The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce has announced Ying Sa, CEO and founder of Community CPA & Associates, Inc., as the recipient of the 2026 Mel Essex Entrepreneur Award. The award honors community champions who have made a significant impact by fostering and supporting small business success and inspiring others to achieve economic independence. Sa founded Community CPA in 1998 and leads the firm in providing tax, audit, accounting, consulting and IT services to clients across the U.S. and internationally. Her career includes senior financial roles at Iowa State University and Wells Fargo Financial, along with multiple state and national recognitions for service and innovation in accounting. Sa will be honored at the Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit on April 14-15 at the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel. To learn more or register, visit the event page.