Labrador Named AAM’s 2025 Business Developer of the Year
May 14, 2025 | Lexington, KY – Arlene Labrador, Business Development Director at Cherry Bekaert, has been honored with the Association for Accounting Marketing’s (AAM) 2025 Business Developer of the Year award. Awarded for the first time this year, the Business Developer of the Year award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional performance in driving growth and fostering client relationships and honors outstanding achievements in business development within the accounting industry.
In her capacity at Cherry Bekaert, Arlene tailors the firm’s business development efforts to truly enhance the buyer journey by leveraging her background and unique insights. Being in South Florida, she has drawn on her language skills and cultural understanding to connect authentically with the local market. This approach has allowed her to deeply understand client needs and preferences, making their experience with the firm more personalized and impactful.
Since joining the firm in 2018, Arlene has helped drive new business growth. Active listening plays a crucial role in her approach. With a strong understanding of client needs, she connects prospects with the right team within the firm to provide guidance and support, ensuring that everyone at the firm has the expertise needed for every situation.
Arlene remarked, “I am honored to receive AAM’s 2025 Business Developer of the Year award. This recognition reflects the hard work and collaboration of the Cherry Bekaert team. I appreciate the chance to tailor our strategies to meet the unique needs of our clients, especially in the diverse South Florida market. Thank you to my colleagues and mentors for their support. I look forward to continuing our journey of driving growth and delivering exceptional value and service to our clients.”
Arlene doubled her revenue goal in 2023 and landed a $2 million dollar franchise deal in 2025. She modeled the importance of being visible in the market and always took Partners/Managers with her. CRM adoption, internal team collaboration, community involvement, and overall pipeline growth have skyrocketed with Arlene’s short-term presence in the Miami market.
“Obviously Arlene is very successful in her business development efforts, but her value to the firm runs much deeper. You can’t help but want to be a better professional with Arlene’s energy and passion behind you,” stated Lauren Stinson, Partner at Cherry Bekaert. Gustavo Bekaert, Partner at Cheery Bekaert added, “Arlene does an incredible job of communicating key and complex issues. She is very proactive and has a sense of urgency that clients appreciate when working with her.”
Beyond her professional achievements, Arlene is an active participant as a board member in the South Florida Executive Roundtable and as a member of various industry associations in South Florida, like the Beacon Council and the South Florida Manufacturing Association. Arlene is also actively involved with the Junior Achievement of Greater Miami, a nonprofit group that inspires and prepares young people in the community for success.
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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.