From the vibrant community of Côte d’Ivoire to the bustling world of property accounting in the United States, Estelle Gouly’s journey is one of quiet determination. As a Senior Property Accountant at Dweck Properties, Estelle brings more than just technical expertise to her role. She brings a perspective shaped by courage, community, and the belief that behind every number is a person who matters.

Estelle’s story begins in Côte d’Ivoire, where community isn’t just important, it is everything. Growing up surrounded by the warmth and support of her tight-knit community, Estelle learned early on that success is never a solo endeavor. Her path to accounting was inspired by her uncle, her father’s youngest brother, who had the opportunity to study in France. “Everyone was so proud of him,” Estelle remembers. “I always looked up to him and wanted to be just like him.” Combined with her natural aptitude for numbers, this admiration planted the seeds of a career that would eventually bring her across the ocean to build a new life in America.

At 23, Estelle made the courageous decision to move to the United States through the green card lottery. First settling in Charlotte, North Carolina, she faced the daunting task of starting over and rebuilding the sense of community that had always anchored her life back home.

“I had to learn the culture, the language, rebuild my community, and learn how to navigate life in America,” Estelle shares. “I learned persistence and strength to build a life here. I learned how to be confident and advocate for myself. A lot was out of my comfort zone.” But Estelle approached this challenge the same way she approaches everything: one step at a time, with a clear vision and decisions aligned with her goals. It’s a philosophy that has served her well throughout her career.

This perspective sets Estelle apart. With 11 years of experience in accounting, including roles in banking, property accounting, and a CPA firm in Florida, she understands that her work has a real impact on real people making critical life choices. Her career path eventually led her to Dweck Properties during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many working parents, Estelle was navigating the challenges of balancing a demanding career with being present for her young son. 

“One day I decided to see what else was out there and found Dweck,” she recalls. “I had experience in property accounting, but what really stood out was the people I was talking to. I could tell that they really care about people.” That initial impression proved accurate. Since joining Dweck in 2022, Estelle has found more than just a job—she’s found a place where her values align with the company’s mission.

Just one year after joining Dweck, Estelle was promoted to Senior Property Accountant, a recognition of both her technical skills and her approach to teamwork. Her strength in connecting with people, even virtually, combined with her willingness to put in the work, made the promotion a natural progression. What truly defines Estelle’s contribution to Dweck became evident when two team members were out last year. Without hesitation, Estelle stepped up to cover their roles, supporting the team through a challenging period.

“Home is all about community, and it’s how I approach work as well,” Estelle explains. “My career isn’t just about work. I didn’t need recognition. I did it because we are a team, and it’s how I operate.” This selfless dedication earned Estelle recognition as Dweckster of the Month, though characteristically, that wasn’t what motivated her. It was simply the right thing to do.

What makes Estelle exceptional isn’t just her technical expertise. It’s her understanding that accounting is fundamentally about people. When asked what “The Human State” means to her in a role rooted in numbers, structure, and accountability, her answer is immediate and heartfelt. “Behind all numbers, there are people with emotions who need to make decisions. People rely on me to tell stories. Being a good accountant means being able to help people understand numbers and make sense of them,” she says. “I don’t only think about the numbers. I think about how I am impacting others and the people receiving the information. Everything must be communicated with this in mind.”

This philosophy permeates everything Estelle does. The care and community that defined her upbringing in Côte d’Ivoire shape how she shows up every day at Dweck. “The connection and the care for their people—I feel seen and valued by management, by everyone,” Estelle shares. “I’m always happy to come to work and contribute.”

Outside the office, Estelle has built a rich life that reflects her values of community, creativity, and continuous growth. Married to her high school sweetheart and raising their energetic five-year-old son, she’s created the stable, loving foundation she once had to leave behind. “I had to come up with things to do outside of work and rebuild my community,” she explains. Her solution? A combination of DIY projects, gardening, family bike rides, and running.

“I always believe I can do everything,” Estelle laughs, describing her DIY endeavors. “I start projects around the house, and when I finish, I feel so proud that I made it.” These projects bring her peace, especially during the hot summer months when indoor activities are necessary.

Gardening happens each spring, connecting her to thoughts of sustainability and what her family eats at home. Bike rides with her son help burn off his boundless energy while creating family memories. And solo runs and walks? Those are sacred times for herself, moments that bring peace and free up her mind. These activities influence how she shows up at work, grounded and balanced, ready to bring her full self to every challenge.

When asked what she’s most proud of in her journey, Estelle doesn’t hesitate: becoming a CPA. “It’s not something I had to do, but I wanted to grow the number of Black CPAs,” she explains. “It was one of the most difficult things I did. It was not easy, but it makes me the most proud.”

This achievement represents Estelle’s commitment to representation, to excellence, and to pushing through challenges even when the path is difficult. Her advice to anyone starting over or building a career from the ground up comes from deep personal experience: “You need to find the right community and the right people. When you start over somewhere new, it can be challenging, and you need to have the focus and vision for your life. You might need people to remind you where you are going.”

Estelle’s journey from Côte d’Ivoire to Charlotte to her current role at Dweck Properties is a testament to the power of persistence, community, and believing that success comes one step at a time. Her work as a Senior Property Accountant goes far beyond spreadsheets and financial reports. Every number she analyzes, every story she tells through data, and every colleague she supports reflects her deep understanding that business is, at its core, about people.

At Dweck Properties, we’re grateful to have Estelle on our team, not just for her exceptional accounting skills, but for the grace, humility, and genuine care she brings to everything she does. She embodies what it means to live our values, to prioritize people alongside performance, and to approach every challenge with both competence and compassion.