There are so many unsung heroes in any given office, and we have some truly amazing ones at Team World Domination. It was my pleasure to showcase some of our badass women that generally are not in the High Rock social media spotlight. By doing so, we celebrated the empowerment of International Women’s Day throughout the week. Each of the ladies that participated were asked the same set of questions. There are some inspiring answers to share:
How do you feel empowered?
Christine DeAngelis, Contract team member– By helping others achieve their definition of success. There’s no better feeling than seeing the smile of someone you’ve worked with when they come back and tell you that they hit their goals.
Donna Thompson, Apprentice – I feel empowered when I am in control of my time. When I take care of myself and having a day just to unwind from the busyness of my life.
Christie Huck, Accounting + Tax Specialsit – I feel most empowered when I have a supportive team behind me. One that allows me to work and think independently but is there with knowledge and support when I need it. Knowing that you are trusted with your knowledge but supported when you need it gives me the courage to dive into tasks that are new or more complex as I know that when I get stuck, I have the support I need to get through it and see it to completion.
Christina Morse, HR Maven – The times I have felt most empowered involve the gym; CrossFit, boxing, lifting heavy shit. I like slightly aggressive forms of exercise. When I push my body past the point, I initially believe I could, I feel empowered.
Alexa Healy, Accounting Pro – I feel empowered when I’m surrounded by like-minded individuals, especially women.
Heidi Braswell, Executive Assistant – I feel empowered by seeing other women succeed in their industry and could possibly be able to rule the world!!
Cait McGowan, Accounting Guru – It’s incredible how empowered you can feel when you’re surrounded by a group of intelligent and passionate people. And it’s even more incredible when that group is led by amazing, talented, and driven women. It’s been demonstrated to me time and time again that a lot of success is derived from the support system you have – whether that’s the one you’re born with or the one you create.
How do you empower other women?
Christine – I aim to be an example to women that we do not need to be defined by anything. You want to be a stay at home because you love Pinterest crafts and being with your babies? Rock that out so powerfully and proclaim yourself the CEO of the household. You want to be a FT Exec of two businesses and still raise your kids? Do it! Your kids will watch you work, and you’ll make sacrifices, but they’ll grow up watching a powerful woman as their mom! I hate the phrase, “you can’t have it all.” We have to stop demanding that women only define themselves as one thing or trying to convince ourselves that we can’t be good at more than one thing. Is it easy? No, but nothing worthwhile in life ever comes easy, and I want every woman out there to know she owns the power to throw off labels and expectations and create herself into whatever she wants.
Donna – I empower other women by encouraging them and telling them it’s okay not to be what society wants you to be.
Christie – I think knowledge is power. I’m a firm believer in teaching others why things are done a certain way, not just how to do something. For a client, that means helping them understand their financials or why things may or may not be tax-deductible. For a co-worker, that means helping them understand why we have that process and how it relates to the work being done so they can troubleshoot and work through similar situations on their own.
Christina – Based on the feedback I’ve received, the times I’ve empowered other women are the times I call bullshit on things like “International Women’s Day.” We don’t need a day. We are equal every day. The more we focus our energy on trying to prove we are equal, or “fighting” for it, the longer we will collectively be seen as less than. Just go out and do your thing, regardless of your gender.
That said, I’ve also found that many women want to travel alone but are afraid to do so. Since I’ve had the experience of traveling internationally alone, I’m working on curriculum for a travel program for women, empowering them to feel confident traveling alone, so they no longer think they can’t travel safely until they “have someone to travel with” or are in a relationship.
Alexa – Cheer them on! Women are amazing creatures and deserve more recognition. In a world where women are still fighting to be heard/seen, it is so important for us to stand together and build each other up.
Cait – I hope to someday be able to empower other women (and men) through the same guidance and support that has been provided to me over the years, either through mentoring, knowledge sharing or as a person who genuinely cares about the well-being of others.
What is your favorite thing about working at High Rock Accounting?
Christine – The team and the environment. This team is made up of creators, innovators, and those who are constantly willing to learn. It makes work fun. Combine that with it being an environment that values health, balance, and quality work for our clients over shear production, and it’s a dream team.
Donna – My favorite thing about HRA, the chill vibe and welcoming atmosphere
Christie – I’ve only been with High Rock for a short time. But it’s the independence, support, and encouragement that flows through the company from the ownership to the interns that I find encouraging. It has been a place of support, even with sometimes uncertain and chaotic events happening around us.
Christina – HRA does things differently. I love being a part of a group of strong women & men that push me to find a new way to think about things or to be better. There is no status quo at HRA.
