Dorri C. McWhorter, CPA,

Chair, ICPAS Board of Directors

CEO, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago

INTERVIEWED BY DERRICK LILLY

“Until Justice Just Is” is the rallying cry for the YWCA’s Racial Justice League Given the civil unrest, we felt it was important to remind people of the work that the YWCA has done for over 140 years, give people an opportunity to directly support that work, and make their own commitments to advance racial justice Just one tool we ’ re providing is a resource library, including an anti-racism discussion guide, to support people and organizations in their journey to understand the impact of racism and how they can be part of the solution

The accounting profession has historically lacked both gender and racial diversity at the leadership levels. You’ve successfully overcome both at various organizations throughout your career. What lessons have you learned that can benefit other women and minorities aspiring to your level of success?

You have to remain true to who you are! Of course, you need to understand the culture of organizations and determine how much effort you want to put forward in evolving the culture if it doesn’t feel inclusive Sometimes, you can support cultural change, and sometimes you need to know when it may simply be time to move on I truly believe people do the best they can with what they know (or have experienced) Along my career, I have had to determine when I can support learning or when the environment was not working for me I have also continued to learn myself to make sure that I am always evolving and being the best version of myself

Any parting words for readers?

I have such a high level of respect for the CPA profession and am grateful for the Society’s members as we continue to navigate this environment I invite everyone to continue developing our trusted and strategic positioning in business as we work together to reimagine and innovate a better world!