Permission to Pause: Real Talk on Mental Health, Resilience, and Redefining Success

From students to professionals—an honest conversation about what it takes to stay well in a high-pressure profession

n this month’s Student-Led Conversations, our student host sits down with accounting professionals to discuss a timely and personal topic: mental health and personal resilience. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, this episode focuses on honest and personal dialogue with guests Jina Etienne, CPA, CGMA, CDE, CEO of Etienne Consulting; Rafael Casas, senior consultant with Workday; and Kiera Speed, inspiration logistician for the Center for Accounting Transformation.

Mental Health in the Accounting Pipeline
“Students and early professionals are under enormous pressure to be perfect,” says host Arpan Grewal, reflecting on her own experience navigating college applications and social media comparisons. “We rarely stop to acknowledge the emotional toll.”

The panel agrees that the journey to resilience begins with giving ourselves permission—to pause, to struggle, to heal. For Etienne, a CPA turned leadership consultant, self-care means taking a daily walk with her dog and practicing “mindful walking” as a way to reset. Casas, who shares his own battles with cancer and depression, speaks about the importance of boundaries and self-awareness: “If your cup is constantly a quarter full, you’ll never be great at anything.”

From Practice to Progress
Speed emphasizes that resilience is not a destination—it’s a practice. She outlines how the Center’s personal resilience programs are designed to help professionals manage uncertainty, regulate stress, and foster sustainable growth.

“When I talk to people in the profession, I hear so many stories of burnout and anxiety,” says Speed. “That’s why we’ve built resources that serve not just the profession, but the person.”

The conversation also highlights how community, authenticity, and compassion can help create environments where vulnerability is met with support. From the “Stop Sign Walk” exercise to journaling, each speaker offers real-life tools for grounding themselves in high-stress moments.

Shifting the Definition of Success
The group explores how cultural pressures often equate self-worth with productivity, a mindset many struggle to unlearn. “Success is not just about how many hours you work or how many achievements you stack up,” says Etienne. “It’s about how you feel—inside your mind, body, and spirit.”

As the episode closes, the discussion returns to a core truth: resilience isn’t about surviving—it’s about thriving. The Center for Accounting Transformation invites all professionals, educators, and students to explore the #mymindshift and #personalresilience resources at https://link.improvetheworld.net/selfcare-month and take advantage of a 50% off discount for Mental Health Awareness Month by using promo code selfcare-month.

Watch the full episode now.

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