Rise and Stride

Leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about action. In this episode, CalCPA Public Service Award winners Rosario Bobadilla-Farias and Di Wu share how small, intentional steps can create meaningful change in the profession and the community. And it starts right where you are.

The days of climbing the career ladder rung by rung are quickly fading as career options and paths look nothing like they used to. Podcaster and talent and leadership development consultant Al Dea breaks down how today’s evolving workplace demands fresh approaches to engagement, growth and leadership. 

Forget the old stereotypes. Dean Quiambao, chief relationship officer at Armanino, paints a new picture of what it means to be a CPA in today’s fast-changing world—one where CPAs lead in AI adoption, shift the conversation from fees to outcomes and change the perception of the profession by embracing their personal brand.

What does it take to truly disrupt accounting? Jim Wallace of BPM and Chris Vanover of CPAClub share how they’re tackling tradition, embracing innovation and setting new standards for success—all while putting people first.

Stephen Shedletzky—speaker, coach, adviser and author—has a passion for helping leaders unlock the voices of others. His mission: build “speak-up” cultures where people feel heard, valued and empowered. The result? Workplaces—and lives—that are transformed.

Resources: Speak-Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up

Business development coach Leah Yoneda of Golden Ginkgo Group shares how curiosity, momentum and simple goals can fuel a career—and the important role of stepping out of comfort zones and embracing hands-on learning.

Is AI coming for your job? Not exactly—but the person or firm using AI might be. Neil Sahota is CEO of ACSI Labs, an IBM Master Inventor, United Nations Artificial Intelligence Advisor and author of the best-selling book, “Own the A.I. Revolution”, shares how curiosity—not code—can unlock your future in the age of AI and what skillsets will set you apart. 

Marketer, speaker and best-selling author Rohit Bhargava is on a mission to inspire more non-obvious thinking in the world. Listen as he shares why non-obvious thinking is a superpower anyone can build—with a little space, insight, focus and a twist. 

More resources:

Anticipating the Future 

AI is Rewriting the Rules of Accounting 

Armed with a CPA license and a master’s degree in applied positive psychology, Wes Hitchcock is on a mission to improve the well-being of CPAs, help them reach their potential and create plans to stop burnout in the profession—while focusing on being more optimistic. This is more than looking at the world through rose-colored glasses; it’s having an optimistic, explanatory style that can make people more resilient—and more productive.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or your career is just taking off, AICPA Chair Carla McCall stresses the importance of finding the work that gives you meaning. In this episode, McCall, managing partner at AAF CPAs, shares her insights into leadership, employee engagement and her “human first” approach to company culture.