Leadership in accounting is evolving, and our ‘Tis the Season to Lead’ campaign has spotlighted rising stars in the AG NEXT Accelerate program who are shaping the future of the profession. From emphasizing diverse leadership and strategic thinking to immersive mentorship and balancing flexibility with empathy, Matt, Nicole, and Ryan in parts one, two, and three of our ‘Tis the Season to Lead’ series have brought unique insights to the conversation.

In this final installment, we feature Culley Summers, a partner at Wipfli, who offers his perspective on the critical role of Change Leadership—not just setting a vision but inspiring others to overcome “change fatigue” and embrace transformation. Here’s a look at Culley’s insights into navigating change, fostering curiosity, and refining his leadership approach through the AG NEXT Accelerate program.

What’s the biggest misconception about leadership in accounting today, and how do you see yourself challenging that?

The pace of change in our profession continues to accelerate.  I think that we underestimate how important Change Leadership is to the continued success of the profession.  It’s not enough to set direction and create the vision.  We have to find ways to inspire others to push through the “change fatigue” created by the constant state of change.

When you look back at the moment you decided to pursue leadership, was there a particular experience or person who shaped that choice?

As I gained experience in public accounting, I found that I really enjoyed having an impact on clients as a Trusted Advisor.  At some point, I realized that a leadership role could provide the opportunity to expand my impact beyond clients and that I could help associates find a meaningful career in public accounting.  There have been several people along the way that had a positive impact on my journey.  We are all formed by the experiences that we accumulate during our careers.  I have been lucky to work with people who were willing to give me opportunities to accumulate those experiences.

AG Accelerate is ultimately about accelerating your vision, impact, and success—what’s one personal challenge or breakthrough that AG Accelerate has helped you with so far?

The program helped provide structure for my Change Leadership efforts.  I was aware of the various principles of Change Leadership, but I wasn’t consistent in how I applied those principles.  The program has helped me to apply a consistent approach to navigating change, which ultimately should lead to more consistent results.

In a world that’s rapidly automating, what human quality do you believe is essential for the future of leadership, and how do you nurture that in yourself?

I believe that “curiosity” is an important trait.  Curiosity is associated with a desire for continued learning, personal growth and innovation.  It leads us to ask questions that further our understanding of the opportunities to leverage automation, but also to better understand the roadblocks that we face in implementing change.  I believe that I am naturally curious, but I worry that I might rush to judgement on occasion.  As a result, I have challenged myself to ask one more question, even after I feel that I have all the information that I need.

What advice would you give to others considering joining AG Accelerate?

The program is a great opportunity to dive deeper on key leadership topics, preparing future leaders to influence, garner buy-in, navigate change, and lead diverse teams.  The facilitators (Diane, Brown, Jeannine Brown, Kassi Rushing, Gary Vickery) were outstanding.  I left every session energized with new thoughts on how to refine my approach as a leader.

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Culley Summers’ story exemplifies the kind of leadership the accounting profession needs: a commitment to structured Change Leadership, a drive to help others succeed, and a curiosity that fuels innovation. His reflections remind us that true leadership is about finding consistent, thoughtful ways to navigate change and inspiring others to do the same.

If Culley’s perspective resonates with you, connect with him on LinkedIn to learn more about his leadership journey and passion for driving impactful change.