CHICAGO, Sept. 10, 2020 – The Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS) is proud to honor Sandra Waller Shelton, Ph.D., MBA, CPA, with its 2020 Lester H. McKeever, Jr. Advancing Diversity Award in the Outstanding Leader category.

Each year, the Lester H. McKeever Jr. Advancing Diversity Award is presented to an Outstanding Leader and an Emerging Leader to recognize their commitment to advancing diversity in the accounting profession.

Shelton is an esteemed KPMG / Neil F. Casson Endowed Professor of Accountancy and director of the Internal Audit Education Program at DePaul University in Chicago where she has spent more than 25 years striving to increase diversity among faculty and students heading into the accounting profession. Some of her most impressive work is with The PhD Project, where she has been a member of the Planning Committee since its inception in 1994 and serves as advisor and mentor to students in the Accounting Doctoral Student Association. The PhD Project’s goal is to increase workforce diversity by attracting more African American, Hispanic, and Native American students to enter careers in business by increasing the diversity of business faculty.

“The PhD Project is changing the landscape of academia, and Sandra is certainly doing her part to change the landscape of accounting,” says Todd Shapiro, ICPAS president and CEO. “We are fortunate to have such a passionate and dedicated educator working to increase racial diversity and equality in the CPA profession and the broader business world.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the over 5,000 students I have taught and mentored,” Shelton says. “I view paying it forward as so much more than service, it is part of who I am and brings me fulfillment to contribute to advancing diversity in the accounting profession by mentoring, supporting, encouraging, and enhancing the preparation of students for success.”

Shelton earned a Ph.D. in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MBA in finance from Indiana University, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Illinois and a member of the Illinois CPA Society. Shelton is also a member of the American Accounting Association, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and The Institute of Internal Auditors.

Shelton will be formally recognized at ICPAS’ Leadership Recognition and Awards Celebration on Sept. 17, 2020—the event will be held virtually this year.