Maria Keener was selected to participate in KPMG's Global Advantage Program in Budapest, Hungary.  Global Advantage is an elite international leadership development program which includes 120 student leaders from top universities across the United States and around the world.  Students are selected for Global Advantage based on their exceptional academic performance and for being recogized as leaders on campus and in their communities. 

This year's Global Advantage Program in Hungary consisted of classroom sessions in the mornings and activities around the city in the afternoons. Classroom sessions focused on building leadership skills; specifically personality flexing and cultural flexing. Some of the activities included a monsterroller e-scooter tour around the city, wine tasting, client visit, strudel making, boat tour, and a visit to the St. Stephen’s basilica. The program also allowed time to socialize with program members to see the city independently. 

Maria said, "My favorite part was meeting the other students that were there. It was great to be able to network with future interns from all over the world. The whole trip was really beneficial to me because it was culturally eye opening, I learned new leadership skills, and I got to meet lots of great people."

Maria is from Northern Virginia and a rising junior at Virginia Tech double-majoring in ACIS and BIT.  Maria is  involved in Collegiate Women in Business (CWIB) and the Women’s Club Lacrosse Team. For this upcoming year she will be the Vice President of Finance for CWIB and the Vice President for Women’s Club Lacrosse.