Alexa – My favorite thing about working at HRA is the people I am surrounded by on a daily basis. This environment makes me want to constantly improve myself and chase after my goals.
Heidi – There are many things I love about working at High Rock! One that stands out to me is that both Liz & Melissa treat you like you matter and what you say matters! They want you to succeed in whatever you do!!
Who is your favorite female change maker, and why?
Christine – I have to pick ONE?! There’s so many! I have a lot of women I look up to for many reasons, but my favorites are probably the ones you haven’t heard of. I have immense respect for Cathy Savage who completely altered the world of fitness training. She’s an amazing and truly authentic female business owner and mom who will never lie about the trials of building a business or the amount of hard work it takes. She would also never leave another hard-working woman with a dream behind.
Donna – Michelle Obama, (First Lady, because she slays and a very powerful speaker), Indra Nooyi (Former CEO of PepsiCo, she is very strategic yet simple), Madam C J Walker (First black self-made millionaire, Despite the racial oppression, she prospered and became successful)
Christie – I find Greta Thunberg very inspiring. She reminds me of the young activist I wish I had been at her age. It takes a lot of courage for someone to get up in front of government officials and school them on an issue so controversial in our current political environment. Yet she stands her ground and has taken a small event that only she was attending (the climate strike) and turned it into a global movement. It’s bravery like hers that either makes change or inspires those others who do.
Christina – Rhonda Byrne, the Australian writer & producer that created “The Secret.” She is popularizing the Law of Attraction, which provides a foundation for using thoughts, or the power of the mind, to change your life experience. That is valuable for all humans, regardless of gender, etc.
Alexa – My favorite two female change makers are my two bosses. Melissa and Liz truly show what it means to be a female badass. They both balance being parents, entrepreneurs, and being overall great humans. They are constantly speaking up for women and stand up for what they believe in.
Heidi – Since working at High Rock, I have been inspired by women start their own company from the ground up and become successful. It also comes with a great deal of struggle to get where you want to be, and even at the top, it’s hard too. But with a great partner and a great team behind you can make at all worth the stress!! I think that Liz and Melissa are a great example of that!!
Cait – It’s hard to choose a single female change maker that I idolize and who has helped to shape the world as we know it today. I like to think that each and everyone one of us has the power to be a change maker in some way or another, big or small. It’s all about realizing that you can be the stone in a pond that starts the ripple effect. All you have to do is start.
Written by:
There are so many unsung heroes in any given office, and we have some truly amazing ones at Team World Domination. It was my pleasure to showcase some of our badass women that generally are not in the High Rock social media spotlight. By doing so, we celebrated the empowerment of International Women’s Day throughout the week. Each of the ladies that participated were asked the same set of questions. There are some inspiring answers to share:
How do you feel empowered?
Christine DeAngelis, Contract team member– By helping others achieve their definition of success. There’s no better feeling than seeing the smile of someone you’ve worked with when they come back and tell you that they hit their goals.
Donna Thompson, Apprentice – I feel empowered when I am in control of my time. When I take care of myself and having a day just to unwind from the busyness of my life.
Christie Huck, Accounting + Tax Specialsit – I feel most empowered when I have a supportive team behind me. One that allows me to work and think independently but is there with knowledge and support when I need it. Knowing that you are trusted with your knowledge but supported when you need it gives me the courage to dive into tasks that are new or more complex as I know that when I get stuck, I have the support I need to get through it and see it to completion.
Christina Morse, HR Maven – The times I have felt most empowered involve the gym; CrossFit, boxing, lifting heavy shit. I like slightly aggressive forms of exercise. When I push my body past the point, I initially believe I could, I feel empowered.
Alexa Healy, Accounting Pro – I feel empowered when I’m surrounded by like-minded individuals, especially women.
Heidi Braswell, Executive Assistant – I feel empowered by seeing other women succeed in their industry and could possibly be able to rule the world!!
Cait McGowan, Accounting Guru – It’s incredible how empowered you can feel when you’re surrounded by a group of intelligent and passionate people. And it’s even more incredible when that group is led by amazing, talented, and driven women. It’s been demonstrated to me time and time again that a lot of success is derived from the support system you have – whether that’s the one you’re born with or the one you create.
How do you empower other women?
Christine – I aim to be an example to women that we do not need to be defined by anything. You want to be a stay at home because you love Pinterest crafts and being with your babies? Rock that out so powerfully and proclaim yourself the CEO of the household. You want to be a FT Exec of two businesses and still raise your kids? Do it! Your kids will watch you work, and you’ll make sacrifices, but they’ll grow up watching a powerful woman as their mom! I hate the phrase, “you can’t have it all.” We have to stop demanding that women only define themselves as one thing or trying to convince ourselves that we can’t be good at more than one thing. Is it easy? No, but nothing worthwhile in life ever comes easy, and I want every woman out there to know she owns the power to throw off labels and expectations and create herself into whatever she wants.
