Employer Highlight: Katz, Sapper & Miller
The Women’s Fund of Greater Fort Wayne is highlighting local organizations who are taking meaningful steps to support the women they employ and strengthen our broader community. These employers are turning insight into action and showing what progress can look like in practice.
What has motivated your organization to prioritize advancing women in the workplace?
At Katz, Sapper & Miller (KSM), our focus on advancing women in the workplace is rooted in our values and experience. We’ve seen firsthand that broadened perspectives lead to better outcomes for our clients and stronger teams internally. In an industry with a significant number of women entering the profession, we feel a responsibility to ensure there are clear pathways for growth, leadership, and long-term career success. By intentionally supporting and advancing women, we’re not only strengthening KSM but also contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable accounting industry.
Can you share one specific change or practice you’ve implemented that has made a meaningful difference for women on your team?
One meaningful practice at KSM has been our intentional focus on flexibility and individualized career paths. We recognize that people can do their best work in a variety of settings; that schedules may change and evolve over time; and that careers don’t have to follow a single, rigid trajectory to be successful.
Equally important, many of our leadership roles, particularly within our team, are held by women. That visibility matters. It sends a clear message to our largely female team that advancement is not only possible but expected and supported. Seeing women in leadership roles reinforces the idea that they are empowered to take ownership of their careers, pursue growth opportunities, and continue to progress over time.
Our Women’s Employee Resource Group (ERG) has been key in raising awareness and engagement. KSM’s Male Allies Program is part of this, and through my participation, I’ve seen firsthand how crucial it is for men to foster a respectful, supportive workplace where everyone’s voice is heard. It also highlighted that being an ally involves continuous learning, listening, humility, and advocacy. ERG hosted KSM’s first Women’s Conference last year, uniting colleagues, clients, and community to discuss allyship, advocacy, and supporting women. This demonstrated how open conversations can promote meaningful change.
By combining these efforts with flexible work arrangements and open conversations about career goals, we’ve been able to better support women navigating all stages of both their personal and professional lives. Our hope is that these efforts will improve retention and empower more women to envision a long-term future with KSM.
What have you learned along the way: either a challenge you’ve faced or something that surprised you?
One of the biggest lessons has been that progress requires ongoing attention and intentionality; it’s not something we can address once and consider “done.” I’ve also learned the importance of listening. Some of the most impactful changes have come from simply creating space for honest feedback and being willing to adapt. As a firm, we’ve been surprised by how small adjustments, like increasing transparency around career progression and creating more opportunities for mentorship, can significantly impact how supported people feel.
How has working with the Women’s Fund helped advance your goals of creating a more supportive workplace?
Engaging with the Women’s Fund provides valuable data, perspective, and accountability. Their research helps us better understand where gaps exist (not just broadly, but within our own community) and gives us a benchmark to measure our progress. Equally important, being part of this initiative connects us with other organizations that are committed to similar goals. It creates an opportunity to learn, share ideas, and continue evolving our approach to better support the women on our team.