Dhonielle Toussaint, CPA from Henderson & Gardner PLLC Selected to Attend AICPA’s 2026 Leadership Academy
Dhonielle Toussaint, CPA was one of only 36 professionals honored by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) as a member of the Leadership Academy’s 18th graduating class. Dhonielle was selected based on her exceptional leadership skills and professional experience for the four-day Leadership Academy program, which will be held December 1st – 4th.
Dhonielle holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she volunteers in the UTC Mentorship Program, guiding students interested in accounting. She currently works as a tax and attest manager at Henderson and Gardner, PLLC in Chattanooga, advising clients on complex tax strategy, preparing returns, and developing best practices for her firm. An active member of TSCPA and AICPA since 2018, has served on TSCPA’s State Tax Committee, participated in the inaugural LEAD Program, and regularly attends professional development events and Day on the Hill. On the national level, she served on the AICPA CPA Examination Passing Score Committee in 2023, helping maintain high standards for new CPAs entering the field.
The AICPA Leadership Academy was designed to strengthen and expand the leadership skills of promising emerging professionals while they network with a peer group of talented and motivated CPAs.
The Leadership Academy features career-development workshops and sessions with some of the accounting profession’s most prominent influencers. Participants were selected from public accounting firms of all sizes, corporate finance, non-profit, academia, wealth management and consulting.
The 2026 Leadership Academy attendees were recommended by their employers, state CPA societies, and/or volunteer organizations. Candidates submitted resumes and a statement explaining how participating in the Leadership Academy would impact them personally and professionally.
To date, more than 550 professionals have participated in the AICPA Leadership Academy, many of whom have gone on to take on leadership positions in their firms, businesses, and organizations.
Click here to learn more about the AICPA Leadership Academy.
About the American Institute of CPAs
The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is the world’s largest member association representing the CPA profession, with a history of serving the public interest since 1887. AICPA members represent many areas of practice, including business and industry, public practice, government, education, and consulting. A founding member of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the AICPA sets ethical standards for the profession, attestation standards, and U.S. auditing standards for private companies, not-for-profit organizations, and federal, state, and local governments. It develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination, offers specialized credentials, partners across the profession to build future talent, and drives continuing education to advance the vitality, relevance, and quality of the profession.