Sal Inserra - Partner

At 20 years old the world was a blank canvas with vast opportunities and yet it looks like a map without road references. Even after staring at the map you cannot quite figure how to get to your goal or where you goal is. All that said, I thought I knew exactly the path to take - until I was set straight.

I was enrolled in the City University of N.Y. pursuing an economics degree and employed at JP Morgan. I was a part time employee who transferred from department to department - this did not bother me too much because I enjoyed the change. When I met my mentors I was working in the accounting and analysis group department and had about twelve superiors. If I was going to be honest about it I should name all twelve as mentors but there were two that stuck out - Diane Makoujy and Lou Vitali.

Lou and Diane were officers with the bank who had come out of the Big Eight. They were sharp, witty, successful and great role models. I would have sought their input, but they did not wait for me to ask. They provided me guidance on everything - how to dress more professionally, how to show your “smarts” in a tasteful manner, how to be successful in a team environment and they changed my career goals completely.

After about two months with the group, Lou and Diane decided to take me to lunch and double-team me to convince me to change my major to accounting. They were not going to take no for an answer and it was one of the five days that changed my life.

After disrupting my life and putting me on a new path, both of the meddlers, along with the other ten members of the group, provided me with two-year internship in accounting and analysis. This is the kind of experience that students hope to see before entering the real world. They made certain I was always challenged and provided me the guidance necessary so that a college student surrounded by top flight talent would not lose his confidence.

As I wrapped up my college career it was time to look for a job in the real world and I wanted to take the path of my mentors. I thought a Big Eight accounting firm was the only place for me. Unfortunately, the Big Eight firms did not view the university I attended as a top-flight school. As a result I hit a wall, but a wall is only a temporary obstacle.

My mentors, all twelve of them, heard of my plight and went into high gear. They called folks at the firms they used to work for, schedulers, peers, HR managers and partners. They put their reputation on the line for me and insisted that I be given a chance to interview and they did not take any chances there either. Lou and Diane made me go through practice interviews hitting me with questions and teaching me that an interview should be a conversation. They taught me well, as I received offers from all but one of the Big Eight.

It was bitter sweet to leave JPM. Other than my family, I don’t know remember anyone giving so much of themselves to benefit me. Their assistance was life changing and a key to who and what I am today. Twenty-three years later, I am now a partner with PKM and not a day goes by where I don’t draw upon something Lou and Diane taught me. I try hard each day to honor what they did for me by looking to pass on what I learned to others. Hopefully, there will be a person in the future who will think I had made a difference in their career.

Thank you Lou and Diane.