John Garrett, people-centric leadership expert, will lead an engaging, conversational discussion with Nick Bruner, Rushton; Drew Haddock, DMJPS; and Lisa Schmidt, Honkamp; exploring what it really means to build and sustain a people‑centric culture inside a CPA firm. Together, they will share candid insights on balancing performance expectations with authentic leadership, overcoming common mindset barriers, and creating environments where employees feel connected, valued, and motivated. The panel will highlight simple, practical ways firms are strengthening relationships, developing stronger leaders, and improving retention without overcomplicating their approach. Attendees will also gain perspective on the business impact of culture, including how investing in people drives both performance and long‑term profitability. This session is ideal for managing partners and firm leaders looking to elevate their talent strategy while maintaining strong financial results.