Please describe your title and role at the firm. What are your key initiatives this year?

My current title is Senior Managing Director, Head of Corporate Accounting.  In my role, I’m tasked with managing a team of  accountants who collectively are responsible for recording the underlying financials transactions of the firm in order to produce timely, accurate financial statement information for both internal and external constituents. 

Tell us about your career path at Guggenheim. What brought you to the firm and what from your past has helped make you successful here?

I joined Guggenheim in October 2005 as the Controller of the New York office after spending 10 years in public accounting. I was ready to leave public accounting and the thought of working at Guggenheim in the early developing stages of the firm’s history was very enticing as I knew I would be challenged on a day-to-day basis. 

What is the best career or personal advice you have received or what is career or personal advice you would give?

The best career and personal advice I’ve ever received was from the Chair of the accounting department at my university. He told me that in all aspects of life one should “never complain and never explain.”  It took me a little while to realize that what he meant was that life is full of challenges for each of us.  Those that succeed and get ahead quickly take responsibility for their tasks and assignments and see them through to fruition in a seamless manner. It’s certainly okay to ask for assistance along the way, so when in doubt, be resourceful and always look to add value.

What is one thing employees would be surprised to hear about you?

I am a 13-year breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed at a fairly young age about seven months after I joined the firm. Without the compassion and understanding of my manager and senior management allowing me the time off necessary to focus on my recovery, I would not be where I am today: a forever grateful full-time working mom to three pretty awesome little kids (ages 6, 4, and 2).