Movers and Shakers: Mary Bennett, Owner of MLBennett Consulting and Chair of the AICPA Women’s Initiative Executive Committee

By Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

“Something I often speak about is the invisible networking and advocacy structure that exists in every organization. For many years, I did not understand how robust this structure is. Women need to increase their awareness about themselves and the environment they work in – the work you do is only one part of career success,” advised Mary Bennett, owner of MLBennett Consulting and Chair of the American Institute of CPAs Women’s Initiative Executive Committee.

“Do the right people know that you are working on the right thing? It sounds political or harsh – but you really need to understand and build relationships with people who can advocate for you,” continued the 25-year accounting and consulting veteran. “This is not hard core political games but learning to access the natural structures that exist and drive an organization”

“These advocacy relationships exists at every organization, and women are often not aware of how robust the process is. They hear about it and shrug it off, but it really is an essential factor in a successful career,” she said.

Following Her Passion and Advocating for Women Executives

After graduating from Lewis University, Bennett took a job in accounting in Chicago. After marriage and three children, she returned to school to get her MBA at Indiana University – and while she was in graduate school accepted she obtained a flex time position with one of the largest consulting firms in the US.

She explained, “At the time, the firm didn’t really hire experienced people – they hired people straight out of school, so I was sort of an experiment as one of the first flextime experienced hires. However, the arrangement worked out really well.”

Bennett continued to take an unconventional path at the firm. “I became a partner and that was not my goal. It was not even on my radar! I was the first non-traditional partner and I had worked many years using flextime arrangements to balance time with my family, and I was a woman.” She pointed out that at the time, only 3% of partners at the firm were women and 0% had used flextime during their career path.

“I saw myself as creating an opening for other women in the firm. I started a women’s initiative that included a network, skill building, and advocacy, and other firms started reading and hearing about it. I was still serving as a client service partner but also began working human capital development, diversity and leadership development – it was something I was really passionate about,” said Bennett, who was also invited by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) to be part of the executive committee.

“My proudest moments have been whenever people who worked for me got promoted. I see that as a personal success for me. I experienced joy when other individuals moved forward toward their goals.”

Working in the leadership and diversity at the firm, Bennett moved to Atlanta as a client service partner, and simultaneously became a certified executive coach. She also began to also work on issues like unconscious bias in the workplace, advocacy and assistance for professional women, and more.

“Now I’m chair of the Women’s Executive Committee of the AICPA, and I’ll be the chair for the next 3 years,” she said. “Being able to work on behalf of AICPA at the industry level and affect thousands of women is very gratifying.”

Bennett’s volunteer work at the AICPA is focused on three things – the equal partnership of men and women, continued advocacy and career development for women the accounting profession, and developing solutions for the successful integration of career and life.

“Women are 50-60% of accounting graduates. But only 21% of the partner level. We have worked extensively on the pipeline,” she said. “Women have been graduating in equal numbers for 30 years. We should see more change change by now. That’s why the committee exists. This is a business and professional sustainability issue.”

Last year, Bennett decided to strike out on her own, to follow her passion for executive coaching, diversity and leadership development. “I have experience as an high level executive myself,” she explained. “With financial experience, P&L, business management – I understand the world my clients live in.”

Advice for Women Business Leaders

The challenges that women face in the workplace come down to three things, Bennett said. First, career life integration. Second, the lack of visibility of female role models. “Women may be unconsciously limiting their aspirations,” she explained. And third, “an uneven career navigation and advocacy experience.”

“This is the hardest one,” she said. “We underestimate how much of a difference it makes when men have close relationships with senior leaders and women do not have access.”

“Career advocacy and navigation is the most significant barrier. We often believe it is career/life integration that is driving the uneven advancement of women but this is because this issue is the most obvious and easiest to see and talk about. In fact, it is often mitigated when the advocacy and navigational relationships are in place,” she explained.

The moment women join a company, they should work to understand the culture, she said “From the first day at work, you have to begin work to understand the organization, the organization’s values, and how you can be seen and heard in the organization.”

She continued, “Men pull ahead in six to eight months. The manner in which women interact often does not enhance their visibility in the organization which is unconsciously biased in many cases. The uneven playing field is subtle and not consciously biased. This requires tactful, non threatening awareness-raising.”

As women move up in the organization, they should be sure to build strategic relationships. “It is important that you have mentors and advocacy relationships – and they are not the same thing.”

She also said that women need to be strategic in the responsibilities they take on. She said, “Women tend to spread themselves very thin. They are not always focused on the two or three things they need to do to get to the next level.”

All in all, she said, the best advice she’s received is simple: “Do what you love. Find work you really enjoy.” She explained, “It is possible to work very hard and get to the top of a ladder… only to realize you are at the top of the wrong ladder.” Reflect annually on your journey, consider where you have been and where you wish to go.

Outside Work

Bennett, who has three children in their twenties, said she and her husband have both always worked. “We’ve been through this journey together. He’s my personal support system,” she said. In her spare time, she enjoys painting, sewing, gardening, reading, and blogging.