Culture as a Competitive Advantage AND Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Everything We Do

Crystal joined the AICPA & CIMA in early 2020 and oversees its member facing Diversity and Inclusion team where they encourage workplaces within the accounting and finance profession to cultivate environments where workforces are inclusive of people with different experiences and perspectives and where diversity of thought is valued and supported. She believes that a workplace that is reflective and inclusive of the global communities in which they operate is positioned to innovatively solve the challenging and complex issues facing clients and the evolving public interest. This is critical to the success and sustainability of our profession. The resources developed under her team are designed to support a culture where those with diverse lived experiences can grow and thrive. This includes underrepresented individuals such has those who identify as LGBTQ+, as well as gender fairness and equality for women. She also collaborates on initiatives aimed at supporting the profession’s emerging professionals. She serves as the Vice-Chair of the AICPA & CIMA’s National Commission on Diversity & Inclusion, whose mission is to be champions that guide and support the accounting and finance profession in creating sustainable workplaces through expanded pathways that attract and retain qualified high performing talent with a commitment to inclusive leadership. Her work requires collaboration with senior executives of partner organizations and accounting firms who also seek to increase and advance culture and inclusion in their workforces. In 2022, 2023 and 2024, Crystal was named as one of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting. This listing identifies the thought leaders, change-makers, regulators and other leaders who are shaping the profession. Prior to the Association, Crystal spent 12 years at the Center for Audit Quality where she managed Governing Board operations, financial reporting and budgeting processes, and talent, which included leading efforts around Diversity and Inclusion. She was also employed at KPMG LLP for 7 years as an auditor in their assurance practice in Washington D.C. Crystal holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Cincinnati. She and her family reside in Bowie, MD

Paul Leroue is a Principal and Chief Marketing Officer at Wipfli. He is formerly the CEO/Growth Strategist of a Strategem Certified Public Accountants, a mid-size CPA firm in Denver, Colorado. Paul is an experienced business leader having spent 12 years in fortune 500 companies and the last 26 years as an executive leader in privately held entrepreneurial based companies ranging from start up to $300 million. Paul is an experienced executive coach and a national implementer of EOS a powerful entrepreneurial operating system.