March 8th is a day for women around the world to come together and celebrate our achievements. But it’s also a reminder that there’s more work to be done. This year’s theme, Accelerate Action, challenges us to rethink how we move forward in closing the gender gap. At the current rate, we won’t see gender parity until 2158. That’s five generations from now. Let’s change that trajectory.
At DMCL, we believe in the power of women to lead, inspire, and break barriers. To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’ve chatted with three inspiring women leaders at DMCL who have not only accelerated their own careers but also exemplify resilience, leadership, and a commitment to being change-makers. They’re not just inspiring themselves—they’re guiding and mentoring the next generation of women to take bold steps forward.
A Major Factor in Accelerating Action for Gender Equality: Challenging Old Norms
What’s one common misconception in the accounting profession or professional services industries that you’ve had to break down or challenge?
Raj Dosanjh, Manager, Private Enterprise
“As a mom who took two years off on maternity leave, one common misconception I’ve had to challenge in the accounting profession is the assumption that taking a career break, especially for reasons like maternity leave, automatically means you’re less committed or capable. People often assume that being away from work for that long would hinder your career growth or make you less competitive, when in reality, it’s given me a new perspective, stronger time-management skills, and a greater appreciation for work-life balance. I’ve had to break the norm that a ‘gap’ in your career is a setback. Instead, it’s an opportunity to show flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to prioritize and balance multiple responsibilities.”
Big Progress Requires Bold Moves
Can you share a time you took a risk in your career that paid off, and what advice would you give to women who are hesitating to take their own leap forward?
Krissy Schmidt, Director of Marketing and Communications, Firm Operations
“Conventional wisdom often tells us never to take a step back in our careers. But in 2014, I faced an opportunity to merge two of my greatest passions into a new role—one that came with a demotion in both pay and seniority at a new company. On paper, it looked like a step down. In reality, it was the gateway to my dream job.
When passion and work align, incredible things happen. Over the next six years, I not only advanced rapidly within the organization, but I also had the opportunity to build and lead multiple teams from the ground up. Along the way, I gained invaluable professional development and experience that shaped my career in ways I never could have predicted.
I’ve always been mindful of living a life without ‘what ifs.’ What if I hadn’t taken that demotion? Would my career have stagnated? For any woman hesitating to take a leap forward, I’d encourage you to look at your life in 1, 5, or 10 years and ask yourself: What if I don’t do this? The reality is, the worst that can happen is someone says no—but the best that can happen is life-changing. You’ll never know unless you try.”
Mentorship: The Key to Becoming Strong Leaders
As someone who actively mentors staff, what advice do you have for young women entering the accounting profession to help them grow into strong leaders? What actionable steps can they take early in their careers to position themselves for success?
Jana Moore, CPA, CA, Partner
“My biggest piece of advice to young female professionals is to say ‘yes’ to opportunities – especially if they make you uncomfortable. An opportunity to present information to junior staff – say yes! Asked to take on a file that has issues that you have never seen before – say yes! Work with people in another office or on a team project – say yes! Exposure to new concepts and working with others within the firm will help expand your technical knowledge and your network.
When you are trying to work your way into a more senior role, having the technical skills to do the job will be required and it’s best to have a wide base of knowledge. The wonderful thing about expanding your network within your organization is that if you have questions (you can’t know everything in this profession), you know someone to ask!
To me, there are four main areas a young professional should work on to set them up for success down the road:
- Technical skills: In our profession, there are constant changes. So, embrace the changes and stay on top of them. One of the best ways to solidify technical skills is by teaching others.
- Communication skills: As you grow in your role, more of your time will be spent communicating with clients and staff. Learn ways to effectively communicate with people from all walks of life.
- Having a mentor and being a mentor: Find someone to discuss your career path – it will help you to keep moving forward. Being a mentor will help you realize how far you have come and how much you have to offer someone else.
- Confidence: Grows with experience and technical skills, but sometimes you just simply need to fake it until you make it!”
Ensuring Your Voice Is Heard, No Matter the Industry
Having worked with a variety of clients, from real estate to professional services, what’s one action women can take to ensure their voices are heard and valued, no matter the industry they’re in?
Raj Dosanjh, Manager, Private Enterprise
“One action women can take to ensure their voices are heard and valued, no matter the industry, is to speak up confidently in every conversation, whether it’s in meetings or one-on-one discussions. It’s important to share your ideas, ask questions, and advocate for yourself. When women speak up with confidence, they not only make their voices heard but also set an example for others to do the same.”
Challenging Expectations and Raising Standards
You’re known for your commitment to quality and never settling for ‘good enough.’ How do you inspire other women to not just meet expectations, but to challenge themselves?
Krissy Schmidt, Director of Marketing and Communications, Firm Operations
“I firmly believe that the most powerful way to inspire others is by leading through action. Time and time again, I’ve seen how even the smallest actions or details can leave a lasting impression on those around me.
Anyone who has worked with me knows two things: I’m passionate, and I persevere. No matter how many times I get knocked down, I always get back up—because I love what I do, I believe in my work, and I’m committed to seeing it through. My hope is that by showing up every day with resilience and determination, I encourage others to push past limitations, challenge themselves, and redefine what’s possible.”
Navigating Challenges in Public Practice
Do you think women in public practice face unique challenges compared to their male counterparts when it comes to leadership opportunities and partnership roles? How can women navigate these challenges more effectively?
Jana Moore, CPA, CA, Partner
“I do believe that women face unique challenges in comparison to their male colleagues. In my experience, women don’t ask for promotions in a direct fashion – they believe they will be offered opportunities because of their merits. Asking for a promotion or a leadership opportunity can be uncomfortable but it really is the best way to let your team know what you want to do with your career.
Women also worry about work-life balance and how leadership opportunities or promotions will affect that balance (especially if you have a family like I do). Speaking with your senior team members and getting their input on the expectations for the role and how they maintain a work-life balance is useful information when weighing an opportunity. Discussing flexibilities that your team would be willing to work with to accommodate you (i.e., starting earlier or later in the day) is also something that I strongly encourage. Work-life balance at any job is difficult, so having open and honest communication will go a long way in deciding if an opportunity is right for you.”
Conclusion: Accelerating Action Starts with Us
Thank you very much to Raj, Jana, and Krissy for sharing their valuable experiences and insights into being women who accelerate action in their careers and beyond. Their advice is not just for those looking to move forward in their professional lives, but also for those who want to inspire other women to do the same.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s come together—not just in the office but in our community and in the world—as women and leaders. Let’s accelerate action, challenge the norms, and build the future we want to see.
Article written by Bridget O’Connor, Talent Acquistion Lead
