Laura Mayo

I graduated from Canisius University in Buffalo, New York in 2012 with a degree in accounting. I always knew I wanted to do something in business, and I chose accounting because I was excited about the opportunities to work abroad and be at a large global firm. Accounting also had a well-defined path with firms recruiting directly on campus. I connected with Deloitte at our accounting banquet where I was placed at their table by luck, and then at our Meet the Accountants night, I felt the culture was the best fit. I interned with them and the people in my intern class became my best friends really quickly as we navigated this new professional environment together. That support system - from peers, leaders, and team members - has been the differentiator that's kept me at the firm for over 14 years. After five years in audit, I became a manager and applied to Deloitte's Global Capital Markets program, a prestigious two-year rotational program in London. The firm sponsored my move to London, where I reviewed all debt and equity offerings for European companies trying to access U.S. capital markets. It was an intense program with hands-on training in SEC reporting, but culturally it was amazing - I got to travel around Europe and work with people from different countries while still feeling that same Deloitte culture of support. I was in London during COVID, living alone in a flat while my family panicked back home. It was surreal seeing London so quiet, but Deloitte created an inclusive environment where leaders were vulnerable about their experiences, which re-engaged me and showed me how many well-intentioned people at the firm really care about relationships. When we moved towards post-COVID, I relocated to Gulf Shores, Alabama for my husband's business, and the firm supported me working remotely indefinitely. I transferred from the global capital markets group to the advisory capital markets practice and worked fully remote, traveling to clients once travel opened back up. A year and a half ago, we moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to be in a bigger city with more opportunities for our two small kids. Charlotte offered sporting events, variety in shopping and food, and convenience to an airport with direct flights. It was also a good halfway point between my dad in Buffalo and my mother-in-law in Gulf Shores. This past year and a half has been about forming new relationships in the Charlotte office, but the culture still resonates no matter what city I'm in. As I progress in my career, I look up to women who are 10 years older than me who are really established and have worked through tough challenges that women face in the workforce. My overall goal and purpose is to be an inspiration and advocate for other females coming up through male-dominated professional fields.