RubinBrown, one of the nation’s top 50 accounting and business consulting firms, is pleased to announce that Curtis Smith, CIA, CISA, recently graduated from the St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative Fellows Program.

The Initiative Fellows Program is designed to address the interest and challenges of professionals of color and establishes a framework to enhance leadership capacity. The Initiative Fellows program approach includes:

• Mastering an effective style of leadership
• Maximizing performance and adapting to change
• Developing talent
• Fostering a productive team
• Creating balance through career and life choices
• Leveraging professional expertise and resources to enhance the broader St. Louis region

Smith is a manager in RubinBrown’s Business Advisory Services Group, specializing in IT audit, risk, governance and controls. He led IT risk assessments and audits for global manufacturing companies in nearly 20 countries, and across the United States, prior to joining RubinBrown in 2015.

Of the Initiative Fellows Program, Smith commented that, “The experience was wonderful. I had the opportunity to network and grow with some of the most brilliant, driven and accomplished individuals within the St. Louis metropolitan area. The leadership tools and guidance provided will enable me to be my best for my firm and my community. It was truly an honor to be selected and to complete this program.”

Past RubinBrown graduates of the program include Kendrick Coleman, CPA (2017) and Michael Dozier, CPA (2016). “The St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative Program is vital to the future of the St. Louis region,” Coleman said. “This program brings out the confidence that is embedded in you. It shows you how your diverse experiences can translate to help a company. It is more than a program - it is a lifestyle.”

RubinBrown strives to foster a highly respected, inclusive culture that helps the firm achieve growth and deepened expertise by attracting, advancing and inspiring diverse team members.

Founded in 1952, RubinBrown’s team members establish best practices within specific industry segments and work to serve the community both inside and outside the workplace. RubinBrown’s mission is to help clients build and protect value, while at all times honoring the responsibility to serve the public interest.

RubinBrown is an independent member of Baker Tilly International, a high-quality, dedicated network of 125 independent firms in 147 countries. For more information, visit www.rubinbrown.com.

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