2025 Dynamic Dozen Top Sales/Marketing Professional: Carly Taft

In her eight years with Forvis Mazars LLP, Carly Taft has become known for her ability to execute high-impact marketing campaigns.

As regional marketing senior leader, Taft leads a team of 15 marketers across 15 offices in eight states. She played a pivotal role in some of the firm’s most transformational initiatives – including two major rebranding efforts. Following the 2022 merger that created FORVIS and the 2024 launch of the global Forvis Mazars network, Taft led complex regional marketing strategies that ensured brand continuity and drove visibility in key markets.

“Rebranding a nearly 100-year-old company was no small feat, especially when everyone in the Springfield community knew about BKD,” Taft told SBJ in 2023, the year she was a 40 Under 40 honoree. “It was important that our clients and the community knew that our values and services were not changing just because we had a new name.”

The global scope of the change allowed her to execute a multifaceted rebranding plan involving ribbon cuttings, open houses and large sponsored events.

“Collaborating with team leaders nationwide, we effectively portrayed this merger to the Springfield community, meeting all milestones and staying focused on our goals,” says Taft. “I often jokingly referred to this as our Marketing Super Bowl – a project that only a small fraction of marketers experience in their careers, and our team successfully executed it twice.”

Seeing these team successes and collaborative wins has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her job, Taft says.

In 2024, Taft’s marketing leadership contributed to a 10.6% increase in invoiced revenue for the southern Missouri practice unit of Forvis Mazars, outpacing the firmwide average. Her highly tailored cross-serve campaign following the firm’s global expansion resulted in a 12.8% boost in consulting revenue. Taft has led over 65 combined events and sponsorships, contributing to a 2% increase in market share in targeted industries.

“Our organization boasts some of the most talented individuals I’ve ever had the honor to work with.” says Taft. “It is truly remarkable to watch them continuously push the boundaries of what is possible.”

Beyond her marketing achievements, Taft is deeply engaged in the Springfield community and nonprofits. She has served on the board of CASA of Southwest Missouri, held leadership roles within The Network for Springfield’s young professionals and actively volunteers with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. She also served multiple terms on the Forvis Mazars Foundation Committee, coordinating charitable giving and community outreach in Springfield, Joplin and Branson.