It is hard to imagine an individual as accomplished as Christy Pickering, CPA, was once the victim of domestic abuse.
The truth of the matter is domestic violence and abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or other factors, according to national statistics.
Pickering, who has owned her own accounting firm for 25 years and currently serves on the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, will share her story with Mississippi University for Women’s campus Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. in Nissan Auditorium, Parkinson Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
Her presentation titled “Girl, You Deserve Better” focuses on living through 21 years of abuse. Pickering’s frank discussion takes a look at how abuse happens behind closed doors and how she found happiness.
Pickering has worked in the fields of auditing and assurance, tax preparation and litigation support. Prior to joining the Hancock Holding Company Board of Directors, she served as a Hancock Bank board director from 1995 to 2000. She is currently the chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and vice chair of the Audit Committee for Hancock Holding Company. From 2004 to 2012, she served as chair of the Audit Committee.
She has received numerous awards and recognition over the years for her service to the community. These include the Small Business Accountant Advocate award for the State of Mississippi; the Harrison County, Mississippi, Small Business Excellence Award; recognition as an Outstanding Community Leader of South Mississippi by local and state publications; and recognition as Rotarian of the Year by the Biloxi Rotary Club where she previously held the offices of president, secretary and treasurer. Pickering was also a member of the inaugural class of Leadership Gulf Coast.
Pickering earned her bachelor of science degree in business administration and graduated with honors from the University of Southern Mississippi.
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