Trista Westhafer is an assurance manager at CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, specializing in the financial institution and employee benefit plan industries. In this role, she manages client audit engagements and oversees the associates and senior associates on each engagement, often acting as a liaison between the client and principal. She is a career coach and direct manager of four individuals; a trainer involved in new-hire orientation, teaching industry-specific topics in her areas of expertise; and a local resource ensuring compliance with Continuing Professional Education requirements.

A graduate of Bradley University, Westhafer has a strong commitment to the Peoria area, giving back to her community in a variety of ways. Through the Illinois CPA Society – Central Illinois, she helps coordinate an annual day of service for approximately 45 CliftonLarsonAllen employees, in addition to participating in the state organization’s annual leadership conference. She is also active in the CLA Foundation, reviewing grant applications and scoring them based on their alignment with the foundation’s mission.

Since 2013, Westhafer has been a member of the Young Leaders Board for the Illinois CancerCare Foundation, serving as vice-chair in 2015 and 2016 and chairing its annual Golfin’ in the Wild fundraiser at Wildlife Prairie Park. For the last three years, she has been a tutor for a student at Midstate College, where she recently joined the newly formed Accounting Advisory Board.

Westhafer serves on the Parent Steering Committee at the Methodist Family Child Care Center, planning fundraisers and other special events, and has volunteered to wrap gifts at Neighborhood House for those who have difficulty leaving their homes. In addition, she has given back to the American Red Cross and volunteered for the Peoria Park District, as well as a variety of local races and runs.

A 2015 Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School graduate and active member of Women in Leadership, she and her husband, Joel, have a 14-month-old daughter, Zoey. iBi