KPMG's Future Diversity Leaders Program 
Providing Leadership, Training and Scholarships to Top Business Students

As part of its continuing effort to increase and support minority representation in the accounting profession, KPMG LLP, the audit, tax, and advisory firm, launched its Future Diversity Leaders (FDL) program in 2007. This initiative is designed to provide leadership training and financial support to outstanding minority undergraduate business students. 

Each year, 50 students, primarily freshmen and sophomores, will be chosen for KPMG’s FDL program. Students from across the nation are nominated by their college professors based on their commitment to high academic achievement, community and campus involvement, and active participation in diversity organizations. FDL program participants then receive additional training, internship opportunities and scholarships for up to three years. 

“While the students selected for the program are all academically strong, the Future Diversity Leaders program takes their learning a step further, providing these students with some of the extra skills, knowledge, and business perspective they need to become the business leaders of tomorrow,” said Manny Fernandez, National Managing Partner of Campus Recruiting. “We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce and feel that a focused program such as this can help increase the number of minority business leaders in the accounting profession and other areas of business.” 

The FDL program begins with a three-day conference, which is focused on preparing high-potential students for business leadership. Upon completion of this leadership conference, students will receive a $1,000 scholarship and the opportunity to interview for a summer internship in KPMG’s “Trainee Program” the following year. The internship provides rotational opportunities through the company’s job shadow program and a mentoring relationship with a KPMG professional. In addition to having a KPMG mentor, the students will be mentored by one of the FDL Faculty Advisors. 

Upon successful completion of the first summer internship, students become eligible for additional scholarship money, as well as an offer to remain in the intern program the following summer. The internship prior to their senior year is a “Practice Internship,” where students gain hands-on experience with clients in their chosen business area. 

The first group of 50 students, representing 32 schools across the nation, recently completed FDL’s inaugural three-day leadership conference in Hollywood, California, during which students interacted and networked with industry leaders, professors and KPMG professionals. Among the students in attendance was Rahul Sevani, who is entering his sophomore year at New York University. 

“The program’s greatest benefit was that we were given the chance to meet talented and, more importantly, motivated individuals within our peer group,” said Sevani. “When a program puts 50 people of such high caliber together, strong and mutually beneficial relationships will surely develop, as I believe they did at the FDL conference.” 

Kelly Richmond Pope, Ph.D., CPA, and Assistant Professor, School of Accountancy, DePaul University agrees. “KPMG’s FDL conference is an excellent opportunity for young academic scholars to explore, define, and reflect the true meaning of leadership, teamwork and integrity,” said Richmond Pope, who also attended the conference. “I am certain that the support gained through this conference will help all the participants reach their desired goals.” 

To be considered for this program, students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher and be interested in pursuing a career in business. In addition, students must submit a completed program application form, along with a resume and current transcript, to their faculty advisor. The advisor will review the documents and can nominate the student for the FDL program.