Stephanie Giammarco
BDO
Excellence in Leadership
Stephanie Giammarco fell into the field of data analytics 20-plus years ago—by accident. As an accounting undergrad, her first job was in litigation and investigations and she was tapped for an assignment to make sense of a tremendous amount of data without much guidance. "I bought a book, found a mentor and dove into databases—and I ended up loving it," she says. "The world of data analytics is like a puzzle to solve, and the answer can be discovered within the data set. That's how I wound up in the tech space, by pursuing my passion on the data side."
Giammarco is a Partner and National Co-Leader, BDO Digital. With over 25 years of experience in accounting and information technology, she works with clients to transform their businesses resulting in revenue growth, improved profitability and risk reduction through the application of strategy and digital capabilities. She focuses on building comprehensive, cohesive teams to best deliver practical and tangible client solutions.
"I am driven by the ability to think critically, solve problems and create practical solutions for clients in an effective and efficient manner. 'Your team works magic,' is the type of feedback I often hear. In fact, it's not magic—the data is right there and the technology exists, you just need to know how to maximize them," Giammarco says. "It's very satisfying to apply our skills in transforming business processes and previously unintelligible data into actionable information and deliver clarity and results in support of our clients' goals."
Twenty-plus years after joining BDO, she is responsible for a big team full of dedicated, passionate and intelligent professionals who are learning, building and growing daily. That, she says, is her greatest professional achievement. "I am most proud of having contributed to creating a thriving environment full of opportunities for both team members and clients."
Giammarco says there weren't many women in the technology field 15 to 20 years ago. On its own, this environment could have been considered a challenge, though she saw it as an opportunity. Accounting firms did not have the technology resources and skills embedded in practices that they have today.
"Due to my expertise handling large and disparate datasets, and the growing complexity of information that had to be considered on projects, I had unique opportunities to sit in meetings where it would be many men and me," she says.
The firm launched BDO Digital in January and the team itself is going through a transformative period: building, developing and innovating collectively. "In serving our clients more holistically through our integrated and strategic digital transformation services, I am excited to witness the value that BDO Digital can provide by improving operational efficiencies for our clients," she says. "These efficiencies can also help foster greater resilience for businesses facing unprecedented challenges."
What does winning the Women Leaders in Technology award mean to you?
Giammarco: "This award is a testament to the hard work, resilience and leadership my team and I have demonstrated throughout all the transformations and oscillations we've navigated. Be it changes in the market, shifts within our own organization, technological advances, legislative developments and whatever else may come, this team is motivated, supportive and inclusive. We don't set limits on what we can accomplish—no matter the background—and we are always pushing the envelope to do things better. Thank you so much for this recognition and the opportunity to share our success."
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