Page 7 - NYC Imagine Awards Journal

Committee Thanks Meet the Founder

Thanks to the Imagine Awards Committee Ken Cerini, CPA, CFP, FABFA
Managing Partner

Founder Cerini & Associates, LLP
Kenneth R. Cerini, CPA, Cerini & Associates, LLP Ken Cerini is the founder and managing partner
Ken Cerini is the founder and managing partner
of Cerini & Associates, LLP. Like many of the
Alex Bahary, JPMorgan Chase nonprofits he serves, Ken is passionate about
Josephine Bottitta, OneGroup making a difference, believing that it is important
Tommy DiMisa, Vanguard Benefits & Philanthropy in Phocus to be deeply invested in every client relationship
and providing real value to each of his clients. He
Nicole Frisina, YPTC is one of the top accountants/consultants in the
Maggie Gonzalez, Aetna Better Health of New York State of New York working with special education
John Gover, Cross Insurance providers, is well versed in nonprofit issues, and
also is heavily involved in the healthcare industry.
Scott Haber, Flagstar Bank However, since this is the Imagine Awards, a program more focused on passion than
Ellie Hume, YPTC on technical skills, let’s dive into who Ken really is:
Andrea Kantor, Webster Bank ► Ken is giving of his time, providing hundreds of hours a year of free advice,
Jill Krumholz, RealHR Solutions advocacy, and training to the nonprofit sector, a sector that means so much to
Marissa Mack, Webster Bank him.
Kevin McCarthy, MetSchools, LLC ► Ken is an avid climber and hiker, believing that anything could be made better by
Dylan Saperman, Esq., Moritt Hock & Hamroff LLP just adding a mountain (or three). He enjoys the thrill of pushing himself and the
views he gets once he arrives (follow him on Instagram @totalcerinity). Over the years,
Steven J. Shogan, TitleVest Ken has channeled his passion for hanging off rocks and ice and traversing alpine
Carole Turnyanszki, JMT Consulting terrains into fundraising opportunities for various nonprofits through the Cerini
Laura Willis, RoundTable Technology Challenge and has established, with his family, the Cerini Family Foundation.
► Ken also enjoys family. He has been married to his wife Bonnie for over 30
Event Planner years and has three children he is very proud of; Kelli - who has her own line of
Hillary Needle, Hillary Needle Events, Inc. activewear - at Cerinic Apparel and is the Marketing Manager at C&A, Arielle –
who just received her doctorate in communication and design working as a UX
Experience Manager, and Erik - a computer programmer in Massachusetts. He
Marketing/Graphic Designers also has 2 dogs Max (an old English Sheep Dog) and Mickey (a Pomeranian Husky
Kelli-Anne Cerini, Cerini & Associates, LLP Mix).
Kristina Laino-Tortorice, Cerini & Associates, LLP ► Ken is a sci-fi/sci-fantasy geek. His favorite books are the Hitchhiker’s Guide to
the Galaxy five book trilogy, The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings, Ender’s Game, and
Dune. He is a huge fan of the Marvel Universe and has been known to show up
Special Thanks to the Imagine Awards Judging Panel at Renaissance Fairs in costume.
Lesleigh Irish-Underwood, Vibrant Emotional Health ► Ken loves to cook and bake... he feels it allows him to express the creative side of
Stephen Powers, OPEN Impact Real Estate his personality. Each holiday season, Ken and his family bake over 4,000 cookies
Ray Schwetz, Jovia Financial Credit Union to give to family and friends.
Zalman Shneur, The Menahem Education Foundation ► Ken is a head-banger (loves heavy metal music for the energy it contains), and as
Sher Sparano, OneGroup people tend to mellow out as they get older, that is not the case for Ken.
Saundra Thomas, SPT Consults ► Ken is the founder of the Imagine Awards, an impactful way of recognizing and
celebrating the nonprofit sector, a sector that is often overlooked and taken for
Nicole Weingartner, Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP granted.
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