Audrey Harvey
"My experience in law school refined and enhanced my analytical thinking focusing on how rules can or should be applied to any situation. Learning to dig into details, interpret rules, and appreciate the nuances of a situation has allowed me to excel as a creative thinker who is not afraid to think differently and drives to understand intimate details surrounding business decisions."
When were you at WSU, and what was your major?
My major at Wayne State University was accounting with a minor in psychology. After earning my license as a Certified Public Accountant, I returned to WSU for a Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws in Taxation.
Describe your career in a few sentences.
I began my career as a public accountant working several years in the audit function. I found that I wanted to provide greater client service and decided to pursue tax where I could become a client advocate. After law school, I moved to my second public accounting firm and my career shifted to the tax department and began to work on Master of Laws in Taxation.
In the tax department, I became aligned with two partners who specialized in the non-profit industry and helped me understand the value of conscientious client service, and mentored me to assume responsibility for larger accounts.
What are you doing these days?
I am Vice President and executive director, and CEO of the BCBSM Foundation at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. My role is to lead our foundation to make investments in organizations that will improve the health of Michigan residents by supporting health care research and innovative health programs.
What unexpected lesson did you carry from your WSU experience into your life and career?
While at Wayne I took a speech class and the instructor suggested I join the forensics team.
I competed nationally in humorous extemporaneous and impromptu speaking, and the skills I learned increased my self-confidence and enhanced my interpersonal and professional speaking skills.
My experience in law school refined and enhanced my analytical thinking focusing on how rules can or should be applied to any situation. Learning to dig into details, interpret rules, and appreciate the nuances of a situation has allowed me to excel as a creative thinker who is not afraid to think differently and drives to understand intimate details surrounding business decisions.
What's your favorite book/movie/show?
There are two books that had the greatest impact on my life.
Play To Win: Choosing Growth Over Fear and The Four Agreements.
Favorite travel destination?
Florida is one of my favorite vacation destinations because it is easy to reach and offers great variety.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Most people see me as outgoing, but I see myself as an introvert. People would be surprised to know that really enjoy time alone to reflect and focus on my life and how I am spending my time. I am most creative when alone and arise early in the morning.
Biggest regret in life?
I regret not taking an assignment in Europe. This was a growth opportunity that I was too young to understand. I did not have a mentor at the time that could have explained how I would grow and develop learning different languages and cultures.
What is the personality trait you most admire?
Resilience is one of the personality traits I admire the most. I find that a resilient mindset allows you to enjoy life to the fullest because you do not allow adversity to define or defeat you.
What’s your idea of perfect happiness?
Perfect happiness is what I feel after an acupuncture treatment. I find that it keeps me balanced and healthy mentally and physically.