Evelyn Valencia from Knight High School was selected from hundreds of applicants nationwide to participate in the inaugural KPMG Future Leaders Program – Class of 2016.
Funded by proceeds from the Women’s PGA Championship, the KPMG Future Leaders Program affords top female high school seniors across the country the opportunity to enhance their personal growth through college scholarships, a leadership development retreat and a mentoring relationship with a woman business leader.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is the program’s ambassador.
Valencia is one of 16 national KPMG scholarship recipients, and one of only two California recipients selected for the Future Leaders Program.
The 16 recipients met the following criteria:
- Female high school senior planning to enroll in a four-year undergraduate program for the upcoming fall semester;
- Proven track record of academic excellence and leadership potential;
- Minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA;
- Interest in a business or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) academic track;
- Active in the community; and
- Financial need.
In addition to receiving an annual scholarship of $10,000 for each year of college, recipients will attend the three-day KPMG Future Leaders Retreat in July at Stanford University focused on leadership training, career development skills, and an introduction to golf. Recipients also will be paired with a mentor – a woman leader participating in the Leadership Summit. The PGA of America and LPGA will lead the golf instruction at the Future Leaders Retreat.
“KPMG is passionate about developing women leaders at various stages of their careers, and the KPMG Future Leaders Program will play a powerful role in shaping future generations of leaders,” stated Lynne Doughtie, KPMG U.S. Chairman and CEO. “Through this initiative, we are paying it forward by investing in promising young women and instilling the confidence and leadership skills they will need to succeed and lead in college and their careers. We’ve joined with Condoleezza Rice, who serves as an exemplary leader to help inspire and equip them.”
“The KPMG Future Leaders Program will help prepare these young women to be leaders at their universities and in their communities,” Rice added. “I’m proud to work with KPMG on this important mission to strengthen future generations of women leaders.”
For more information about KPMG and its Future Leaders Program, visit KPMG.com/WomensLeadership.
dumbandblind says
Congratulations! We need more of this type of news.
Latina says
Happy for her! The is a great accomplishment for this young lady! Awesome!