Leadership Accelerators
Chicagoland Professionals
Accelerators
Our in-person accelerator groups enable up-and-coming, managing, and leading partners in the Milwaukeee and Chicagoland areas to address common challenges, explore professional trends, and build meaningful, valuable relationships. Guest speakers and facilitators further extend opportunities for information, networking, and connection. Each group has a deep roster, enabling lively, valuable interaction at every meeting.
We currently maintain five area groups: the Chicago NextGen Accelerator, the Chicago Managing Partner Accelerator, the Entrepreneurial Firm Accelerator, the CAAS Accelerator and the Human Capital Accelerator. Each group meets frequently between May and February, with meetings alternating between virtual and in-person at the Renaissance North Shore, 933 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, IL 60062.
2025-2026 Calendars & Topics
Chicago NextGen Partner Accelerator
Your 2025-2026 membership in the Chicago NextGen Accelerator includes group meetings plus the following special events:
- Fall and Spring “Wellness Wednesdays” with Kathie Rotz
- “Accelerate Your IT” series with Roman Kepczyk
- *COMING SOON* Women’s Leadership Series
Date
Location
Topic
May 8
8:30 – 11:30am
“Opportunity Season Recap & Top 2025 Priorities”
Art Kuesel
June 5
8:30 – 11:30am
“Maximizing Technology Automation at your Firm”
Wesley Hartmann and Russell Monteith,
Automata Practice Development
July 10
8:30 – 11:30am
NEW SPEAKER “Top Trends in Human Capital at CPA Firms”
Izabela Soltysik, Topel Forman and Adam Hoffman, Porte Brown
NEW: August 7
8:30 – 10:30am
Via Zoom – Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
“Update from AICPA-CIMA”
Mark Koziel CPA, CGMA, CEO & President
Wednesday, October 1
8:30 – 11:30am
“2025 Rosenberg Benchmarking Survey”
Art Kuesel
October 30
8:30 – 11:30am
“AICPA’s National Pipeline Advisory Council Report”
Lexy Kessler, Aprio
December 4
8:30 – 11:30am
Via Zoom – Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
NEW SPEAKER “The Vanishing Workforce”
Patrick Dolan, Founder PatDolanSpeaks
January 15, 2026
8:30 – 11:30am
“Navigating changes in Compensation, Bonus & Incentives at CPA Firms Today”
Art Kuesel
Tuesday, February 4, 2026
10:00 – 11:30am
Via Zoom – Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
“Planning for Success in Busy Season”
Art Kuesel
Chicago Managing Partner Accelerator
Your 2025-2026 membership in the Chicago Managing Partner Accelerator includes group meetings plus the following special events:
- Fall and Spring “Wellness Wednesdays” with Kathie Rotz
- “Accelerate Your IT” series with Roman Kepczyk
- *COMING SOON* Women’s Leadership Series
Date
Location
Topic
May 7
8:30 – 11:30am
“Opportunity Season Recap & Top 2025 Priorities”
Art Kuesel
June 4
8:30 – 11:30am
“Maximizing Technology Automation at your Firm”
Wesley Hartmann and Russell Monteith,
Automata Practice Development
July 9
8:30 – 11:30am
“Managing Partner Series”
Steve McDonald, AbdoSolutions
August 6
8:30 – 11:30am
Via Zoom – Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
“How to Make Better Decisions as a Partner Group” Kristen Rampe, CPA, Managing Partner, Rosenberg Associates
NEW: August 7
8:30 – 10:30am
Via Zoom – Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
“Update from AICPA-CIMA”
Mark Koziel CPA, CGMA, CEO & President
Tuesday, September 30
8:30 – 11:30am
“2025 Rosenberg Benchmarking Survey”
Art Kuesel
October 29
8:30 – 11:30am
“AICPA’s National Pipeline Advisory Council Report”
Lexy Kessler, Aprio
December 3
8:30 – 11:30am
Via Zoom – Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
“I Can’t Stand You People!” (Labor & Employment Legal Update)
Sonya Rosenberg, Partner, Neal Gerber Eisenberg
January 14, 2026
8:30 – 11:30am
“Managing Partner Series”
Dave Stonesifer,
Herbein & Company
February 4, 2026
8:30 – 10:00am
Via Zoom – Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
“Planning for Success in Busy Season”
Art Kuesel
Chicago Entrepreneurial Firm Accelerator
Your 2025-2026 membership in the Chicago Entrepreneurial Firm Accelerator includes group meetings plus the following special events:
- Fall and Spring “Wellness Wednesdays” with Kathie Rotz
- “Accelerate Your IT” series with Roman Kepczyk
- *COMING SOON* Women’s Leadership Series
Date
Location
Topic
May 6
8:30 – 11:30am
“Opportunity Season Recap & Top 2025 Priorities”
Art Kuesel
June 3
8:30 – 11:30am
“A Practical Look at Dealing with Interesting and Troublesome Real Estate Tax Issues”
Chris Bird, CFP
July 8
8:30 – 11:30am
“Illinois Legislative Update”
Marty Green, Esq. ICPAS
NEW: August 7
8:30 – 10:30am
Via Zoom – Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
“Update from AICPA-CIMA”
Mark Koziel CPA, CGMA, CEO & President
September 17
8:30 – 11:30am
Via Zoom – Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
“We’re not Gonna be Scared of Crypto”
Matthew May, Acuity
Monday, September 29
8:30 – 11:30am
“2025 Rosenberg Benchmarking Survey”
Art Kuesel
November 4
8:30 – 11:30am
“IRS Update”
Ahron Golding, Esq., Roth & Co.
December 2
8:30 – 11:30am
Via Zoom – Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
“Annual Tax Update”
Mark Gallegos, Porte Brown
January 13, 2026
8:30 – 11:30am
“Succession Planning Options for the Smaller Firm”
Art Kuesel
February 3, 2026
8:30 – 10:00am
Via Zoom – Contact Us to Reserve your Spot
“Planning for Success in Busy Season”
Art Kuesel
Fees & Credits
Fees: Chicago Managing Partner and Chicago Next Generation: $4,500 per person, per year
Entrepreneurial Firm Accelerator: $3,300 per person, per year
CPE Credits: Chicago Managing Partner and Chicago Next Generation: 24
Entrepreneurial Firm Accelerator: 21
Facilitators
Art Kuesel will guide accelerator groups through each session, providing insights from leading professionals and maximizing both individual benefits and group engagement.