“Success is best when it’s shared.”

As KLR’s CEO Paul Oliveira took the stage at Gillette Stadium, looking out to the crowd of 270+ colleagues, hailing from all around the world, from different backgrounds, across generations-- one thing was undeniable. “Wow, what an incredible team—brimming with so much knowledge, passion and promise.”

For the past 15 years KLR and affiliates have gathered as a team at Gillette Stadium to hear from dynamic speakers, engage in exciting group discussions, and build relationships with colleagues across all offices and departments. On 'Summit Day,' all offices close, ensuring that every employee can attend. The Summit has become a highlight of the year, bonding colleagues in a unique way and allowing the team to reflect on the year’s successes. It’s a perfect representation of our commitment to our core values of collaboration and community.

New beginnings

This year was particularly special, as we welcomed over 50 new colleagues to their first Summit. As Audit Associate Alaina Mello reflects, “Having joined the firm just a few weeks prior to the Summit, I really enjoyed the opportunity to meet people in the firm who work in different service lines than me. What a great chance to put a face to a name and introduce myself to people I have connected with virtually but never before in person.”

Growing together

Paul’s opening message made clear: KLR’s future is filled with incredible promise, driven by great new additions to the team (like Alaina), exciting new milestones and a clear vision for growth. With leaders like John Surrette stepping into the role of Chief Growth Officer, KLR is positioned to reach new heights, and our fresh “four pillars” approach further solidifies our core values and sets the stage for delivering exceptional value to our clients.

Paul outlined these key focus areas that will drive KLR’s future- People, Communication, Innovation, Ideal Client---and at the center of it all- Employee Experience and Client Experience.

Finding purpose, building belonging

As these guiding pillars make clear—the future is all about our people, which was an awesome springboard into our keynote speaker for the day. We were so happy to welcome Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky—an enthusiastic, internationally renowned keynote speaker and best selling author, focused on building happy workplaces and creating a culture of belonging. Taking the stage with his beaming smile, his nickname made a whole lot of sense to the team.

Smiley captivated the KLR team, encouraging leaders to promote a culture where everyone feels like they belong, as belonging improves mental health, sense of purpose and overall well-being. Smiley stressed the idea that true belonging is not just about fitting in but about finding spaces where we can be ourselves, where our unique identities are respected and valued.

One of the most powerful segments of Smiley’s presentation was his feature on feedback from four KLR colleagues, each from a different department and representing various generations. Their stories shed light on what helps build a sense of belonging at KLR.

Alaina shared her experience, saying, “It’s important to meet associates where they are. On my first day, I already had three familiar faces to look for, thanks to Henry, a partner in the Providence office, who introduced me to a partner and two supervisors beforehand. Everyone has taken the time to explain things and get to know me as an individual.”

Nonprofit Supervisor Josi Araujo resonated with this, as she says, “Smiley's presentation was the highlight of my day. As someone fairly new to the KLR team, finding a sense of belonging has been incredibly meaningful to me. It was inspiring to see how belonging truly comes to life at KLR through the stories of the four colleagues Smiley interviewed. I’ve personally felt so welcomed on my own team, and it’s uplifting to know that this spirit extends across departments. There are no “silly questions” here—everyone takes the time to explain things and support one another, which makes being part of this team so special.”

Building on Smiley’s inspiring message of fostering connection through fun and creativity, we ended the day with a series of “Minute to Win It” challenges, further strengthening KLR’s sense of community. The summit is a special opportunity to meet new colleagues, bond with teammates across service lines and regions, and dedicate an entire day to building connections.

The room buzzed with excitement during an epic “Rock, Paper, Scissors” battle, setting the stage for the group to break into teams and tackle challenges like cup stacking, pencil catching, and more.

It’s safe to say the room was alive with fun, community and camaraderie—a perfect representation of the spirit that makes KLR thrive.

Audit Supervisor Britt Tumulty reflects with a smile, "I look forward to the Summit every year—team bonding is always a highlight for me. It’s amazing to see our team’s competitive spirit come alive in such a fun way. While we collaborate daily within our own groups, events like this let us connect on a whole new level with colleagues from all offices and departments. This year, I walked away meeting at least 5 people I hadn’t worked with before! Even though team 21 took home the big trophy, I’m proud to have earned an honorable mention for team spirit—it’s awesome to work at a place where fun and camaraderie are truly celebrated."

When people feel truly seen, heard and valued, success takes care of itself. As Paul puts it, “At KLR, belonging isn’t just a theme, it’s at the heart of everything we do.”