2015 40 Under 40 Honoree: Carrie Brown

When Carrie Brown says she’s up for the challenge, she has a long list of personal and professional accomplishments she can point to with pride.

Brown thrives on leading teams to create organizational growth, corporate revenues or not-for-profit fundraising success.

As a supervisor at Elliott, Robinson & Co. LLP, Brown leads the certified public accounting firm’s trust and estate practice. Since she stepped into the role in 2012, that segment of the practice has grown over 50 percent. Additionally, Brown is justifiably proud of heading up the company’s recruiting team.

“I have a passion for growing my firm and recruiting the best and brightest talent to work for us,” Brown says. “In the last nine months, our staff has grown 16 percent. It is an incredibly exciting time and being a part of creating this growth is something that I revel in.”

Brown’s proudest accomplishment has been leading the formation of the Young Ambassadors for Ozarks Counseling Center, a community organization that provides mental health services to children and families regardless of ability to pay. Brown and another volunteer devised a plan to reach people in the young professional category, resulting in the Tour de Springfield scavenger hunt and fundraiser, which increased OCC revenue by 75 percent.

“Through our efforts, we are able to provide over 500 hours of counseling services to those who need it most,” Brown says. “I am very proud that I was able to be a part of something that started from nothing and was able to evolve into a great fundraiser in just two short years.”

In the office, Brown serves as mentor for two staff members, helping them connect with the Springfield community and benefiting them personally and professionally.

“I value relationships greatly, especially mentoring relationships,” she says. “We have a wonderful mentoring program within our firm. … We meet monthly to discuss situations and issues that we believe will benefit other group members in their personal and professional lives.”

As a member of Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance, Brown has served as president, as well as chairwoman of the scholarship, membership, programs, newsletter and financial literacy committees.

“I have taught courses ranging from Affordable Care Act to basic budgeting and balancing a checkbook,” she says, noting AFWA teaches financial literacy courses to those who need assistance.

Brown understands how the ACA is affecting many clients, and she recently presented a seminar to proactively educate them on how the legislation will impact their businesses.

A long list of community leadership positions completes Brown’s resume. She is the current president of the Drury University Alumni Council and a board member for the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools, where she is on the investment committee and is 2015 co-chair of the Sip & Shop fundraiser.[[In-content Ad]]