Tax Principal
Ani del Cerro-Fals
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Senior Manager
Peter lee
Working Parents of the Year
Check out some of Peter’s favorite photos!
My son’s favorite game is Monopoly. His strategy is to buy every property he lands on, no matter what. When asked, “Why did you buy that,” his answer is, “You never know.” I think he heard that from a lottery commercial, but it’s something I try to remember when dealing with any issues. It reminds me that doing something is better than not doing anything. Desired outcomes don’t happen all the time, but at least you can adjust your plans accordingly.
Are there any lessons that your children have taught you that you’ve applied in your day-to-day professional life?
Communication is key. Keeping others aware of your priorities, both at work and at home, allows you to ensure work is done and your spouse and kids are happy. The better your home and work plans and strategies are integrated, the easier your life will be.
What advice would you give to someone who is early in their working parent journey?
Flexibility and trust are key aspects of BDO’s culture that enable me to be a capable working parent. I have been fortunate to have colleagues — both peers and managers — who are supportive and available. Having such a strong support structure gives me confidence when planning how and when I work.
How has BDO helped you thrive as a working parent?
There are always uncertainties when it comes to decisions you make as you try to balance work and family. This recognition provides me with some validation that I’m doing OK in balancing these two important areas of my life.
What does being named a Working Parent of the Year mean to you?
My wife Jessica and I are raising two beautiful children, a three-year-old, Norah, and an eight-year-old, Drew. Like most parents, we have an active daily schedule that revolves around our children’s activities — juggling drop-off and pick-up times for sports, dance, piano lessons and play dates. When our children are not outside, we try to limit their screen time. Luckily, my better half is very creative when it comes to planning activities, so we play board games, cook or make arts and crafts.
Tell us a bit about your family and your life outside of work.
Check out some of Ani’s favorite photos!
I’m elated that the boys are dedicated to school and sports. But they have different personalities. Christopher is very serious, mature for his age and insightful. His demeanor motivates me to think before I speak and analyze situations carefully. Patrick, on the other hand, believes in the “YOLO” (You Only Live Once) mantra and finds moments to enjoy life. He teaches me to find joy, whether at work or at home. He’s a reminder that you have to have fun at work sometimes and find ways to connect with colleagues. The boys balance me out, and I am proud to be their mother.
Be patient with yourself and work toward your goals. Some days, work may take priority, while your personal life is the focal point other days. You are not going to be perfect, but you can get close! What helps in that journey is setting goals, no matter how impossible they seem, and working toward them. People can achieve more than they realize. I aim to go to sleep knowing I did the best I could that day as a mom or as a professional.
The firm is proactive in encouraging work+life fit and recognizes how important it is to everyone, especially parents. I believe you can be fully invested in your children’s lives and excel in your career. For me, it sets a standard for my boys. They don’t know anything else but having a working mom, and I can see them mimic that work ethic and commitment in the classroom and when they play sports.
Being Christopher and Patrick’s mom is my biggest priority. This honor is a marriage of what’s important to me: being a mom and being a professional. It validates how I live my life and brings genuine joy to my heart. This recognition also shows others that you can be a full-time parent while excelling at the firm.
I have a 15-year-old, Christopher, and a 12-year-old, Patrick — I call them “the boys.” My life outside of work is 100% about them, and they keep me busy! Christopher is a competitive swimmer and Patrick is a water polo player. I like to joke that they spend more time in chlorine and salt than on land. Outside of that, I like to practice yoga and spend time with family and friends since I thrive when I am around people.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Senior Manager
Peter Lee
Peter Lee Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Senior Manager
Ani del Cerro-Fals Tax Principal
My wife Laura and I are raising two beautiful children, a three-year-old, Norah, and an eight-year-old, Drew. Like most parents, we have an active daily schedule that revolves around our children’s activities — juggling drop-off and pick-up times for sports, dance, piano lessons and play dates. When our children are not outside, we try to limit their screen time. Luckily, my better half is very creative when it comes to planning activities, so we play board games, cook or make arts and crafts.
