The way Rehmann does business today looks different than when we opened in 1941. We have evolved as a firm and continue to do so as our profession changes. One thing that has not changed is our focus on people and relationships.

“Put People First” is our most important value. As the world has become increasingly isolated, we remain committed to maintaining personal connections. A 2024 survey – Loneliness in America: Just the Tip of the Iceberg – found 21% of adults reported serious feelings of loneliness. We have worked to address this among our employees through both intentional connection and technology. We hold in-person meetings when possible and encourage regular check-ins like having lunch together. To ensure our in-office, remote, and hybrid employees have opportunity to connect, we’ve created RCommunity, an online space where people get to know others with similar interests. We are also creating a virtual office so fully remote employees can still have shared experiences.

This is the same approach we take with clients, meeting them both in person and virtually. We also hold special events like golf outings or happy hours and leverage our partnership with the Detroit Red Wings for suite nights.

We recently implemented a digital transformation of our business. This includes a client experience site that is intuitive and tailored to meet the needs of our clients. Innovations like our client concierge program create a personalized onboarding experience for new clients through both technology and one-on-one personal guidance. Even tools like Zoom and Outlook allow us to connect our clients with an entire team of advisors across service lines and locations. Our commitment to technology and innovation is always about providing better service for our clients and helping our employees succeed.

In 2024, we saw the rise of AI, which presents amazing opportunities. Our employees, for example, are leveraging AI to streamline administrative tasks and be more efficient. In turn, they have more time to pursue their passions, which increases engagement. A 2024 survey by Slack found AI users reported higher scores in work-life balance (26%) and overall job satisfaction (31%). It is exciting to see what we can achieve using AI, but we must always remind ourselves it is a tool used by people, for people.

With so much of our lives automated or governed by technology, it is refreshing to actually talk with someone. By building personal connections with our clients, we learn so much about their needs, goals, and how we can empower their purpose. We are committed to offering the best experience for our clients and employees and, at Rehmann, that means technology enhances our personalized approach but does not replace it. As you’ll see in our 2024 Annual Report, it is a key part of our success.

Stacie Kwaiser, CEO