Karen Vangyia: Excels as First Female Managing Partner at KPMG St. Louis
Karen Vangyia, a 1993 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Missouri State, is also the first female managing partner at KPMG’s offices in St. Louis. “Certainly as someone who grew up in St. Louis and went to high school and college in Missouri… this is humbling and something that I take tremendous pride in. I’ve been blessed to work for a great firm in KPMG and to work with incredible professionals who I am proud to call my colleagues and friends,” states Karen.
As managing partner, Karen oversees more than 250 employees in one of KPMG’s fastest growing offices. She is responsible for setting overall revenue goals for the office as well as working with colleagues around the country. She also oversees initiatives to improve the work environment for employees, such as KPMG’s Network of Women (KNOW) chapter which helps KPMG women advance through mentoring and other initiatives.
This fall Karen was recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal as one of 2014’s Most Influential Women. She was recognized for not only her professional achievements, but also her community involvement. She serves on the boards of the United Way, Regional Business Council, St. Louis Regional Chamber and CEOs against Cancer. She also has been active with Epworth Children & Family Services and has served on the board of the Family Support Network. “Personally, I love to help others in need,” she said. “It’s rewarding to give back to the community. Being born and raised in St. Louis, I love being part of the community and being able to give back through my job.”
Karen’s advice to current students and recent alumni is all about appreciating where you are and working hard to get where you want to go. “There’s an old expression that the only job where you start at the top is when you are digging a hole. Regardless of your chosen field, you start at the bottom… understand there are no short cuts and there is no substitution for hard work.”
In her spare time Karen enjoys spending time with her husband Michael and two children Madison and Logan. They are an active family that enjoys golf, tennis, travel, as well as spending time with family and friends.