We are humbled each year by the caring nature our people display through their Pursue Your Passion projects, and we look forward to hearing our winners’ stories as they complete their activities throughout the year.
Doug Opheim, chief financial officer and chairman of the RSM US Foundation
2016 marked the 90th anniversary of RSM serving middle market business leaders. In recognition of our clients, employees and friends who have contributed to our firm’s success, we celebrated this significant milestone in our firm’s history by creating our Pursue Your Passion program. It was so successful, we have continued the program each year since.
Meet our 2024 Pursue Your Passion winners
Explore the cosmic wilderness of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Every trek, whether through verdant trails or under the starlit sky, draws me closer to understanding the interconnectedness of the universe that binds us all. Exploring Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park will be an incredible journey, bridging the beauty of Earth's landscapes with the mysteries of life beyond our planet.
Aleksandra LaBossiere, tax manager | New York City, NY
Follow her life-long passion of traveling to England for an Anne Boleyn tour.
This opportunity not only involves educational aspects but also represents a transformative and enriching experience for personal growth, cultural exploration and connection with others, supported by our "be you at RSM" culture.
Ashley Hendrickson, TA lead | Minneapolis, MN
Pursue his passion of becoming a D1 college football referee.
This program will allow me to train for next season at a level I never imagined possible. Normally I'd attend 1-2 training conferences, but this summer I'll be able to attend five.
Hank Cary, locations services manager | Denver, CO
Complete training at one of the top embroidery schools in London.
Over the next year, I’ll be learning from some of the best stitchers in England, leveling up and expanding my technical embroidery skills to bring improved technique and depth to the pieces I create, and preparing to teach others how to bring traditional stitching techniques into modern times to tell new stories.
Heather Sikora, CPC lead | Minneapolis, MN
Complete his dreams of becoming a helicopter pilot.
Helicopters have captivated me since childhood. For years, I have wanted to learn to pilot one by myself. I am thrilled to have the chance to pursue this passion - to see the world from a new vantage point and experience the unique sensations of powered flight.
Jon Hawkins, enterprise risk manager | Atlanta, GA
Support local community through community gardens.
There are tons of ways I have found to connect with my community. And yet, the idea of being able to connect with my neighbors in a sustainable space that I curated is goal I cannot get off my mind.
Joseph Olalusi, consulting senior associate | Chicago, IL
Take the trip of a lifetime with her family at an abilities-inclusive resort.
As a mom of a child with special needs, there are a lot of everyday tasks that can be extremely hard: going out and social settings are definitely one of many. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to visit a resort that offers an autism certified kids camp so that we can experience a family vacation where some of those limitations are alleviated and where my son’s needs can be both better understood and embraced.
Marisa Gelsomino, assurance senior manager | Toronto, Canada
Pursue his dream of creating his own woodworking shop.
I’m passionate about upcycling and minimizing waste. It’s been my dream to build furniture and functional items out of salvaged or reclaimed materials, generating awareness in community around the process. PYP program will help me establish the workshop to start this journey.
Sanjay Thakur, solutions architecture director | Washington, D.C
Bring her passion to her local community through a Pilates certification.
I recently moved from a suburban cul de sac to a cattle farm back in my hometown (population: small). My passion for Pilates was nowhere to be found, so I am getting certified to teach, installing a reformer in my home, and taking Pilates to the people!
Tamra Walker, executive assistant manager | Dallas, TX
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Meet our past winners:
Aisha Azhar, digital marketing senior associate, Toronto, Ontario
Help others through the completion of her trauma-sensitive yoga certification.
Mohamed Elsafty, North American Service Center senior associate, Clearwater, FL
Follow his dreams of becoming an Olympic wind surfer.
Robert Lindley, IT portfolio leader, San Antonio, TX
Pursue his passion of living a more sustainable life for himself and his family.
Allison Merriam, tax manager, Kansas City, MO
Purchase a new chair to fulfill her goal of competing at the next level of wheelchair rugby.
Dan Roth, senior systems engineer, Detroit, MI
Provide support to Hungarian children through a mission trip.
Muhammad Safwan, tax manager, Houston, TX
Take part in relief efforts to Pakistanis in the areas of medical support, revenue streams, shelter and food.
Wesley Sweigart, assurance supervisor, Charlotte, NC
Finish his life-long goal of having an in-home music studio.
