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Attending Indiana University in Bloomington.
When you graduated from high school, what did you think you wanted to be as an adult?
A career in business and to have a leadership role. I also knew I wanted to get married and have children.
Was there an event in the last 20 years that had a great impact on your aspirations and/or career path?
After starting my family, I considered leaving public accounting to work in corporate accounting. This self-reflection helped me understand the growth opportunities I would be leaving behind if I left the firm. After multiple conversations with the partners and others, I felt confident that Ernst & Young would support my desire to have a satisfying career and a meaningful family life.
Have you been mentored by (or had any significant interactions with) previous Forty Under 40 honorees?
I have had significant interactions with several Forty Under 40 leaders in the real estate industry, including David Simon, John Kite and Tom McGowan. They are each highly driven, have foresight and vision and achieve excellence.
Where/what do you want to be 20 years from now?
Retired! I also hope to remain committed to lending my skills and talents to the not-for-profit organizations that inspire me.
Assurance Partner, Ernst & Young LLP
Age: 39
As an assurance partner at Ernst & Young LLP, Robyn Werner leads a team of 50 professionals to serve the auditing and accounting needs of clients including Simon Property Group, Kite Realty Group and St. Vincent Health.
When most people hear “audit,” they think of the IRS. The audits Werner’s team handles are different.
“These are to give the markets comfort that the amounts the organizations are reporting as their earnings are in fact proper,” she said.
She relishes working in a team environment and her role as a mentor. It’s also important to her that she’s been able to have a demanding and successful career and still have a family.
“It always comes down to a matter of balance, doesn’t it,” she mused.
“I had sort of an ah-ha moment a few years ago when I was mentoring someone through the CPA exam,” she recalled. “It made me realize that one of the things that life is all about is making a difference in people’s lives.”
She always knew she wanted to work as a leader in the business world. At Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, the Batesville native focused on finance and math. She joined Ernst & Young’s Indianapolis office in 2002 and became a partner in 2008. Before that, she worked for Arthur Andersen.
Werner, her husband Bryan and their three sons ages 4, 7 and 10, live in Greenwood.
As treasurer of the central Indiana chapter of Boy Scouts of America (Crossroads of America Council), she chairs the finance committee and is a member of the council’s executive committee. She advises the board on initiatives and strategic planning.
The fire a year ago that destroyed the new Scout Training Center at Camp Belzer in Indianapolis presented some unusual challenges, she said.
She has also been involved with the American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis for about 10 years, five on its audit committee and now on the advisory board.•
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