BS Accounting and Business Administration, 1981

Partner, KPMG LLP

Swartz, a highly-successful tax accountant, graduated from Central in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in accounting and finance and a minor in economics. She earned a master's degree in taxation from Golden Gate University in 1983. A 22-year employee and tax partner at the big-four firm KPMG LLP, Swarz provides tax advice to "high net worth" individuals, corporate executives and family businesses.

In 1978, Swartz received the Central Investment Fund Scholarship to attend CWU. Just three years later, she completed her four-year degree at Central and won a Gold Medal Award for the highest CPA exam score in Washington - "thanks to the rigorous program and relentless professors at Central," she notes.

Swartz is currently a member of numerous trade associations and is a board member for the Northwest Women's Law Center and the CWU College of Business Advisory Board.