Amanda VanOpdorp, enterprise business architect, Davenport, IA
Pursue her dreams of writing a book and becoming a published author.
Rahul Vithani, risk consulting senior associate, Chicago, IL
Complete billiard training to pursue his passion to compete.
Brad Sawyer, consulting senior associate, Gaithersburg, MD
Brad will pursue his dreams by making a summit attempt on Mount Rainer.
Casey McGuire, innovation senior associate, Minneapolis, MN
In honor of her friend, Cassie, Casey will fund her Susan G. Komen three-day team walk in San Diego.
Echa Odea, consulting senior associate, Toronto, Canada
Echa will support a medical clinic in Agidegbe, Nigeria by installing solar power.
Jeremy Harty, assurance senior associate, Calgary, Alberta
Jeremy will follow his dreams of curling by using the funds and additional days off to support his goals and his team.
Leslie Hampton, office administrator, Oklahoma City, OK
Leslie will travel across the country pursing her geocaching (a type of global treasure hunt) with her daughter.
Misty Pleiness, consulting director, Detroit, MI
Misty plans to open a therapeutic horse-care and riding program for physically and mentally handicapped children, young adults and veterans.
Shelly Lealos-Yates, consulting supervisor, San Francisco, CA
Shelly will help women become happy and whole by expanding her nonprofit organization which supports those who have been in abusive relationships.
Susan Birke, senior scheduler, San Antonio, TX
Susan will help improve facilities at Charming Pet Rescue to create better living conditions for rescue animals.
Valentina Deriabina, tax supervisor, Gaithersburg, MD
Valentina will continue her support of Helping Village Libraries of the Russian North by sending books to libraries in rural Russian villages.
Christopher Brophey, tax manager, Milwaukee, WI
Now that his body has healed from cancer, create lasting memories with his young son and wife during a trip to England.
Marie-Annette Donaghue, manager, North American pursuit and proposal team, Dallas, TX
Make a return trip to Kenya to help children at a small orphanage explore the beauty of a nearby national park and provide support to bolster the orphanage’s self-sufficiency.
Alyssa Lavelle, resource manager, New York, NY
Honor her mother’s memory by continuing to raise funds and awareness for colon cancer, and establish an independent foundation in her mother’s name.
Josh Milazzo, audit assurance supervisor, Jacksonville, FL
Ride the Pacific Coast Highway with his dad in remembrance of the life and service his younger brother gave to God, the country and their family.
Alma Padilla, tax manager, Houston, TX
Purchase gifts and necessities for two organizations to pay forward kindnesses afforded to her family when her daughter was receiving treatment at Texas Children’s Hospital.
Joshua Scott, tax senior associate, Kansas City, MO
Create a documentary film that shares the stories of people struggling with income inequality and homelessness to enhance understanding around these issues.
Joshua Sweeting, audit manager, Denver, CO
Finally meet Ruben, a Bolivian teen he has sponsored for several years through Compassion International, and sponsor a second child in the program.
Julio Trejo, tax associate, Las Vegas, NV
Continue his health journey by training to run a marathon, and help others by raising funds to fight childhood obesity.
Ryan Weitz, audit assurance supervisor, Boston, MA
Combine his love of exploring nature, photography and giving back by backpacking through Alaska’s Arrigetch Peaks and donating his photography sales proceeds to RSM’s Birdies Fore Love program.
Barbara Adler, tax manager, Tallas, TX
Make improvements to her impoverished small town’s food pantry and enhance the area’s farmers market.
Nick Crombie, senior associate, Raleigh, VA
Expand his knowledge around augmented reality and create apps that teach kids about self-confidence, teamwork and caring for others.
Lucrecia Gray, manager, San Antonio, TX
Create and donate quilts to Quilts of Valor and offer sewing classes to keep quilting relevant with a new generation.
Alissa Hatch, manager, San Antonio, TX
Take training courses to further develop leadership skills and create stronger bonds among members of her Cub Scout pack.
Kelly A. Hughes, finance manager, Davenport, IA
Keep a promise to her son to attend his football games, even when he travels with his college team to play in Ireland.
Celeste McGahn, project management senior associate, Boston, MA
Take yoga teacher training and then volunteer to provide classes to help herself and others afflicted with scoliosis.
Brittney Royale, associate, Schaumburg, IL
Establish a fund to help her nephew who was born without a left forearm and pay prosthetics bills for other children.
