Written by Gia Croos Peterson
Graphics by Rachna Setlur
In the heart of the San Jose financial district, where technology meets innovation, Holly Newman stands as a testament to what it means to be an influential businesswoman. Newman, a distinguished Tax Partner at Ernst and Young, got her start in audit and worked her way up to the top. Her perseverance in a male-dominated field isn’t just a story about rising through the ranks; it's an odyssey of dedication and determination to overcome challenges head-on. She stands as an inspiration to many women and wants the women coming out of Cal Poly to know you’ve “got what it takes.”
Newman’s journey started at UCSB, where she found herself in an introductory accounting class. There, she noticed that all of the accounting students seemed to be graduating with jobs, especially the TAs leading the breakout groups. She said she was “impressed by them” and eventually became a TA herself. This led her to an audit internship opportunity at EY, where she later accepted a full-time offer. With her career laid out ahead, Newman strived to deliver results, and this meant finding a mentor.
In the initial phase of her career, she felt that she was in an adjustment period. Being fresh out of college left her feeling brand new and inexperienced in her line of work, but this didn’t stop her. When asked if she had any significant role models, Newman's immediate response was “absolutely!” As we spoke, it became clear that she doesn’t just have one mentor, but rather an array of them. Different sections of her career called for different voices of leadership. While she was learning the ropes as an intern, she was paired with other colleagues who helped her hone in on her professional skills. As she gained knowledge and expertise she became confident in her skillset, which contributed to her seeking people to build her leadership skills. She found mentors that helped build her confidence through their continuous support both professionally and personally. Early on, a mentor taught her the importance of giving it your all. This advice propelled her into delivering exceptional results throughout all of her roles.
One of Newman’s mentors, one of the other female partners at the firm, honed in on the importance of keeping doors open because you never know what opportunities will land at your feet, although this doesn’t mean you have to say yes to everything. It’s good to know your limits and have realistic expectations of yourself. It's important to always put your best foot forward, but you should never overpromise and under-deliver. Utilizing this knowledge allowed her to thrive in the tax field.
When Holly Newman started working for EY, there were only 4 partners that were women in the San Francisco Bay Area where Newman worked. She looked up to EY’s “lady partners” and would often watch them at meetings. She analyzed how they would talk and walk across the room with confidence, and she wished to imitate their strength and poise. Newman also realized that she had her individual set of strengths and weaknesses that differed from her role models. This new self-awareness allowed her to use her skill set to be the best version of herself, which was the key to her success.
Newman devoted many hours to her work in the office, but what truly set her apart was the dedication she put into cultivating her personal growth and well-being. Becoming the best version of yourself is the best way to take advantage of your individuality– it is empowering and gives way to building authentic relationships. Leading with originality will make you stand out amongst the crowd and give you a newfound identity in who you are meant to be. From your culture to your unique perspective, it’s important to embrace your true self.
After serving over 30 years at EY, Newman has entered a new position — as retired! She started her journey in 1992 and has created a lasting impact across the entire firm. Following the announcement of her retirement on LinkedIn, she received an abundance of congratulations and warm wishes in her comment section. As her chapter at EY closes, a new section of her life begins, and she couldn't be more excited for what lies ahead.
Newman wanted to leave readers of The Wire with the advice to “Be confident. People will react to it because the women coming out of Cal Poly are smart, have gained experience, have intellectual curiosity, and good communication skills. The next step is for other people to tap into that.” Leaving the conversation with this advice reminded me that the world is at our fingertips; you just have to reach out and grab it. It’s okay to create your own path and pave it in a way no one has before you. Being true to ourselves allows us to grow personally and encourage others to value their individuality, creating a community where success is paved with authenticity and self-confidence.