Her Story
About Shandra
Shandra Clay serves as Senior Accountant at Finch Brands LLC in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She began her career as a bookkeeper and advanced through roles in sales orders and invoicing, accounts payable, and office management before reaching her current senior accounting position. With more than 20 years in accounting across companies in finance, construction, and electrical industries, Shandra now manages day-to-day accounting tasks including bank reconciliations, invoicing, accounts payable and receivable, vendor payments, and client billing. She also holds a nursing license and works in home health care. Shandra previously served on the Diversity Committee at Finch Brands, where she organized office meditations and introduced frequency healing sessions, and she regularly participates in the Black and Brown People in Marketing Conference to bring insights back to her company. She contributes annually to Cradles to Crayons by packing emergency kits for children in foster care. Shandra attributes her success to her ability to learn and grow, remain teachable, and demonstrate resilience by bouncing back from unfair situations without giving up. She values respect, a positive work environment, personal authenticity, growth opportunities, and having a supportive boss who advocates for her development.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shandra
01What do you attribute your success to?
The ability to learn and grow, to be teachable, and to bounce back from things that feel unfair without giving up. Finding comfort in the uncomfortable has taken me far, along with resilience. Each plateau deserves room to breathe, and self-care along with hard work goes a long way.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Do something that gives you purpose. Purpose is a very important part of earning money. Money is a frequency, and if it's not in line with a purpose, it really doesn't matter. When you earn your money purposefully, you have a different respect for it and use it differently.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Do your due diligence, try not to depend too much on other people unless you have to. Be a self-starter, be reliable, be who you say you are. Your resume can only take you so far; show them through action that you are capable.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges include seeing more Black and Brown people in higher positions in the industry. I contribute by making my company aware of what's going on in the Black and Brown industry and keeping them up to date on diversity and inclusion.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Respect, a positive work environment, the ability to be myself and allow others to be themselves, growth, freedom to grow at a pace that works, understanding expectations, and having a boss who advocates for you. My boss is my best friend, and I have great respect for the owner.
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