Discover how technical mastery and soft skills combine to build a career that leads from the balance sheet to the boardroom.
From Accountant to CEO: How to Rise and Lead
This course explores the leadership journey of Michael Stivala, President and CEO of Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., one of the largest propane distributors in the United States. Drawing on a candid conversation with Stivala, the course traces his path from public accounting at PricewaterhouseCoopers to the corner office — and examines the principles, decisions, and skills that shaped his ascent.
Participants will explore how a foundation in accounting develops the business judgment, analytical discipline, and people-reading skills that translate into effective leadership at every level. The course addresses what it takes to become a trusted advisor, how to build credibility beyond your defined role, and how to earn — and keep — the respect of the people you lead.
The course also examines Stivala's approach to culture, communication, customer centricity, and organizational change, including how he shifted Suburban Propane's culture when he took over as CEO and how he is currently leading a company-wide technology transformation while keeping a 100-year-old mission intact.
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
Motivational & Leadership Speaker
Adam Mendler is a nationally recognized authority on leadership, renowned for his unique ability to deliver perspective-shifting insights shaped by interviewing more than 500 of America’s most successful leaders. The creator and host of the top-rated business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, Adam regularly elicits insights from America's top CEOs, founders, athletes, celebrities, and political and military leaders. A keynote speaker to businesses, universities, and non-profit organizations, Adam has written extensively on business and leadership, having authored more than 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc., and HuffPost. A Los Angeles native and lifelong Angels fan, Adam teaches graduate-level courses on leadership at UCLA, serves on the board of UCLA’s Master of Applied Statistics & Data Science program, is an emeritus member of USC’s Board of Governors, and is an advisor to numerous companies and leaders.
President & CEO of Suburban Propane
Michael Stivala is the President & CEO of Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., a nationwide distributor of propane, renewable propane, renewable natural gas, fuel oil and related products and services, as well as a marketer of natural gas and electricity, and investor in low-carbon energy alternatives with a legacy of more than 95 years of innovation, growth and exceptional service. Suburban Propane is a New York Stock Exchange listed limited partnership (ticker: SPH) headquartered in Whippany, NJ. In his nearly 25 years with Suburban Propane, Michael has brought clear strategic vision; instilled a safety first mentality in protecting employees and serving the nearly 1.0 million customers across the company’s 42 state footprint; has been an outspoken advocate for the “green” qualities of propane as one solution to a sustainable energy future; and has led the Company's innovation in the buildout of a renewable energy platform. Michael has made strong commitments to Suburban Propane’s involvement in the local communities, and its national partnership with the American Red Cross under the Company’s SuburbanCares corporate pillar. He has also spearheaded Suburban’s commitment to hiring, training and providing assistance to Military Veterans through its “Heroes Hired Here” program. His keen vision led to the creation of the Three Pillars of the Suburban Propane Experience: the Suburban Commitment to Excellence, SuburbanCares, and Go Green with Suburban Propane. The three corporate pillars elevate the focus of Suburban Propane’s many strengths in serving their customers, commitment to their employees and the communities they serve, the sustainability of propane as a clean American energy source and its investments in innovative, renewable energy solutions. In January 2020, Michael became a Member and now serves as the Chairman of the NJ Region Council of the American Red Cross. In March 2020, he joined the 40 Member Global Industry Council of the World LPG Association; and is a member of the Board of Directors of Oberon Fuels Independence Hydrogen. For each year from 2022 through 2024, Michael has been recognized as a finalist in the Chief Trailblazer of the Year category of the S&P Global Energy Awards; and in each of the last five years, Michael was honored by NJ BIZ on their Power Top 50 CEOs list in NJ. Michael has been featured in multiple media outlets for his industry expertise, community involvement and commitment to innovation; including Fox Business News, CNBC, Cheddar TV, Bloomberg, NewsMax, Wall Street Journal, and several energy podcasts.
