When now-retired Partner Lori Haley was offered the firm’s Chief Talent Officer role in 2023, she was excited about the new opportunity after years of fulfillment and a love of serving clients. After settling into her new job, Lori thrived in the position where she emerged as a powerful catalyst for the burgeoning Forvis Mazars Alumni Network.
You are credited with helping the firm’s Alumni Network efforts gain real traction. What makes you so passionate about alumni?
Whether someone works at our firm one year, five years, or 20 years, there’s so much pride in being part of a leading U.S. firm and global network with clients around the world. With such a remarkable people-centric culture at Forvis Mazars, who wouldn’t want to stay connected with that? Most of us still feel like a close-knit community. I certainly do. It is a win-win as the firm helps alumni stay connected to each other, provides access to continuing education, and helps alumni understand the firm’s strategic vision and direction. At the same time, alumni can help the firm continue to grow through their expanded networks and personal connections. It’s an investment in our people—past, present, and future.
You’ve described the Alumni Network as “exploding.” Why so?
A couple of things. First, is the launch of the Alumni Network platform, our web portal for alumni. This is a one-stop-shop experience for alumni to stay in the know about alumni events, firm news, learning opportunities, thought leadership, jobs, or just to connect with fellow alumni. Since launching in 2025, our alumni community grew rapidly to over 2,250 alumni members in about one year.
Second, as we’ve been building the fundamentals and gaining awareness, leadership has continued to support and appreciate the value the Network provides not only to alumni, but also to our current people and the firm. And we’re still gaining traction every day.
What challenges did or do you face?
Well, just as I was adapting to my new role, we went through a very busy period of back-to-back mergers and acquisitions, including legacy firms DHG and BKD becoming FORVIS in 2022 and then the expansion to a global network with Forvis Mazars in 2024. I was heavily involved with the integration, which took large amounts of my time. We continued to build and grow our Alumni Network by seeking out alumni of legacy firms and steadily building engagement through events and communications. With integration largely behind us, now we’re going full steam.
An ongoing challenge is that people just aren’t as sticky these days. They move around a lot. They change jobs and email addresses. So, keeping up with our alumni takes lots of time and energy.
What makes our Alumni Network so successful?
Tricia Wilson, who preceded me as Chief Talent Officer, was a fabulous partner and a huge mentor to me. She was extremely focused on culture, new concepts, and whole-person wellness. She was a true believer in elevating alumni, and I’m happy to say she passed that on to me. I also tried to pass on the importance of that leadership advocacy to Amy Smith, the firm’s current Chief Talent Officer and Alumni Executive Sponsor. Chief Executive Officer Tom Watson has led from the top with steady and strong support from the entire senior leadership team. And, Chief Marketing Officer Greg Cole has been instrumental as well with his leadership support.
I also credit Chief Growth Officer Tim York, another wonderful mentor to me, with planting the alumni flag and getting the Network off the ground years ago, along with many very invested Ambassadors or fellow retired partners like Eddie Sams, Brad Newkirk, Nikki Yarborough, and Tim Wilson. And finally, we wouldn’t be nearly as successful if not for Anne Creasy, who drives our alumni strategy forward. Her incredible passion for all things alumni is contagious.
You recently joined the Alumni Network Steering Committee. Why join and what do you hope to accomplish?
For me, it’s a connection point back to the firm and the people I so enjoyed working with. It’s collaborating with others on how we can keep the Alumni Network relevant, worthwhile, and fresh. We all have different perspectives, and that makes it fun and motivates us to keep pushing forward to help our alumni community be successful.
What does it mean, after working so hard to build and grow the Network, to actually be an alum yourself?
There’s just tremendous pride. I had the opportunity to work with amazing people and fabulous clients. I just think of our tremendous shared values and how they impact the way we treat each other and our clients. When I was in my twenties, I never dreamed my career would be so fulfilling, both professionally and personally.
What advice do you have for future alumni?
You don’t need to go 100 miles an hour and have everything figured out when starting your career. I had a very non-traditional career path, including eight years in the corporate world before finding my way back to public accounting. Be bold and embrace unique career opportunities when the time and place feel right. For me, some of the most meaningful steps in my career were unplanned. Invest in others and build meaningful relationships.
More about Lori Haley
- Born in Ohio; raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- She and her husband, Rob, have three adult daughters and five grandchildren (two born this past March!)
- Graduated from Miami University (Ohio).
- Joined the firm in Birmingham as Senior Manager at the Forvis Mazars legacy firm, DHG.
- Previously served as leader of the firm’s Birmingham office and then as market managing partner for Atlanta, Birmingham, and Nashville.
- Served on the firm’s Governing Board and Senior Leadership Team.
- Enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, and volunteering in her church and community.
