Lynne Doughtie is a Hokie who is breaking barriers in the business world.

In 2015, she became the first female top executive at KPMG LLP, one of the world’s leading professional service firms. She is the company’s chairman and CEO.

Her extraordinary accomplishments throughout her career have landed her a top honor at Virginia Tech — the University Distinguished Achievement Award. She will receive the award during the University Commencement Ceremony on May 11.

Doughtie, who lives in Powhatan, Virginia, began her longtime stint at KPMG soon after graduating from Virginia Tech in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She started in the company’s audit practice and went on to hold numerous national, regional, and global leadership roles, including lead partner for KPMG’s major clients and vice chair of its advisory business.

Doughtie regularly has been named one of Fortune Magazine’s Most Powerful Women in Business.

She also serves the community in many ways, including as a governing board member for the Center for Audit Quality and a board member for the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy and LUNGevity Foundation. She also is a trustee for the U.S. Council for International Business and a member of the Business-Higher Education Forum.

Doughtie remains involved with Virginia Tech. She is a cabinet member of the Pamplin Advisory Council, for which she has served as president and cabinet chair. She also served on Pamplin’s Accounting and Information Systems Advisory Board.

In 2007, she received the college’s Distinguished Alumnus Award for her career achievements and contributions to Pamplin.

Hokie spirit runs in Doughtie’s family. Her husband, Ben, and two children, Schuyler and Evie, all are Virginia Tech graduates.

Written by Jenny Kincaid Boone

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