Association for Accounting Marketing Announces 2025 Individual Award Recipients
May 14, 2025 (Lexington, KY) – The Association for Accounting Marketing (AAM), the leading resource for growth professionals in the accounting and advisory profession, announced the recipients of its individual achievement awards yesterday during its Annual Summit. Individual awards are presented annually in recognition of outstanding achievements in the profession, as well as contributions to AAM.
Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk Inducted into the AAM Hall of Fame
Being inducted into the AAM Hall of Fame is the highest honor in the field of accounting marketing and growth. Inductees must have fifteen years or more of professional experience with a minimum of ten years in the accounting field. Inductees must also be known for their outstanding accomplishments as leaders of the association and in the profession.
Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk’s work, through her role as President of BBR Companies, has set a high standard in the accounting profession, influencing best practices in firm differentiation, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and professional development. A cornerstone of Bonnie’s impact has been her DEI leadership, particularly through her work with the Accounting MOVE Project. By championing initiatives that help firms create cultures where all employees can advance and reach leadership positions, she has influenced a shift toward more inclusive workplaces.
Her impact has been widely recognized across the accounting profession. Bonnie has been named one of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People six times, including in the last two years. She was also honored as one of CPA Practice Advisor’s Most Powerful Women in Accounting in 2015 and 2016 and was named AAM’s Volunteer of the Year in 2014. Bonnie’s commitment to AAM is evident in her long-standing involvement since 2007. As an AAM board member from 2016 to 2020, she played a role in shaping the strategic direction of the association, contributing to its growth and evolution. Her leadership extended beyond the boardroom as the chair of the Growth Strategies Committee, where she served as publications editor for nearly three years. Her openness to discussing complex topics, such as DEI, has provided a crucial lifeline for AAM members navigating these issues.
Her induction into the Hall of Fame is a testament to her leadership, impactful career, and unwavering commitment to the accounting marketing community.
Alex Miller Named Volunteer of the Year
AAM’s Volunteer of the Year award recognizes dedication to the association, involvement on committees and/or special projects, as well as professional accomplishments.
An AAM member since 2016, Alex Miller has demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment within AAM, making a lasting impact across multiple initiatives. She has been an integral part of the AAM DEI Committee, where she serves as a liaison to the AAM Summit Committee, ensuring that DEI topics remain a central focus of programming and conversations. Her dedication to AAM extends beyond these efforts—she has also taken on a key leadership role as the chair of the 2025 AAM Summit Conference Committee. As a conference committee chair, she is actively shaping the content, structure, and experience of the association’s most significant annual event, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of AAM members.
Beyond these roles, Alex contributes through ongoing mentorship, thought leadership, and advocacy, helping to create an association that is more accessible and welcoming to all members. Her involvement reflects a deep passion for advancing AAM’s mission while challenging the status quo to ensure meaningful progress.
Alex is a trusted collaborator and mentor, inspiring others to get involved, share their voices, and contribute to AAM’s success. She brings vision, strategy, and a deep commitment to AAM, making her a deserving recipient of the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award.
Kaelynn Guzman Honored as Rookie of the Year
A marketer on the rise demonstrating distinction in the field, the Rookie of the Year shows creativity, initiative, and ambition at their firm.
Kaelynn Guzman joined Pannell Kerr Forster of Texas, P.C. (PKF Texas) in November 2023 in the firm’s new role of Digital Marketing Manager. In this short amount of time, she has made the role her own. One of Kaelynn’s first projects, an employee engagement program, has been a great success. Another facet of her role is handling all things related to the firm’s website. With fresh eyes, she made recommendations to enhance functionality, visibility, and engagement. In 2024, as the result of her efforts to improve the firm’s website, PKF Texas saw a 98% increase in pipeline potential fee volume and a 91% increase in “won” revenue directly attributed to website generated opportunities. By all measures of success, Kaelynn has exceeded expectations.
Kaelynn has also begun to make her mark within AAM. She attended her first Summit last year in Orlando and has begun building critical relationships with her peers. Recognizing the importance of learning as much as she can about the industry, this year she is participating as a mentee in the AAM Mentorship program. She joined the 2025 AAM Summit networking subcommittee and is spearheading many of the efforts.
Kaelynn epitomizes what it means to be an AAM Rookie of the Year and is very deserving of the honor.
About AAM
Founded in 1989, the Association for Accounting Marketing (AAM) is committed to advancing career development for growth professionals in the accounting and advisory sector. With over 1,000 members, including marketing professionals, business developers, growth partners, consultants, service providers, and firm administrators, AAM fosters professional growth through professional development, thought leadership, and a vibrant community that promotes networking and collaboration. Explore more about AAM at www.accountingmarketing.org.