Kaufman Rossin’s DEI council welcomes new chair, vice chair

Maria Toledo, CPA,MST and Bao Nguyen, CAMS,CFE,CRCP | Press Release | July 24, 2023

Kaufman Rossin, the largest independent CPA and advisory firm in Florida and one of the top 100 firms in the U.S., announced a new chair and vice chair for its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council. International Tax Principal Maria Toledo, CPA, MST, has been named chair of the council, and Risk Advisory Services Principal Bao Nguyen, CAMS, CFE, CRCP, has been named vice chair.

“We believe a diverse and inclusive culture not only makes our firm better for our employees, but also positively contributes to our client service and ultimately drives our business,” said Toledo.

Toledo helped to spearhead the firm’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiative by establishing the firm’s first employee resource group, Kaufman Rossin Empowering Women (KREW) in December 2015. In February 2020, Kaufman Rossin CEO Blain Heckaman, CPA, signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ pledge as a further sign of his commitment and the firm’s commitment to DEI.

Today, the DEI Council oversees the firm’s diversity, equity and inclusion strategy, leading the firm’s vision to foster an inclusive culture that encourages different perspectives and enables all employees to thrive professionally and personally, regardless of their backgrounds. Three sub-committees help bring the vision to life:

  • The Culture Committee takes the lead on communications, education and awareness.
  • The Pipeline Development and Progression Committee focuses on improving equitable opportunities for advancement, including developing sponsorship and mentorship programs, and partnering with Human Resources on inclusive recruiting and enhancing performance management.
  • Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) offer optional opportunities for peers who share similar beliefs, backgrounds, life experiences, circumstances or other affinities to connect and support one another as members or as allies. The firm currently has four ERGs: Kaufman Rossin Empowering Women (KREW), Black Opportunities for Leadership and Development (BOLD), Prism and Thrive.

“I am honored to be selected by the DEI Council as the vice chair, and to support Maria, the council, and most importantly, Kaufman Rossin’s employees,” said Nguyen. “DEI is an issue I’m passionate about, and being part of the council gives me an opportunity to help enhance the firm’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture. I want everyone to feel welcome to show up here as their most authentic professional self.”

 

Maria Toledo, CPA, MST, is a International Tax Principal at Kaufman Rossin, one of the Top 100 CPA and advisory firms in the U.S.

Bao Nguyen, CAMS, CFE, CRCP, is a Risk Advisory Services Broker-Dealer and Investment Adviser Services at Kaufman Rossin, one of the Top 100 CPA and advisory firms in the U.S.