2021 40 Under 40: Brandy Buckler

In the last five years, Brandy Buckler, 38, has helped BKD rapidly expand a new revenue stream. Now a partner and team leader in financial services for BKD’s southern Missouri practice, Buckler identified areas of potential growth in a handful of nonprofit lender clients. Since given the freedom to explore this opportunity, revenue for that niche has grown 150%.

Buckler also serves on the boards of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks, The Think Big Foundation and the Southern Missouri BKD Foundation.

First job? A server at Pizza Hut. I interviewed the day I turned 16.

How do you make the Ozarks better? Being on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks. Having a mentor is really critical for children to be able to seek higher aspirations, have greater confidence and achieve educational success.

What about your job would shock people? As an auditor, we can travel quite a bit, pre-COVID. When I started having children, my husband and children traveled with me on all of my out-of-town audits for the first five years before the oldest started school.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Sometimes, my direct nature can be a little much for some people. Learning to curb that when needed is an ongoing challenge but has been very helpful.

Recent TV show binge? “See” on Apple TV+.