The finalists for WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards were announced April 15, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place virtually May 27.
Next is Chief Financial Officer Award finalist Jennifer Smith, who’s CFO of Government & Public Services Industry at Deloitte. Here, she talks key professional achievements, primary focus areas going forward, professional risks and more.
What are you most proud of having been a part of in your current organization?
Balancing my career goals with my strong commitment to family isn’t always easy to do, but I’m proud to be part of an organization where I can achieve a meaningful balance. Given my experience, I’m not surprised Deloitte ranks in the top 10 of Working Mother’s 100 Best Companies. In my career at Deloitte, I’ve had the chance to take advantage of two maternity leaves and appreciated the significant amount of time away from work to care for my newborns. I was able to fully step away during those extended periods, while continuing grow in my role and being promoted to my current level very quickly following the birth of my second daughter.
Also, I was able to be at my mother’s side during her fight with cancer due to our flexible work arrangements. During the pandemic, I’ve had the opportunity to help pay this forward, championing Deloitte’s programs to support our people taking family leave and managing the finances to make that possible.
What key achievements did you have in the past year?
Looking back on this past year, one of my key achievements was elevating the profile of our Government and Public Services business within Deloitte. At a time with significant uncertainty in the market, we were able to increase the critical services we provide to our government clients and support the important work they were doing for communities all across the nation, growing our business at a double-digit rate.
For our firm, our government practice was able to create a bulwark of stability while we navigated unchartered waters, taking care of our people and still delivering on our commitments to our clients.
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those so important to the future of the nation?
Our government is boldly tackling this nation’s biggest challenges, including climate change. I’m personally committed to reducing my carbon footprint through the choices I make in my life including where I live and work, relying on biking as my primary form of transit, minimizing consumer goods, and instilling in my children a sense stewardship of the environment.
Additionally, I’m extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to do more than just make a personal commitment. Deloitte has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The path to this goal is clearly defined, and in my role, I can advocate at the table where many of these decisions are being made.
I truly believe that the combination of personal commitment, corporate commitment, and government commitment make our climate challenges solvable.
What’s your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
My career advice is a three-part formula. First, I believe in surrounding yourself with people that make you better (and make you smile!). I loved reading about the relationship between Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsberg. They had very different perspectives but honed their craft by challenging each other.
Second, in the same way, spend your time with people that won’t just tell you what you want to hear but will ask you the tough questions.
Third, make sure to seek out counsel from those with diverse backgrounds different than yours. You never get improve unless you are challenged.
What has made you successful in your current role?
Two things really stand out to me when I reflect on success in my role. First, being successful in any role is about recognizing your strengths and surrounding yourself with team that you can trust. The second part is being part of a leadership team that extends across our business, and who is working together on a common objective.
Having others to both support and challenge my ideas has been so beneficial, especially when they contribute their energy, and together, we can bring our ideas to life.
Looking back at your career, what are you most proud of?
There have been lots of exciting moments, but when I reflect on those high points, I never forget who was in the room championing and celebrating them with me. I want to continue to be that person for my team. Looking back, I’m most proud of the times I’ve helped a colleague or team member find their next role and a “perfect fit.”
It is incredibly rewarding to hear how happy they are, and positive feedback from their teammates about their new leader. Personal check-ins are a must for me, and I often reserve time each week connect with people that I no longer work with directly to maintain strong relationships. I’m most looking forward to more in-person check-ins (hopefully) soon!