Cynthia Izzo: Mentoring Across the Board

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During her 18-plus years in advisory management and business, Cynthia Izzo has broken barriers. Not only is she KPMG LLP’s first female Advisory Office Leader for Upstate New York and New England, she is also the first female partner/principal in Advisory’s Cyber Security practice.

As an advisory leader, Izzo is responsible for the oversight, business strategy, and governance of the local advisory practice; as a partner in cyber security, she leads the Strategy & Governance Services and has over 200 U.S. practice members in her pillar, providing excellent client service in this critical business function.

“I also consider my employees my most important client,” says Izzo. “[I want to] make sure everyone under my leadership thinks KPMG is a great place to work and build your career.”

Izzo especially enjoys having the opportunity to mentor junior colleagues and provide career advice. Her natural empathy and strong communication skills have made her a leader in diversity recruitment efforts as well.

“Diversity and inclusion—it means that employees feel comfortable to bring their whole selves to work,” says Izzo. “They feel valued and that their opinions are respected.”

For Izzo, an effective leader is passionate about work and empathic towards people. A leader also seeks to empower employees not only to do well, but to take those measured risks that can lead to the next level. Her leadership advice is simple—make sure your life is balanced and remember to always set goals for where you want to be.

“Stop and smell the roses,” advises Izzo. “Enjoy the moment you’re in, in the here and now.”

Aside from her roles at KPMG, Izzo is a frequent and sought-after speaker at professional seminars and diversity forums on the topics of women in leadership, career building, and mentoring.

She is a member of the advisory board of the Association of Latino Professionals of America, and The Foundation to be Named Later.  She is also on the board of Junior Achievement of Northern New England and the Latino Legacy Foundation.