CONTROLLER, GENERAL FINANCE-ACCOUNTING NEW YORK YEAR JOINED WEIL 2010 YEAR PROMOTED TO CONTROLLER 2021 HOMETOWN WASHINGTON, DC What’s the most impactful advice that you’ve ever received? There was a manager early in my career who told me something very impactful: no matter where you find yourself and no matter what level you are at, there is always something to learn. Approach situations as opportunities to learn and then do the preparation to be able to present yourself as knowledgeable. Who’s been the most influential person in your life and why? My mother. She’s an example of a woman who never took no for an answer. She went to college at a time when a woman was not set up to go to college. Her constant focus was on excellence for myself and my sister, and making sure we understood we are worthy. What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment? I am very happy to be Controller at Weil- -that’s a big deal to me. But my biggest accomplishment is being a mother. It’s important to me, it’s the reason for work. Have you ever had to compromise your beliefs to achieve a goal? Coming from an internal audit background, it’s a career that where by definition you find yourself in situations where there is going to be conflict. Immediately, people go on the defense. Preparation has always been my approach. When you know that you know, biting your tongue is not necessary. You finesse certain things but you make your point known. Have you ever experienced imposter phenomenon? I certainly have. I feel that imposter syndrome is natural. Every time I found myself in a new organization and a new title, there was always that little nagging voice in the back of my head asking, “Am I supposed to be here?” The only way to move forward is to remember that I am worthy, I am smart, and then walk into the opportunity that’s been put in front of me and do my best. What is your leadership style? My style is collaborative. I am not a micromanager. I respect people as the adults and the professionals that they are, and I have found that is a much better way to get the result I am looking for. Can you share a time when you had to educate someone on DEI? Generally I am the minority in race and gender at work. When I present myself as the professional that I am, knowledgeable about whatever the topic may be, that in and of itself is an education because it challenges people’s stereotypes. Once you interact with someone on a personal level, more than likely you will find you have more in common than differences. If the other person still has an issue based on my race or my gender, that’s their problem. I don’t allow it to knock me off of my path. Here at Weil, what’s your experience with upper management and their view of DEI? I am so impressed with Weil’s continued effort towards DEI despite what’s going on in the world around us. My interactions with upper management have always been ones where I felt that my views were respected and heard. At Weil I found a place where I feel that being my authentic self has helped me further my career and I really appreciate that. You’ve had a nonlinear career path. Could you say a little about your experience with that? I had done the other silos of accounting and I had decided, “Internal audit is definitely for me.” But when the controller opportunity presented itself, I felt I would be shorting myself at least not to try. If an opportunity is in front of you, take that risk. The worst that happens is that you don’t get it. Life continues. If you don’t try, then what? You ruminate forever on what could have been? Don’t rule out something that seems out of your realm. If it wasn’t for accounting, what would you be doing? I always want to know the how, the why, the underneath. Prior to deciding to be an accountant, I really wanted to be an archaeologist. I was enthralled by ancient history. I remember telling my very practical mother that I wanted to do this, and she said “Oh that’s great, but you might want to think about something else because by the time you finish all of your schooling, everything will probably already be dug up!” It just so happened that a family friend was an accountant who focused on personal taxes and asked me to help out. That was my first view into what an accountant does, what a CPA is, and I liked it. It was still figuring out the how, the why, just on a personal level. You’re digging in. Those skills transferred. But I might still go back to being an archaeologist! Don’t rule something out that seems out of your realm. “ ” WEIL WOMEN’S WISDOM · 51
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5NDgyMg==