Although it’s difficult to name all the highlights of these 14-plus years, I count among them achievements like our reentry into the International Federation of Accountants, the continued growth of the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) program around the world, and our sustained position as a thought leader on the most critical issues facing our profession.
One of the elements of the job I’ve most treasured is the opportunity to travel to meet with our members, staff, and partners around the world. By my last count, I’ve made more than 50 trips outside of the United States during my time as IMA’s staff leader, to places as close as Canada and as distant as Japan. The chance to exchange ideas and witness firsthand the enthusiasm, commitment, and passion of our global IMA community always fills me with renewed energy for the work we’re doing for the profession and our members.
I had the opportunity to experience this once again during a recent trip to India, where I was grateful to travel freely after the restrictions of COVID-19 of the past nearly three years. I, along with other senior IMA staff leaders both from the U.S. and our office in India, spent more than a week in this remarkable country, which has always impressed me with its rich culture, welcoming people, and scrumptious food. The demand for advanced certifications like the CMA is growing at a remarkable rate in this entire region, and the team and I met with corporate entities, educational institutions, associations, and review course providers to solidify our relationships and identify new opportunities.
The trip also provided an excellent chance for IMA to showcase our thought leadership on sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. During well-attended chapter events in Mumbai and Delhi, I spoke on the topic of ESG and fielded some thoughtful questions from members.
We were also able to participate and exhibit at the World Congress of Accountants held in Mumbai on November 18-21, 2022. Under the theme “Building Trust, Enabling Sustainability,” the conference brought together business leaders from around the globe to discuss the challenges of sustainability in our changing world and the business imperative to make such issues a priority. It was an honor to be part of a panel to discuss our research on sustainability and to meet with conference attendees at our booth, where we discussed IMA’s commitment to this pressing concern.
Given the important role that travel has played in my term as president and CEO, it’s only fitting that I end my final Top Line column extolling the joys I’ve received when I’ve ventured beyond the boundaries of IMA’s global headquarters in Montvale, N.J. I’ll carry those experiences with me for a lifetime—they’ve shaped me professionally and personally. Thank you to all IMA members and staff around the world for being part of my journey.
January 2023
