What happens when you reach the goal you worked so hard for—and realize it isn’t what fulfills you?

In this episode of onedegree°, Mary Ardath sits down with Anna Masker, Senior Vice President of Client Accounting Services Development at Dark Horse CPAs, to explore a career shaped by entrepreneurship, reinvention, and the willingness to ask what comes next.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Recognize when professional success may no longer align with what gives you energy and fulfillment.
• Understand why asking for help and seeking an outside perspective can accelerate personal and professional growth.
• Learn how to identify the strengths that can carry across different chapters of your career.
• Explore how accountants can shift from a compliance mindset toward advisory and better communicate their value.
• Understand why human judgment, perspective, and relationships will remain essential as AI reshapes the accounting profession.

Listen to the full episode of onedegree° with Mary Ardath and Anna Masker.

#onedegree #WomenInLeadership #AccountingProfession #AdvisoryServices #CareerGrowth

What if the career you’ve built is successful—but no longer gives you the opportunity to do what you love?

In this episode of onedegree°, Mary Ardath sits down with Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk, founder of BBR Companies and leader of the Accounting MOVE Project, to talk about career reinvention, taking calculated risks, advocating for yourself, and creating opportunities for women in the accounting profession.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Learn why one career decision rarely defines the rest of your life.
• Recognize when professional success may no longer align with what fulfills you.
• Understand why self-advocacy is critical when pursuing raises, promotions, and new opportunities.
• Explore how taking calculated risks can open unexpected career paths.
• Understand how workplace structures, caregiving, and access to opportunity can influence women’s advancement in accounting.

Listen to onedegree° with Mary Ardath and Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk for a conversation about being bold, choosing your own path, and creating meaningful change!

#onedegree #WomenInLeadership #CareerGrowth #AccountingProfession #WomenInAccounting

What if becoming a better leader starts with understanding the person in front of you?

In this episode of onedegree°, Mary Ardath sits down with Erica Costanzo, a talent development leader with Aprio Alliance, to explore her journey from CPA and auditor to developing the people and leaders shaping the accounting profession.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Understand how to adapt your leadership style without losing your authentic self.
• Recognize the importance of setting boundaries and protecting what replenishes you.
• Learn why trusting yourself can help you navigate career decisions with greater confidence.
• Discover why building a strong network and finding advocates matters for career growth.
• Explore how developing people can create stronger leaders, teams, and organizations.

Leadership isn’t only about what you accomplish. It’s also about how you show up for the people around you.

Listen to this episode of onedegree° with Mary Ardath and Erica Costanzo for a conversation about bringing humanity back to leadership!

#onedegree #WomenInLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #AccountingProfession #CareerGrowth

What happens when you stop waiting for the roadmap and start building what’s next?

In this episode of onedegree°, Mary Ardath sits down with Jody Padar, CPA, Co-Founder of XcelLabs and The Radical CPA, to talk about challenging convention, embracing change, and continuously reinventing your career. From cloud accounting and new business models to AI and the future of the profession, Jody shares the experiences that shaped how she leads, innovates, and creates impact.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover why taking the first step matters—even without a complete roadmap.
• Learn how mentors and advocates can accelerate your growth.
• Understand how technology is reshaping the accounting profession.
• Recognize the power of transferable skills and career reinvention.
• Explore why relationships, communication, and judgment will remain critical in an AI-driven future.

You don’t need to have everything figured out to move forward. Take the risk, learn along the way, and keep evolving.

Listen to this episode of onedegree° with Mary and Jody and discover what it means to challenge what is and build what’s next.

#OneDegree #WomenInLeadership #AccountingProfession #Innovation #FutureOfWork

What if the biggest shift in your career starts with simply saying, “not this”?

In this very first episode of One Degree, Mary Ardath sits down with Michele Hammann, Chief Strategy Officer at SSC CPAs + Advisors, to explore the defining moments that shaped her career and approach to leadership. Michele shares why growth often comes from raising your hand before you feel ready, recognizing when a path no longer fits, and helping others define success on their own terms.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Recognize the “one degree” moments that can redirect your career.

• Understand why raising your hand creates new opportunities.

• Learn how letting go of “my way” builds stronger teams.

• Explore how shared ownership and purpose shape leadership.

• Apply the mindset of simply doing the “next right thing.”

Listen to the very first episode of One Degree!

#OneDegree #WomenInLeadership #Leadership #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment