Leadership transitions and new beginnings are critical aspects of any organization’s growth and success. One of the main benefits of these transitions is the opportunity to explore fresh ideas and perspectives. As I begin my term as IMA Chair for 2023-2024—a change in itself—IMA® is undertaking a key leadership transition this year with the appointment of Mike DePrisco as president and CEO. Mike has the opportunity to build on the solid foundation of his predecessors while charting a new path forward for IMA. Together with the IMA Global Board of Directors, staff, and all of the IMA members around the world, Mike will be supported and equipped to manage challenges and create opportunities.
Broadly speaking, a new leader brings experiences, values, and beliefs that can help an organization evolve and adapt to changing circumstances. IMA is buzzing with possibility, as our teams are mindful that such transitions can spark innovation and creativity, helping the organization to stay relevant and competitive in an ever-changing environment.
IMA leadership is conscientious too about the reality that organizational transitions can also be a time of uncertainty and anxiety, particularly for stakeholders who may be unsure of what changes are to come. With that in mind, Mike and the entire IMA team are carefully planning and managing the transition to ensure that everyone is informed and prepared for the changes on the horizon.
For IMA, that vision and strategy for the future remain unchanged: to be the premier organization and leading resource for developing, certifying, connecting, and supporting the world’s best accountants and financial professionals in business. Supporting this vision will be many of the IMA programs you already know and value, such as the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) certification—but it will also involve developing new initiatives, building relationships with key stakeholders, and implementing changes to the organizational structure or processes.
During my time as your Chair and with the support of the entire organization, IMA will continue its work toward this strategic vision by providing a forum for research, practice development, education, knowledge sharing, and advocacy of the highest ethical and best business practices in management accounting and finance. Articles like this month’s “SVB and Credit Suisse: The Case for Strong First-Line Risk Governance” by Parveen Gupta and Tim Leech or “Strategic Marketing in a Digital World” by Mark L. Frigo with Steven Mark Kahan are just two examples of this kind of thought leadership in the profession.
I’m honored to be part of this leadership and organizational transition. As your Chair, I’m committed to supporting Mike in assuming his role, increasing IMA member value, and growing the IMA membership base. With effective communication, a clear vision, and a focus on innovation and collaboration, we’ll successfully navigate this change, chart a sustainable course for IMA, and take our organization to new heights while ensuring its continued success in the years to come.
I invite your comments, questions, and thoughts on this or any other topic. I look forward to our future together.
July 2023