Mary Theo, Alliance talent leader, Boston, MA
Publish and distribute a children’s book featuring her grandson and his favorite stuffed animal that will provide joy to sick children.
Eileen Turkot, international manager, Chicago, IL
Transform a spare room at her family’s home into a welcoming bedroom for foster children.
Matt Dollard, director, Great Lakes Region
Pursue his life-long passion of creating hand-made furniture by studying alongside a master in a chair making class to acquire new skills and pass along his knowledge to others.
Chris Guido, manager, Northeast Region
Assist his local elementary school in advancing a new focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by helping to set up a designated space for children to solve problems, invent and be creative.
Joy Hermann, manager, Northeast Region
Participate in a mission trip with Living Water International to bring clean water to people in need in Honduras and teach proper sanitation techniques to build a sustainable future.
Mary Clare Kaiser, associate, Central Region
Provide her uncle, who was recently diagnosed with ALS, with a speech-generating device so he can better communicate with his family as well as raise funds for local care services through “Walk to Beat ALS.”
Andrew Leonard, senior director, Central Region
Travel to a developing country to meet one of the many underprivileged children he has sponsored over the years and provide additional funds for the child and others in the area.
Megan Reishus, associate, Central Region
Continue to pursue her passion for playing handbells by purchasing equipment for her ensemble and helping the team share the music of the instrument that they love with others.
Amanda Brown
Volunteer at The Bailey House and/or the Ronald McDonald House, facilities that provide respite to family members of hospitalized patients, and purchase “wish list” supplies.
Jay Brown
Bolster America’s talent pool by sparking interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) by capitalizing on the Aug. 21, 2017 total solar eclipse – the first in the contiguous United States since 1979 – through virtual reality, live streaming and in-personal educational experiences.
Sarah Greyer
Hike Mt. Everest, donating $1 for every meter of altitude hiked to a nonprofit organization in Nepal to help with earthquake recovery efforts.
Patti Leonard
Establish the Sparky Foundation to help provide medical care for animals in need, and to rescue and rehome animals in high-risk shelters.
Kyle McNamara
Complete construction of a shelter in the Philippines to keep residents safe during typhoons and other natural disasters, and install a well in a local village to provide water to villagers.
Danielle Montes
Take quilting classes to fine-tune skills to make and donate 24 quilts and 50 receiving blankets to Threads of Love, a nonprofit focused on premature babies; Setton Home, an organization that teaches parenting and life skills to teenage mothers; and Quilts for Kids, which focuses on children with lift-threatening illnesses, children of abuse and children living at or below the poverty level.
Shelley Moreno
Provide travel packages and professional makeovers for seven breast cancer survivors for the 2017 Breast Cancer Thrives Cruise.
Hunter Pearson
Help his grandfather live his dream of returning to Normandy, to revisit life-changing experiences he had during World War II.
Nathaniel Rubin
Provide scholarships and medical supplies to enable five children to attend Camp Kudzu, a Georgia-based nonprofit that provides overnight camps and programs to children with Type-1 diabetes.
Jacqueline Pacquette
Keep a promise to pay it forward by providing a new smile to someone in need.
Michelle Nolan
Provide water to orphans in Africa while also achieving a personal goal to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Julie Kaehler
Purchase land for a school and community garden in Haiti while also teaching sustainable farming.
Dee Komaromi
Open a school in Africa dedicated to her late father and father-in-law through Pencils of Promise.
Nyasha Gopo
Become a certified coach to help immigrants assimilate to life in America.
David Campbell
Provide renewable, efficient energy to homes and businesses in sub-Saharan Africa.
Terri Andrews
Provide mammograms and counseling based on personal experience to women facing breast cancer in Jamaica.
Nicole Knudtson
Publish a children's book to help families connect and understand each other better.
Jarin Hansen
Serve as a healing home to a Chinese orphan undergoing a life-changing surgery.
How can we can help you achieve your professional goals?
At RSM, we work every day to promote a transparent, caring and authentic environment that fosters meaningful connections, and to create an equitable and inclusive firm where diverse talent excels.
We empower you to personalize your development opportunities and encourage you to take an active role in enriching your RSM experience. We strive to ensure everyone feels included, diverse perspectives are valued and everyone has a chance to grow a vibrant career at RSM.
