Diversity, Equity, Belonging and Inclusion

6 women who recently changed accounting

March 19, 2025

5 min read

Content Marketing Specialist

In honor of Women’s History Month, Becker is celebrating the women who have recently—and continue to—make an impact in the accounting profession.

While women in the industry still report unequal opportunities for growth within the profession,¹ there are many female powerhouses who have set an example and provide inspiration for other women in the field. Here are six of these motiving women.

#1: Ruth Anderson Moreen

Ruth Anderson made history when she became the first women board member of a Big 4 accounting firm in 1998.² After working 21 years at KPMG, she became partner and board member, eventually also gaining the role of Vice Chairman.³ As the first woman board member, she paved the way for women to follow her path and set the example for other firms nationwide.

#2: Cathy Engelbert

Another woman who has pushed Big 4 boundaries and beyond is Cathy Engelbert. She became the first woman CEO at a Big 4 firm when she stepped into the role at Deloitte in 2015. Then, in 2019, she became the first-ever WNBA Commissioner, leading women’s basketball through a time of transformation into more visibility and strategic business growth.

In addition to serving on the boards of international corporations like McDonalds and Royalty Pharma, she participates in non-profit initiatives that promote women’s growth in C-suite positions.⁴

Listed among Fortune’s Most Powerful Women,⁵ her career is proof that women can reach limitless heights even in male-prominent industries.

#3: Lynne Doughtie

Lynne Doughtie started her public accounting career on KPMG’s audit team, working her way into the position of the firm’s US Chairman and CEO.⁶ She was the first woman executive of the company and later went on to serve as a director at Boeing.⁷

Lynne’s much-awarded career has been recognized for its influence, integrity, and leadership—as well as a focus on an inclusive and equal workplace.⁸

#4: Olivia Kirtley

In 2014, Olivia Kirtley, CPA, CGMA, became the first woman president of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)—after an already-successful career in public accounting and leadership within the IFAC. She’s likewise a non-executive director of US Bancorp, Papa John’s International, and ResCare, Inc.⁹

Her ground-breaking presidency with the IFAC set the example for women in leadership in accounting on a global stage.

#5: Teresa S. Polly

The Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF) is the non-profit organization that leads and oversees both the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB)—in essence, the standard-setters for the practice of public accounting.¹⁰

Teresa S. Polly was president and CEO of the FAF for 11 years, setting the example not only for female accountants, but for the public accounting profession as a whole. Her tenure in the position included successes such as:

Enhancing organizational presence in government and ensuring that policymakers stay informed on key industry concerns
Establishing funding authority for the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB)
Implementing review processes for FASB and GASB standards
Restoring FASB to its present size of seven members
Creating Private Company Council to provide the FASB with private company insights on accounting standards¹¹

#6: Guylaine Saint Juste

As the President and CEO of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), Guylaine Saint Juste breaks the boundaries of what seems possible for women and minority groups in the business environment nationwide.

She’s an active voice in using her success to raise up others to accomplish their goals, too—as Founder and Co-Chair of the George Mason Women in Business Initiative, and member of the Board of Directors for Goodwill of Greater Washington.

Becker Podcasts had the pleasure of hosting Guylaine Saint Juste as a special guest on our episode of the Balancing the Future series, “A Seat at the Table: Creating and establishing paths for Black business.” Listen to the episode to hear more about her career, her current work with NABA, and the values that motivate her to create more opportunities for women and minorities in the workplace.

Learn more from women in accounting

In addition to Guylaine Saint Juste’s episode, Becker Podcast has had the honor of hosting many influential and inspiring women in accounting. They each have shared invaluable insights into their path to success, their ability to balance priorities and maintain their values, and what it takes to face (and overcome!) the many challenges faced along the way.