Cultivating A Supportive & Productive Organization

Sarah Gastineau is a dynamic and visionary leader. Her innovative mindset and commitment to excellence have not only enhanced the company’s culture, making it more collaborative and forward-thinking, but also significantly contributed to its success. By prioritizing open communication and professional development, Sarah has helped foster an environment where team members feel valued and motivated to contribute their best work. Her focus on health and well-being and a balanced work-life approach have also cultivated a supportive and productive workplace.

The pioneering leader inspires and empowers her team by fostering a collaborative and supportive environment where competition is directed inward rather than toward others. She believes that the only person one should compete with is oneself, which allows her to encourage and support her team members’ success genuinely. This mindset helps create a culture of mutual encouragement and shared success, making achievements even more rewarding.

Sarah encourages her team to focus on overcoming their limitations and continuously improving themselves. Sarah’s approach involves instilling confidence and a strong team spirit, empowering everyone to achieve more collectively. This supportive atmosphere helps individual team members grow and strengthens the team as a whole, preparing them to become the great leaders of tomorrow. “As a female leader, one unique lesson I have learned is the art of balancing career ambitions with family commitments,” says Sarah. “Being a mother of two, my connection with my daughters is incredibly important to me, and family remains a top priority. At the same time, I am driven to achieve success in my career and to be the best that I can be.” This dual commitment has taught Sarah invaluable lessons in prioritization and time management.

Moreover, it has also instilled in her the importance of setting boundaries and being present in each moment, whether at work or with her family. This balance, while challenging, has enriched Sarah’s leadership style, allowing her to bring empathy, resilience, and a holistic perspective to my role. “It has shown me that success is not just about professional achievements, but also about nurturing meaningful relationships and maintaining personal well-being,” she adds.

The mission of GPW is to be a top-tier firm in the market, delivering highly technical and competent services while providing a personalized, “white glove” approach. Their goal is for clients to trust their expertise and experience exceptional service. Simultaneously, they aim to develop a new generation of CPAs empowered to perform at the highest level in their field.

One of the biggest achievements of the firm, GPW, is the innovative way they empower their team members to actively participate and contribute to the culture and success of the firm. This revolutionary approach centers around the formation of ‘Action Groups’ and ‘Project Teams,’ which encourage collaboration and involvement from every team member, regardless of their level within the organization. This unique strategy not only fosters a sense of ownership and engagement but also ensures that every team member's voice is heard, leading to more diverse and innovative solutions.

In these ‘Action Groups,’ team members collaborate to share experiences and develop and implement initiatives that align with the firm’s strategic goals. This structure ensures that every member has a voice and is heard, fostering a sense of ownership and engagement across the board. The Project Teams are tasked with specific initiatives that drive continuous progress and improvement within the firm, ensuring they remain dynamic and responsive to changing industry trends.

This collaborative environment benefits the firm in multiple ways. Firstly, it leads to better decision-making, as diverse perspectives and ideas are brought to the table. Secondly, it acknowledges and embraces the whole person, recognizing each team member's unique skills and interests. This approach enhances job satisfaction and boosts motivation and fulfillment by allowing individuals to contribute in areas they are passionate about beyond their primary roles. By enabling team members to utilize their varied skills and explore areas of enjoyment, we maintain high levels of motivation and interest. This innovative and inclusive culture has been a cornerstone of our success, driving the firm’s ongoing improvement and adaptation to new challenges and opportunities.

For the near future, Sarah’s goal is to complete her 8th class in a 10-class Master’s in taxation program, which will offer a great way to take a deep dive into topics of interest. “I have found that my classes not only deepen my expertise in the field of tax but enable me to be a better resource at the firm,” she explains. “From a company standpoint, I am focused on building strong relationships with accounting professors and student groups at various universities. My goal is to support and encourage students on their journey, promoting greater interest in the field of accounting.” Additionally, Sarah strives to ensure that GPW is recognized and considered a top choice for graduating students. “By establishing these connections, I aim to attract top talent and maintain our reputation as a leading firm in the industry. This involves active engagement with academic communities, participating in career fairs, and offering internships, mentorships, and more recently scholarship programs to foster a pipeline of skilled and motivated new professionals,” elucidates Sarah.