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.
