KLWIN
KLWIN
The Kruggel Lawton Women’s Initiative Network (KLWIN) was founded in 2018 as a way to bridge the gap between how men and women operate within their personal and professional lives. With women making up more than half of the Kruggel Lawton team, it was important for the firm to address recruitment, retention, and succession planning by focusing its efforts on women’s initiatives.
KLWIN Mission Statement – KLWIN exists to support initiatives that provide the women of Kruggel Lawton optimal personal and professional outcomes. We do this by building relationships, sharing our voices, and collaborating with our teammates.
As of June 1, 2024, KL is now at over 20% in terms of female leadership with the election of Sara Sweers, CPA, as partner.
We are Kruggel Lawton CPA
While women are typically the majority in the accounting workforce, they represent less than 20% of partners in accounting firms worldwide. On January 1, 2018, Margene Zink, CPA, was elected the first female partner at Kruggel Lawton. Two years later on January 1, 2020, Shaun Mawhorter, CPA, was elected partner. As the number of women in leadership roles continues to grow within the profession, it’s important to note that Kruggel Lawton has an almost equal split of male and female managers and senior managers.
KLWIN continues to remove barriers in the workplace by using time and resources to focus on leadership development, mentoring and professional development.
KLWIN events and initiatives:
- Volunteered at the Southwest Michigan Girls on the Run event.
- Organized golf lessons to introduce women to the sport and improve skill level while networking with clients.
- Board and Brush event aimed at business development and networking.
- Invited a professional guest speaker to discuss how gender can influence the way feedback is given and received.
- Annual winery tour for comradery and networking (canceled in 2020 and 2021).
- Book club:
- The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon
- Successful Women Think Differently: 9 Habits to Make You Happier, Healthier and More Resilient by Valorie Burton
- Grit by Angela Duckworth
- Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
- The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni
- Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear
Steering Committee
- Allison Allman, CPA
- Stacey Ball
- Kate Leichty, CPA
- Shaun Mawhorter, CPA
- Ashley Meyerdierks
- Brandi Rodriguez, CPA, CGMA
- Sara Sweers, CPA
- Margene Zink, CPA
