She’s lived it, learned it, led it and now loves to share it with others. Strategic tax advisor Donna Urian brings her story of overcoming gender barriers in the workplace to this Wednesday’s Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce (GWCC) Education Series women’s roundtable.

“As a former single parent, manager and now equity female owner of a successful accounting firm, Donna Urian knows and understands the demands on women who are raising families, taking care of parents and often the sole financial support of their families,” her nominator said before she was honored as the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry’s Female Business Leader of the Year. She’s also been bestowed statewide Best 50 Women in Business as well as Women of Accomplishment accolades, and she’s the immediate past chairwoman of the GWCC.

Urian launched her successful career after becoming a single mom at 26 by pursuing her accounting degree at Delaware County Community College and Widener University — and working all the while. The ace student subsequently landed her first accounting job in Media and went on to earn a master’s degree and equity owner prestige — an elite national echelon where just 20 percent are women.

“Ms. Urian has worked as a mentor, catalyst and innovator for creating opportunities for women and business leaders in the region,” the nominator continued. “At Fischer Cunnane prior to obtaining ownership interest, she helped to establish successful flex-time opportunities for professional women within the firm. Donna also helped to create part-time, seasonal and co-op opportunities for women interested in balancing their education, personal and professional careers in public accounting. Many of those who benefited from the opportunity to balance their personal and professional careers are now women business owners and business leaders.”

That kind of wisdom is on tap at the GWCC’s Overcoming Gender Barriers in the Workplace event, which starts at 5:30 p.m. in the Faunbrook Bed & Breakfast. The Fischer Cunnane & Associates director of taxation possesses of love of learning and a commitment to giving back to the community, as her extensive list of local leadership positions demonstrates.

“Donna is a passionate champion for women in business,” her employer testified on the firm’s website.

Find out much more about this tireless advocate for women and her strategy for overcoming gender barriers in the workplace by emailing the GWCC here or signing up for the women’s roundtable here.