Meet Kareena Nihalani, Associate Director - Melbourne
Kareena is an Associate Director in our Business Advisory team based in the Melbourne office. She began her career as a Graduate Accountant over 12 years ago and has steadily advanced during this time. Kareena has been part of the Women@ForvisMazars committee since 2017 and has actively participated in activities supporting the development and advancement of women. She mentors her team, provides training, and has served on the Training committee for several years. Kareena promotes a positive culture and fosters relationships with clients, colleagues, and her network.
In her professional capacity, Kareena advises clients on tax compliance, business structuring, and various tax-related matters with a strong focus on understanding her clients' needs and delivering high-quality service.
What does International Women's Day mean to you?
Personally, IWD serves as a reminder of the importance of creating an inclusive workspace where everyone, regardless of gender, feels empowered to thrive. For me, gender equality isn’t just about equal representation but ensuring that all people, regardless of gender, have access to the same opportunities, resources, and respect.
In your opinion, what are the key ways to #AccelerateAction towards equality and positively impact the advancement of women?
To #AccelerateAction and positively impact the advancement of women I believe equality requires a combination of systemic change, individual responsibility, and collective commitment. Key initiatives that I believe play a key role in achieving this include flexible working arrangements especially for working mums, creating supportive communities to provide a safe space for females to learn how to enhance soft skills through external speakers, networking opportunities and other training, which is exactly what our Women@Forvis Mazars program offers. Lastly, mentorship and a supportive & inclusive culture where women feel comfortable are extremely important.
How do you think International Women's Day can influence the perception of women in leadership roles?
International Women’s Day (IWD) provides a platform to celebrate and highlight the achievements of women who have already broken barriers in leadership, while also emphasising the need for greater representation and equality in leadership positions.
In essence, International Women's Day helps to shift perceptions by challenging outdated norms, celebrating the women already in leadership, and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
What impact have mentors and role models had on your career development?
My mentors and role models have had a lasting impact on my career development and progression in several ways. Since I was a graduate, I have been fortunate to have successful women in high-ranking positions around me that made me feel like it was not impossible for me to achieve that one day too.
Those same mentors provided meaningful guidance & support at every step of the way and have inspired me with their valuable insights that have shaped my professional career today.
How do you support young talent and emerging leaders at Forvis Mazars, and what motivated you to get involved?
Supporting young talent and emerging leaders is crucial for our growth and ensuring the future of diverse and effective leadership. Through personalised mentorship, professional development opportunities, providing regular and constructive feedback and giving young talent & emerging leaders opportunities to take on more responsibility. What motivated me was the passion for developing future leaders, which is the part of my role that I enjoy the most.
Having begun as a graduate with the firm and progressed to a senior position, what factors do you believe have been most influential in your career advancement?
To progress from a graduate role to a senior position for me it was about more than just putting in the hours. It was seeing the people around me in a more senior positions managing day to day work (seeing them deal with their clients & colleagues) and trying to emulate these skills & learning from them. It also requires a mix of continuous personal and professional development, building lasting relationships, demonstrating leadership, and delivering tangible results. I believe, every step you take should align with both your personal career goals and our broader vision at Forvis Mazars.