Twice a week, before the demands of her corporate workday take over, Nadia Lagen, CPA, director of general accounting at Ulta Beauty, teaches an early-morning vinyasa yoga class. It’s a role she didn’t set out to pursue, but one that’s become a meaningful practice that keeps her grounded, accountable, and always learning.
“I still see myself very much as a student,” Lagen admits. “Because I’m teaching, I have to take trainings and attend workshops—it keeps me current and honest in my yoga practice.”
Lagen says she’s always been a lover of learning and considers herself curious by nature. Much of that is rooted in her experience as a first-generation college student surrounded by hard-working entrepreneurs.
Her grandpa owned a locksmith business, and her dad still owns one today: “One of my earliest memories was with my grandpa. After the store would close, he taught me how to break change, allowing me to practice on the cash register.”
Those early lessons didn’t just teach Lagen basic math—skills she’d later rely on in her accounting career—they also gave her a behind-the-scenes look into how a business operates: “I saw all the different things that have to happen in order to sell a product or service.”
Having that front-row seat to the unseen mechanics of a business has especially become valuable in her current role at Ulta Beauty, where her responsibilities are closely tied to the cross-functional efforts that bring a major consumer brand to life.
“As a consumer, you don’t really think about what it takes in order for you to go into a store and buy a tube of mascara,” she says. “It’s rewarding to be part of those discussions and decisions and ultimately see something tangible like that come to life.”
For Lagen, understanding how her work connects to the teams and operations around her is paramount to seeing the bigger business picture: “Whether it’s with the distribution centers, IT, or another part of the business, it’s important that I build relationships with people outside of accounting. To really understand the accounting implications, I have to understand what’s happening in the business first. That helps me ask better questions and think through the downstream impact. It’s about making sure curiosity is embedded in what I do.”
That same curiosity and relationship building extends beyond Lagen’s day-to-day role. Through her active involvement with the Illinois CPA Society’s (ICPAS’) Content Advisory Groups (CAG), she helps identify educational topics and programs that matter most to accounting and finance professionals.
Along with providing Lagen an opportunity to learn new things and interact with peers throughout the profession, being a CAG volunteer has been a form of paying it forward: “For me, it’s an important reminder of my beginning. Throughout my career, I relied a lot on the expertise and guidance of others to get me on the path to where I am today. So, I want to pass on that knowledge to others as well.”
That sense of responsibility also shapes Lagen’s approach to mentoring others on her team. She sees mentorship as both guidance and a form of advocacy: “I think a big part of mentoring is speaking up for people and about people. It’s about making sure that people’s work is elevated when it needs to be and that they’re recognized in front of the right people at the right time.”
Her advocacy for others also shapes the advice Lagen offers younger professionals who want to move into leadership roles like her: Don’t wait until you feel completely ready to step forward.
“Say yes to opportunities, even if you don’t necessarily think you’re 100% ready,” Lagen says. “I don’t think you’re ever going to feel 100% ready.”
Of course, Lagen notes that stepping forward also means learning to raise your hand and speak up: “If you’re in the room, that means people want to hear from you.”
While technical knowledge remains essential, especially as tools like artificial intelligence reshape the profession, Lagen encourages younger professionals to keep developing the human skills that’ll set them apart: “No matter how far you get in your career, you’ll always benefit from developing those skills. Communication, in particular, is one of those human skills that continues to matter.”
Lagen puts her belief in ongoing professional development into practice through her support of ICPAS’ Corporate Access Program. Ulta Beauty’s membership allows her and her accounting team to take advantage of trainings, conferences, and other learning events throughout the year: “It’s a great way to stay current and keep learning from others in the profession.” Notably, Ulta Beauty’s commitment to supporting and developing its people played a role in the company receiving ICPAS’ 2026 Beacon Award.
Ultimately, Lagen’s commitment to learning isn’t limited to any one part of her life—it’s the thread throughout it. Much like the practice she brings to the yoga mat each week, her career path is grounded in staying curious, remaining a student, and recognizing there’s always more to learn.
