Max Prezeau – 2025 District VI Award Recipient
Max Prezeau UCLA ’23 found his calling through Bruin Compassionate Consulting, a student-run organization that provides pro bono strategic solutions to nonprofits serving underrepresented communities in Los Angeles.
Starting as a junior analyst conducting market research and financial analysis, Max quickly advanced to project manager and now serves on the organization’s board, helping shape its long-term vision. Through this work, he’s been able to help local charities optimize their operations and maximize their impact on communities that need it most.
“The ability to use my skills to help others and make a tangible difference in those underrepresented in Los Angeles has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my college experience,” Max explains about his consulting work.
This commitment to using business skills for positive impact extends into his career goals in public accounting. Max is pursuing his CPA license because he believes auditing plays a critical role in financial transparency and corporate responsibility. His economics major and accounting minor at UCLA are preparing him for a career where he can hold organizations accountable and promote the financial accuracy that maintains trust in our economy.
Max’s leadership experience as chapter president has reinforced these goals. Organizing Phi Psi Live, a charity concert that raised funds for the Boys and Girls Club of LA, demonstrated what he calls “financial stewardship and using business acumen to create positive impact.” As president, he manages finances, oversees compliance with policies, and ensures transparency in decision-making — responsibilities that align directly with public accounting principles.
His rapid leadership progression at California Epsilon — becoming the only freshman elected to executive board as sergeant at arms before advancing to chapter president — reflects the same analytical and leadership skills that drive his success in both nonprofit consulting and his academic pursuits. Max has secured a 2026 audit internship at Deloitte, positioning him to begin his public accounting career.
Through Phi Psi, Max has learned that success comes from “seeking meaning, grounding myself in my values, and guiding others to do the same.” Whether helping nonprofits serve their communities or preparing for a career in audit, Max approaches every opportunity as a chance to create positive impact through financial expertise and ethical leadership.
In 2025, Brother Prezeau was awarded the Phi Psi Foundation’s District VI Award, recognizing students from District VI who demonstrate academic achievement, character, and commitment to their studies.