Chief Accounting Officer Alexis Luckey ’11 of AllianceBernstein, a global publicly traded asset management firm, exemplifies what it means to blend strategic insight with human connection. Her journey to the top wasn’t linear—but it was intentional, guided by family legacy, curiosity, and an enduring drive to grow.
A Family Legacy and a PSU Foundation
For Alexis, choosing Portland State University felt like coming home. “My whole family are PSU alumni,” she says with a smile. “That was a significant driving force in my decision to go to Portland State.”
Her father, a retired Geffen Mesher tax partner, helped shape Portland’s accounting community — modeling the professional excellence and integrity that continue to guide her career today. Her aunts, among the first women in their family to attend college, also found their footing at PSU. “My aunts were the first generation of women in my family to go to college,” Alexis says. “They’ve all graduated with very good jobs and had exceptional careers as a result of the Portland State experience.”
After completing her undergraduate degree in marketing at the University of Oregon, Alexis spent several years working in San Francisco before realizing her true calling. “I had many amazing mentors in the accounting community, and my family is filled with accountants. When I was making my decision to return back to school, I knew accounting was my calling and Portland State was going to be the school to help me achieve my goals.”
The Portland State Advantage
Returning to Portland to pursue PSU’s Postbaccalaureate Accounting Certificate program proved pivotal. “You come into the program at the higher 200, 300, 400-level classes and you are just focused on accounting,” she explains. “It’s one-for-one—I learned everything, and I use everything I learned at Portland State today.”
She recalls the vibrancy of her student experience: “In my time the classes were packed. Everybody was in attendance. You arrive at class, packed with fellow students, and afterward, you work on your group projects, holding conversations, building relationships and making connections that will serve you a lifetime. You walk and talk or enjoy a coffee with your fellow students and so much personal development happens through these connections not only with other students but with your professors. There’s no replacing the one-on-one facetime interaction and the community that's built in the PSU classroom and on campus.”
That sense of community remains one of her fondest memories. “I have nothing but the highest regard for the program and the experience I had. It was truly an incredible experience.”
What stood out most to Alexis was PSU’s dynamic learning environment. “It’s an urban university—you get exposure to so many different life paths and perspectives. That diversity of culture and experience gives you an opportunity to grow.”
Leadership, Mentorship, and Continuous Growth
Today, as chief accounting officer at a global asset management firm, Alexis leads with purpose and empathy. “A good manager should build their teams up so that they shine — so that someday, they’re ready to take on bigger roles. That’s when I’ve done my job — when I’ve set them up for success.”
Her management philosophy is rooted in empowerment and trust. “It’s so important to support your team, to build them up and to let them thrive.”
When asked what drives her, Alexis doesn’t hesitate. “I've always had this natural internal motivation ... I think it's my curiosity, the push to always want to learn more and to be better, right? Better in your career and better as a human overall.”
She credits her work ethic and love of challenges to her father: “I’m an extremely hard worker—I learned that from him. I love what I do: the interaction, the people, the challenge. There’s always another problem, a new conundrum that makes me think, ‘Oh, I haven’t looked at it that way.’ That keeps you sharp.”
That drive to grow — and help others do the same — has become a cornerstone of her career. “There’s always one more level up,” she says. “You can always level up one more time.”
Creative Balance
We asked Alexis to share something we might not know about her. When she’s not leading teams or mentoring young professionals, she finds tranquility in expressing herself through art and design. Having an eye for beauty and harmony has always guided her imaginative side, which she can attest to her mother. “I love to color and draw. And I love fashion,” she says. She has a room in her home dedicated to her artistic projects. “It's a zen space for me, a place to go, be creative and be at peace.”
Technology and the Future of Accounting
As the profession evolves, Alexis remains optimistic about how technology will strengthen the field. Her on-campus recruiting work has shown her how adaptable students have become. “Students’ ability to evolve and adapt to technology is incredible,” she says. Still, she believes accounting will always rely on human judgment and insight.
“AI is going to enhance our ability to do our jobs, but it shouldn’t replace human connection and intellect. There will remain a strong need for an accounting degree in the future,” she explains.
For Alexis, understanding accounting means understanding business itself. “If you can understand the books and ledgers and you can interpret a set of financial statements, you understand the business ... And if you can understand the business, you can pivot to anywhere you want from that point forth.”
“Some people think accountants mostly sit behind a desk and dive into Excel spreadsheets all day — but it’s the exact opposite,” she adds. “So much of accounting is consulting with the business, connecting with people, and building relationships.”
A Philosophy for Success
Alexis lives by a personal mantra that blends resilience and intention:
“A mindset that combines discipline, strength, confidence, and ambition is a powerful mindset. A powerful mind can achieve anything.”
It’s a philosophy that has guided her from PSU classrooms to the global stage — one defined by curiosity, mentorship, and courage in the face of uncertainty.
Advice to the Next Generation
Her message to students is simple yet profound: Invest in relationships. Mentorship and collaboration can transform your career trajectory. Stay curious. Ask questions, seek challenges, and never stop learning. Trust yourself. Growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone.
Reflecting on her own path, Alexis shares: “This accounting degree is so amazing. People can take it as far as they’re interested and capable of. It opens doors for you.”