This week's Meet the Roger CPA Review Team Q&A Series is with Madeleine Cheezum, Product & Marketing Director. Learn more about her acting background, why she's passionate about being creative, and who inspires her most.
What do you do at Roger CPA Review?
In a nutshell, my focus is on brand synergy. I bridge the gap between product development and marketing….making sure one equals the other. In other words, if we’re going to communicate to the world that our program is “Efficient, Effective, Enjoyable,” it better actually be “Efficient, Effective AND Enjoyable.”
So my job is to work with every department in our company to build that brand experience—whether it be on our site, in our online course, in our academic materials, in our business interactions, or through our outward communications like advertising and social media, etc… When you engage with Roger CPA Review, it should be clear that we’re a genuine, supportive bunch of people that truly enjoy seeing the success of our students and clients.
What’s your favorite thing about working at Roger CPA Review?
Well, having worked here since 2007, clearly I like the place! So it’s hard to narrow in on just one. Therefore, I’m going to use my tenure as an excuse to cheat and pick two. First of all, I love how the work I get to do is always changing. Since I began my career here, I’ve seen the company continuously grow and evolve. We’re constantly pushing ourselves to meet and surpass market demands, and it definitely keeps me on my toes. Every year we shoot for bigger and better goals, and in turn I’m presented with exciting new challenges every month, every week, and every day!
Secondly, I just love the people. I am continuously inspired by this smart, creative, and hardworking bunch. They’re pretty fun to hang out with too!
How does your current position influence what you’re passionate about?
I have always been passionate about the arts. Growing up I played viola in several orchestra and string groups, and I’ve always been involved in the theatre. In fact, I’ve stayed pretty active in the theatre as an actor until recently when we decided to start a family (I hope to be back on stage soon!).
Anyway—sorry for the tangent—having an artistic background, I always knew I wanted the opportunity to be creative in my work. For this reason, I went to school for the creative side of advertising, which lent itself well to my current role. I get to write, work in design, and come up with creative strategies to further our business. Who knew CPA Review could fill a creative need?
Who has impacted you most in your life and how?
I’m going to have to go pretty cliché on this one and start with my parents. Having been born to two working theatre actors in New York City, it’s no wonder my passions lie where they do (they’re now an engineer and a teacher—go figure!). But there’s so much more. My parents have always let me be who I wanted to be, all while inspiring me to push myself further. They also instilled a code of ethics and kindness in me that I continuously strive to live by.
I also have to give a huge shout out to my husband. After I graduated from grad school, I told him I wanted to start my career someplace other than Florida (where we both had spent the majority of our lives), and that I was ready for something new. I gave him the choice between New York and California. He barely flinched when I booked myself a one way ticket to the Golden State almost instantaneously after hearing his choice. The point is, he has supported me through my career, and I hope to do the same with him. We are now starting a new chapter together as parents, and it’s been amazing seeing him as a dad. We’ve got each other’s backs, and I couldn’t ask for anything more!
If you could go back in time and do one thing over again, what would it be and why?
So remember how I told you how awesome my family is? If I could go back to one moment, it would be thanking those incredible people at my grad school graduation speech. I was up on the podium showcasing the work I’d done over the past two years. When it came to the moment of “thank you”s, I hadn’t written any notes, and became a bit flustered. I searched the crowd and started thanking the random professors and classmates that popped out at me in the audience. Those named were of course worth thanking, but they weren’t the people who had been supporting me through my entire journey. The moment I started walking back to my seat, I realized that I had forgotten the people that mattered most and knew it was too late for a “public” thank you. I did my best to make it up ten-fold in person, but it wasn’t quite the same.
I just think it’s so important to show gratitude to those who have been with you since the beginning. So if I could have a redo moment that would be it!
What piece of career or life advice would you give to recent college graduates?
To dovetail off of what I said above, don’t forget the people who got you to where you are. Be humble, write thank you notes, and pay it forward. If you build a strong support network, you’ll always have someone there to help lift you when you stumble.
What is your favorite quote or mantra?
“Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans” – John Lennon (Beautiful Boy)
How do you plan to enjoy the spring/summer season?
My little girl turns one this month, and I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone! This summer I plan to savor the moments and enjoy watching her grow and learn. It’s so amazing to see the world through her eyes!
Past Q&A Series
Dallas Miles - Content Marketing & Social Media Manager
Morgan Forsythe - Director of Operations and Special Projects
Paul Wiese - Director of Business Development
Armin Lindegger - Project Coordinator
Eva Arnold, CPA - Course Coordinator
Lindsey Boehme - Project Manager
Charlotte Roberts - Vice President of eLearning
Shirley Claude - Business Development Manager
Rick Antonio - Customer Care Representative
Chris Steyer - Customer Care Supervisor
Christine Nguyen - Content Coordinator
Ashley Barnhart - Senior Marketing Coordinator
Matt Boronkay - Marketing Analyst
Toni Williams - Senior Southeast Representative
Tyler Skelton - Senior West Coast Representative
Darren Thomas-Menter - Operations Manager
Jessica Thumati, CPA - Director of Strategic Planning & Development
Sara Popken - Director of eCommerce
Mitra Wilson - Associate Director of Strategic Alliances
Kristin Lynes - Vice President
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