International Honoree

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The Beta Gamma Sigma International Honoree Award is selected annually by the BGS Board of Governors. Winners are selected from nominated founders and c-suite executives who are making a difference in their industry. These individuals exemplify the values on which Beta Gamma Sigma is founded and further the Society’s ideals through outstanding business and managerial leadership.



Bernard J. Milano, CPA

Former President

KPMG Foundation

Bernard J. Milano, CPA, is a distinguished leader in business education, accounting, and philanthropy. He served as President of the KPMG Foundation from 1992 to 2019, where he championed diversity in higher education and played a pivotal role in the creation and success of The PhD Project, which significantly increased diversity among business school faculty. His career at KPMG began in 1961, on the Audit staff. He advanced through leadership roles, including National Partner in Charge of University Relations and National Partner in Charge of Human Resources before taking over the KPMG Foundation presidency.

Milano has been widely recognized for his lifelong contributions to accounting, education, and diversity. He received numerous prestigious awards, including the AICPA Special Recognition Award (2006), the American Accounting Association Lifetime Service Award (2015), and the Federation of Schools of Accounting Practitioner Service Award (1990, 1994, 2019). He was also honored as part of the AACSB Class of 2022 Influential Leaders and was inducted into the North Carolina A&T State University School of Business Hall of Fame (2017).



In recognition of his lasting impact, several organizations have named awards in his honor, including the Beta Alpha Psi KPMG/Bernard J. Milano Lifetime Service Award, the Business School Engagement Collaborative Bernard J. Milano-Champion of Change Award, and the HBCU Business Deans’ Roundtable Bernard J. Milano Excellence Award.

Milano’s influence extended to national policy through his appointments to the President’s Board of Advisors on Black Colleges and Universities serving under two United States of America presidents. He holds honorary doctorates from North Carolina A&T State University, Kent State University, and William Paterson University.

Beyond his professional achievements, Milano has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including Beta Gamma Sigma, Points of Light Foundation, The National Episcopal Church Foundation and the CDC Foundation. His legacy continues to shape the future of business education, leadership, and diversity.