Aissatou Gningue ’23

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Aissatou Gningue’23 is an associate in the Financial Operations division at KPMG. She works with major financial institutions managing their anti-money laundering (AML) investigations, as she is part of an ecosystem driven by collaboration, growth, innovation, and results that matter.

Aissatou is excited to contribute her time and many talents to KPMG. She is no stranger to hard work; her drive and ambition are unparalleled.

At the age of ten, Aissatou moved from Senegal, West Africa to the United States. She excelled in her studies throughout junior high and high school. When she was accepted into Pace University, she was determined to set her sights high and achieve all of her academic and professional goals. Nothing would deter her. When seeking opportunities she didn’t take the word “no” for an answer. She says her “stubbornness” paid off in immeasurable ways. At Pace, Aissatou pursued two bachelor’s degrees and one master’s degree—she graduated from Pace at the age of 22. While at Pace she was often asked, “Are you sure you can do it?” Her response was always, “Of course I can!”

Aissatou’s journey at Pace offered her endless opportunities for growth personally, academically, and professionally. She learned to have the confidence to create opportunities where she couldn’t find any. “Pace’s motto, Opportunitas, extends beyond what has the university has to offer,” she says. “Opportunitas also means to be the change you want to see in the world, to be bold, and to reimagine the impossible.”

As the student speaker during the Lubin School of Business 2023 commencement ceremony, she delivered an inspirational speech and ended it with a Milton Berle quote: “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”

Aissatou continues to build doors and other pathways to opportunity. As she reflects on her time at Pace, she says: "The career I have built so far at KPMG has been exciting and fulfilling. I attribute my ability to thrive in this fast-paced environment where change happens sporadically to Pace allowing me to flourish and giving me a platform to pursue incredible opportunities. I was given the opportunity to start a club, be part of several executive boards, be an ambassador and mentor to my peers, and most importantly, pursue degrees that have proven to be most valuable. Pace gave me wings to soar and I've been flying ever since!”

Soaring and flying, though synonymous, demonstrate that opportunity serves as the launching pad to building a successful career. Aissatou’s Pace experience gave her the confidence to hit the ground running with skills that will ensure she remains in high demand.