Back in the spring of 1980, senior accounting major Lynn Kimmel and her classmate Ron Valenta organized a small, celebratory gathering for the Accounting Society at a restaurant in Marina del Rey. Fast forward 42 years, and that small gathering has grown into an annual 100+ person banquet with cocktails, dinner, sponsorships, awards and student scholarships totaling $269,000.
One of the awards, the Accounting Alumna of the Year, fittingly went to Lynn this year. She first learned she was nominated in early 2020 right before the pandemic hit. To finally be able to accept her award two years later at the 40th annual Accounting Society Banquet surrounded by family, friends and former classmates made the moment even more special.
When it comes to engaged alumni, Lynn is at the top of the list. Her involvement began as a student in the Accounting Society, Alpha Sigma Nu, Belles Service Organization and Special Games. As an alum, she serves on the Board of Regents and Finance Targeted Affinity Council and is a past member of the Accounting Advisory Board.
Lynn is also a generous donor who has given to LMU every year since she graduated. She has established two endowed scholarship funds at LMU – one with her accounting classmates from the class of 1980 and one on her own supporting business students.
“I owe much of my success to LMU and I’m fortunate to give back to a place I love so much,” said Lynn, who is a senior executive vice president at CalSurance Associates, a leading insurance broker. She first joined the firm in 1986 and has held various leadership positions including CFO.
Learn more about Lynn’s inspiring life and career in her own words.
Why do you owe much of your success to LMU?
Attending LMU was one of the best decisions of my life. I learned to believe in myself and my capabilities. I entered as a freshman with little self-confidence and graduated with some. My confidence grew with each promotion and job change. The accounting program did a great job of preparing us for our careers. Through the Accounting Society, we met alumni who shared the rigors of the profession and the broad experiences that would be available to us. On a personal level, I made great women friends at LMU and we still get together once a year to share work stories and lift each other up with prayers and encouragement.
What has your experience been like as a female leader in the accounting/insurance industry?
To say that I have seen a lot of changes in the last 42 years is an understatement! While incoming cohorts of staff accountants at the Big 8 were close to 50% female in 1980, we did not have many role models. At Ernst & Whinney (now EY), there were no female audit or tax partners and only one female principal in the consulting division in Los Angeles. The numbers were similar in the insurance industry, and it has only been in the last few years that you see women senior executives in roles outside of HR. Have I faced discrimination in my career? Yes. But I did not let it impact my outlook. I just worked harder to prove the men wrong.
Your service to LMU is very admirable. Why do you make it a priority to give back in time and treasure?
I was raised by parents who volunteered in various organizations so giving back seemed very natural to me. The solicitation for the class gift at the end of senior year made me think a lot about giving back financially. I made the decision that it was more important to give something each year than give a large amount.
What inspired you to start an endowed scholarship fund in your name and with your 1980 classmates?
I graduated with no debt and not all my friends and classmates were so fortunate. Student debt has become such a burden for young adults and young families. When my classmate Joel Poladian came up with the idea of creating the Class of 1980 Accounting Endowed Scholarship, I thought it was a great idea, though a lofty idea, to raise $100,000 but we did it. Through my involvement on the Accounting Advisory Board and meetings with Dean Smith I saw all the great things that were happening with finance and accounting students and started an endowed scholarship. When that is fully funded, I hope to work with other classmates to start another endowed scholarship, perhaps for a first-generation female student.
What advice has served you well throughout your career that you would like to pass along to students?
When you face challenges in your career, look for the silver lining in the situation. There is always something positive that you can choose to focus on. But if after six months you are unhappy in your position, move on to another department or another company. Life is too short to be unhappy in your work.
The LMU Accounting Society in 1980 with Lynn pictured third from the left in a white suit.