Deloitte US Chair and Baruch College Alum named as Keynote Speaker for 2024 Commencement Ceremony

May 13, 2024

Lara Abrash, Chair of Deloitte US, and a distinguished alum, will be the keynote speaker for Baruch College’s Commencement Ceremony on May 28, 2024 at Barclays Center.

“As a proud alum, I know first-hand the uniqueness of Baruch and its students. I’m honored to be a part of this special day in their lives, and excited for the endless possibilities that lie ahead for each of them.”

Lara is Chair of Deloitte US, the largest professional services organization in the United States with more than 170,000 professionals, responsible for leading the board of directors, governing all aspects of the organization. Prior to assuming her current role, she served four years as the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte & Touche LLP, where she oversaw the US Audit & Assurance business.

Driven by its purpose, to make an impact that matters, Deloitte* leverages its multi-disciplinary model as a source of strength to offer an unparalleled range of offerings, services, and capabilities to help its clients, people, and communities solve the complex issues shaping our world today.

Lara’s time at Baruch College, during which she obtained her Masters of Business Administration in Accounting degree, solidified her passion for the profession. Lara’s passion for the profession and to diversity, equity, and inclusion came together through her instrumental role in launching Making Accounting Diverse and Equitable (MADE), Deloitte’s $75 million commitment to fueling greater racial and ethnic diversity in the accounting profession. In addition to fostering the diverse talent of tomorrow, Lara is focused on cultivating trust, embracing technology, and inspiring people to make a difference in their communities.

Her commitment to excellence in all she does has earned her countless awards, including Forbes’ Top 200 CPAs (2024), Baruch Distinguished Alumnae (2022), AICPA’s Most Powerful Women in Accounting (2020-2023), and more.

2024 Commencement Ceremony

Baruch College will hold its 2024 Commencement Ceremony for both undergraduate and graduate students on Tuesday, May 28 at Barclays Center at 620 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. The ceremony, which begins at 9:00 a.m., will also be live-streamed on the Baruch College website.

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* Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of their legal structure.