MEET THE TEAM
Mendes Consulting LLC has two experienced financial executives and a team of contractors.
Pete
Mendes
The owner of Mendes Consulting LLC, Pete has a strong history of partnering with senior management teams and boards of directors to develop strategies, provide operational support, and optimize the entire organization. Pete has over 30 years of delivering viable solutions that resolve complex business issues.
Before creating Mendes Consulting LLC, Pete worked at KPMG LLP for 23 years and led engagement teams to audit financial statements and internal control over financial reporting for SEC registrants and privately-owned companies, ranging from local companies with $15 million annual revenue to global organizations with $3 billion revenue annually. He also interacted with client senior management and board members on strategy and corporate governance.
While working at Mendes Consulting LLC, Pete has performed Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer responsibilities for organizations temporarily without a senior executive or in need of additional seasoned financial expertise. He has been recognized for creating value through measured, analytical approach to strategic initiatives, effectively managing client expectations, and introducing robust, measurable best practices.
Pete graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, has over 20 years of experience of serving on boards of directors, and has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Pete currently serves on the Boards of Directors of Leadership Pittsburgh Inc & Orchard Hill Church. He is a licensed CPA in Pennsylvania and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
LaShawnda Thomas
LaShawnda helps organizations assess their financial health, understand their financial information to make strategic decisions, and develop practical financial strategies. She has over 20 years of progressive experience partnering with senior management and boards of directors to provide analysis, advice and insight regarding complex business issues and providing operational support.
Prior to joining Mendes Consulting LLC, LaShawnda spent four years with Carnegie Mellon University where she led the accounting and financial reporting department and was responsible for assessing the operational and financial impact of significant business transactions. LaShawnda started her career at KPMG LLP. For 14 years she provided audit services to local and global SEC registrants and privately owned companies in a variety of industries, as well as not-for-profit organizations across various sectors. LaShawnda’s time at KPMG LLP included a three-year appointment to KPMG’s National Office where she assisted audit teams and clients nationwide with complex accounting, audit, financial reporting, and SEC filings matters and with identification
of audit quality matters and development, implementation and monitoring of process improvements and remedial action plans.
Since joining Mendes Consulting, LaShawnda has served as the temporary finance executive for organizations in need of senior level financial expertise, led organizations in strategic financial analysis and long-term financial sustainability assessments and planning, and provided finance training for senior leadership.
LaShawnda holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting from Duquesne University. She has over 15 years of experience serving on boards of directors and has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Pittsburgh. LaShawnda is also a licensed CPA in Pennsylvania and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, National Association of Black Accountants, and Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.