Donna – I empower other women by encouraging them and telling them it’s okay not to be what society wants you to be.
Christie – I think knowledge is power. I’m a firm believer in teaching others why things are done a certain way, not just how to do something. For a client, that means helping them understand their financials or why things may or may not be tax-deductible. For a co-worker, that means helping them understand why we have that process and how it relates to the work being done so they can troubleshoot and work through similar situations on their own.
Christina – Based on the feedback I’ve received, the times I’ve empowered other women are the times I call bullshit on things like “International Women’s Day.” We don’t need a day. We are equal every day. The more we focus our energy on trying to prove we are equal, or “fighting” for it, the longer we will collectively be seen as less than. Just go out and do your thing, regardless of your gender.
That said, I’ve also found that many women want to travel alone but are afraid to do so. Since I’ve had the experience of traveling internationally alone, I’m working on curriculum for a travel program for women, empowering them to feel confident traveling alone, so they no longer think they can’t travel safely until they “have someone to travel with” or are in a relationship.
Alexa – Cheer them on! Women are amazing creatures and deserve more recognition. In a world where women are still fighting to be heard/seen, it is so important for us to stand together and build each other up.
Cait – I hope to someday be able to empower other women (and men) through the same guidance and support that has been provided to me over the years, either through mentoring, knowledge sharing or as a person who genuinely cares about the well-being of others.
What is your favorite thing about working at High Rock Accounting?
Christine – The team and the environment. This team is made up of creators, innovators, and those who are constantly willing to learn. It makes work fun. Combine that with it being an environment that values health, balance, and quality work for our clients over shear production, and it’s a dream team.
Donna – My favorite thing about HRA, the chill vibe and welcoming atmosphere
Christie – I’ve only been with High Rock for a short time. But it’s the independence, support, and encouragement that flows through the company from the ownership to the interns that I find encouraging. It has been a place of support, even with sometimes uncertain and chaotic events happening around us.
Christina – HRA does things differently. I love being a part of a group of strong women & men that push me to find a new way to think about things or to be better. There is no status quo at HRA.
Alexa – My favorite thing about working at HRA is the people I am surrounded by on a daily basis. This environment makes me want to constantly improve myself and chase after my goals.
Heidi – There are many things I love about working at High Rock! One that stands out to me is that both Liz & Melissa treat you like you matter and what you say matters! They want you to succeed in whatever you do!!
Who is your favorite female change maker, and why?
Christine – I have to pick ONE?! There’s so many! I have a lot of women I look up to for many reasons, but my favorites are probably the ones you haven’t heard of. I have immense respect for Cathy Savage who completely altered the world of fitness training. She’s an amazing and truly authentic female business owner and mom who will never lie about the trials of building a business or the amount of hard work it takes. She would also never leave another hard-working woman with a dream behind.
Donna – Michelle Obama, (First Lady, because she slays and a very powerful speaker), Indra Nooyi (Former CEO of PepsiCo, she is very strategic yet simple), Madam C J Walker (First black self-made millionaire, Despite the racial oppression, she prospered and became successful)
Christie – I find Greta Thunberg very inspiring. She reminds me of the young activist I wish I had been at her age. It takes a lot of courage for someone to get up in front of government officials and school them on an issue so controversial in our current political environment. Yet she stands her ground and has taken a small event that only she was attending (the climate strike) and turned it into a global movement. It’s bravery like hers that either makes change or inspires those others who do.
Christina – Rhonda Byrne, the Australian writer & producer that created “The Secret.” She is popularizing the Law of Attraction, which provides a foundation for using thoughts, or the power of the mind, to change your life experience. That is valuable for all humans, regardless of gender, etc.
Alexa – My favorite two female change makers are my two bosses. Melissa and Liz truly show what it means to be a female badass. They both balance being parents, entrepreneurs, and being overall great humans. They are constantly speaking up for women and stand up for what they believe in.
Heidi – Since working at High Rock, I have been inspired by women start their own company from the ground up and become successful. It also comes with a great deal of struggle to get where you want to be, and even at the top, it’s hard too. But with a great partner and a great team behind you can make at all worth the stress!! I think that Liz and Melissa are a great example of that!!
Cait – It’s hard to choose a single female change maker that I idolize and who has helped to shape the world as we know it today. I like to think that each and everyone one of us has the power to be a change maker in some way or another, big or small. It’s all about realizing that you can be the stone in a pond that starts the ripple effect. All you have to do is start.