In recognition of Black History Month, GHJ’s BIPOC Cohort invited an esteemed panel to share their professional career experiences; they discussed how they each show up as their authentic selves in the workplace and the important lessons they have learned in the time spent in their careers. 

The panel included:

• Nykema Jackson, the Global Head of SEC, ESG Reporting and Technical Accounting at Airbnb
• John Parker, the Chief Financial Officer at San Diego City College
• Jerry Leonard, the Chief Financial Officer at VSee Health
• Trevor Williams, a Partner in Audit and the Director of DEI at GRF CPAs and Advisors
• DiAndra Green, JD, a Partner in State and Local Tax at Bennett Thrasher

Moderated by Derrick Coleman, GHJ’s BIPOC Cohort sponsor, each panelist shared moments in their career that changed their approach to work and explored what it means to be a Person of Color in the field of accounting and finance. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

How do you stay authentic to your true self while at work or in a professional setting?

Nykema Jackson: When I first started working, I had a distinct “work self” and “home self” – and never the two met. I stayed that way for the better part of my career. 

At a pivotal point in my career, I was working for a French company, and the leadership team flew in from Paris to meet with the team here in the U.S.

During the dinner with the international team, I sat next to the head of our reporting unit of the $20 billion company. I started asking the head about himself and the global aspects of the company. And I was genuinely interested in learning the answers to these questions, so the conversation just kept going. Fast forward a year and the organization had an opening for an expatriate role in Paris. A lot of people raised their hands to be interviewed for the role, and I happened to be the one chosen to work in France.

When I got to Paris, I asked the department head, the same man I sat next to at the dinner a while back, why he chose me out of everyone with the right skillset, tenured experience and technical expertise. His answer was that I was chosen because he respected my character and the charisma I brought to the job.

Had I known earlier on that your personal self does not need to be separate from your work self, I might have found my spot at the leadership table earlier on. By being unapologetically me, I was recognized for bringing the right energy to the company.

The lesson is simple: authenticity will never hold you back. When you are true to your values and beliefs, that authenticity sets you apart and propels you forward.

In the nature of staying authentic to who you are, what is the best piece of advice to impart on People of Color beginning their careers?

John Parker: People of Color are still, as a culture, early in our leadership careers. We may have a seat at the table – but this is much newer concept, and one we are still fighting for today. Because of this, we have to work twice as hard as the majority. 

And so, early in my career, I struggled with the self-imposed expectation that I had to know everything; had to have an answer to every question. I was afraid to admit that sometimes I did not have the answer. Over time, I have come to find that there is power in confessing when you do not know the answer but can demonstrate that you are willing to find it. 

“Add value by creating value — by creating opportunities and your own seat at the table.” – John Parker

Similarly, if you could rewind time and give your 22-year-old self advice as you entered the workforce, what would it be? 

Jerry Leonard: I wish someone had told me to find something I am passionate about. A couple of years ago, I was working to take a company public. My finance team was very lean, and I was wearing multiple hats as the department head. Yet, I was so committed to making the deal work that I fully invested my entire self into the project. I was working around the clock to push it across the finish line. 

The thing was, though, I thoroughly enjoyed the time and energy I was spending on this project. All of this is to say that I found what I was passionate about, but much later in life than I would have hoped. When you are passionate about your work, the resilience just shows up. The energy just appears. When you love what you are doing, it truly energizes you.

Often, guidance from others can help move professionals forward and onto a trajectory of success. What is your advice to others in the workforce when it comes to receiving feedback? 

Trevor Williams: I am a firm believer that you should never walk into a performance evaluation and be blindsided or surprised by the feedback. And I cannot stress this enough: if you want to grow, improve and succeed, feedback provides the goalpost to get you there.  

While sometimes difficult to receive, feedback is a gift and a crucial element to growing as a professional. Feedback should always be a natural part of every organization’s culture, but if it is not, I encourage anyone who is not currently receiving feedback to actively ask for and seek it.

BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF BELONGING

The distinguished group shared their guidance and lessons learned through their experiences as People of Color in the workforce. As part of GHJ’s commitment to community, equity and belonging, the Firm continues to prioritize a culture of diversity, understanding and inclusion. It is through the experiences of the people within the Firm and those in GHJ’s network that make the Firm what it is today.

"We don’t fail. Things are never just a win or a loss. They are always a win or a moment to learn." – Nykema Jackson