Employee Spotlight: Stacy Zavodny – Financial Operations Consultant
Our Employee Spotlight is here to help you better understand our people, culture, and what it’s like to work at Bridgepoint Consulting. We believe we have a great balance of challenging work and collaborative people that enables each of us to enjoy being part of #TeamBridgepoint thoroughly. Today’s featured Employee Spotlight is on Stacy Zavodny, Financial Operations Consultant for Bridgepoint Consulting’s Houston Office.
Get to know Stacy
Stacy grew up in East Texas and graduated from the University of Houston with several degrees, the favorite being her accounting degree. Living in Houston, Texas the oil and gas industry soon came calling with an entry-level opportunity. Unfortunately, around this time the City of Houston suffered a tremendous loss and Stacy found it unbearable to part with such a beloved influence in her life… so she followed the Houston Oilers to Nashville (GO TITANS!). However, with no oil and gas companies to be found in Tennessee she explored the world of hospitals, hotels, and private prisons – while seemingly not related, all of which have beds to fill.
During the 20 years Stacy spent in Tennessee perfecting her accent, she uncovered a love of consulting and spent a number of years with firms like KPMG and LBMC working with businesses both large and small, before returning to Texas. After almost a decade spent with private equity enterprises in Controller/CFO roles, Stacy was tasked with starting up a shared services operation for a diverse holding company. This experience reminded her how much she missed consulting and working with many different enterprises and industries, leading Stacy to discover Bridgepoint Consulting almost three years ago, and returning to her passion. As they say… the rest is history!
What led you to consulting?
A partner from a large regional firm attempted for years to convince me to join their team before I finally asked why he believed in me – I knew nothing of consulting! He explained that my passion for pursuing new and different disciplines gave me a broad knowledge of many financial areas from general ledger to audit, tax, and SOX. My versatility is a powerful tool that helps me see a problem from many different angles, and make a good business even better. I love bringing order to chaos. Give me your worst! The challenge of a project where the client is anxious, unsure, and sometimes in too far over their head, calls to me like a siren song to restore a sense of stability and control over the situation. It is magical.
How would you describe the culture at Bridgepoint?
The culture here at Bridgepoint Consulting is amazingly motivational and nurturing. The Bridgepoint leadership empowers you to be your best. They encourage and support your career goals, at the same time allowing you the latitude to fail in the pursuit of success. Rather than hearing how disappointed they are in you, they declare, “Let’s take these lessons forward and learn from the experience.” Bridgepoint Consulting’s culture creates an atmosphere that celebrates everyone’s achievements. They reward hard work, and it’s not only from those above you – your teammates can be your biggest fans, and send you kudos. You may be working independently, but you are still part of an extraordinary team.
What attracted you to Bridgepoint and when did you know #teambridgepoint was for you?
During my final interview with the firm’s principles, Manuel Azuara asked me to describe someone that “does it better than you” and explain their influence on my work ethic. As I spoke about the impact of a former boss, and how his humbleness in regularly making breakfast for the team with his own two hands and personally delivering it to your desk inspired me to give all I had to move mountains on his behalf, I could see that my words were resonating with the leadership of the firm. I listened to their approach to management, the perfect candidate they had in mind, plans for future growth, and heard my own philosophies about how to do business coming back to me, and quite simply: I was sold. They “got me” and I knew I had found my people! When we talk about “hungry, humble, and smart” it is not just a catchy slogan. We live it. And as a firm, we are much better for it. There is not just one rock star at Bridgepoint, we are all stars in this universe.
Talk to us about who you are outside of consulting.
I love to travel and see all the world has to offer including cultural sights, amazing food, and welcoming people. While America is indeed beautiful, I’ve been to 52 other countries (only 145 more to go!) and currently have five new adventures planned. My favorite journeys have been the multi-generational family trips with grandparents, parents, and grandkids. Family is extremely important to me. We never get together without laughs and tons of love. Now we have a new generation since the grandkids are having babies of their own, and I cannot wait to make more Zavodny family memories.
What advice would you give someone who is considering a career in consulting?
If you find that you are dissatisfied in a narrow “checklist” role, prefer to embrace challenges, and dive into projects head-on, then you might be a consultant at heart. Consulting allows you to see the impact of your efforts in real-time, and build relationships being down in the trenches with your clients, seeking the solution. But you have to be willing to get your hands dirty and switch tracks rapidly if your approach is not yielding results. It’s not about being the smartest person in the room. It’s more about learning the client’s business, listening to their needs, and where they want their company to be at the end of your time together. When your client sincerely thanks you for helping them realize their vision, and calls you again next year, it is absolutely priceless.
Ready to join #TeamBridgepoint?
If you’re someone who has spent your time in-house throughout your career but are looking to drive more change, looking for new challenges, or are craving more variety, consider a career in consulting with Bridgepoint! We’re always on the lookout for top talent. We encourage you to browse our current openings and become part of #teambridgepoint!
Check out additional employee stories here or find out what makes Bridgepoint a great place to work!
