Stacy Sandler’s Post

Time Waits for No One Sometimes life is a blur, remembering all the details of events is not easy to do. I lost my job in 2006, recessions always seem to clip Michigan first as the automotive industry can be a bellwether for the economy. I was grateful to join BearingPoint in 2006; consulting came natural to me, but it required a lot of travel. I recall coming to terms with traveling for work – it was better than being unemployed. BearingPoint was on the edge, in early 2009 I was looking to make a job change as there was a lot of uncertainty. I vividly remember June of 2009; the recession was firmly in place but seemed to have promise of loosening its grip. But the hammer soon fell - like many companies, BearingPoint was over leveraged and tumbled down with the fall of the stock market in 2009. I had three young children, what was I going to do? How would my family be ok? I was slated to be ported over to PwC, a great organization but I did not want to be there. I wanted to be at EY, a company that had a brand that impressed me, and I felt I could make a difference there. A fateful day finally occurred, I lost my job at BearingPoint, joined and resigned from PwC, and accepted an offer from EY – all in one day in June of 2009. Travel was still a necessity for consulting, and I accepted the new reality of being a road warrior. Many implementations, helping clients work with tech enabled solutions and solid process improvements. Helping the City of Detroit – my hometown – emerge from bankruptcy.  Helping make sure that for my clients, financials were easier to understand and prepare, and their employees were continued to get paid properly and with more transparency. I felt accomplished, I was making a difference for our clients and the people I worked with. I started realizing that I could not keep making sacrifices for my family, and I learned to embrace the ability to drive more work life balance. Truth of getting to that pivot is my amazing wife Nancy, who guided me to the understanding she always had- don’t live your life for regrets. In the past 5 years, I lost both of my parents and was able to dedicate time with them during their decline – I am forever grateful to EY for allowing me to do that as my priority. Since 2009, my 3 kids all graduated from high school, and all of them went on to graduate from college and land successful careers. I am proud of them, and proud of what Nancy and I were able to do to help them get to the beginning of their professional lives. As I have the extreme privilege of mentoring and helping others on their career journey, I often encourage work life balance and not living for regrets. I don’t know what the next 15 years holds for me, but I feel like I am more prepared than ever for that journey. Meanwhile, I will keep being the best version of me that I can be for my family, my colleagues and my clients. And maybe, finally, I will publish that book that I keep procrastinating over. No regrets…

PEOPLE MATTER - While financial planning is crucial for retirement, it often receives excessive attention throughout one's career. Yet, prioritizing legacy, authenticity, respect, and reconnections should start now rather than later. The test of success hits you in the face in retirement. If the phones don't ring "just because" from your global connections that are a part of you, it is too late to reset the metric! People, or "GOOD PEOPLE," are the essence of our existence and warrant more significant consideration beyond financial planning alone! Plan for happiness now and throughout life, as it matters in retirement more than you can ever imagine!

I can't believe I'm actually writing this - but today marks my 18-year work anniversary with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC!! It's been a wild ride, and even after 18 years, I can't believe how much I continue to learn and grow as part of this firm! I think my tenure speaks volumes about the type of organization I work for, and the people I work with - just very grateful for this moment, and to those who helped me get here!! #18years #financialplanning #financialadvisor

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“The Dance of Freedom” After 19 fulfilling years, I am announcing my retirement from Partnership at Deloitte. My journey at the world’s largest professional services firm has been enriching and fulfilling, in 2005, when I first stepped in, I never imagined that I would stay this long and when I made a Partner, I knew I would retire from here. I loved each day of building relationships with CXOs and connecting the globe to solve their most complex problems. Grateful to all those who played a pivotal role in my journey, all along. But today I am going to give myself the permission to not hide any more, give words to the painful world of politics and stress that we as senior executives must deal with to survive at the top. Especially as migrants when you are not part of the so called ‘club’ it is so easy to be stabbed at the back because you have no idea who is a 'mate' and who is a 'foe'. And we need to watchful of where we stand and make the next move ‘faster than we should’ without becoming complacent because those who don’t like you are always making a move to eliminate you. Be watchful and make #noexcuse I also don’t want to just announce my new position and share that my last six months of reflection was just a break, I have healed during this time of reflection. I am leaving the firm because my role was made redundant due to market conditions and restructuring, but I know that wasn't the only reason. Personally, this experience was extremely unexpected. I felt shattered, disrupted, and reached out to everyone who I thought could give me that ounce of hope and strength. I gathered all of that to reconstruct myself, embracing my vulnerabilities to become stronger and gain clarity about my passions. I've made the choice to move forward in a direction I previously denied myself. Now, nothing can hold me back. I am prepared to welcome the future with the excitement of a 19-year-old leaving home. I hope you too ‘give yourself the permission to not hide anymore from the truth, have the courage to share your vulnerability and use it as an opportunity to grow and become more powerful" #noexcuses #reflection #partner #big4 #deloitte #politics #redundancy #power #seniorexecutivechallenges #strengththroughvulnerability #embracingchange #personalgrowth Must read book- The Choice by Dr Edith Eva Eger

