Fisher students named 2008 KPMG Diversity Leaders

Gainesville, Fla. – KPMG LLP, the audit, tax, and advisory firm, has selected Fisher School of Accounting students Sharon Koele and Tatiana Lewinsky for its 2008 Future Diversity Leaders (FDL) class.

Koele and Lewinsky are among 51 students from across the U.S. who were chosen to participate in the FDL as a result of their commitment to high academic achievement, community and campus involvement, and active participation in diversity organizations. In its continuing effort to increase and support minority representation in the accounting profession, KPMG launched its FDL program a year ago (with the first group of 50 students), providing leadership training and financial support for outstanding minority undergraduate business students.

This year’s FDL class, which consists of students from 33 schools nationwide, completed a two-day leadership conference in Hollywood, Cal., which that took place in July. The conference provided the students the opportunity to interact and network with leaders in the profession, professors and KPMG professionals. The students also attended leadership style courses that were co-instructed by KPMG partners.

Upon successful completion of their summer internship prior to their junior year, Koele and Lewinsky will become eligible for additional scholarship money, as well as an offer to remain in the intern program the following summer. The internship prior to their senior year is a “Practice Internship,” where participants will gain hands-on experience with clients in their chosen business area. Additionally, Koele and Lewinsky will be mentored by a FDL faculty advisors and KPMG professionals.

In addition to welcoming Koele and Lewinsky to the 2008 FDL class, UF students Kendra Grimes and Cristina Jozsi, both FSOA juniors and members of the first FDL class, returned to KPMG for an internship this summer.

“We are committed to helping to build the business leaders of tomorrow,” said Manny Fernandez, national campus recruiting partner at KPMG. “It is our intention in creating the FDL program to provide the students with the skills, knowledge and business perspective to succeed in business, and we have been very impressed with their desire and motivation to move ahead.”