Long hours and intense workload demands are real. But this moment of elevated pressure creates an opportunity to effect change, build resilience, and strengthen workplace culture regardless of your title or tenure.
Possibility becomes power when we translate insight into action. Leadership is something to activate, and emerging leaders step into power by making intentional choices, influencing others (and being influenced by others), and cultivating perseverance.
AICPA members have requested professional development that goes beyond technical skills, with emphasis on boundary‑setting, mentorship, and tips to navigate challenges — and the Emerging Professionals Initiatives Committee (EPIC) is happy to deliver.
During the EPICenter webcast, “Bold Paths, Real Impact: Emerging Leaders in Action,” on June 24, Sarah Flischel, CPA, Jeremiah Hathorn, CPA, and other 2025 AICPA Emerging Leaders Award honorees will share real stories about leadership development that goes beyond technical skills.
Meaningful impact comes from intentional choices
Intentional choices range from deciding what degree to pursue to raising your hand to project-manage an executive initiative. All of us make decisions that affect our careers, and sometimes we need to pivot.
Sarah noted that “Just because you try something — whether it’s pursuing more education or changing jobs — that decision doesn’t shape you forever. You can always pivot.”
Jeremiah recalled, “There were two pivotal moments where my accounting journey developed. One was choosing to pursue an accounting degree, and the other was the tenacity I needed to pass the CPA Exam. It took me three years and nine tries to pass that exam.” Self-reflection and pep talks helped him stay focused, buckle down, and succeed. Sarah made a major pivot in her career after her ambitions took her to the top of the ladder — from staff to partner. Once there, she realized her true passion: process improvement and training others, and she recalls thinking, “I’ve climbed to the top of the ladder only to realize I’m standing on top of the wrong building.”
This realization led to an intentional decision: Sarah accepted an offer at another organization. Happily directing audit transformation and training colleagues, rather than providing client services as a firm partner, Sarah would reassure her younger self that “No one’s career path is linear. There will be several pivots. The hardest step is the first one, and it gets easier from there on.”
Meaningful impact is gained by giving
For Jeremiah, the first and most profound influence in his life is his family. His mother, grandmother, and aunties inspired and supported him every step of the way. As a youth, members of the non-profit organization, 100 Black Men of America, taught him financial literacy and introduced him to people he likely wouldn’t have met otherwise. During his college years, he had mentors from the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA).
Flash forward, Jeremiah is president of the St. Louis chapter of 100 Black Men of America, rubbing elbows with his former mentors. And he previously served as president of the National Association of Black Accountants, St. Louis chapter. He noted, “I'm a big advocate for mentoring and giving back because people gave to me. It’s very fulfilling to give back to communities, and it creates a domino effect; it trickles on.”
Sarah agrees on the importance of taking time to mentor and listen. In fact, she views mentorship as synonymous with connections, noting that seven of her eight jobs since her teen years were discovered via her connections.
Sarah noted, “I'm very passionate about mentoring others who are considering a career change because I know what it's like to have worked so hard for something that ultimately didn’t satisfy; it’s disappointing. So, I'm here to say: ‘A career change is possible; you can do this.’”
Meaningful impact is born from resilience
In reflecting back to her twenties, Sarah shared how she moved from Florida to Colorado; a significant decision after graduating from college. Being curious and having confidence to make such a big move instilled a deep trust within herself, revealing that she can live where she wants; she can put down roots anywhere; she can do anything.
“My resilience,” Jeremiah shared, “stems from my grandmother. I was born in my house. My grandmother delivered me. All I can think is, ‘Wow. She’s a superwoman in my eyes’.” Now in her 90s, his grandmother has lived an admirable and enriching life, caring for her kids and grandchildren.
Growing up around strong and determined women inspired Jeremiah to work hard, striving to achieve financial stability for himself and his family. “Just seeing the hard work of my grandma, mom, and aunties really instilled in me: ‘You can do this. Keep going. Never give up,’” Jeremiah said.
With a foundation grounded in his family, Jeremiah’s perseverance branched out to include high school wrestling (he qualified for the state championship during his senior year), led him to re-sit the CPA exam, and instilled in him the ability to overcome natural disasters. The tornado that hit St. Louis on May 16, 2025, destroyed his home and the St. Louis headquarters of 100 Black Men.
Jeremiah reflected, “Any pain or negative situation is simply just a situation that you’re in at the moment. You have to keep going. You have to be proactive about creating a new plan with intention and then go forward with it. One of my favorite quotes is from Frederick Douglass: ‘If there is no struggle, there is no progress.’”
Any time I go through mental or physical challenges, I think of my family. I think of my background and where I came from; the odds were against me then, and I remind myself that these are the cards life has given me. Now I have to play them. And I’ll play them to my advantage.”
Jeremiah Hathorn, CPA
Resilience is also cultivated by implementing self-care and setting boundaries to prevent burnout. Sarah begins each day with meditation, and she takes a walk after lunch; seeing the expansive Colorado horizon helps her mind reset and focus.
Leadership development is within reach
Activate your leadership potential early; there’s no need to wait for the next career milestone. Practical, relevant, and immediate application can positively influence your long‑term career direction.
“You know what I've learned along the way? Be bold. Be strategic about the way you move through life and work. If you see opportunities at your firm for improvement, speak up,” Jeremiah advised.
Sarah agreed about the importance of moving ideas forward to create a stronger workplace. One of her ideas that became practice is a mentorship program. Another insight that has become action is a study session known as body doubling, a strategy that psychologists recommend for people with ADHD. Sarah hosts a firm-wide meeting twice a week where no one speaks. The team works together with cameras on and mics off, completing a task that they’d possibly been dreading. At the end of the hour, they share progress and high fives.
You can hear from Sarah, Jeremiah, and other experts during the “Bold Paths, Real Impact: Emerging Leaders in Action” EPICenter webcast on Wednesday, June 24, 2–3pm ET. Join the webcast to learn more examples of navigating challenges, building resilience, and creating change within firms and communities.
Leave the webcast with confidence to translate your insights into action in your own careers. Plus, you’ll earn 1 CPE credit.
Know someone who is shaping the future of the accounting and finance profession? Celebrate their impact by nominating them for the AICPA Emerging Leaders Award — applications are open through June 30, 2026. Your nomination could be the encouragement that helps them take their next big step.
About the experts
Sarah Flischel, CPA, is the director of Audit Transformation & Training, AAFCPAs. She leads the audit department through digital transformation, bringing the audit approach to life in new ways, including making decisions and mitigating risks with data. She is passionate about connecting people, generating ideas, sharing knowledge, and finding efficiencies in work processes. Sarah supports growth and development in the accounting profession by combining technical training and mentorship with a focus on personal wellness and sustainable career practices.
Jeremiah Hathorn, CPA is the founder and principal adviser of Hathorn Advisory Group and president of 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis. Inspired by coaches, mentors, and most notably the strength of his grandmother, Jeremiah seeks every opportunity to give back. With over 150 chapters throughout the country, as well as chapters in different countries, 100 Black Men of America, Inc. is the leading African American mentoring organization in the United States; Jeremiah serves as the youngest president throughout the 100 Black Man chapters.
About the Emerging Professionals Initiatives Committee
The mission of the Emerging Professionals Initiatives Committee (EPIC) is to actively promote and support accounting and finance professionals through leadership programs, professional development resources, and volunteer opportunities. Please reach out to Lexi Weber, CPA, Senior Manager — Emerging Professionals Initiatives with any questions.