Woman to Watch

Bauer College Executive DBA Program Academic Director Amy Horner is a part of an elite group of women across the world, recognized by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) in their inaugural Global Women to Watch program.

This program honors women in the accounting and finance industry who have made a significant impact through their leadership, innovation and service. Horner has made her mark in the accounting world with more than 15 years' experience in different leadership positions, from Vice President of Finance and Administration at the U. S. Soccer Foundation to Chief Operating Officer at Vault Consulting.

Horner brings a wide breadth of industry and leadership experience to Bauer’s Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) program. In June, she will join the Texas Society of CPAs Leadership Council.

In a recent Q&A she shares what it means to her to be a woman in academia and ways she empowers herself and others around her.

What does it mean to you to be a woman in higher education?

It's the culmination of a lifelong dream. I made a goal for myself in my early 20s that I would one day be “Doctor Horner.”

My industry career was so stimulating and challenging that at the time when my peers were going back to get their Ph.D., I didn’t want to leave my industry role. I thought a DBA program would be a perfect place for me to get my doctorate.

After completing my degree in 2025, I took the opportunity to finally transition from a practitioner's role into academia. I think it means more to me now than it would have earlier in my career. It also means a great deal to me to continue working with executives. I get to see the impact that they’re making in the business world.

What makes you a strong woman? What fulfills you?

I am a goal setter. Goal setting is what really drives me. I think when we talk about our strengths as a person and how other people look up to us, a lot of it, regardless of where you spend your time, is in what you’re able to achieve. It's also just as important how you can support others and make them feel when they’re around you.

"I think a lot of my strength comes from, not just my own accomplishments, but supporting others and helping them do the same."
Amy Horner, Executive DBA Program Academic Director

The biggest reason that a lot of us don’t achieve our goals is because of our self-imposed limitations, and I like to encourage people to hurdle over those as best they can. I think a lot of my strength comes from, not just my own accomplishments, but supporting others and helping them do the same.

What are the benefits of having empowered women in industry and academia?

When people come together with different viewpoints, approaches and experiences to solve a problem, the stronger the outcome will be.

By putting women in leadership roles and empowering them to take on more responsibilities... we’ve made tremendous strides in our lifetime for representation in industry and higher education.

How do you empower yourself and the women around you?

I work on a team of all women. While I arrived at UH with years of industry experience, I’m new to the world of academia. I have the opportunity to learn from them, and in return, I bring in the industry strategy and goal-oriented focus.

It leads us to doing things a little bit differently in our department because we have this multifaceted approach. How can we think creatively while following the policies, procedures and guidelines we’re required to follow? How can we be the best possible leaders we can be in our program?

By doing that, we’re empowering women in our space to look past their self-imposed limitations and say, “I can do this.”

"We’re empowering women in our space to look past their self-imposed limitations and say, “I can do this.”"

Amy Horner, Executive DBA Program Academic Director

What would you like to say to the other women you share this recognition with?

What they’ve been able to accomplish is incredible.

Many of the women on this list have done so much more than what’s on their professional résumés. They are women who have completed marathons, founded companies, started nonprofits and contributed such incredible work outside of what is required of them in their careers.

I think if I could have time with each of them, I would want to hear what some of their favorite moments are. Because it’s not about what's on our résumés or what we put in our LinkedIn bios, but the impact we’ve had on others and what has impacted us in return.

What is one of your favorite moments?

I set a goal for myself in 2015 that in 10 years, I would complete a road-race in all 50 states. I set this goal when I was 40, and I wanted it to be a celebration for when I turned 50, because as women, we don’t often celebrate aging.

Now three foot surgeries, two major geographical moves and one global pandemic later, after 10 years, I have crossed finish lines in 46 states.

I don’t consider this a failure, because I will cross finish lines in those last four states soon! Pursuing this goal has taught me valuable lessons about time management, dedication and perseverance. I’ve also traveled to places and done things I never would have without this goal.

I have had the opportunity to run some really cool races in amazing places, and along the way, the majority of those races have supported incredible causes. To give my time, my money and my energy to helping others, that is one of my one of my favorite moments.