MOVE Like This!

Michael Annichine with the Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation Joins the MOVE Conversation

In this episode, we take a break from accounting and talk about something that impacts all of us: healthcare. As the CEO of Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation, Michael has a front row seat to what is going on in women's healthcare and is one of the strongest advocates in the area. We talk about what brought him to this role, why women have only been included in clinical and pharmaceutical trials for such a short time, and the simple way he's found to build trust with marginalized communities. We also discuss how to advocate for your own healthcare. To learn more about Magee-Womens Research Institute, visit https://mageewomens.org/ and be sure to follow them on your favorite social media platforms. 
And if you are interested in learning more about the history of women's healthcare, he recommends reading All In Her Head.

Jessica Hekmatjah from BPM Joins the MOVE Conversation

On this episode of MOVE Like This, Bonnie is joined by Jessica Hekmatjah, Chief Marketing & Corporate Development Officer at BPM. We discuss the firm's substantial increase in women partners between 2022 and 2023 and how leadership support is important to any DEI initiative. We also learn the valuable role BPM's colleague resource groups play in its strategy and culture and learn what advice Jessica has for firms looking to attract, retain and promote more women. To learn more about BPM, visit https://www.bpm.com/.

Mary Maguire of MJM Talent Solutions Joins the MOVE Conversation

On this episode, we have our first return guest! Our very first guest, Mary Maguire, formerly of SAPRO and currently CEO of MJM Talent Solutions, returns to talk about the state of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the accounting profession. We dive into what programs need to succeed, why firms should not pull back on their efforts, and the myriad benefits businesses experience when DEIB is woven into its DNA. We also cover some of the biggest mistakes firms make and how to avoid them. Strap in, this is a meaty one! (And here's the link to the video Bonnie references on microaggressions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ9l7y4UuxY)

Cindy Stanley & Shane Schaefer from AFWA Join the MOVE Conversation

On this episode, we are joined by two women from the Accounting and Financial Women's Alliance (AFWA), Cindy Stanley, Executive Director and Shane Schaefer, Events & Education Director. We learn about AFWA's 86-year-history and how the organization and the Accounting MOVE Project started working together 15 years ago. Cindy shares her observations about the role of women in the accounting profession, including some advances and remaining frustrations, and Shane tells us all about AFWA's upcoming events. We encourage anyone interested in learning more about this supportive and influential organization to visit their website at https://www.afwa.org/. 

Priscilla Hammonds with BerryDunn Joins the MOVE Conversation

Priscilla Hammonds, DEI Director at BerryDunn joins MOVE Like This to share her unique perspective as someone who has worked in the DEI space for 20+ years. We learn how BerryDunn has embraced diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and access and committed time, resources and energy to creating a firm of choice for all potential employees. Priscilla also shares her thoughts on why firms that may be considering pulling back on their DEI investment should reconsider if they want to remain competitive. To learn more about BerryDunn, visit https://www.berrydunn.com/.

Reema Patel with CBM Joins the MOVE Conversation

Reema Patel, accounting practitioner, financial advisor and co-director of D-PATH, CBM's diversity and inclusion initiative, talks about how the firm has created policies that attract and retain women, how she addresses DEI skepticism, and why she helped create a financial planning service targeting Millennials. We also learn why she would choose teleportation as her superpower. To learn more about CBM, visit https://www.cbmcpa.com/. 

Angie Grissom with The Rainmaker Companies Joins the MOVE Conversation

Angie Grissom, CEO of The Rainmaker Companies and one of the most influential people in accounting, joins Bonnie to talk about the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in today's profession. Topic discussed range from what firms can do to find and retain talent, how a "people-first" approach is vital to today's workforce, and what successful firms are doing to meet and exceed the needs of clients, the firm and their team members simultaneously. We also learn the impact travel has had on her world view and the superpower she wishes she had. To learn more about The Rainmaker Companies, visit https://therainmakercompanies.com/.

Amanda Pontow & Megan Geissinger from Bland & Associates Join the MOVE Conversation

Amanda Pontow, partner, and Megan Geissinger, Human Resources manager, at Bland & Associates join Bonnie to discuss how they are supporting local high schools to fight the talent shortage, discuss their Leadership training program, called BLING, and share how they are invested in cross training team members to ensure clients are always served at the highest level possible. Learn more about Bland & Associates by visiting https://blandcpa.com/.

Jen Cryder of the PICPA Joins the MOVE Conversation

Jen Cryder, CEO of the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs, joins Bonnie to talk about the talent crunch, the core reasons why fewer young people are entering the professions, and how some firms are addressing it. We also discuss some ways firms need to adjust to retain the people they have, particularly women, and where they need to invest their money to become firms of the future. Learn more about the PICPA here: https://www.picpa.org/. 

Arianna Savoca of Grassi Joins the MOVE Conversation

Arianna Savoca, Human Resources Manager with Grassi talks about how training and mentoring is built into the culture at Grassi, the great work and impact that the Women's Council and other ERGs have on the firm, and how bi-annual employee reviews help ensure pay equity at the firm. We also learn about the unique superpower she would like to have and how Bonnie would find it valuable too. Learn more about Grassi at https://www.grassicpas.com/.