Meet a few of the remarkable women driving our company and community forward

To celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, we spoke with a few of the incredible, influential and inspirational women who work at Accuity. Women represent over 50% of the Accuity team and these leaders have played a critical role in our success. They recently took time to share insight on female leadership, career advice, and acknowledged other women who have supported them throughout their careers. 

In this feature, get to know: 

·      Rachel Antal, Tax Managing Director

·      Erin Takamine, Audit Partner

·      Sondra Ouye, Consulting Director

·      Nikki Lau, Senior Audit Associate

·      Julie Okinaka, Consulting Managing Director

·      Jamie Asato, Chief Operating Officer

·      Caylee Weinhouse, Senior Audit Associate

·      Kim Miyoshi, Audit Principal

What is the biggest factor that has helped to propel your career forward?

Rachel Antal: My career has had many twists and turns. Keeping an open mind, a willingness to leap onto untested paths, and looking for opportunities that may be a stretch or involve completely new skills has led to fulfilling and exciting career moves. 

Erin Takamine: Meaningful mentorship. I’ve been fortunate to have engaged mentors throughout my career that have given me the unique opportunity to actually see what great leadership looks like. These mentors have always made the time to take an active role in providing guidance, support, and in some cases, tough love, regarding career decisions and challenges. Although some of my mentors have retired from the workforce or now live in different states, they are, still to this day, trusted advisors that I reach out to regularly for advice.

Sondra Ouye: The biggest factor in guiding my career has been Accuity. After leaving in 2012 to take my dream trip around the world, I came back to Hawaii trying to figure out what to do next. Accuity hired me back in consulting and was willing to accommodate an unusual part-time, part-year work schedule as I continued to travel and volunteer abroad. Recently, Cory asked me to help develop a new ESG consulting service which allows me to bring my personal passion and interest in sustainability issues into my consulting career - an opportunity I’m very excited about!  

Nikki Lau: One of the biggest factors that has helped propel my career forward is networking and building relationships with those in the Hawaii community. Meeting new people and forming connections has helped me with career opportunities, mentorship opportunities, and other forms of support, which has helped get me to where I am today. Having a positive attitude, being adaptable, and staying open to learning new things can also bring you new careers and opportunities for growth and career advancement.

How do you think companies would benefit from having more women in leadership positions?

Julia Okinaka: Women bring a different viewpoint and fresh perspectives for decision making. By having women in leadership positions, younger women staff can visualize themselves having a long-term career at our firm.

Jamie Asato: I think there could be more problems solved. Women wear many different hats, balance a career, their household, and naturally have a maternal instinct to help others. Women leaders quickly adjust to new situations and focus on finding solutions to real life work issues.

Caylee Weinhouse: It’s always beneficial to have multiple POV’s. And if you don’t have as many women in leadership, you’re already losing perspective to half of your audience.

Nikki Lau: With more women in leadership positions, they bring new perspectives and different viewpoints/experiences, making strategic decisions that take into account a broader range of perspectives.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?

Kim Miyoshi: Embrace change, face challenges head on, and have the desire to learn and grow.

Erin Takamine: My advice for the next generation of female leaders is to be inquisitive and not be afraid to make mistakes! It’s important to continue to strive to learn as much as you possibly can from others around you as they offer a different and broader perspective that is invaluable. Learning when to speak up and not be afraid to voice my opinions has enabled me to transition from being a participant or contributor to a leader. I also believe that it’s critical to focus on empowering those around you by cultivating and growing their best qualities to become leaders themselves. 

Jamie Asato: Empower those around you. Teach people how not to need you. Great leaders are those who develop other leaders.

Nikki Lau: Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Try new things and embrace every challenge as a learning opportunity.

Do you have a female leader as a mentor or one that has inspired you?

Kim Miyoshi: Early on in my public accounting career I worked with a female manager who played a significant role in guiding my career. She was a positive role model in how to balance having a successful career while being a working mother.

Sondra Ouye: There hasn’t been just one person but more of a collection of people throughout my life and from around the world - which is probably why I’m a bit of an oddball as my views are an eclectic mix that were drawn from and shaped by so many people, places, and cultures.  

Rachel Antal: There are many women that have helped me throughout my career. My first senior manager stayed in touch and gave me advice for my career even after she left the firm I was working at. My boss while I worked in India, was the person who spearheaded my previous firm’s offshoring efforts. Her passion for starting and leading the company, her compassion for each person, and her no-nonsense attitude made me regard her both as a mother and a boss.

I also don’t want to discount having male advocates. Women need women for inspiration, but throughout my life I’ve also found certain men that can be incredible champions for women. My dad was my first inspiration in this front, showing me his support for women in math, science and research throughout his life.

Caylee Weinhouse: The women in my family have always shown me that it’s okay to laugh loudly, be opinionated and outspoken, and that you can always work to get what you want, because more likely than not, nothing gets handed out to you for free.

Do you have any other thoughts about your career journey, or the types of changes would you like to see moving forward?

Julia Okinaka: My focus now is being a servant leader. If my actions help inspire others to learn, dream, and achieve more, I am doing my job.   

Kim Miyoshi: Throughout my career in public accounting, I’ve always been surrounded by amazing individuals who I’ve been able to learn from and have supported me. I’ve worked for firms that have provided me with the flexibility in order to be a successful working mother.

Caylee Weinhouse: Life is nothing without balance. Don’t think just because you want to have a successful career in a demanding field, that you aren’t allowed to take a break, recharge and reset.

Sondra Ouye: My career, my life journey, and often my way of thinking has been somewhat unconventional. I would like to see others continue to challenge the norm and not be afraid to be different if it means being true to yourself.