FEEDING HILLS – A Feeding Hills resident was recognized as a shining example of women in her field.

Rebecca Connolly, of Feeding Hills, was selected as a 2019 Woman to Watch by Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA), the?professional association of certified public accountants (CPA). Connolly was one of seven CPAs chosen from the MSCPAs over 11,000 members.

“The MSCPA is celebrating the achievements of these?exceptional?women and we’re looking forward to honoring?Rebecca?for her outstanding?contributions to her peers, her community and?the?profession,” said Amy Pitter, president and CEO of the MSCPA.??

“I think it’s fantastic. I was shocked to be nominated, much less chosen, you know, to showcase women in the accounting field, to show young women they can do anything they put their mind to,” said Connolly.

With 13 years a member of the society, Connolly, a manager at the firm Burkhart, Pizzanelli, PC, in West Springfield, was selected in the “Emerging Leader” category. What does the honor mean to Connolly?

“It just means to keep doing what we’re doing in the field. We owe it to train new college graduates and women entering the field to help them in any way, whether it’s to pass the CPA exam or guide them in the field,” said Connolly.

In 2016, Connolly was recognized with a “40 Under 40” award from Business West magazine, for whom she has written several articles. Connolly is a member of the Board of Directors of Forest Park Zoological Society and Baystate Academy Public Charter School. She is also an adjunct professor and on Accounting Advisory Board at Elms College.

Along with the other Women to Watch recipients, Connolly will be featured on a discussion panel at the MSCPA’s Annual Women’s Leadership Summit at?the?Marriott Long Wharf in Boston on Oct. 24.