PwC US appoints Sara Grootwassink Lewis as board observer

PwC US has appointed Sara Grootwassink Lewis as a board observer in its board of partners and principals, effective July 1.

Based in Phoenix, Grootwassink Lewis brings more than 20 years of experience serving on public company boards. A certified financial analyst and certified public accountant, Grootwassink Lewis has expertise across corporate finance, capital allocation, mergers and acquisitions, CEO succession, executive compensation, financial reporting, risk oversight, and corporate governance.

PwC’s board is composed of 18 partners and principals and one external director: Carol Pottenger, a retired US Navy vice admiral.

“Given the complexity of the environment we are operating in, this is an important time for the PwC Board to gain another outside perspective. Since 2017 we’ve had independent voices in our boardroom and benefited tremendously from their unique viewpoints,” said Karen Young, chair of PwC USA LLP’s board of partners and principals. “This is yet another way to foster independent thinking as we make choices about where to invest our time and resources.”

A board observer attends and participates in board meetings like any other director, but does not hold the same voting rights and may be excluded from confidential meetings pertaining to urgent corporate matters.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to work with PwC’s US Board,” Grootwassink Lewis said. “It’s a firm that aligns with my values, and I look forward to sharing my experience and bringing new perspectives to their boardroom.”

Grootwassink Lewis currently serves as a board member of Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX), a Fortune 150 international mining company; Weyerhaeuser (S&P 500), one of the world's largest owners of timberlands; and Healthpeak Properties, Inc. (S&P 500) an owner and developer of life science and medical real estate.

She previously served on the boards of Everside Health, Sun Life Financial, and Adamas Pharmaceuticals, among other companies.

Grootwassink Lewis’ non-board career includes serving as EVP and CFO of Washington Real Estate Investment Trust (NYSE:WRE) and VP of finance at Corporate Office Properties Trust (NYSE:OFC).

She has a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.