Lead Director Jose Rodriguez (left) and John Veihmeyer (right) were among those who congratulated Bernie Milano for 50 years of service.

In addition to being active with KPMG and the KPMG Foundation, Bernie Milano is a member of Points of Light Institute’s board of directors. We’re honored to have Bernie’s support and guidance at Points of Light today and as we move into the future.

KPMG Foundation President Bernard “Bernie” Milano, credited with helping advance diversity in the accounting and business professions, was recognized for 50 years of service with the firm during the KPMG Board of Directors meeting in June.

Milano has been a key force behind University Relations, and then the Foundation, significantly raising KPMG’s profile on campuses and within the profession, noted KPMG Chairman and CEO John Veihmeyer. "Bernie’s five-decade career has been all about service in the fullest and best sense of the word,” Veihmeyer stated during the Board’s tribute, “He is a great champion for diversity in the profession, for education, and for entrepreneurship.”

Deputy Chair and Chief Operating Officer Henry Keizer echoed his sentiments. “Bernie’s tireless energy and commitment to the firm, to our community, and to education is unmatched.  He leaves a tremendous legacy of service that is an inspiration to us all,” said Keizer.

Milano began his career as an auditor in the Philadelphia office of Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. in 1961. Shortly thereafter, summoned to fill in on a campus visit, he discovered a genuine passion for recruiting.  Milano went on to head University Relations and Human Resources for the Philadelphia office and in 1975 became the national partner in charge of University Relations based first in New York City and later in Montvale, where he served as partner in charge of Human Resources.

Milano joined the KPMG Foundation Board of Trustees in 1991 and became its president several years later. As president, he was determined to address the dearth of minority professors in accounting and business and acknowledging the impact of “the person in front of the classroom.” He sought a way to increase minority representation in academia.

Milano was among a group that helped to address the problem through the creation of The PhD Project, a nationally recognized program designed to support and develop a more diverse population of future business and accounting professors.

The impact of The PhD Project has been notable. Fewer than 300 African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and Native Americans held business Ph.D.s at the program’s 1994 inception. Since then, The PhD Project has more than tripled the number of under-represented minorities pursuing business doctorates. These new role models touch countless more lives, ultimately enriching the talent pipeline for organizations like KPMG.

Additional Foundation initiatives include the Accounting Doctoral Scholars program, Minority Accounting Doctoral Scholarships, and the Matching Gift Program. Milano remains active in the academic communities through the Foundation’s involvement with Beta Alpha Psi, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), Beta Gamma Sigma, and in his roles as Chair of the Advisory Board for Ramapo College and North Carolina A&T State University.

Milano’s efforts have earned broad recognition including honorary doctorates from North Carolina A&T State University and Kent State University. Working Mother magazine named him a Champion of Diversity in 2001 and he was presented with the National Association of Black Accountants Legends Award just last year.

As the firm’s Board of Directors recognized Milano, Veihmeyer told him, “We thank you for 50 wonderful and productive years of dedicated service to our firm, our profession, and our community!”