Rita Grant

Rita Grant brings extensive academic and professional expertise to her role as ICSB Board Treasurer and Secretary. As an Emeritus Professor of Accounting at Grand Valley State University, she has spent decades developing deep knowledge in financial management and accounting principles that directly inform her oversight of ICSB’s financial operations.

Her Certified Public Accountant credential provides the technical foundation necessary for managing the financial complexities of an international organization like ICSB. This professional certification ensures she maintains current knowledge of accounting standards and regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions where ICSB operates.

Grant’s research portfolio aligns strategically with ICSB’s mission. Her work in Family Business Succession addresses critical challenges facing the millions of family-owned enterprises worldwide, particularly the complex transition processes that determine whether businesses survive across generations. Her research into Family Business Philanthropy explores how these enterprises can contribute to community development while maintaining business viability.

Her focus on SME Financing directly supports ICSB’s core constituency, as access to capital remains one of the most significant barriers facing small and medium enterprises globally. This research experience provides valuable insights into the financial challenges that ICSB members and the broader SME community encounter.

The International Accounting and Finance component of her research brings a global perspective essential for an organization with worldwide membership. Understanding diverse financial systems, regulatory environments, and accounting practices across different countries helps inform ICSB’s international programming and policy positions.

Grant’s leadership experience extends beyond academia through her service on the Beta Alpha Psi board, the international honor society for accounting, finance, and business information students and professionals. This role demonstrates her commitment to developing future business leaders and maintaining connections between academic institutions and professional practice.

Her current board position with the Oceana Community Foundation illustrates her dedication to community engagement and nonprofit governance. This experience with foundation operations provides additional perspective on organizational management, fundraising, and community impact measurement that benefits ICSB’s mission.

The combination of academic rigor, professional certification, research expertise in relevant areas, and nonprofit board experience positions Grant to provide comprehensive financial oversight for ICSB while contributing strategic insights that advance the organization’s global mission of supporting small business development and entrepreneurship research.