The USC Leventhal School of Accounting is proud to announce Michael Norona as the commencement speaker for the Class of 2026. A valued member of the Leventhal Board of Councilors, Norona brings more than 37 years of strategic, operational, and financial leadership across some notable companies, and is accomplished in leading transformational change in high growth environments.

“Accounting is the language of business, and a Leventhal degree has prepared our students with the technical and soft skills to thrive in this changing environment,” Norona said. “Beyond their academic talents, I am so inspired by the global mindset, social responsibility, and authentic character of our 2026 graduating class — it is these traits, along with their positivity and determination to improve the world, that give me so much confidence in our future.”

Norona is a former Fortune 500 CFO and seasoned board member whose career spans retail and multi-unit global businesses. He served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Advance Auto Parts from 2008 to 2016, during which the company more than doubled its revenues to approximately $10 billion and quadrupled its market capitalization. Prior to Advance Auto Parts, Michael spent nearly 20 years at Best Buy Co. / Future Shop during a period of significant company growth, serving in a range of finance leadership roles — including head of finance for Canada and president of financial services.

Most recently, Michael served as a board member and audit committee chair of Clarios — the world’s largest manufacturer of low-voltage batteries, operating in over 100 countries — from 2019 to 2025. He is a former board member of the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. Norona holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from the University of British Columbia, Canada and is a chartered professional accountant (CPA) certified in British Columbia, Canada.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Norona is deeply committed to mentorship, corporate governance, and giving back. He is a director emeritus and audit committee member of Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), the world’s largest nonprofit dedicated to Type 1 diabetes research. Norona also has a personal connection to this year’s ceremony — his son Dylan is among the Class of 2026.

USC Leventhal’s commencement ceremony will take place on Friday, May 15. Details can be found at USC’s 2026 Commencement website.