Accounting alumna assumes leadership role with Big Four firm

Michelle Quisenberry (’90) knew she wanted to come to CWU before she ever set foot on campus. The accounting program came highly recommended, but the Port Orchard native was also drawn to the Ellensburg community.

“Having grown up in a small town, coming to Central just felt like a natural transition for me,” said Quisenberry, who now serves as a partner at KPMG, one of the Big Four global accounting firms. “I loved the small class sizes, and I had an opportunity to bond with my peers and professors alike.”

Over the years, Quisenberry has stayed in contact with her former mentors and classmates, including retired Department of Accounting chair Gary Heesacker.

“Gary’s mentorship played a significant role in shaping my career journey, and we continue to have a very strong relationship,” she said. “His guidance and personal investment in my development not only enriched my academic experience; it also helped me navigate important career decisions.”

Quisenberry spent her early career serving as a controller for three Seattle-based tech startups before joining Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s executive leadership team to open the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop). She then ran her own boutique consulting firm for 10 years, serving clients in the biotech and technology industries.

Today, she leads KPMG’s risk consulting practice for the entire Northwest, guiding the delivery of consulting services to a diverse client base.

Quisenberry’s career success and commitment to giving back have earned her national recognition. Among her accolades, she has been named "Top 40 Under 40" and "Woman of Influence" by the Puget Sound Business Journal. Meanwhile, her dedication to philanthropy and the impact she has made on her profession and her community led to recognition from the Points of Light Foundation.

Quisenberry looks back fondly on her time at CWU, where she received a well-rounded education that was complemented by hands-on experience through internships and leadership roles in Alpha Kappa Psi and the Accounting Club. She also served as an assistant to former tax professor Deborah Medlar and secured an internship before her junior year.

“The close-knit community at Central enabled me to form genuine connections with both faculty and peers,” Quisenberry said. “These connections — along with the focus on critical thinking, leadership, and communications skills — provided me with a solid foundation for my career.”

Over the past two years, she has found new opportunities to give back to her alma mater, including a partnership with Distinguished Professor of Business Andy Parks on the Reaching New Heights grant. CWU was one of only five institutions nationwide to receive funding from the KPMG U.S. Foundation in 2022, and Quisenberry proudly serves as the Partner Champion.

“I work directly with Andy and his team to carry out their work, which is focused on providing professional development, recruitment, and career readiness opportunities to BIPOC students,” she said.

“Doing this work has inspired me to continue working to support Central’s mission. Being able to help our students prepare to enter the workforce and = land incredible jobs is something that is very important to me, and I hope we can continue to work together to improve the lives of young professionals.”

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This story appears in the latest edition of Voyage Magazine. The annual College of Business publication came out in April 2024.