Rise and Stride

On the surface, there doesn’t seem to be much of a connection between improvisation and the business world. Yet aspects of improv like collaboration, being unscripted and learning to be tolerant, even comfortable, around ambiguity can easily be laid upon our daily lives. Colleen Murray Peyton,  founder of Overjoy Creative and improv performer, dives deeper into her work facilitating workshops for corporations on leadership development, corporate culture and communication—and explains how laughter and lightness can help make the hard things manageable.

Okorie Ramsey, VP of Sarbanes/Oxley for Kaiser, discusses leadership, diversity, innovation, and recruitment in accounting. Mentions importance of mentorship, technology, ESG, and DE&I in the profession. Highlights fostering DE&I in leadership roles and the significance of support and representation in the profession.

With all the beeps, pings and other notifications—not to mention meetings—battling for our attention, it’s challenging to stay focused and productive. But with the use of the right tools, knowing the difference between interruptions and disruptions, and other tips, productivity expert Sarah Tetlow, founder and CEO of Firm Focus, explains how you can stay organized, focused and accomplish what needs to be done. 

As technology advancements like ChatGPT and business imperatives like ESG gain footing, there are lots of opportunities for the CPA profession to step in and add value to their clients or companies in terms of strategy and story. Listen as Todd Rahn, Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting, explains more. 

Innovation may sound daunting to most people, but Simone Ahuja, CEO of Blood Orange, an innovation and strategy consulting group, explains how innovation is not always about bright, shiny objects. It’s about adding value in new ways and is connected to the things we do every day. 

Christina Ho, CPA and board member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, discusses the value of accounting, the evolution of auditing standards, working in the government sector, perseverance, diversity, empowering women in leadership, embracing risk, and pursuing passion in the accounting profession.

With the face of the workplace changing—literally and figuratively—how can leaders and organizations ensure everyone is engaged and pulling in the same direction? Listen as Sarah Sladek, CEO and chief strategist of XYZ University, offers insights and strategies about talent recruitment and retention, leadership development and what each generation can learn from each other.

Having a firm grasp on your finances and knowing where your money is coming from—and where it’s going—can be challenging and sometimes scary. In this episode of Rise and Stride, Larry Pon, CPA and chair of the CalCPA Financial Literacy Committee, outlines some strategies to help build a solid financial foundation.Resources:CalCPA Financial Literacy https://www.calcpa.org/public-resources/financial-literacyGuidestar  https://www.guidestar.org 

There are a lot of characteristics that go into being a good leader that go beyond knowledge and expertise, including things like empathy, taking the questions and giving before you get. Listen as Michelle Russo, chief communications officer for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, discusses strategies organizations can take to keep their workforce informed and engaged. 

From blockchain to cryptocurrency, the digital economy is here to stay. Listen as Gabriella Kusz, CEO of the Global Digital Asset and Cryptocurrency Association, discusses what this means for the financial sector—and how CPAs can best prepare. Resources discussed: Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System (Satoshi Nakamoto) Management and Disclosure of Climate-Related Financial Impacts for State-Owned Enterprises: Toolkit for Shareholders and Regulators (World Bank) Climate-Related Financial Disclosures: Thematic Module in the Integrated State-Owned Enterprises Framework (World Bank)