Forvis Mazars for Good 2024: a lesson in determination and perseverance

Hello, Aurelia, thank you for accepting our invitation and joining the discussion today. Firstly, let’s get to know you a little bit better, what is your current role within the company and what does a normal day in your life look like?  

Thank you for the invitation, I'm glad to be part of the discussion. Currently, I hold the position of Manager within the Audit department at Forvis Mazars in Romania.

It’s important to mention that each day of my life starts, first and foremost, with a good coffee. After that, I make time to go through the to-do list for the day, read my emails or any other information delivered to me, and start prioritising my team’s tasks. Afterwards, I can dedicate a good portion of my time and focus on the client that I’m working on that specific day. I go on and draft the audit strategy, identifying the risks and making sure that I am completely connected to the requests and needs of my client.

Each day brings new challenges and opportunities, through my role as manager, making my job more dynamic and interesting.

Where did this passion for sport originate and how did it become an important part of your life? What is the recipe for success, when it comes to incorporating such a passion into your life, besides a successful career like yours?

The passion for sport made its way into my life about a year and a half ago when I was navigating a more difficult period. Thus, I used sport as a way of channeling my energy towards something positive.

At the same time, this passion found a place in my life through my mentor, who is, in his own right, a sports passionate. I could observe from the outside the significant impact that sport had on him, helping him maintain a healthy balance between his personal and professional life, given the recurrent challenges and high standards that come with the audit profession.

I am an ambitious person myself, and so my passion is directly influenced by the level of each challenge. At the same time, the exercise improves my well-being, allows me to disconnect from the daily stress and each kilometer translates to more energy and a healthier body. Gradually, I have discovered that sport represents the element that restores the equilibrium in my life and complements my professional success.

What impact did it have on your life and well-being?

As I mentioned above, the energy I get through sport helps me create the balance that I need between all aspects of my life. Sport also represents discipline. I’ve managed to not let the stress have such a big impact on my behaviour, or my personal and professional relationships. It helps me stay grounded, and more focused, approaching every challenge with a clear mind.  

You were the winner of this year’s Forvis Mazars for Good challenge, what motivated you to participate and use your efforts to make an impact?

It’s important to mention the fact that my result this year positioned me in the third spot of the ranking, at the end of the Forvis Mazars for Good challenge. However, the colleagues ranking first and second were very generous, allowing me to receive the prize, for which I am deeply thankful!

What motivated me? Although I keep track of my running kilometers, the fact that I could transform each one of them into a real help for the community was what brought me joy and motivated me to keep going. I love helping people, regardless of the effort involved and I always try to transform this into a good outcome, for me and for the people I am helping.

How did you measure your progress and milestones throughout the challenge? Did you have any particular goals in mind that you wanted to achieve?

I can’t say that I’m used to setting specific goals for myself when it comes to sport, most of the time I like to listen to my body and my intuition, letting them guide me. I admit, though, that the more I run, the greater my satisfaction becomes.

What I’ve committed to is to continue exercising, to not use fatigue or the lack of energy as an excuse in situations when I don’t end up training, and to always maintain my good spirit and positive energy.

Through this accomplishment, you were given the opportunity to participate in this year’s edition of the Budapest Half Marathon. How was your experience there?

Although at the beginning I was a little intimidated by the idea, given that I had only participated in one other marathon and I was going alone, upon reflection, I realised that I had the ability to turn it into an interesting, unique experience, that would come with valuable lessons, no matter the outcome.

That’s exactly what happened! Through my participation, I learned how to handle a new, unfamiliar environment on my own. I learned that the fear of talking to people I don’t know gradually fades as I start to embrace the experience and the new situation I’m in.

At the marathon, you were joined by our colleagues from the CEE region. How was it to share that experience with them, did you manage to build new connections at the regional level?

It was an amazing experience! I met some really great people in Budapest who encouraged me to finish the whole 10 kilometers, even though the weather conditions were far from ideal, due to the excessive heat.

I met Iryna, the colleague who won the challenge in Ukraine and also participated in the marathon. Her positive energy and enthusiasm offered me comfort and trust, contributing to the overall experience. At the same time, I had the pleasure of meeting our colleagues from the Budapest office, who welcomed me with open arms and with whom I shared many stories and experiences.

Lastly, what piece of advice would you like to share with people who want to get involved, eager to make an impact through their actions?

I would love to share a reflection, rather than a piece of advice, based on my experience so far. I would say that it is essential for each of us to experience as much as possible and to gradually push our limits with each action. In this way, we will manage to understand which actions and initiatives truly have a significant impact on our lives, as well as on the lives of others.

Thank you, Aurelia, for your lovely insights and congratulations on your amazing results! I’m sure your experience will serve as inspiration for our readers and will motivate more and more people to incorporate the sport and physical activity into their lives. Forvis Mazars for Good challenge returns next year, with new success stories and experiences!