LOS ANGELES, CA (December 19, 2022) – GHJ, a leading accounting and advisory firm, is happy to announce that Chief Strategy Officer Mari-Anne Kehler and Search and Staffing Practice Leader Derrick Coleman were named diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) visionaries in the Los Angeles Times B2B Publishing’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Magazine.
“Thank you to Mari-Anne and Derrick for the unprecedented work they have done to create a culture of belonging,” said GHJ Managing Partner Tom Barry. “Mari-Anne and Derrick have made tremendous strides in the DEIA space and continue to forge a path for others to follow.”
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Magazine features inspirational, diverse leaders and their achievements in the DEIA space. This is the second year Mari-Anne and Derrick were featured in the Los Angeles Times B2B Publishing’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Magazine. They were also included in the inaugural issue in 2021.
“At GHJ, we believe that a diversity of perspectives and voices is essential for any successful enterprise. When people are given the space to #BeMore and express their authentic selves, innovation thrives,” Tom said. “This is why we do what we do — to help our clients and employees #BeMore and achieve more.”
GHJ’s DEIA efforts are woven into the fabric of the Firm’s strategy, execution and talent efforts every day. These efforts include firmwide unconscious bias training, employee-led cohorts to support women, people of color and working parents, investments in programs that support DEIA outcomes and ongoing conversations that push for mutual understanding and support of one another.
MARI-ANNE KEHLER
Mari-Anne Kehler, CDP, is a leader in the disability community and major proponent for disabled self-advocates. Additionally, as GHJ’s first non-accounting partner and a member of its executive committee, she uses her position as Chief Strategy Officer to elevate voices who are not always included in the conversation to create a better workplace for all, especially at GHJ.
Mari-Anne helped launch GHJ’s DEIA initiative, which includes the Firm’s cohort program, an annual unconscious bias training program and the framework for a diversity audit that made a positive impact on the Firm’s size and an increase in equity and inclusivity.
Mari-Anne’s nonprofit work is mainly centered on organizational problem solving, leadership coaching, capacity building, constituent development, communications and global and grass-roots advocacy. She serves as Strategist for GHJ Foundation and Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Autism Society of Los Angeles, and she developed and founded work programs for adults with developmental disabilities throughout Los Angeles.
DERRICK COLEMAN
Derrick Coleman leads GHJ Search and Staffing, the Firm’s recruiting arm, as well as GHJ’s BIPOC Cohort, an employee resource group that aims to advance the careers of professionals who are Black, Indigenous and other people of color in the accounting profession.
Understanding the importance of forging a path for others to follow, Derrick uses his position as head of GHJ’s recruiting arm to create opportunities for underrepresented voices. He works with both GHJ colleagues and clients to develop hiring practices that tap into unique talent pools and support representation in the businesses he works with. Additionally, Derrick has also written multiple articles about utilizing recruiting efforts and retention programs that promote diversity in the workplace.
His service to others extends to his work in the community. A graduate of the African American Board Leadership Institute, Derrick serves as Catalyst for GHJ Foundation, Treasurer for the Downtown Women’s Center and Strategic Advisor and Board Member for Goddis Love.
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About GHJ
GHJ is an accounting and advisory firm that specializes in nonprofit, food and beverage, entertainment and media and health and wellness companies. Ranked as Accounting Today’s “Firm to Watch” and “Top Regional Leader in the West,” an INSIDE Public Accounting Top 200 firm and a top-20 largest accounting firm on the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Book of Lists, GHJ is passionate about helping clients and its people #BeMore by focusing on building thriving businesses and creating a better future. GHJ works as a business advocate for its clients — providing personalized service and building long-term relationships to help position our clients for growth.
Through its affiliation with HLB International, a global network of independent professional accounting firms and business advisers, GHJ is able to partner with other top firms across major cities throughout the U.S. and the world. GHJ’s audit, tax and advisory teams leverage the HLB network to partner with its clients and give clients access to member firms in over 157 countries across the globe. GHJ has 21 partners and approximately 200 staff members that serve thousands of clients. The Firm is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the AICPA Governmental Audit Quality Center (GAQC), the California Society of CPAs and the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofit).
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