Paul Knopp, Chair and CEO of KPMG LLP to Deliver Baruch College’s 2025 Commencement Address

May 8, 2025

Baruch College announced today that Paul Knopp, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of KPMG LLP, will serve as the keynote speaker for the College’s 2025 Commencement ceremony.

Knopp will address more than 20,000 attendees—including over 5,000 members of the Class of 2025—at the ceremony that will be held on Wednesday, May 28 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Each year, Baruch College’s Commencement celebrates the degree completion of one of the most diverse and accomplished student populations in the United States.

A highly respected global leader in the accounting and professional services industry, Knopp oversees more than 36,000 partners and professionals across the United States. As Chair and CEO of KPMG LLP— one of the world’s leading professional services firms, providing innovative business solutions and audit, tax, and advisory services to many of the world’s largest and most prestigious organizations—he is recognized for his commitment to excellence and quality and for leading KPMG teams with ethics and integrity. He also serves as Chair of the Americas region and is a member of both KPMG’s Global Board and Executive Committee.

“We are honored to welcome Paul Knopp as our 2025 Commencement speaker,” said Baruch College President S. David Wu, PhD. “His visionary leadership at KPMG and unwavering commitment to civic responsibility provide a powerful example for our ambitious graduates. As they step into their futures, they can draw inspiration from his dedication to excellence and principled leadership.”

“As these talented students take the next step in their journey, I am confident that they will lead with integrity, embrace change, and make a significant impact in their respective fields,” Knopp said. “I’m honored to join the Baruch College community to celebrate the Class of 2025’s accomplishments, both as individuals and as a collective force that will shape the future.”

A Career of Impact, Leadership, and Service

Knopp’s distinguished career spans more than four decades, including leadership roles in KPMG offices nationwide and extensive service to leading global companies several industries. Before assuming the firm’s top position, he served as the global lead audit partner and Quality Control Review Partner for KPMG audits of numerous Fortune 500 companies.

In recognition of his professional accomplishments, Knopp has received numerous accolades including Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People, the National Association of Corporate Directors’ 100 most influential leaders in the boardroom, Forbes’ America’s top CPAs, Forbes’ Best-in-State CPAs, and Glassdoor’s list of Top CEOs.

A longtime advocate for professional excellence and civic responsibility, Knopp chairs the Governing Board of the Center for Audit Quality and serves on the boards of Catalyst, the Partnership for New York City, and Project Healthy Minds. He also serves on the Development Board of The University of Texas at Austin, where he obtained BBA and MBA degrees, and on the Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee of The University of Texas System.

Celebrating the Class of 2025

On Wednesday, May 28, Baruch College will take center stage at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn to celebrate the academic success and achievements of more than 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students in the Class of 2025.

Commencement will begin at 9:00 am and will be live streamed on the Baruch College website.

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