After 19 incredible years, your reflections on the highs and lows of your journey at Deloitte resonate deeply. It’s inspiring to see how you’ve navigated both the enriching and challenging moments with grace and determination. Your courage to share the realities of senior executive life, particularly the added complexities faced as a migrant, speaks volumes about your resilience and authenticity. Transitions like this can be both daunting and liberating. It’s admirable how you’ve used this period of reflection to heal, grow, and gain clarity on your passions. Embracing your vulnerabilities and turning them into strengths is a testament to your remarkable character. Your message about giving oneself permission to confront the truth and share vulnerabilities is a valuable reminder for us all. Wishing you all the best as you embark on this new chapter. Your journey forward will undoubtedly be just as impactful and fulfilling.

Twenty years ago today, a very nervous 23-year-old walked through the doors of 1 Embankment Place on her first day of working at PwC UK. She had no real plan for her career. She didn’t know how long she’d stay at PwC. She didn’t know what direction her life was heading in. There was a lot about the world that still felt unclear. Two decades later, she’s now a 43-year-old hitting a milestone. 20 years of working for PwC. About to see her fourth Chairman and Senior Partner. Two promotions. Multiple roles and teams worked in. A complete culture shift from having a desktop and not being able to work from home to being able to stay connected via mobile phone. She is me. I was recently asked why I’ve stayed here so long. The answer to that was two-fold. The people and my life. They’re intertwined really. Because at all stages of my life be it celebratory or heartbreaking, the people have been there. I can’t pretend every single second of the last 20 years has been easy professionally. That I haven’t faced challenges and frustrations. That I haven’t considered leaving and exploring other opportunities. That I haven’t wondered what life would be like outside of PwC. But something always keeps me here. A change of role. The people. My life. Four years ago, when my personal life imploded, started heading in a new direction and my world once again became unclear, PwC was there for me. In a way that surpassed my expectations. Staff, clients and alumni. It is something I will never, ever forget. I don’t know what the next 20 years have in store for me. I don’t know where my life will take me. I don’t know what’s next in my career. Who knows whether I’ll be writing a status in 20 years marking my 40th anniversary. All I do know is how proud and grateful I am to PwC for all the opportunities (including a selfie with Jason Donovan) afforded to me and the amazing people I’ve had the fortune of working with during my PwC career to date. It’s special.

Agree. While it could be generally dismissed as a fault of the person with regular jargons, Office Politics plays a crucial part in the mental health of employees. Until there is a fair and genuine recourse made available, silent exits continue and social media becomes a mode to vent out. The remedy could be regular Skip Level Meetings by the leadership team (without the presence of HODs) and exit interviews diligently conducted by the leadership team to assess the undercurrents in the organisation. It doesn't end here. Most Important is the Action Initiated based on the above remedies to be made visible across the organisation. It would then set the tone for culture in the organisation.

Let me take you back to my PwC days. Those days were more than just a grind; they were a relentless pursuit of excellence. Weekends? They felt like a distant dream. We used to hate working on weekends, but it was part of the job. Now, working on Sundays comes naturally to me. It’s almost effortless. The rigorous training and high standards at PwC instilled in me a work ethic that’s unmatched. Every project, every deadline, every late night – they all added up to something invaluable. Confidence. Confidence that I can handle anything life throws at me. The beauty of quality work experience lies in the lessons learned and the resilience built. Whether it's a tight deadline, a complex problem, or an unexpected challenge, I feel prepared. PwC wasn’t just a job; it was a masterclass in discipline, precision, and excellence. Today, as I run my own business, those skills are my backbone. The long hours, the meticulous attention to detail, the unwavering commitment to excellence – they all translate into how I operate daily. Working on weekends, if needed, is just another part of the process, and it doesn’t faze me. I remember nights spent poring over spreadsheets and reports, not just logging hours but investing in my future. Quality work experience isn’t just about the work you do; it’s about the person you become. And for that, I’m deeply grateful. So, here’s to the journey, the grind, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. How has your work experience shaped you?