Feature Stories
Mackenzie Satkoski '06 & '07
Mackenzie Satkoski, ‘06 & ‘07, is the recipient of the 2021 Alumni Service Award. The honor is awarded to an alumnus or alumna who demonstrates outstanding service to the university and the Alumni Association. The awardee is selected by the GVSU Alumni Relations staff and the award is presented during Homecoming weekend.
Satkoski earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and a Master of Science in accounting, both from Grand Valley State University. During her time at Grand Valley, she earned academic and athletic All-American honors, serving as a captain for the Women’s Swimming Team. She was also an active member of the Student Athletic Advisory Council, a volunteer with Athletes Who Care, and a member of Beta Alpha Psi, the International Honor Organization for Accounting Students.
Satkoski now serves her alma mater and fellow alumni by making charitable contributions to Grand Valley, serving as president of the GVSU Swimming & Diving Alumni Chapter, being a member of the GVSU Alumni Association Board of Directors, and serving as co-organizer and treasurer of the Annual Coach Meerman Memorial Golf Outing. She also finds the time to volunteer with numerous community organizations and her church.
“Mackenzie is a fantastic ambassador and role model for GVSU. She is extremely organized and thorough in all that she does. The time and detail that Mackenzie and her husband Mark put into organizing the Jim Meerman Memorial Golf Outing are incredible. They put their heart and soul into it each year and it shows — it’s in the numbers, a sell-out five years running! Mackenzie is the epitome of a Laker for a Lifetime, and much deserving of this award,” praised Kim Schmidt, director of athletic giving at GVSU.
For nearly 13 years, Satkoski’s career was in public accounting as a CPA. She started with the BDO USA, LLP West Michigan Tax Practice as an intern in 2006 and joined the team full time in 2008. She served a variety of clients, but focused on closely held family-owned businesses, having a knack for the relationships made with each organization's team members and owners. She gained vast experience with the complex and strategic tax service needs of large organizations and high net worth individuals.
During her time at BDO, she was active with the BDO Counts volunteering initiative, recruiting, and leading the intern program for a time. As the liaison between BDO and Junior Achievement, Satkoski volunteered in the classroom and other events for over 10 years.
In 2019, Satkoski joined the team at Hudsonville Creamery and Ice Cream Company where she applies her closely-held business experience to serve the owners of the organization and support the finance team. Shortly after being hired, the company acquired Sherman's Dairy Bar in South Haven where Satkoski was able to work closely with the GM to get the accounting and organizational systems in place to have a successful first season.
She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as well as the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants.
Interest Area(s)
Accounting, Business Administration
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