Shish Cherian
Director of People Operations – Donovan CPAs
As director of people operations at Donovan CPAs, what are your biggest priorities when it comes to supporting
the team?
From recruiting to offboarding and everything in between, I work to ensure we have a strong foundation, find great talent, and have an environment where our team members can truly flourish into the best versions of themselves. I am part of an amazing team who share a deep commitment to building a workplace where people thrive.
One of my top priorities in supporting the team is making sure the decisions we make at the leadership level reflect our deepest commitment to put people first. That means aligning our business strategy with empathy, driving change with intention, and consistently holding ourselves accountable to the values we stand for.
What inspired your path to this work?
My earliest knowledge of People Operations (or HR) came from Toby Flenderson in The Office. That alone convinced me I wanted nothing to do with HR! If you know Toby, and if you have a sense of who I am, you’ll probably agree we have very little in common. But everything changed in college when I took a course called Organizational Behavior. I was completely drawn in. The class defined Human Resource Management as “the application of organizational behavior principles to organizations with the goal of improving attitudes and behaviors of employees.” I switched my major to Human Resources Management and have never looked back!
What’s something you’ve accomplished in your role that you’re especially proud of?
Creating our People Development Playbook. Every team member at Donovan receives this on their first day. It’s personalized to them and serves as both a guide and a journal for their career journey with us. It sets the tone for growth from day one and is a tool and process to help our people reflect, develop and move forward with purpose. I beam with pride when long-time team members shared with me, “Wow, I wish I had this when I started.”
The Donovan CPAs team at the Indiana Sports Corp’s Corporate Challenge.
We love your team photo. Tell us what’s happening!
I am giving a pump-up speech before the Donovan team tackled the Indiana Sports Corp’s Corporate Challenge. It’s a fun field day with several different events that promote team building and camaraderie. We look forward to it every year!
How is Donovan CPAs using technology to improve how you work, both for clients and internally?
Being a great place to work means equipping our team with the best tools and technology available. We’re constantly evaluating our tech stack and aren’t afraid to make bold upgrades when it helps our people do their best work. Right now, we’re rolling out a powerful new software for our tax team that will be in place for the upcoming tax season. It’s a big step forward, and just one example of how we invest in our team’s success through better technology!
What advice would you give to someone starting their first job in the profession?
Prioritize three things:
- CPA Exam. Invest in a good study program and stay disciplined. At Donovan, we cover the upfront cost of the Becker course for all new hires on our Tax and Audit teams so they can hit the ground running.
- Get involved. Attend INCPAS events, go to your firm’s social gatherings and make connections. As cliché as it sounds, “It’s not just what you know, but who you know” is true. Relationships will open doors, provide mentorship and make work more enjoyable.
- Build trust through character and consistency. Show up with integrity, a strong work ethic and a team-first mindset. Be the kind of person others want to support, collaborate with and advocate for when it’s time for promotions or new opportunities.
How do you unwind after a busy day? Any favorite hobbies or routines?
With two kids under two, “unwinding” looks a little different these days! I love being with my family, and they are a large part of my motivation for everything I do. When I do get a moment to recharge, basketball is hands-down my favorite hobby. I’m a big believer in the power of physical activity to clear your mind, relieve stress, and help you show up stronger at work and at home.
Would you like to be featured as the next Member Spotlight in Connect? Contact Katie Kirkton, INCPAS Creative Director, at kkirkton@incpas.org for more information.