriott Downtown-Magnificent Mile.

For more on the CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois, head to the Illinois CPA Society’s site here.