KPMG’s Debbie Messemer Named 2016 Financial Woman of the Year
Financial Women of San Francisco Celebrate 60 years Championing Women
in Business
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Financial
Women of San Francisco (FWSF) has named Debbie Messemer, Managing
Partner for KPMG’s Bay Area Market, as the “2016 Financial Woman of
the Year”, the organization’s highest honor. Each year FWSF honors a
senior executive who demonstrates remarkable commitment to her
profession, service to her community and support for the advancement of
women in finance.
“It is a real privilege to receive this honor. I have such deep respect
and admiration for the incredibly esteemed group of women who have gone
before me. To be counted among them is almost overwhelming,” said
Messemer, who has been a member of FWSF since the 1990s when she first
moved to San Francisco from Dallas. “This recognition is particularly
special to me given how this organization gives so much back by helping
advance and promote women in the industry.”
Now in its 21st year, the award recognizes Messemer’s
achievement as an industry leader and also her passion for supporting
young women in the industry. The award also provides a platform for
high-achieving winners to share their professional experience with
others, inspiring them in their ambitions and careers. Messemer joins a
distinguished list of previous
honorees, including 2015 recipient Carrie Dolan, chief financial
officer (CFO) of Lending Club, Sarah Friar, CFO of Square, and Pat
Yarrington, CFO of Chevron.
As “Financial Woman of the Year” Messemer aims to inspire the
next generation of young women thinking about a career in accounting or
finance by opening their eyes to the possibilities they can achieve in
their own careers.
“I hope to instill excitement in women considering and currently working
in the financial industry. I also want to be a voice to help raise
support and funds for the FWSF’s scholarship program so that younger
women, who might not have had that opportunity otherwise, can pursue
their dreams of a career in finance,” said Messemer. ”That’s what legacy
is all about.”
Darcy Illg, president of the Financial Women of San Francisco, said she
has long admired Messemer’s strength and foresight as a leader in the
industry, as well as her unwavering commitment to supporting women in
finance.
“Debbie Messemer tirelessly spends her precious personal time mentoring
women, and is a supporter of women at all levels in their careers,
particularly in our industry,” Illg said. “She stands for everything we
represent here at FWSF.”
Messemer is passionate about the importance of mentorship and
sponsorship, and works closely with her team to provide pathways for
their professional development and work-life balance. “Both women and
men need to take part in the process and be proactive in finding the
right mentor. As a mentor, it is very gratifying to help mentees
visualize the art of the possible when it comes to their professional
aspirations and help them reach their goals.”
With a background in banking and accounting, Messemer joined KPMG in
1982 in their Fort Worth office and in 1998 transferred to their San
Francisco office. In 2008 she became KPMG’s first San Francisco female
Managing Partner and today leads a team of over 1,100 high-performing
audit, tax, and advisory professionals.
The FWSF will host the “Financial Woman of the Year Award Program and
Luncheon” on Wednesday, September 21, at the Hyatt Regency in San
Francisco, where Messemer will be honored and share her insights with
over 600 attendees. All proceeds from the event directly benefit the
FWSF Scholarship Fund. For more information about the “Financial
Woman of the Year” program, scholarships or to become a sponsor, click
here.
About KPMG LLP
KPMG LLP, the audit, tax, and advisory firm (www.kpmg.com/us),
is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG
International”). KPMG International’s member firms have 174,000
professionals, including more than 9,000 partners, in 155 countries.
About The Financial Women of San Francisco
Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the Financial Women of San
Francisco seeks to advance the success of women in finance and financial
services and to be a source of insight and inspiration to financial
women executives and managers throughout the Bay Area. The
organization’s membership includes women in positions of influence
within the financial services sector and women who hold senior level
positions within non-finance companies, government agencies and the
non-profit sector. Members include CEO’s, CFO’s, corporate treasurers,
CPAs, attorneys, commercial and private bankers, investment advisors,
fund managers, securities analysts, administrators, financial planners,
consultants, recruiters and marketers.
For more information please visit http://financialwomensf.org/
or follow the Financial Women of San Francisco on Twitter @FinanceWomenSF,
Facebook
and LinkedIn.
Contacts
Harden Communications Partners
Adrianna Webster, 510-635-4150
awebster@hardenpartners.com
or
Harden
Communications Partners
Patricia Harden, 510-635-4150
pharden@hardenpartners.com
