Audit Supervisor, Wolf & Co., P.C.; Age 29
Education: Western New England University (BSBA, MSA)
Nicole Florian-Theriaque
What did you want to be when you grew up? I always thought I wanted to be a corporate attorney. I entered college with intentions of the 3+3 law program at Western New England University. As a freshman, I took a required intro-level accounting course and was told by my professor and advisor to consider an accounting major. I was told I was not only good at it, but I would also have job security. This was important, as I was in college during the economic crisis of 2008. I then decided to change to a double major in accounting and finance.
What three words best describe you? Balanced, proactive, independent.
What are you passionate about? I am passionate about keeping all aspects of my life balanced. I believe it’s important to not only work hard at my career, but also continue working on myself. I’m constantly setting personal goals, such as running a half-marathon, finishing different obstacle-course races, and currently working toward a yoga handstand and crow poses. I am also passionate about giving back to the community, not only with monetary contributions, but with my time. I find it rewarding to work with high-school and college students, advising them about their future. Finally, since adopting a dog about a year ago, I have also become very passionate about animal rights and helping shelter animals find forever homes.
What goal do you set for yourself at the start of each day? “Don’t try your best, just do it.” This is something I’ve recently set myself up with at the start of each day. A yoga teacher I took a class with earlier this year told us not to try a pose, just do it, and take that with you for the rest of your day.
What person, past or present, would you like to have lunch with, and why? I would want to have lunch with Tom Brady. He’s arguably the greatest athlete of all time and represents New England sports. Even in times of doubt, he finds a way to bring his team to a win. I would ask what it’s like to work alongside Bill Belichick and be part of creating the Patriot dynasty.
Photography by Leah Martin Photography
BusinessWest is now accepting nominations for the 40 Under Forty Class of 2019, a celebration of young business and civic leaders in the Western Mass., and an undertaking in which our readership will play a pivotal role. Indeed, the process of selecting this region’s 40 Under Forty begins with nominations. And we urge you be thorough, because 40 Under Forty is a nomination-driven process; the background material submitted on a given individual is the primary source of information to be weighed by the judges who will score the candidates.
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When BusinessWest launched a program in 2007 to honor young professionals in Western Mass. — not only for their career achievements, but for their service to the community — there was little concern that the initial flow of nominations might slow to a trickle years later.
