THE LEGACY of RALPH ALBERT THOMAS

at community colleges and with underprivileged youth to help them consider accounting careers.

Dr. Henry Odi, deputy vice president for equity and community, associate provost for academic diversity and an adjunct professor at Lehigh University, praised Ralph’s focus on DEI. “As a result of his unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion, Ralph accepted the challenge of chairing the Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Committee, the first committee of its kind in the history of the Board of Trustees of Lehigh University.” He added, “In fact, he was a trailblazer for Board of Trustees committees at colleges and universities across the country during a period in U.S. higher education history when diversity and inclusion were not embraced at the important governing body level.” Odi noted that Ralph’s impact as a leader and positive role model went far beyond his role as CEO of NJCPA and his Lehigh Board of Trustees role due to his mentoring and ability to provide guidance to hundreds of undergraduate students of color across the country who are now corporate professionals in the fields of accounting, finance and management.

Similarly, Mark P. Holtzman, CPA, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the accounting and taxation department at the Stillman School of Business at Seton Hall University, appreciated Ralph’s dedication to Seton Hall students and his DEI initiatives. He explained, “I feel so privileged to have worked with Ralph and benefited from his participation in the Accounting Advisory Board at Seton Hall University.” Holtzman added, “His hard work, thoughtful ideas, connections in the profession and with industry, and his efforts in improving diversity together create a long-lasting legacy that will benefit our students in the future.”

Aside from his own experiences in this area, Ralph also had good mentors. Ralph’s choice of Carolyn L. Smith, CPA, a retired audit manager at Coopers and Lybrand (PricewaterhouseCoopers), 1977-79 president of NABA, former treasurer of the District of Columbia and the first AfricanAmerican woman in Washington, D.C., to pass the CPA Exam, could be considered one of the best around. Ralph followed Carolyn’s advice on many occasions.

“Carolyn was a key reason I became a CPA and sought out leadership roles. She has taught me many valuable lessons, such as never give up, be straightforward in everything you do, lead by example and encourage others to do the same,” Ralph said.

Having gotten involved with NABA soon after becoming a CPA, then as a former national and chapter president, and later receiving lifetime member status, Ralph influenced many along the way. “There is still a shortage of people of color in accounting as CPAs, but I had the opportunity to change some of that dynamic,” he said, admitting there’s still much more work to do.

Guylaine Saint Juste, current president and CEO of NABA, noted that part of Ralph’s success as a DEI influencer is that he, “…models integrity, wit and a generosity of spirit that both inspire and challenge us to become the best version of self.” She added that as a lifetime member of NABA, “Ralph’s commitment to equitable representation at all levels of the accounting profession includes his tireless and selfless service to both organizations and leaders.”

Ralph is planning on furthering his commitment to NABA after retirement since he will be serving as the inaugural chair of the NABA, Inc. Foundation. As Saint Juste explained, “It’s proof positive that Ralph has yet so much more to share, teach and ‘lift as he climbs.’”