Ascend Adds VP of Partnerships

FEBRUARY 21, 2025 (Arlington, VA) – Ascend, a strategic partner for regional accounting and advisory firms backed by private equity firm Alpine Investors, today announced it has added a Vice President of Partnerships to its growing leadership team. Effective February 17, Maureen Churgovich Dillmore will oversee the expansion of Ascend’s modern growth platform for regional accounting firms into new markets across the U.S.  

The Ascend platform enables mid-sized accounting firms with between $15 and $50 million of revenue, committed leadership, great cultures, and a big vision for the future to remain independent while accessing the sophisticated resources of a national firm to reach their full potential.

“I have dedicated a large part of my career to supporting firms that want to remain independent. The dynamics of achieving success in this area are evolving rapidly, and the Ascend model was created so that firm identity would not be at odds with accessing the community and resources needed to prosper. I am genuinely impressed by Ascend’s ability to assist mid-sized firms in making the necessary strides to stay relevant, sustain growth, and provide their staff and clients with top-tier shared services—all while preserving their unique brand and culture,” Ms. Churgovich Dillmore said.

Fourteen partner firms in 11 states have joined Ascend’s platform since the company launched in January 2023. Ascend’s rapid growth earned it a place among Accounting Today’s Top 100 Firms in both 2023 and 2024. 

“Maureen’s decision to join Ascend is rooted in her desire to serve the profession in a way that maximizes her impact. We are all excited to welcome someone into our Company who has been an advisor and friend to mid-sized CPA firms for over a decade, and it is all the more rewarding when you realize that the community and resources we are bringing to life will allow Maureen to have conversations with firms that she’s never had before. Her curiosity, commitment, and deep care for others are going to stand out in this role,” said Nishaad (Nish) Ruparel, President of Ascend.

Ms. Churgovich Dillmore brings to Ascend significant experience as an accounting association Executive Director and conference producer. Most recently, she was Executive Director of the Americas at PrimeGlobal, an association of advisory and accounting firms that serves 300 member firms in 113 countries.  Previously, she was Executive Director at DFK International/USA, part of a global alliance of accounting firms where she oversaw operations and strategy.

She will play a leadership role in driving industry education about the Ascend model and furthering relationships with new potential partner firms.

“So much of association work is theoretical, advising member firms on best practices, and you don’t get to see the end game. What excites me about being on the Ascend team is the opportunity to be a force behind the change, to help enact the change and see where and how it comes in,” Ms. Churgovich Dillmore said.

“Ascend really stands behind their PeopleFirst model, which is the reason I was attracted to the conversation with them. I spoke to a lot of people before I made the decision to come on board, and everyone had only the best things to say about their vision and leadership. I had a unique opportunity at a conference to hear the CEO of an Ascend Partner Firm field questions. Her detailed insight made it clear that the value brought by her firm’s partnership with Ascend was more impactful than other professional communities she had been a part of. She praised her young staff's enthusiasm, highlighted her own growth as a leader, and emphasized many other benefits the platform offers."

About Ascend

Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a dynamic platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a national firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition and training, leading quality management resources, best-of-breed technology, AI tools, an offshore captive, shared back-office services, a catalytic leadership system, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges to reach their full potential. Founded in January 2023, Ascend has executed over 20 transactions in public accounting and is projected to be a top 30 firm by revenue for 2024. Founder & CEO David Wurtzbacher was named by Accounting Today as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting. For more information, visit www.ascendtogether.com.

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Contact:

Julie Gross Gelfand

juliegrossgelfand@gmail.com

(516) 729-8067