Accounting Advisory Council

Sara Dispenza
Finance and Benefits Manager for the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation
SDispenza@meyerfdn.org

Sara Dispenza, CPA, is an alumna of the Honors Tutorial College at Ohio University where she wrote her thesis on the convergence of domestic and international accounting standards.  She was recently the recipient of the 2008 Young Alumnus Award from Ohio University’s School of Accountancy.

Currently, Ms. Dispenza serves as the Finance and Benefits Manager for the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation.  With grant-giving at $7 to $10 million per year, the Meyer Foundation has often been among the first foundations to respond to emerging issues in our community.  At the Foundation, Ms. Dispenza is primarily responsible for the Meyer Foundation's accounting functions, including transactions within a $150 M plus endowment.  Ms. Dispenza also monitors new accounting pronouncements, coordinates the preparation of the operating budget, acts as the primary contact for staff concerning their benefits, and prepares and maintains schedules for tax returns and audits.

Prior to joining the Meyer Foundation, Ms. Dispenza was an assurance associate in the Private Company Services practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers and then worked at Chevy Chase Bank as an assistant vice president within the Financial Reporting Department as their accounting policy manager.  During her tenure at these organizations, Ms. Dispenza realized that her accounting elbow grease really belonged in nonprofit work.  Accordingly, working for an organization like the Meyer Foundation makes her proud to be part of a catalyst for change and social well-being.

Ms. Dispenza has served a member and Curriculum Chair for the Greater Washington Society of CPAs Nonprofit Symposium which fulfills the educational requirements for approximately 400 accounting professionals.  Sara was also involved as a member of the Finance and Administration Roundtable Program Committee during the membership period.  In addition, Sara is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.