A Tax professional finds opportunity for change

Path to Deloitte: “I’ve been at Deloitte for most of my public accounting career,” Kristina says. During her undergraduate days, she completed two internships in Deloitte’s Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Tax group and was hired to a full-time position there in 2019 after receiving a master’s degree in taxation. “It’s always been Deloitte for me,” she says. “I really felt that the recruiter went out of her way to find an opportunity for me. People have always been there to help me so I could reach my goals.” In the mergers and acquisitions group, she’s been able to brainstorm solutions with leaders to challenges such as learning in a hybrid workplace and maintaining work-life balance. “It’s been great to have a direct way to work with leadership and get their thoughts,” she says.

Purpose in action: Kristina’s work with Deloitte’s Women in M&A primarily began at the onset of the pandemic. “I just felt like there was so much going on, and a tax leader had reached out to check in with me,” she says. “I wanted to get involved and she introduced me to the M&A DEI leaders.” Since then, she’s been able to deepen her involvement through various opportunities with the group. “When we get feedback from our colleagues about what’s working or not, we have the flexibility to really address the problem,” she says. “We can touch a little of everything and make the micro changes that can lead to change at the broader level.” Before the pandemic, Kristina says, she was only aware of Deloitte’s DEI resources at the national level and is proud of the breadth of work she’s found. “I didn’t know we had any M&A-specific programming,” she says. “So when I think about whether we’ve made an impact, I look back and say: absolutely.”

Her impact: For Kristina’s profound dedication to DEI, she is the recipient of the 2024 Michelle Go Inclusive Leadership award, given to professionals who work to help create environments of inclusion and belonging where professionals can bring their authentic self and leadership to Deloitte. “I’ve been really proud to build impact through smaller-scale, more targeted events so people in local offices can connect. And when a local leader participates, that tends to send a message that they care and they’re here to build an inclusive environment. It’s so great to know that the good people you work with are also here to truly create an inclusive space.”