For many students entering college, what they will be and where they will go upon graduation is a complete unknown. Some have an objective in mind even before they begin the college search. Still, others are fortunate enough to find that the college experience offered them a taste of this, a sample of that, and then discovering - this is what I really want to do.
Natasha Weathers Granholm was in her senior year of college at Robert Morris in 1997. She played on the soccer team and was an excellent student - especially in her business and accounting classes. One of the deans learned of a part time job for a student at the former Coopers and Lybrant accounting firm. Natasha went in for an interview and it was quickly discovered that she was capable of much more than the administrative work they expected of a student - she really knew accounting. Upon graduation from RMU, the firm - now PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP "PwC," offered her a position as an accountant, and she has been there ever since. In July of 2012, Natasha was made a partner at PwC.
This past week, Robert Morris University honored Natasha Weathers Granholm as the 2013 Business Leader of the Year at the annual dinner of the School of Business Administration Advisory Board. During the past two years, she has been instrumental in providing select RMU accounting students with an opportunity to participate in an honors program at PwC. Last year, four RMU accounting student were accepted; this year, six will participate.
The field of accountancy remains the most critical profession to business whenever change – positive or negative – occurs. “I have found that having the ability and agility to adapt, to depend upon team work, and to be prepared for the unexpected are the most useful talents you can have,” Natasha said. “Of course it’s important to know the concepts and principles as an accountant, but it is also essential to know what is expected of the team and how you can work together to accomplish your goals. Often, what you plan to do may not be actually what you end up doing.”
Two RMU business students attended the dinner, both of whom participated in the PwC honors program. They expressed their gratitude for the valuable work experience and for Natasha's efforts to promote women in the accounting field.
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Natasha and her husband Peter are the parents of twin daughters and make
their home in Aurora.
Robert Morris University Illinois is a not-for-profit, accredited baccalaureate and graduate degree granting institution, serving over 7000 students interested in getting an education in business, graphic arts, nursing and health care, culinary and computer studies at its main campus in Chicago, as well as at locations in Arlington Heights, DuPage, Elgin, Orland Park, Bensenville, Springfield, Peoria, Schaumburg and Lake County. For more information, call 800-762-5960 or visit the web site at www.robertmorris.edu
