When Karine Philippon reflects on her journey, she doesn’t describe it as a carefully mapped plan or a linear progression. Instead, it is a story shaped by uncertainty, bold decisions, and a consistent willingness to step outside her comfort zone. Each chapter of her career has required her to adapt, to rebuild, and to trust her instincts even when the path ahead was unclear.
Today, as managing partner for California and Arizona at Forvis Mazars US, she leads with that same mindset—one rooted not only in technical excellence, but in authenticity, empathy, and a deep belief in people. She has crossed oceans, rebuilt her credentials in a foreign language, and launched an office from scratch with nothing more than conviction and three colleagues. But what truly sets her apart is not the impressive arc of her resume. It is the quiet, consistent way she mentors the next generation, champions women to trust their instincts, and measures her success not in revenue figures alone, but in the careers she helps launch and the culture of belonging she builds one authentic connection at a time. Her leadership style is not something she learned in a classroom; it was forged through experience, challenge, and personal reinvention.
A Leap Into the Unknown
Karine began her professional journey in France after completing her studies at Université Paris Dauphine. Like many young professionals entering public accounting, she focused on building a strong technical foundation and learning the fundamentals of the profession. Early on, however, she felt a pull toward something broader—a desire to experience different markets, cultures, and ways of doing business.
That curiosity led her to request an international secondment to the U.S. just a few years into her career. The timing, however, was far from ideal. She arrived in September 2008, in the midst of the global financial crisis, when uncertainty defined both the economy and the profession.
What could have been a short-term assignment quickly became a defining moment. Moving to a new country, operating in a second language, and building credibility in an unfamiliar environment required resilience and humility. She had to re-establish herself—not just technically, but personally and professionally.
Those early experiences shaped her perspective in profound ways. They taught her that growth often happens in discomfort, and that adaptability is not optional—it is essential. Coupled with the discipline of retaking her exams to become a U.S. CPA within a single year, this mindset cemented the philosophy that now guides her every decision: be flexible, be agile, and meet every challenge with the willingness to learn. It is this same empathetic, adaptable core that defines her leadership today, creating a safe space where her teams can be themselves.
“What started as a short-term assignment quickly became a long-term opportunity to build something meaningful,” Karine says. “I saw the chance to grow in a new environment, challenge myself, and contribute in a different way. At each step, staying open to change and focused on the long term made the decision to stay a natural one.”
Choosing to start over—on purpose
Years into her career in the U.S., Karine faced another pivotal moment. Karine Philippon had established herself in the Los Angeles market, built strong client relationships, and was progressing on a clear and stable trajectory.
Then came an opportunity that would once again challenge her to step into the unknown: the chance to open a newly branded Mazars office in Los Angeles.
It meant starting over—rebuilding visibility, reestablishing a brand, and taking on the uncertainty of something new when she had already built something solid. The decision required both professional courage and personal conviction.
“It wasn’t the easy choice,” she acknowledges. “I had already built relationships and a strong foundation. But I kept coming back to the long-term impact—what I could build, not just for myself, but for others.”
She took the leap.
When the office opened in November 2017, it began with just four professionals. Over time, that small team evolved into a growing practice of approximately 60 professionals serving a diverse client base across multiple industries, including technology, manufacturing, and distribution. The success of the office was not just measured by numbers, but by the culture that was built along the way. Simultaneously, her scope expanded globally as she became the technology sector leader for the Mazars group worldwide.
For Karine, building a practice was never just about expanding a portfolio. It was about creating an environment where people could grow, contribute, and see a future for themselves.
Leadership through transformation
As her career progressed, Karine Philippon’s role expanded beyond building a practice to helping shape the broader direction of the firm. In September 2022, she was elected to the Mazars USA board, a milestone that brought with it both responsibility and perspective. The role demanded an entirely different kind of courage, carrying the weight of representing the partners who had placed their trust in her.
From that position, she played a role in the discussions leading to the combination with FORVIS—one of the most significant developments in the firm’s history. The experience required balancing strategic thinking with long-term vision, always considering what the firm could become and how it could serve its people and clients in the future.
“You begin to think differently at that level,” she explains. “It’s not just about today’s decisions, but about the legacy you are helping to build.”
Following the combination, her leadership responsibilities continued to grow. She now oversees the California and Arizona practice and more than 100 people, working with a large and diverse team across the region.
Despite this expanded scope, her perspective on success has remained consistent. Growth, in her view, is not an objective in itself. It is the natural outcome of alignment—when people, values, and client needs come together in the right way. Her goal now is ambitious: to grow brand recognition across the West Coast, an emerging market where Forvis Mazars is determined to become a leader through purposeful expansion in the years ahead.
