When people talk about success, the conversation often centers on professional achievements, business growth, or career milestones. While those accomplishments certainly matter, I’ve always believed that success also comes with a responsibility to give back.
Community involvement has been a constant throughout my life, from my college years participating in service projects through my fraternity to serving on nonprofit boards and supporting charitable organizations throughout my career. The organizations and causes have evolved over time, but the underlying motivation has remained the same: helping make a difference in the communities that have given so much to all of us.
Today, I am proud to support organizations such as Nancy & Friends Fighting Cancer, the American Heart Association, Golisano Children’s Hospital, United Way, Syracuse University, and McQuaid Jesuit High School. I’ve also had the privilege of supporting Wilmot Cancer Center over the years, including serving on its board for more than a decade. Advancing cancer research and supporting patients and their families is a cause that’s close to my heart, as cancer has touched my family and the lives of so many people I know. Recently, I was honored to participate in Wilmot Warrior Weekend alongside my TBG teammates in memory of our dear colleague, Kenny Pink Jr., making the experience especially meaningful.
While each organization has a unique mission, they have a shared purpose in making a tangible impact on people’s lives. That’s a principal I’ve carried throughout my career and one that is deeply embedded in the ‘why’ behind our work at The Bonadio Group.
Community Engagement Is Personal
One of the lessons I’ve learned over the years is that meaningful community involvement has to start with personal passion.
Too often, professionals approach community service as a networking opportunity or a career-building exercise. They join a board because someone recommended it, volunteer because they think it will look good on a résumé, or participate because they feel they should.
That approach rarely leads to lasting engagement.
The most rewarding experiences happen when you find a cause you genuinely care about. When you believe in an organization’s mission and understand the difference it’s making, your involvement becomes something you want to do, not an obligation.
That’s when community service stops feeling like an item on a to-do list and starts becoming a meaningful part of your life.
The Value Goes Both Ways
Giving back benefits the organizations we support, but it also changes us as individuals.
Serving on boards, working alongside community leaders, and supporting charitable initiatives provides perspective that can be difficult to gain elsewhere. It reminds us that leadership extends beyond our businesses and that the skills we develop professionally can be used to create positive change in our communities. In many ways, that’s what the accounting and advisory profession is ultimately about: helping people, organizations, and communities thrive.
I’ve found that some of the most fulfilling experiences of my career have happened outside the office. Seeing a school or university shape the next generation, watching a fundraising effort to advance heart health exceed expectations, or knowing you’ve helped support cancer patients and their families during difficult times provides a sense of purpose that cannot be measured in business results alone.
A Message for the Next Generation of Leaders
For accounting and advisory professionals looking to become more involved in their communities, my advice is to start with what matters to you.
Find a cause you believe in. Learn about the organization’s mission. Get involved in a way that aligns with your interests, skills, and values.
Most importantly, avoid a “check-the-box” mindset. Community involvement should never be something you do solely because a mentor told you it would help your career or because you think it will expand your professional network.
Do it because the cause matters.
When your commitment is genuine, the rewards extend far beyond professional development. You’ll build relationships, gain new perspectives, and have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the people and communities around you.
The Opportunity to Make a Difference
Strong communities are built by individuals and organizations that choose to invest their time, talents, and resources in causes greater than themselves.
For me, community involvement has always been one of the most rewarding aspects of leadership, and I believe it remains one of the most meaningful ways we can make a difference.
Whether you’re just beginning your career or have decades of experience, there is an opportunity to contribute. The key is finding a cause that inspires you and committing to it with purpose and passion.
At The Bonadio Group, strengthening the communities we serve is a core principle of our Bonadio Purpose. Discover how our People are giving back through firmwide initiatives each and every day HERE.
