From Numbers to Nurture: How Jacki Wolfe Is Redefining Leadership and Culture

In this episode of The Leader’s Edge Podcast, host HR Huntsman welcomes Jacki Wolfe, Owner of Michaels & Associates, for a conversation that bridges accounting precision with entrepreneurial heart. What began as a traditional CPA career evolved into a bold leap into business ownership—and later, into the purchase of a century-old manufacturing company. Jacki shares how she transformed fear into structure, resistance into trust, and her workplaces into cultures where humanity and performance can thrive together.

Creating Culture in a Male-Dominated Industry

Jacki’s journey is anything but conventional. After launching her CPA firm to gain more control over her time as a new mom, she unexpectedly found herself the owner of a legacy cabinet shop. Despite having no prior experience in cabinetry, Jacki leaned into her strengths as a strategist and visionary. But stepping into a male-dominated industry came with skepticism. Her response? Lead with excellence, transparency, and a willingness to listen. By cultivating mutual respect and giving her team space to grow into their roles, she created an environment where trust could be rebuilt from the inside out.

Central to Jacki’s leadership philosophy is the belief that workplace culture should honor both accountability and humanity. She’s intentional about creating a space where people feel safe to bring their whole selves to work—including the messy parts of life that inevitably spill over. She embraces feedback, expects open communication, and encourages her team to be honest about what’s affecting their performance. At the same time, she holds high standards and leads with structure—knowing that empathy and expectations can coexist.

Jacki’s story also challenges the idea that emotional engagement is a liability in leadership. She argues that when leaders ignore the emotional well-being of their people, disengagement becomes inevitable. Her own lived experience with depression and adversity has made her acutely aware of the power of support systems. Today, she’s focused not only on growing her businesses but on mentoring others to lead in ways that uplift people while sustaining excellence.

About Jacki Wolfe

Jacki Wolfe is a CPA, entrepreneur, and culture-first leader who owns both Michaels & Associates and Andrews Fixture Company. Known for her strategic vision and empathetic leadership, Jacki has built companies where people and performance thrive in harmony. She’s a fierce advocate for bringing transparency and emotional intelligence into industries not known for either.

About Michaels & Associates

Michaels & Associates is a woman-owned CPA firm delivering personalized, strategic accounting and advisory services to businesses that want more than just compliance. The firm specializes in elevating financial clarity while supporting growth-minded entrepreneurs and business owners through every stage of their journey.

Conclusion

Jacki Wolfe’s entrepreneurial path reminds us that courage often begins with discomfort—and that leadership grounded in trust, structure, and care can reshape what business looks and feels like. Her story is a blueprint for anyone navigating career pivots, cultural resistance, or the desire to lead differently.

Key Episode Highlights:

• Build trust by listening first, especially in skeptical or resistant environments

• You don’t need to be the expert in everything—curate a team that complements your strengths

• Emotional intelligence and accountability are not opposites—they’re partners

• Don’t dismiss personal struggles—they can become your greatest leadership assets

• Structured planning is the bridge between fear and confidence in entrepreneurship

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