“You can have inclusion without belonging, but it’s not going to stick. People need to feel they matter.”

MOVE Like This
With Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk
For CPA Trendlines

In this episode of MOVE Like This, host Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk talks with Jim Wallace, CEO of BPM, about how the firm has embedded diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) into the core of its culture and strategy. With more than 40 years in public accounting, Jim shares candid insights into how BPM went beyond the “check the box” approach to DEIB by making it a CEO-led initiative from the start. 

Wallace explains that BPM’s brand promise, “Because People Matter,” isn’t just a slogan, but a foundational principle that informs every part of the firm’s operations, from leadership development to firm-wide engagement. DEIB is not treated as a standalone initiative; it’s part of the firm’s strategic plan and embedded in its values, mission, and even metrics. For example, BPM uses colleague engagement surveys to track employee sentiment, finding that 82% of employees feel they can bring their authentic selves to work. These insights drive changes in programming and support for staff.