Michelle DePalma, CPA, is the Chief Financial Officer of the Florida Atlantic University Foundation, Inc. In her role, she is responsible for overseeing the finance and accounting functions of the Foundation, including the endowment, as well as the budget for the Division of Institutional Advancement. Michelle plays a key role in developing and monitoring financing and funding strategies, evaluating processes, and managing all aspects related to finance, accounting and investments. Michelle collaborates with all Foundation stakeholders ranging from donors, university faculty and staff, and development professionals, providing policies, reports and analysis tools to effectively govern the Foundation’s $500M in assets. As a CPA licensed in the state of Florida, Michelle’s career spans thirty years in governmental and not-for-profit accounting as an auditor, consultant and chief financial officer. Michelle began her accounting career in public accounting with Coopers and Lybrand, experiencing both audit and tax duties, and transitioning to audit supervisor and, ultimately, director of assurance for local public accounting firms. During her public accounting career, Michelle was a reviewer for the prestigious Government Finance Officers Association, Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (COA). Her experience includes accounting system implementation and training for medium to large governmental and not-for-profit entities, with a focus on process improvement. Prior to joining the Foundation, Michelle was the Chief Financial Officer for the Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County, Inc. for eleven years, managing a $250M budget comprised of federal, state and local funding serving the children and families of Palm Beach County.
As a Palm Beach County native, Michelle’s commitment to community service ranges from Board of Director service for local not-for-profits, including the American Lung Association and Deaf Service Center, a fiscal reviewer for the United Way of Palm Beach County, various treasurer roles for local church and school activities, and over ten years of active leadership roles in both Girls Scouts of South East Florida and Scouting America (fna Boy Scouts of America). Michelle is a graduate of Leadership Palm Beach County, Class of 2021.
Education:
- University of Florida: Bachelor of Science in Accounting
- Florida Atlantic University: Master of Accounting
