Kathleen M. Hamm, BS ’85

Kathleen M. Hamm, BS ’85, is an accounting alumna with a distinguished and varied career as a global executive, entrepreneur, lawyer, regulator, public policy adviser and board member. She served as a senior official at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Securities and Exchange Commission, and as a board member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Her expertise ranges from emerging technologies, fintech and cybersecurity to financial regulation, control infrastructures and risk management. Hamm advises startups and innovative ventures and serves on several boards, including a financial institution, a new stock exchange focused on long-term value creation and a startup data privacy platform. She is also a member of the School of Management’s Dean’s Advisory Council .

Hamm believes that accountants play an essential role in the capital market and that innovative technology and data analytics are critical to their work. She further believes that inclusive and equitable cultures underlie the most effective organizations and result in stronger financial and operational results and more engaged and innovative teams. As a result, now more than ever, the accounting profession needs a more equitable and inclusive workforce.

Through this fellowship, Hamm wants to enhance opportunities in accounting for UB students who are members of historically underrepresented communities and marginalized groups, including women. She hopes her fellowship will also encourage students to explore the use of emerging technologies and data analytics. Ultimately, the goal of this fellowship is to better arm UB students to use their accounting degrees to tackle the most pressing issues of our times, including climate change and social and economic justice.