Moss Adams believes in investing in the future. As such, when they saw a gap in the resources focused on a large segment of their future, adolescent girls, they felt compelled to do something about it. In 2010 Moss Adams linked arms with the Boys & Girls Club of King County to found a new community program called InfluenceHer. The mission of InfluenceHer is to develop a comprehensive programming strategy for girls that addresses three core program areas: academic success, leadership and health. The reality is, girls have unique needs, and, for many of them, navigating adolescence and visualizing successful adulthood is overwhelming.
In addition to an initial $50,000 investment, partners and employees have volunteered their time and talent to invest in girls’ futures. Support from the top of the firm has also been vital to success. Tammy Young, the leader of the program, was named a “Woman Worth Watching” last year. In April 2010, a group of Moss Adams women joined forces with 85 of Seattle’s top women leaders in the first annual InfluenceHer Summit. Groups of Moss Adams women played a role in developing programming aimed at helping girls find their voice, tap into their passion, see themselves as leaders, become life-long learners, and make positive choices about their health.
Who better to develop the strategy than a strong network of women leaders who have navigated their own challenges? These efforts align with their efforts to increase the advancement of talented women through Forum W, the Moss Adams Forum for Women. It also provides synergy with one of their Forum W focus areas, leadership development. Women gain leadership experience and, in turn, reap the altruistic rewards of helping our community, one girl at a time.
In just over a year they are gaining meaningful traction. In the past year, they have awarded three full college scholarships, and scheduled a week long summer camp for 108. Moss Adams is thrilled to have the opportunity to expand their focus on women outside the walls of their office to influence and shape the women leaders of tomorrow.
