Women supporting women

Tax Manager Regina Senteza was experiencing the usual learning curve when she joined Baker Tilly in November 2019: acclimating to new procedures, getting to know fellow team members and preparing for busy season. Then the pandemic hit.

“Honestly, it was overwhelming. Not only was I new to Baker Tilly, but I had just moved to Michigan from out of state.”

Finding the GROW (Growth and Retention of Women) mentorship program was a saving grace for Regina, and her match with Tax Partner Carrie Small has helped her navigate her work and find new ways to interact with others.

Carrie made time to dedicate to Regina right off the bat. “In the beginning, we were talking every two to three weeks. I needed that,” said Regina.

“We discussed communication styles and Carrie helped me understand how my colleagues may have different styles than I do, as well as giving me tips and confidence to speak up. She also gave me suggestions on how to make more personal connections within our Baker Tilly community.

Having a mentor can also provide an inside look at our firm. ”My mentor has helped me learn about many of the different offerings that our practices have, giving me a better sense of our firm as a whole and what we can offer clients. She also helped me sort out some of the cultural differences between my previous employer and Baker Tilly. It’s really helped me understand how things work.”

Above all, Regina finds the connection between her and her mentor to be the most valuable piece. “I have a lot of connections with my team and my coach, but having a dedicated mentor really helps me feel that as a woman, I’m not alone in some of the challenges I face.”