Saying goodbye is never EasY

An opportunity knocked on my door amidst the COVID-19 pandemic that took me by surprise. So, after 12 amazing years at EY, it is time for me to move on. This was not an easy decision and I want to reflect on a firm that has kept me the longest ever in my career and why. A simple answer is 3 key things: the people, the culture and the ever-changing opportunities.

Marketing in professional services is not easy, especially following regulations governing many rules for even marketing to abide by. But the matrix environment is something to behold and why I have spent much of my marketing career in professional services firms. As Morpheus said from the movie the Matrix: "Unfortunately, no one can be told what the matrix is. You have to see it for yourself." Well, the matrix has allowed me as a marketer to move around the firm with great dexterity to interact with all kinds of people and be exposed to great work with interesting clients. EY also allowed me many role changes that kept me continually interested in my work. It was if I was starting a new role every 2-3 years. Change is constant at EY — frustrating at times, but always keeping the wheels greased to move along and stretching what you think you know.

For me personally, it allowed me to grow my social media skills which continues to be my passion to this day. The marketing profession continues to evolve and with the advance of social media and digital platforms, there continues to be no shortage of things to learn. The firm supported my passion and allowed me to be involved in decisions that helped shape the firm’s digital footprint. I was lucky to be on the board to select the global firm’s social media tool, advise our Independence team on creating rules around social media usage, review the America’s charter for our CRM system, run various global social media accounts, and just before my departure, analyze the firm’s social media influencers. These things were not in my job description but were opportunities afforded to me by my sheer interest and expertise.

Day-to-day, working with smart people and collaborative culture is what really kept me at EY so long. Understanding client’s issues and helping them see how we can improve their businesses is exciting – hearing from C-Suite executives and visiting their offices, plants and facilities has been tremendously rewarding and an opportunity not always afforded to marketers.

But most of all, I will miss working with my industry marketing team. I am confident great things are in store for each of them — a tremendously talented group of individuals! And my work could have never been as good without extra doses of insight from many great leaders and Knowledge team members. I have made many lifelong friendships with colleagues from around the world that I am so grateful to take with me. I wish them each the very best. A special thanks to those who have supported me — too many to list here. And I am deeply thankful for the wonderful and thoughtful virtual sendoff that left me both laughing and crying!

It is time for me to take all I have learned and move forward. I am very excited to join my next matrix organization. Stay tuned!

Update: Started with Cherry Bekaert LLP July 20th as Chief Marketing Officer.