Fisher School alumna and Advisory Board member named president of prestigious CalCPA Education Foundation

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Chrislynn Freed (BSAc ’80) was recently named the new president of the CalCPA Education Foundation, a leading provider of continuing professional education for CPAs and financial professionals.

In her role, Freed plans to focus on enhancing the CalCPA community and support faculty, following diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices, driving innovation in professional education development and finding opportunities to meet new education needs for CalCPA members.

“Right now, our country is contending with a pandemic, civil unrest, businesses closing and rising unemployment, yet it is not the time to despair; it’s the time to recognize new opportunities and rebuild,” Freed said in a press release. “The CalCPA Education Foundation is poised to flourish in the future as we rebuild to increase value and drive growth for our members.”

Freed is Professor of Clinical Accounting at the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business as well as a member of USC’s Committee on Academic Policies and Procedures and the Advisory Board of the Fisher School of Accounting. Prior to joining USC, she was a senior manager in an international CPA firm.

Freed has long supported the Fisher School of Accounting, not only in her role as an Advisory Board member, but also through the Chrislynn Freed Master of Accounting Outstanding Student of the Year Award, given annually to a graduate student in recognition of their dedication to academics and involvement at the Fisher School.

“The Fisher School is very lucky to have Chrislynn’s participation and insights, particularly considering her unique background,” said Gary McGill, Associate Dean and Director of the Fisher School of Accounting. “And, of course, we are extremely proud of her as a graduate.”

Freed received the CalCPA Outstanding Accounting Educator Award in 2013, Golden Apple Award in 2010, 2012 and 2014, USC Mellon Award for mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in 2009 and 2008, and USC Parents Association Teaching and Mentoring Award in 2008.

She received her MBA from USC and her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the Fisher School.