Withum held its annual State of the Firm event on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), in Newark, NJ. This signature event for Withum brought nearly 1,800 team members together to celebrate 2025’s growth and set the stage for the year ahead. Withum’s CEO and Managing Partner, Pat Walsh, led the afternoon program.
Strategic Growth
In 2025, Withum strategically expanded into three new markets—Houston, Chicago and Western New York—deepening its regional presence, broadening its service offerings and strengthening team expertise across the Firm.
As we navigated a year defined by disruption from AI acceleration, evolving private equity landscapes and an ongoing war for talent, our growth has come from staying true to who we are. We’ve strengthened our Firm from within, remained optimistic about the opportunities ahead and doubled down on the values that have guided us for decades. Together, we’re proving that in today’s environment, staying true to self isn’t just possible—it’s a competitive advantage.
Pat Walsh, CEO and Managing Partner
Team members got a transparent look into Withum’s commitment to an independent, owner-operated model as Pat welcomed leaders from the Firm’s newest offices—Gary Voth, Steve Edelheit and Rich Wright—to the stage for a fireside chat. Their discussion explored the opportunities, considerations and shared vision behind joining Withum.
Our Firm’s growth is rooted in our people. When every team member serves as an ambassador of our values, we strengthen our people-first culture that empowers everyone to do their best work. That culture doesn’t just elevate our teams—it directly fuels our ability to deliver exceptional client service. When our people thrive, our clients feel the difference, and our Firm grows with purpose and integrity.
Theresa Richardson, Chief Talent Officer
Keynote With Travis Mills: “Never Give Up. Never Quit.”
The event’s centerpiece was a powerful keynote delivered by Veteran Staff Sergeant Travis Mills, whose extraordinary resilience and optimism left a lasting impact on everyone in attendance. As one of only five surviving quadruple amputees from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Travis shared his story with humor and heart.
Through reflections on his recovery and his work founding the Travis Mills Foundation, he offered a compelling reminder of what it means to persevere and lead with intention – offering perspectives on adapting to constantly evolving landscapes—a theme particularly relevant to today’s business environment.
2026 Withum Culture Video
Serving as the hallmark kickoff to State of the Firm, the highly anticipated culture video brought energy and a collaborative spirit, setting the tone for the event. This year’s video highlights the power of connection with a rhythm-driven dance-filled conga line.
The video showcases the unique personalities of each region, from across the U.S. to India, coming together as #OneWithum.
2026 Withum Strength Awards
A defining part of what makes Withum truly special is its people, who live the Withum Way daily. It’s a culture grounded in client centric values, a spirit of innovation, a collaborative mindset and a deep commitment to giving back to the community. The Withum Strength Awards honor those who have exemplified these values in remarkable ways over the past year.
This year’s winners, out of a total of 155 team-member-nominated candidates, are:
This Year's Winners
Melissa Bennett, Process Automation Coordinator, San Ramon, CA and Tim Straub, Senior Business Analyst, Philadelphia, PA
Dil Radia, Manager, East Brunswick, NJ
Michael Rasin, Senior Associate, Boston, MA
Hanna Ryan, Senior Accountant, Boston, MA
Christopher Vieira, Supervisor, Whippany, NJ
Candice Deligolia, Senior Advisor, Braintree, MA , Carly Benton, Manager, Orlando, FL and Carolina Carvalho, Senior Advisor, Red Bank, NJ
Maria Sciarrino, Senior Manager, Buffalo, NY
Courtney Easterday, Senior Manager, Whippany, NJ
Ottaviana De Ruvo, Engagement + Retention Strategist, NYC, NY
Want More Withum?
To get an inside look at the 2026 SOTF event, visit Withum’s Facebook page.