Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stephanie Hensel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Stephanie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been one of the most interesting investments you’ve made – and did you win or lose? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

I’ve had a lot of firsts in my family. I was the first to go to college, the first to earn an internship, and the first to study abroad. Of all those milestones, the best investment I ever made was studying abroad, even though at first, it terrified me. The thought of living in another country for five months, and doing it alone, felt overwhelming. The culture shock of moving to Ireland hit quickly, but within a month I had friends from all over the world and started to feel at home. Stepping outside of my comfort zone taught me life lessons I could never have learned in a classroom, and I grew more in those months than I ever expected. The places I visited, the connections I built, and the things I discovered about myself will stay with me forever.

Studying abroad wasn’t just an investment in myself, it was an investment in my future. When I returned, I began helping other students pursue their own international experiences through my school’s study abroad office. I also continued building on my own: a short program in Costa Rica, a business competition in Thailand, and, this summer, volunteering in Laos. These opportunities deepened my passion for connecting with people across cultures, a passion that now drives so much of what I do.

And while the personal growth was the greatest reward, the professional impact was undeniable. Studying abroad didn’t just enrich my life, it also strengthened my resume. I’ll never know for sure why Deloitte offered me an internship, but I’m certain my global experiences helped. What once seemed like the scariest decision ended up being the smartest one. Choosing to study abroad was, and always will be, my best investment.

Stephanie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve loved accounting ever since high school. Believe it or not, it clicked for me the day my teacher played the silly “Debit Credit Theory” song. From that moment on, I knew accounting was for me. I chose the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater because of its reputation as the best business school in Wisconsin, and it turned out to be the perfect choice.

During my time there, I explored every opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. Studying abroad became a turning point for me, sparking a passion for international business and showing me how much global experiences shape the way we work and connect. That perspective, paired with my love for accounting, gave me the chance to intern with Deloitte just before my last semester of college. When the summer ended, I signed my full-time offer to return as a Tax Consultant.

What drew me to tax is the combination of strategy, detail, and impact. Businesses operate across borders, and tax is where law, finance, and culture intersect. I love helping people make sense of something complex, whether it’s students navigating study abroad or clients navigating international tax rules. What sets me apart is that global perspective—rooted in curiosity, resilience, and the ability to adapt to new environments.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In July 2024, I had the opportunity to compete in the X-Culture Global Business Week in Thailand. My team was made up of people from around the world, and our challenge was to propose two new locations for a real company to expand into. We put in hours of research and preparation, only to realize once we arrived in Thailand that our 15-minute presentation was overloaded with information. We had to cut nearly 80% of our work, which was tough after putting in so much effort.

Even after that, something didn’t sit right with me. As we got to know the company better during the week, I realized that instead of opening a new shop abroad, their best growth strategy would be tourism. It was a risk to bring this up so late in the process, but I convinced my team to cut even more of our material to make space for the new idea. That decision turned out to be the game-changer, and our team ended up winning the entire competition.

The experience reminded me that resilience isn’t just about pushing through challenges; it’s about being flexible, having the confidence to speak up, and adapting when the situation calls for it.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I had to unlearn was that asking for help is a sign of weakness. For a long time, I stayed quiet when I didn’t understand something. If someone asked whether I “got it,” I’d always say yes, even if I didn’t, and then struggle on my own. Over time, I realized that my mindset was holding me back. Once I started asking questions, admitting when I didn’t understand, and seeking help when I needed it, my life changed for the better. Not only did I learn faster, but I also built stronger relationships with mentors, teammates, and professors. Now I see asking for help as a strength. It shows you’re willing to learn, and it opens the door to collaboration and growth.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: stephaileen2
• Linkedin: Stephanie Hensel