CAREERS

Anchin’s Women’s Initiative Network, AWIN, represents the evolution of a professional development program created for Anchin’s women’s professionals many years ago.

First proposed by Tax Principal Mela Garber and now under the direction of Audit Partner Terry Pissi, AWIN includes periodic presentations by outstanding professional women in a variety of industries as well as a series of internal workshops.

Speakers and topics for AWIN are based on surveys completed by participants. Topics of interest defined by recent participants include communications skills, work/life balance, leadership skills, networking, business writing skills, public speaking, mentoring, and dressing for success.

The commitment that the Firm has made to this program is evident by the caliber of recent speakers:

• Susan Hirshman, a personal finance expert and author of “Does This Make My Assets Look Fat?, and Alexandra Levi, Co-Managing Partner of The Element Financial Group, presented “Achieving Financial Empowerment” on December 2, 2010. The firm purchased signed copies of Hirshman’s book for all participants.
• Elaine Taylor-Gordon, President and Publisher of WomensBiz.US. Taylor-Gordon is well-known in marketing circles for building brands like Snapple, B. Dalton Booksellers and Helmsley Hotels on a national and international level. Her involvement in the business community and women’s issues runs deep. She is past vice president and board member of the New York Women’s Forum. She authored “A Business Woman’s Guide to 30 Cities,” produced a cable television show on home renovation, and is a frequent speaker to business groups and universities around the nation.
• Judith Glaser, CEO, President, Benchmark Communications, Inc. Her company works with corporations to help them create strong leaders and managers; her clients include Pfizer, Coach, IBM, Pricewaterhousecoopers, and more. She has been seen on several major networks and has authored a book, “Creating We,” a book on how to create healthy work environments. The Firm purchased copies of Glaser’s books for all program participants.
• Andrea Kantor, President and Founder of Bond Street Coaching, LLC. Kantor is a highly respected executive and business coach who inspires and empowers financial services professionals and entrepreneurs to achieve exceptional results in their careers and lives. She specializes in work-life balance, leadership development, performance enhancement and change management. The certified performance coach spent many years as a corporate banking and risk management professional in the financial services industry. Kantor is active in many nonprofit and professional organizations and was recognized by the Long Island Business News in 2006 as one of the Top 50 business women on Long Island.

In addition to these outstanding speakers, recent internal programs have included:

• On December 6, 2010, a marketing 101 workshop, presented by Kayte Steinert-Threlkeld, Anchin’s Chief Marketing Officer, and Terry Pissi to the help women of Manager level and above enhance their marketing and networking skills and to create a marketing mentor/ buddy network system.
• On February 8, 2011, Terry Pissi presented to many of Anchin’s working mothers, a Work/Life Integration round table focusing on communication for part- and flex- time workers.
• On February 9, 2011, Ling Ou, senior manager in our Quality Control department ,presented “Expectations of Quality Control for 2010 Year End Audits and Review Engagements,” focusing on new disclosures and presentations requirements.

AWIN programs are coordinated by a Steering Committee that represents all areas of the firm, including audit/tax, training, marketing and administration. The program is just one more example of how Anchin meets the needs of its own professionals – not only on a technical level, but on a personal and professional development level as well.