Shaunteria Brown

Shaunteria is located in Jacksonville, Florida and spent over half of her life as a dancer, training in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and more from ages 4 to 24. Her ideal weekend is spent by the water, enjoying great food, music, and quality time with family and friends.

Her favorite part of her job is the flexibility. The strong emphasis on work-life balance allows Shaunteria to be fully present in both her professional and personal life without having to sacrifice one for the other. Shaunteria is inspired by her family, especially the younger generation looking up to her. Shaunteria stated, "Their support and believe in me motivate me to continue growing and striving for excellence."

Oliver Amaya

Oliver is located in Irving, Texas and speaks four languages. His ideal weekend includes exploring a new city or town. Oliver said the best thing about his job is his love for working with industry leaders all while traveling the country.

Oliver is inspired by the idea that his existence adds to the world, not take from it.

Allisha Ouellete

Allisha is located in Portland, Maine and loves to travel (Allisha and her friends above in Scotland). Her ideal weekend consists of going to spending time as a family at Bayview Beach listening to the waves and letting Rosebud swim followed by great food and star gazing.

Her favorite part of her job are the people she works with. Each day brings an opportunity to meet new people and really understand what makes them unique. Allisha is inspired by her big brother Byron. As a firefighter Captain, paramedic, and father he has shown that with hard work, compassion, and dedication, you can have the best of both worlds.

What is BerryDunn Doing with DEI?

DEI is about creating environments where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. Diversity encompasses the range of unique identities and experiences people bring. Equity ensures fair opportunities by recognizing different starting points. Inclusion fosters a culture where all voices are heard and valued. Chris stated "These principles, rooted in the Civil Rights Movement, have evolved to address modern workplace challenges. DEI drives innovation, increases engagement, and builds stronger organizations reflecting our diverse world." Chris's role at BerryDunn is to embed these values into every aspect of our organization's culture and operations, balancing systemic change with individual needs. While complex, this work is vital for creating a truly inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

With everything going on in the world, you might be wondering how DEI impacts you as an employee. Chris stated "DEI significantly impacts employees by creating a more inclusive and equitable work environment. I see DEI efforts fostering a sense of belonging, where employees feel valued and respected, boosting morale and loyalty." Chris went on to say that DEI drives innovation through diverse perspectives, leading to better decisions and problem-solving. Inclusive workforces also improve employee satisfaction, career opportunities, and overall well-being. By ensuring fairness in hiring and addressing systemic barriers, DEI empowers all employees to bring their best selves to work, fostering both individual success and organizational growth.

Several governmental agencies have dropped their DEI programs at the request of the current administration. Chris stated that "addressing concerns about contractual impacts with government agencies that no longer support DEI requires a strategic approach." Organizations should start by reviewing existing contracts to identify DEI-related obligations and ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws. For future contracts, focus on aligning proposals with government priorities like cost-effectiveness and technical capability while emphasizing ethical practices within legal boundaries. Engaging in proactive discussions with agencies to clarify how new policies affect procurement and explore ways to demonstrate value beyond DEI metrics. Internally, continue advancing DEI principles where possible, as they remain critical for innovation and employee engagement.

Employees can be DEI stewards by promoting inclusion daily: advocating for fairness, addressing biases, and fostering respect. Chris recommends DEI training for awareness of unconscious bias and joining ERGs to support underrepresented colleagues. Organizations foster DEI through inclusive hiring, regular training, zero-tolerance policies for discrimination, and transparent evaluations. Leadership accountability is crucial, leaders must model inclusive behaviors and be responsible for DEI programs.

For 2025 there are two key goals. The DEIBA program will launch a DEIBA Learning Program for all employees to cover topics like unconscious bias, allyship, cultural competence, and inclusive leadership. Second, the program aims to integrate DEIBA strategies into all talent processes by reducing bias in recruitment, partnering with Minority Serving Institutions to increase diversity, and enhance the candidate experience.

BerryDunn's DEIBA program is guided by the mission to care for individuals on a human level, recognizing that belonging is essential for personal and professional growth. The DEIBA Council serves as the primary advisory body to the Board and leadership team, driving initiatives that impact our employees, clients, culture, and communities. The firm has six Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) Enlist, Embrace, Empower, Embolden, Engage, and Enable open to all employees. The ERGs provide safe spaces for connection, networking, professional development, and community outreach. To get involved, contact the DEIBA team or your supervisor for information on upcoming meetings and activities.

For more information about ERGs and how to join please follow this link Employee Resource Group Enrollment. If you have any questions about DEI please don't hesitate to reach out to Chris Mitchell at chris.mitchell@berrydunn.com.

Consultants, You Can’t Do It All—And That’s Okay

As consultants, we sometimes experience intense work phases, especially during project kickoffs or major milestones.

When personal ambitions—like pursuing a degree, traveling, launching a side project, or even starting to read a new book series—feel out of reach, FOMO (fear of missing out) can set in.

But trying to do everything at once can lead to burnout, making us less effective in both work and life. Instead of overloading yourself, consider:

• Strategic Timing – Align major personal pursuits with lower-intensity work periods to avoid unnecessary stress and anxiety.

• Sustainable Progress – Break big goals into small, manageable steps that fit into your schedule without overwhelming you.

• Energy Management – Set boundaries around work hours, protect downtime, and make space for recharging.

• Proactive Communication – Talk with your team about workload distribution, ensuring tasks are balanced and no one—yourself included—is stretched too thin.

• Reframing FOMO – Missing out now means showing up fully later, without exhaustion or regret.

Prioritization isn’t about sacrifice—it’s about sustainability. By balancing ambition, team collaboration, and well-being, you set yourself up for long-term success in both your career and personal life.