Michelle Schumacher from Microsoft Selected to Attend AICPA’s 2018 Leadership Academy

Michelle Schumacher, CPA, was one of only 41 CPAs honored by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) as a member of the Leadership Academy’s tenth graduating class. Schumacher was selected based on her exceptional leadership skills and professional experience for the four-day Leadership Academy program, which will be held from October 7-11 in Durham, N.C.

Schumacher is a Group Finance Manager for Microsoft’s Cloud + Artificial Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence Research groups. She is actively involved her the local community, currently serving on the Board of Directors for the North Dakota CPA Society and the YWCA, and previously serving on the Board for organizations such as the Fargo Moorhead CPA Society, University of North Dakota Department of Accountancy Advisory Board, and Junior Achievement. She is also a passionate member of the Finance Committees for the United Way and YWCA, and volunteer for the Legacy Elementary PTO and Living Waters Lutheran Church. Schumacher is a recent graduate of United Way’s 35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership Program.

The AICPA Leadership Academy was designed to strengthen and expand the leadership skills of promising young professionals while they network with a peer group of talented and motivated CPAs.

The Leadership Academy features career-development workshops and sessions with some of the accounting profession’s most prominent influencers, including Eric Hansen, CPA, CGMA, chair of the American Institute of CPAs, Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, American Institute of CPAs president and CEO, Association of Certified Professional Accountants CEO, and Mark Koziel,

CPA, CGMA, Executive Vice President – Firm Services, Association of Certified Professional Accountants.

Participants were selected from public accounting firms of all sizes, business and industry and consulting firms.

The 2018 Leadership Academy attendees were recommended by their employers, state CPA societies or both. Candidates submitted resumes and a statement explaining how participating in the Leadership Academy would impact them personally and professionally. They also wrote an essay on the topic “The future will bring significant changes to the accounting profession. What do leaders have to get right in order to successfully lead?”

To date, 310 CPAs have participated in the AICPA Leadership Academy, many of whom have gone on to take on leadership positions in their firms, businesses and volunteer organizations.

More information about the AICPA Leadership Academy is available online.