The commitment to developing people. Armanino genuinely wants to invest in people's careers. I heard from various individuals during the interview process who all shared their positive experiences and echoed the firm's dedication in their own voices. Our CEO, Matt Armanino, stands out as one of the best leaders I have encountered. He pushes hard, like any CEO, but he cares about people. I appreciate that Matt encourages me to evolve and help others do the same in order for us to make a meaningful impact.
In my role, I focus on firmwide initiatives as well as work closely with individuals who head our internal groups. I lead a team of HR business partners (we call them people partners) who are embedded in different areas of the business. They act as strategic partners to understand the needs of their respective teams and provide valuable insights to leaders. Ultimately, we work throughout the firm to prioritize people and recognize that our people are our most valuable asset. We are in the business of sharing expertise and building relationships, which goes beyond providing a service based solely on numbers. It's about fostering meaningful connections and creating a supportive environment.
My work style is empowering. I'm a big-picture thinker and I’m really good at helping people see another viewpoint. I can also handle really big problems without letting it affect me. I'm not reactionary when something goes wrong; instead, I focus on understanding, so we can prevent it from happening again. I like to break down a problem into manageable parts so we can solve a problem together.
Seeing someone I've worked with achieve their desired goals, whether it's within Armanino or elsewhere. One example that comes to mind is watching the growth and success of someone I’ve known since they started right out of college and has now become a senior director. It brings me immense joy to see individuals spread their wings and soar. I give them the runway and guidance along the way, and they unfold their wings to fly.
I often share stories with my kids about how my husband and I have approached our careers. We emphasize the importance of being open to new things and not shying away from trying something unfamiliar. Even if I didn't know how to do something at first, I always had the mindset of wanting to learn and give it a try. Diving into the deep end has helped my career. I encourage others to be their own advocate and seize the chances that come their way.
Armanino never stops building. That's what keeps me coming back. Even on a challenging day, I think to myself, “Tomorrow is a new day. I get to come back and keep building.”