Title: Partner

Company: Grant Thornton LLP

Location: Pheonix, Az.

With more than 17 years of public and corporate accounting experience, Stella Shanovich continues as audit partner with Grant Thornton LLP in Pheonix, Az. As an audit, tax, and advisory service provider, she provides an area of expertise that include building strong client relationships, developing dynamic and diverse teams, and overseeing audit and accounting projects. Ms. Shanovich has served both publicly-held (SEC) and privately-owned companies in the manufacturing, technology, nonprofit, retail and distribution, health care, and student loan industries.

As former chief financial officer, Ms. Shanovich enjoys brainstorming solutions and considers herself an adept problem solver, asking other chief executive officers challenging having walked in their shoes. She takes pleasure in teaching and educating her clients about “tone at the top” and how it impacts a company’s success. Ms. Shanovich has also lead, supervised, developed and trained more than 20 managers and associates on the audit team. Audit training is more than just technical guidance and how to use proprietary tools, for her, as it it also includes focusing on building relationships so that client interactions and team interactions are meaningful.

Ms. Shanovich’s finds heavy interest in Grant Thornton’s gender diversity program to promote women leaders. Since 2004, she has assisted the National Managing Partner of Women’s Programs & Initiatives in guiding and mentoring Grant Thornton women in our West Region. In 2008, she became the first female partner in Grant Thornton’s Phoenix office. Ms. Shanovish is currently involved with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Arizona Society of CPAs, and serves on the Valley of the Sun United Way Campaign Cabinet.