Bruce Zicari

CEO & Managing Partner, The Bonadio Group

Years in current role: 3

What was your biggest success in 2021?

One of our biggest successes was the way we responded to a shift in employee needs while fiercely protecting our company culture. Many businesses have struggled to adapt to what employees are looking for in terms of flexibility and connectivity. As a firm, we effectively gathered data and feedback, developed strategies and policies, and monitored the response. We developed our Flexible Work Model, which empowered our people to make decisions about how and where they work to ultimately benefit them as individuals and as members of a broader team. All the while, we were able to build upon and enhance our purpose-driven culture, which centers around poviding opportunity, strengthening community and inspiring growth. I’m extremely proud of the way we came together during a very difficult time.

What are your expectations for 2022?

I expect that businesses in all industries will have a continued focus on the employee experience in 2022. People are now looking for more than just a job – they are looking to join a company driven by purpose and core values that align with their own personal values. As a result, recruiting and retention and employee satisfaction will continue to be extremely important in the year ahead and beyond. Over the past year, we saw major changes in how and where we do business. As our firm, we laid the foundation for addressing this changing dynamic, but in 2022 we will continue to develop strategies and executive plans that we developed throughout 2021. Companies will need to take great care of their people moving forward to ensure they are providing an experience that engages their employees.

What is your biggest takeaway from dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic?

As a firm, we learned that regardless of the changing nature of work, we need to protect our culture at all costs as it’s what makes us unique and makes our people feel proud to work at Bonadio. We can’t have a great firm or find success without a great culture. We worked very hard to create an environment for our people that values flexibility while also protecting connectivity.

What is your favorite thing about the Rochester community?

I really value the way the people in this community come together to do great things for those in need. There are so many generous and loyal people in Rochester, and when you ask for their support to help do good, they never fail to come through, specifically as it relates to charitable endeavors. I get to see this commitment firsthand every year – my family’s non-profit, Nancy & Friends Fighting Cancer, Inc., holds an annual fundraising event to support those impacted by cancer. And once again this year, our community members came together in a huge way to support the cause and raise funds and awareness.

If time were no issue, what would you do to help the community that you aren’t already doing?

I would want to help address the poverty rate and the lack of quality education in the Rochester community. As of 2020, Rochester was the third on the list of the 10 poorest U.S. metropolitan areas and, as we know, the root cause of poverty is lack of education. It’s so important for the business community to come together and do more for those who lack resources and access to quality education. I hope to continue to do more in this space in the years to come.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 100 list for 2022. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.