CFO and alum Kayla Reynolds always thought she’d follow in her parents’ footsteps by pursuing a career in the military. But thanks to a chance encounter with a fellow Forvis Mazars Ambassador—who would soon become a lifelong mentor—Kayla reset her sights on becoming a CPA. Now, as an executive at the University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis (UHSP), she credits her leadership role in academia to the learning she received at Forvis Mazars.
You were interning at the Department of Defense (DoD) when you changed course to become a CPA. How did that come about?
It really started while I was in college. During my junior year, I got involved with a mentorship program in St. Louis where I was paired with Ambassador and now retired partner Wendy Henry. While my job at the DoD was interesting, it wasn’t all that exciting. Wendy really opened my eyes to the potential—the learning, client exposure, networking, leadership training—that a career in public accounting offers. With Wendy’s encouragement, I joined the firm in January 2014.
And in 2017, you joined Caleres, the international footwear company.
Right. Not long before that, a fellow alum and mentor, Erin Patterson Wenzel, joined Caleres, Inc. She alerted me to a new role at the company she thought would be a good fit for me. The firm gave me the foundation and confidence to take this next step in my career. Even at Caleres, Erin continued mentoring me, helping to push me out of my comfort zone and into new roles.
How did you decide to transition from Caleres to UHSP where you are today?
Again, it comes down to my ongoing relationship with Wendy Henry. She became aware of the opportunity and, even though I was hesitant it might be a stretch, encouraged me to go for it. I took her advice and joined the university in 2019 as assistant vice president and controller and in 2024 was promoted to my current position as CFO.
What are some of the challenges facing higher academia today?
It has to be enrollment. There’s been a large decline in the number of high school graduates nationwide over the past few years, and the Midwest has been particularly hard hit. We responded by diversifying and widening our curriculum, but competition for new students is very real.
But there’s a bright spot on the horizon, yes?
The great news is that UHSP is in the process of being acquired by Washington University in St. Louis (WashU). Essentially, the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, our university’s premier program, will become Washington University’s tenth academic school. In addition, select UHSP undergraduate programs will be integrated into WashU’s existing academic offerings. The two universities have a history of mission-aligned collaboration and cooperation when it comes to health care education and research. It’s a great fit with lots of synergy.
How will the merger impact you personally?
We’re still in transition so right now, I’m focused on setting my team up for success and ensuring the school’s great legacy lives on. Those are values I learned at the firm, and it’s something I want to pay forward.
One of the best things the firm taught me was to look for the learning opportunity when challenged. As Ted Lasso might say, “Stay curious.” So, while there’s uncertainty right now, I know that no matter what happens, there’s always something positive I can take away.
It’s clear that mentors have played key roles in your career success. What’s your advice regarding mentorship?
Seek out multiple mentors early on, keep them close, and allow them to push you beyond your comfort zone. Ambassador Fred Helfrich, another influential mentor, challenged me to connect the dots and see the bigger picture. He encouraged me to step back and understand a client’s strategy, operations, risks, industry trends, and the “what” behind the “why.” Fred helped take me from processes and procedures to business advisor and leader. Those are the things I now hope to instill in my team.
How are you better because of Forvis Mazars?
The firm changed the direction of my career. Wendy Henry and other firm mentors helped me see what was possible, and the experience I gained gave me the confidence to grow as a communicator, relationship builder, and leader. I learned to take on challenges I never would have imagined, and those lessons still shape how I lead today.
What does it mean to you to be part of the Forvis Mazars Alumni Network?
It’s fun staying connected with people I worked with so closely. When we see each other at Alumni Network and firm events, it feels like no time has passed. The continuing education is a great benefit, but what I value most is the camaraderie. Forvis Mazars alumni are genuinely interested in helping one another, and no matter where my career has taken me, that connection has remained strong.
More about Kayla Reynolds:
- Born and raised in the St. Louis suburb of Belleville, Illinois.
- Graduated from McKendree University.
- Is married to her high school sweetheart, Ian.
- Played on the golf teams in both high school and at McKendree.
- Enjoys traveling and has visited more than 15 countries.
- Is a Pride & Prejudice enthusiast and seeks to purchase a copy of the novel in the local language in each place she visits. She now has more than 25 copies.
