BDO USA Announces Natalie Kotlyar as New Board Chair, Welcomes New and Re-elected Board Members

June 27, 2024 at 14:00 PM EDT

BDO USA, one of the nation’s leading accounting and advisory firms, today announced the board’s election of Natalie Kotlyar to her inaugural term as chair of the Board of Directors. Kotlyar has served on the board since November 2020 and was re-elected to a new term this year. Kotlyar succeeds Kelly Johnson, who served as BDO’s first woman board chair since 2019. In addition, Kirstie Tiernan was elected as a new board member and John Marquardt was elected to a second term. The board also extended the term of Tony Argiz through the remainder of the term of Mark Ellenbogen’s vacated board seat. Ellenbogen will roll off the board when he assumes the role of chief operating officer. All changes are effective July 1.

"I’m delighted to extend my sincere congratulations to Natalie on her election as board chair,” said Wayne Berson, CEO of BDO USA. “Her legacy of leadership, unwavering commitment to sustainable growth and extensive understanding of our client service approach make Natalie an invaluable choice for leading BDO into its next chapter. I’d also like to thank Kelly for her service and steady leadership. She has guided our firm with poise and exceptional business acumen on a path of continued growth and success during a critical period in our firm’s history.”

Kotlyar brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished track record to her new role, having served as an advisor to BDO clients for over 25 years. She has held various leadership positions within BDO, most recently leading the firm's industry group program and managing the premier program to enhance relationship and account management with the firm’s priority clients. Additionally, she acts as BDO’s country coordinator for Israel and Eastern Europe.

“As we look to a new chapter in the firm’s history, I’m so pleased to pass the baton to Natalie. She has provided tremendous insight as we have navigated an increasingly complex business landscape, especially as the firm embraced change within the profession and chose to establish our ESOP,” shared Assurance Managing Principal, Kelly Johnson, who serves as the current board chair. “I’m also pleased that John and Tony will continue to provide valuable counsel, and I’d like to give a warm welcome to Kirstie. Her leadership and knowledge in the digital space helps enhance our market-facing capabilities and positions us at the forefront of the client experience.”

Tiernan’s addition comes at a pivotal time for the firm, as she has been instrumental in developing BDO’s Data & Artificial Intelligence (AI) practice and spearheads client-facing AI initiatives. Tiernan is the national go-to-market leader in BDO Digital and leads the Labs practice. Marquardt is tax managing principal for the Central Region and served as tax managing partner for BDO Detroit. He leads the firm's tax sector for the Retail & Consumer Products industry group. Argiz joined BDO South Florida as a managing partner in January 2021 through an expansion with MBAF. Argiz was appointed to the board in January 2021 as a lateral director in connection with the MBAF expansion; at the time, MBAF was the largest Florida-based professional services firm and one of the top 40 accounting firms in the nation.

About BDO USA

Our purpose is helping people thrive, every day. Together, we are focused on delivering exceptional and sustainable outcomes and value for our people, our clients and our communities. BDO is proud to be an ESOP company, reflecting a culture that puts people first. BDO professionals provide assurance, tax and advisory services for a diverse range of clients across the U.S. and in over 160 countries through our global organization.

BDO is the brand name for the BDO network and for each of the BDO Member Firms. BDO USA, P.C., a Virginia professional corporation, is the U.S. member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms. For more information, please visit: www.bdo.com.