When I first entered the accounting profession a little more than 14 years ago, I often found I was the only Black woman in the room. It has been crucial for me to have mentors who look like me and allies who support me and help push me to achieve my goals. In short, representation matters.
As someone who has benefited from mentorship throughout my career, I am passionate about serving as a mentor to young, diverse professionals. By sharing our experiences and insights, we can help foster the next generation of leaders and create a more inclusive workplace. I encourage every professional to seek mentors who can guide them throughout their career.
Lessons Learned
Mentorship is important not only for ensuring a sense of belonging and inclusion but also for advancing the accounting profession. At KPMG, we have been thinking critically about how we meet the needs of our business now and in the future. And with the significant decline in the number of people pursuing accounting degrees seen in the latest Association of International Certified Professional Accountants trends report, this is becoming even more of a complex issue that requires investment and dedication.
Here are a few things I’ve learned throughout the years from my mentors that I hope to impart to the next generation of professional services talent:
- Be authentic: Being your authentic self allows you to share your personality with your colleagues and helps you build stronger relationships.
- Advocate for others: Becoming an advocate for a cause you are passionate about fosters respect and solidarity for individuals to find common ground.
- Embrace challenges: Don’t be afraid of road bumps along your journey. There will be days when things aren’t going your way. What matters is that you persist and remain mindful of your objective.
- Celebrate your achievements: Take note of your successes and remember those who have helped you along the way. Someday you’ll be that person helping someone else along their journey.
- Above all else, live each day with purpose!
Creating Opportunities for Diverse Professionals
Empowering a diverse pool of leaders in our profession is not only the right thing to do but also a critical component of business success. The collective experiences and insights of people with different backgrounds and perspectives drive innovation, yield the best solutions, and lead to success. We all have a role to play, which starts with listening, learning, and taking action. We must be intentional about creating opportunities for diverse professionals and providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed. Taken together, individual actions like these can have a powerful impact on the future of the profession. I am excited for the positive impact diversity and mentorship will continue to have in the workplace. It is inspiring to see how these initiatives are shaping the future of the industry, and I look forward to being a part of it.
