Supporting our firm’s mission to create a lasting, positive impact
The Wipfli Foundation has evolved to become a catalyst for positive change in our communities through various initiatives. We have three programs to support our community impact — university support, community support and grantmaking.
University support
The Wipfli Foundation was formed in 2005 to give back to colleges and universities. Since then, we have worked in conjunction with talent and culture and talent acquisition to fund scholarships, purchase textbooks and, occasionally, support universities’ capital campaigns and endowed professorships.
Recognizing the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion, the Wipfli Foundation expanded our focus in 2020 to include DEI initiatives. This includes offering scholarships to interns who demonstrate a dedication to fostering inclusivity in their workplaces and communities.
Each year, the foundation also supports scholarships, including the Mary T. Wylie Scholarship for women in accounting and the National Association of Black Accountants leadership program.
Community support
In 2021, we expanded the Wipfli Foundation’s mission to reflect our commitment to the communities we serve by creating an associate matching program for charitable organizations.
In 2023, a corporate social responsibility platform was implemented to facilitate our associate matching program. Over 75% of our associates are participating in philanthropy through this program, accelerating the impact and creating discretion for our associates much like donor-advised funds. To jump-start associate philanthropy, the Wipfli Foundation frequently gifts funds in the platform for associates to contribute to charitable organizations that are meaningful to them.
In 2024, our community support program was expanded to include our international locations.
In response to global crises, we have also extended our support beyond traditional avenues, providing matching donations to causes such as pandemic relief efforts in India and charitable organizations assisting Ukraine during recent events.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Wipfli Foundation launched its external grantmaking program. This program supports nonprofits and aims to make a lasting positive impact in the communities in which our associates live and work. In May 2024, six organizations received grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 from the Wipfli Foundation. The recipients include a mix of Wipfli clients and nonclients, demonstrating our commitment to supporting a diverse range of organizations.
The Wipfli Foundation only accepts external requests for funding during advertised grantmaking cycles.
The Wipfli Foundation and its investment fund are overseen by an elected board of directors.
Durward Ferland – President
Durward Ferland, Jr., leads Wipfli’s risk advisory services practice. In this role, he guides the strategic direction of the practice and enhances Wipfli’s service offerings. With more than 20 years of experience in the field of information technology (IT) governance, risk and control, Durward has extensive knowledge of System and Organization Controls (SOC) auditing and the Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology (COBIT). He provides consulting services to financial institutions, insurance companies, service bureaus and data centers in the areas of developing and auditing effective IT-related controls.
Stephanie Cavadeas – Secretary and Treasurer
Stephanie J. Cavadeas is a partner in Wipfli’s nonprofit and government practice who oversees audit, tax and management consulting opportunities and works with clients to maintain compliance with laws and regulations. With over 20 years of experience, she enjoys helping her clients achieve their mission by navigating the complex regulatory environment. She feels passionate about working with nonprofit organizations where she can see firsthand the impact her clients have on their communities.
MaryPat Davitz
MaryPat focuses on employee benefits/ERISA and system and organization controls (SOC) specialty services and is responsible for signing reports for audit, attest and consulting engagements. Her experience includes risk assessment services, compliance and regulatory reporting services, internal control reporting and assessments, and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance.
Jessica Macklin
Jessica Macklin is a partner in Wipfli LLP’s tax department with nearly 15 years of experience providing tax planning and preparation services for corporations, partnerships, farmers and individuals. She specializes in state and local taxation and helps clients navigate the tax laws of the state and local jurisdictions in which they operate. Jessica’s clients appreciate her vast state and local tax knowledge as well as her timeliness and responsiveness to their questions and issues.
Audra Moncur
Audra Moncur leads Wipfli’s valuation services group in Illinois and works with clients and attorneys to provide business appraisal services for the purposes of litigation support, buying or selling businesses, divorce, and estate planning or gifting. In addition, she performs due diligence analysis for mergers and acquisitions. Audra has extensive experience in preparing tax returns for individuals, trusts, and businesses. She also assists individuals with estate tax planning and filing of appropriate trust and estate tax returns.
Kenneth F. Kortas, CPA
Ken Kortas has more than 25 years of management and information technology consulting experience. A partner with Wipfli, he is the practice leader for the firm’s business solutions group, the management consulting division of the firm. The business solutions group is comprised of information technology, organizational performance, digital transformation, valuations, succession planning and industry-focused consulting services. Ken is experienced in leading and facilitating business owners through the development and execution of business strategies that will lead to greater performance and, ultimately, higher value.
Shelly Worrel
Shelly is a technology consulting principal with strong business, process and communication skills. She leads the firm’s NetSuite team and focuses on building the team, as well as driving excellence through to clients. Shelly has extensive experience in distribution and manufacturing processes and how solutions such as NetSuite enable these processes.
