Her Story
About Isabel Cristina
Isabel Cristina Hernandez is a Business Tax Senior Manager at RSM US LLP, where she serves as a Tax Lead advising clients in the foreign direct investment space. In this role, she supports foreign companies investing in the United States, guiding them through tax compliance, tax provisions for financial statements, and broader tax advisory needs. Hernandez launched her public accounting career in January 2012 and has spent her entire professional journey with RSM, first building her career in the firm's Orlando office before relocating to Denver, Colorado, to be closer to family — all while maintaining deep loyalty to the organization that shaped her career.
A proud graduate of the University of Central Florida, Hernandez earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting magna cum laude before going on to complete her Master's in Taxation through the university's Miami-Dade Honors College program. Beyond her technical expertise, she has remained active in the Latino professional community, having served as President of the Orlando Chapter of ALPFA, the Association of Latino Professionals in America. She has also dedicated over a decade to mentorship, guiding high school students through Junior Achievement USA since 2013.
Fluent in Spanish and proud of her Cuban heritage, Hernandez credits her success to the unwavering support of her family and the work ethic instilled in her by her mother, who taught her to strive for excellence in everything she pursues. She attributes much of her professional growth to learning to embrace her authentic voice, and she encourages young women entering the accounting profession to lead with courage, confidence, and intention. Grounded in RSM's values of respect, integrity, teamwork, excellence, and stewardship, Hernandez continues to build teams and drive growth for her clients, while remaining committed to lifting up the next generation of Latina professionals in business.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Isabel Cristina
01What do you attribute your success to?
I feel truly blessed to have a family that gave me a foundation of love and support, which helped build my confidence that I could achieve anything I set my mind to. My mother always told me to be the best I could be at whatever I chose and to keep developing myself along the way. That work ethic has carried through my entire career, alongside the confidence, will, and discipline to see things through.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The most important lesson I've learned is to find my own voice and stay true to myself in how I approach my work. Embracing my strengths and my identity — including being Cuban and speaking Spanish, and simply being my authentic, outspoken self — has been the key to connecting meaningfully with both my clients and my teams.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell them to be courageous, confident, and above all, to be themselves. Approach your career with intention and the right attitude. Challenges will inevitably come, but if you stay true to who you are and remain confident, you can accomplish anything you set out to do.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The rapid pace of change is one of the biggest challenges we face, particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence. I see embracing that change as essential to our growth and continued progress. Our industry is navigating shifts across policy, technology, and AI all at once, and adapting to them is critical for all of us.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I hold RSM's core values close: respect, integrity, teamwork, excellence, and stewardship. For me, that means striving to be the best version of myself, taking care of my community and my teams, and treating everyone with respect. These principles shape how I see my professional environment and how I aim to succeed within it.
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