Personal Branding with Intention and Authenticity

• Review the meaning of authenticity in the context of the workplace.
• Understand the competitive advantage of individuality.
• Explore techniques for developing your personal brand.

At Grant Thornton (GT), Jina managed the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Team responsible for developing and implementing GT’s firm-wide D&I strategy. Before GT, as President & CEO of the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. (NABA), Jina was responsible for strategic direction, stakeholder relationships, organizational priorities, and managing the day-to-day operation of the Association and its staff. Before joining NABA, she was Director – Taxation, Tax Ethics & Professional Standards, AICPA Tax Section at the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). She joined the AICPA after 17 years in private practice at Etienne & Associates, LLC (E&A), a boutique CPA firm in Silver Spring, MD. E&A provided a wide range of accounting services for businesses and individuals, including tax planning and preparation, business consulting, tax research and representation before the IRS. She began her career in public accounting in the tax department of Touche Ross (now Deloitte).

In her “spare time,” she travels the country speaking at local and national conferences. While at E&A, she was an in-demand trainer and facilitator for private companies, clubs, conferences, and various organizations, including 5 years in the Financial Management division at Management Concepts and 3 years as a Gear-Up speaker. She has also served as an adjunct accounting professor at American University in their MBA program.

She is part of the Peloton community (#Mama_Cat) and enjoys jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, and cake decorating. She plays piano and has occasionally been known to sing karaoke. She earned an M.S. in taxation in 1993 and a B.S.B.A. in accounting in 1989 from American University.