A leadership philosophy rooted in people
At the heart of Karine Philippon’s approach are two defining principles: authenticity and listening.
Authenticity, for her, is about consistency—being the same person in every environment and making decisions that align with her values. It requires honesty, even when it is difficult, and the confidence to stay true to one’s perspective in the face of external pressures.
Listening is equally central to her leadership. Throughout her career, she has learned that the most valuable insights often come from those closest to the work. Creating space for those voices is not just a cultural priority—it is a strategic advantage.
“For me, listening means being fully present and genuinely open to perspectives that may differ from your own. The best ideas often come from those closest to the work, and it’s our responsibility as leaders to create space for those voices. When people feel heard, it builds trust and leads to better outcomes for our teams and our clients.”
This philosophy has helped her build strong, collaborative teams where individuals feel valued and empowered. It has also reinforced her belief that leadership is not about having all the answers, but about creating the conditions for others to succeed.
Navigating change in the profession
The accounting profession is evolving rapidly, shaped by new technologies, changing client expectations, and broader structural shifts. Among these changes is the increasing presence of private equity, which is transforming how firms think about ownership and growth.
In this evolving landscape, Karine Philippon sees deep, enduring value in maintaining a partner-led model—one that emphasizes stewardship, continuity, and long-term thinking. For her, the strength of this model lies in its focus on people and relationships rather than short-term outcomes.
“It’s about building something sustainable,” she explains. “Something that can be passed on, developed, and grown over time.”
This perspective aligns with her broader view of leadership: that success is not measured only by immediate results, but by the lasting impact on people, culture, and the organization as a whole.
Connecting global perspective with delivering an unmatched client experience®
Karine’s international experience continues to shape how she approaches client service. Having worked across borders, she understands that technical knowledge alone is not always enough. Context—cultural, regulatory, and strategic—matters just as much.
An early experience in her career brought this into sharp focus. Supporting a U.S. client involved in a French transaction, she was able to identify critical differences in accounting standards that influenced how financial results were interpreted. Philippon’s bicultural fluency enabled her to deliver a critical insight that directly impacted the target’s reported revenues and, ultimately, the purchase price itself. This insight helped inform key decisions and highlighted the importance of understanding both sides of a cross-border engagement.
“That experience stayed with me,” she reflects. “It reinforced how important it is to bring the right perspective at the right time, which creates real value and strengthens long-term relationships. That trust is what drives me to maintain a consistently high standard of service.”
Today, that same principle guides her interactions with clients. Whether navigating complexity or advising on strategic decisions, she focuses on delivering clarity, building trust, and adding value beyond technical knowledge.
Supporting the next generation
One of the areas Karine Philippon is most passionate about is mentoring and supporting future leaders. She is particularly committed to helping women navigate their careers and overcome the hesitation that can sometimes hold them back.
Her advice is grounded in her own experiences—moments when she chose to move forward despite uncertainty.
“Trust yourself,” she says. “Too often, we overthink decisions or wait until we feel completely ready. Growth doesn’t happen that way. It happens when you take that step, even if it feels uncomfortable.”
She emphasizes the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and staying true to one’s identity. By sharing her own journey—the challenges as well as the successes—she aims to create a path that feels more accessible to others.
Looking ahead
For Karine Philippon, leadership is an ongoing journey rather than a final destination. Each chapter of her career was defined not by a rigid plan, but by the courage to say yes to uncomfortable opportunities and the authenticity to remain grounded through every twist and turn. Her story transcends the management of a profit and loss statement; it is about deliberately architecting a culture where the next generation can see a genuine future, where clients receive an unmatched, globally informed experience that feels deeply personal, and where the firm’s independence becomes a platform for sustainable, purpose-driven growth.
As the firm continues to expand its presence across California and Arizona, her focus remains clear: building something meaningful. That means strengthening teams, deepening client relationships, and creating an environment where people can thrive.
It also means staying grounded in the values that have guided her from the beginning—authenticity, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous growth.
Her story is ultimately one of possibility: what can happen when you take bold but thoughtful choices, remain open to change, and stay true to who you are. In a profession that is constantly evolving, her approach offers a reminder that the most enduring success is built not just on knowledge, but on human connection and purpose.
Key takeaways:
- Walking toward what scares you every breakthrough you’re hoping for is quietly waiting on the other side of fear.
- Be yourself, unapologetically the world needs your honest voice, not a polished version designed to please everyone.
- Pause and truly listen, especially to those who look up to you, wisdom often whispers from the most unexpected corners.
- Build something that outlives you, a legacy handed down with love is worth more than any investor’s return.
- Carry your roots with pride. Your unique story is not a hurdle, but the very bridge that connects you to others.
- Trust that quiet voice inside you that has always known the way, even when the world makes you doubt it.
