2026 Public Relations Luncheon

Benefiting the AFWA Scholarship Program

Please join us on Tuesday, April 28th for our 69th Annual PR Luncheon

for a panel of local leadership to discuss Business Leadership Challenges - Qualifies for one hour of CPE

Join us as we engage a panel of top women leaders in our local market discussing relevant topics impacting women in finance and accounting in todays complicated professional climate. Gain insight in the challenges they have faced, and lessons learned along the way as they climb ladders and hit ceilings. Also learn about current topics impacting accounting and finance as well as future growth.

Panelist Include:

Winnie Cooper - VP & Corporate Controller, Kenco Group

Rhonda Higdon - Senior Manager, F&A, GA Region Astemo

Candy Johnson - President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga

Seating begins at 11:00 a.m.

Program begins at 11:30 a.m.

Buffet style luncheon to be served

CPE Credit:    1 Hour
Field of Study:    Personal Development
Program Level:    Basic
Prerequisite:    None
Instruction Delivery Method: Live Group

Registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.learningmarket.org. 

More about our Speakers:

Winnie Cooper, CPA, has a diverse work experience in the accounting field. Winnie started her career as a Staff Accountant at Henderson Hutcherson & McCullough, PLLC in 2001 and worked there until 2006. She joined Kenco Group and held several positions including Senior Accountant, Manager of Financial Reporting, Assistant Controller, Director of Accounting, and Controller. Winnie's most recent role at Kenco Group was as the VP - Corporate Controller, which she assumed in September 2021. She obtained a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Tennessee Technological University, graduating in 2001. 

Rhonda Higdon is a Senior Manager, Accounting, GA Region (Usrs, Usmr, Ustl) at Astemo, bringing expertise in financial management and accounting leadership within the automotive industry. At Astemo, Rhonda focuses on accounting practices. Their background includes experience as Senior Manager, Accounting, Usrs, also at Astemo. Rhonda's career reflects a strong focus on financial oversight, including roles at RACEMARK International. These roles encompassed special projects and interim controller positions. Their contributions supported financial operations within the automotive sector. During their tenure at Busche Performance Group, Rhonda progressed from Assistant Plant Controller to Plant Controller, demonstrating applied knowledge of manufacturing accounting. Their responsibilities included financial reporting and accounting management. Building on experience in the motor vehicle parts sector, Rhonda served as an Accounting Specialist at Webb Wheel End Experts, where they focused on financial analysis and reporting. Earlier in their career, Rhonda was an Office Manager and Bookkeeper at Whitesburg Electronics, where they oversaw bookkeeping practices and office administration. Rhonda holds a Bachelor of Science from Athens State University and an Associate of Science from Wallace State Community College – Hanceville.

Candy Johnson grew up in a working-class neighborhood in Clarksville, Tennessee, where she thought she would always live and one day become mayor. By age 25, Johnson was elected to the Clarksville City Council in 2008 as the youngest council member ever elected in the city after working as a City Hall intern while at Austin Peay State University and defending her hometown neighborhood from attempts to take over what the city deemed a "blighted neighborhood" by eminent domain. "I learned a lot about advocacy, activism and the fight to preserve neighborhoods that were gentrified and how you could grow together," she said. Those traits remain with Candy Johnson in her role as President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga (Chattanooga, TN). Johnson, who came to Chattanooga nearly four years ago with her husband, Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Bryan Johnson, succeeded the late Warren E. Logan Jr. as head of the Chattanooga Urban League chapter shortly before Logan's death last month. Although her address and career path have changed from her childhood expectations, Candy Johnson remains committed to working on economic empowerment and equity.

Ways to Support AFWA and Scholarships for Local Accounting and Finance Undergraduate and Masters Students:

Tickets

$40.00 AFWA Member

$50.00 Non-Member

$1,250.00 GOLD Level Sponsorship

$1,000.00 SILVER Level Sponsorship

$750.00 BLUE Level Sponsorship