A Supporter's Story: RSM US LLP
RSM US LLP was the Presenting Sponsor of the 2022 Mainspring Fling.
From Kevin Fincher and Jennifer Van Cleave, RSM US LLP.
MAINSPRING AND RSM – SUPPORTING INCLUSION AND EQUALITY TOGETHER
Joe Adams, RSM’s CEO, says, “Inclusion is central to who I am and how I work, as I have always believed that when people feel like they are part of the team, it leads to better outcomes. I have been fortunate to have a tremendous career at RSM, and part of that is because I had leaders who were willing to listen to and understand me. That is the environment I want to create for all people who work for and with RSM.”
WHAT WE’VE LEARNED ALONG THE WAY
Building a truly inclusive workplace requires every RSM professional to be committed to doing their part to advance diversity and inclusion across the firm and within our communities. RSM is home to thousands of professionals whose experiences are as varied as the world around us, and more than half have engaged in our employee network groups to help build and actively participate in a culture of inclusion.
While changing behaviors takes time, building a culture of inclusion starts with listening and understanding one another’s experiences. Through our inclusive programs and practices, we have cultivated a workplace that celebrates and values the varied perspectives that each of our people brings to the firm. We call it the power of being you. Each member of our team brings unique personalities, insights and perspectives on inclusion in the communities where we live and work.
Kevin Fincher (right), a partner at RSM’s Austin office, at the 2022 Mainspring Fling. Kevin has served on the Mainspring Schools Board of Directors since 2020.
A NATIONAL APPROACH TO DRIVING LOCAL IMPACT
RSM’s commitment to inclusion flows well beyond the boundaries of our firm and our work. We have partnered with dedicated organizations, both local and national, to give back to and create positive change in the communities where we live and work. Kevin Fincher, an Austin Tax and Advisory Partner, first became involved with Mainspring when a client recruited him for a fundraising event.
“I really had no idea what Mainspring was other than a nonprofit daycare but agreed to support our client’s request to help out. It was at a luncheon event that I learned the importance of early childhood education, and that using the term “daycare” was an injustice to those involved in the early development of children,” said Kevin. “My wife and I were expecting our first child and my eyes were opened to an issue I hadn’t really thought much about before. I knew this was where I wanted to be and make a difference in the lives of not only the children, but their families, which is exactly what Mainspring does.”
RSM continued to financially support Mainspring’s fundraising efforts for several more years until the opportunity arose for Kevin to join the Board of Directors. “I knew I had to join as I wanted to lean in even further and provide additional support beyond just financial, and I wanted to spread that passion to our entire office,” Kevin said. The RSM Austin office soon adopted the “little school doing big things” and has since built a passionate support system for Mainspring.
“Each spring we educate our incoming interns about Mainspring and the school’s support of economically disadvantaged families and then challenge them to come up with creative ways to support the school. Past fundraising events have included a hot wing eating contest and ‘save the intern’ auction where one generous intern went so far as to have his head shaved. Through our Culture, Diversity, and Inclusion (CDI) Impact Fund we were able to get Mainspring designated as a priority organization and subsequently get matching donations from the RSM US Foundation,” Kevin said.
The CDI Impact Fund was created to attract and support underrepresented populations for careers in public accounting, technology or business, and to support organizations committed to providing stable foundations for youth to help them excel in education. In 2022, the foundation provided Mainspring Schools with a $9,468 grant from the CDI Impact Fund.
“We’ve had a lot of fun getting our staff involved and behind Mainspring, but also educating our team members about the mission of Mainspring and the impact they and the school have in the community. It is truly a wonderful partnership,” Kevin concluded.
“We’ve had a lot of fun getting our staff involved and behind Mainspring, but also educating our team members about the mission of Mainspring and the impact they and the school have in the community. It is truly a wonderful partnership.”
ABOUT RSM
RSM US LLP, the nation’s leading provider of accounting, tax and business consulting to the middle market, has been on a journey to advance culture, diversity and inclusion (CDI). ‘The power of being understood’ is our firm’s purpose, and understanding and valuing diverse perspectives is core to our brand, and at the root of diversity and inclusion. At RSM, we believe everyone in our firm plays a meaningful role in shaping our commitment.
