Natalie Schwarz

I work with our team to help public sector organizations across the country navigate technology and operational initiatives. In my role, I partner with executive leaders and project teams to help them think through decisions, define a clear path forward, and guide them through everything from process transformation and technology strategy, to system selection and implementation.

While I’ve spent the last decade primarily focused on serving government organizations, my career has given me the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients — ranging from everything between small nonprofits to global Fortune 500 companies. That breadth of experience shapes how I advise clients today, allowing me to quickly understand differing perspectives among stakeholders, balance competing priorities, and help organizations move forward with practical solutions.

Something equally important to me is the development of our people. It’s important to me that I prioritize spending time mentoring staff, helping them grow at every stage of their careers, and ensuring that they’re gaining the experience and confidence needed to be successful. I’m especially passionate about supporting women in the industry and am actively involved in initiatives both at Plante Moran and through external women focused foundations.

Clients appreciate my candid approach and willingness to challenge them to think beyond the status quo. By providing honest, thoughtful guidance, I help them make the right decisions for themselves. I take pride in helping clients tackle complex challenges and working alongside them to find practical solutions that make lasting, valuable impact.

Around the office, I’m known for my energy and approachability. I’m an open book and enjoy connecting across teams, building relationships, and helping make the work both productive and enjoyable.

While I earned a B.A. in finance and minor in accounting from Illinois State University, my passion for innovation and efficiency has driven the direction of my career. I hold a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, which has supported my work leading large-scale transformation and technology initiatives for my clients. To stay at the forefront of industry trends and challenges, I’m currently active in numerous leading public sector organizations, including the Government Finance Officers Association, the Illinois and Texas Government Finance Officers Association, the Texas Association of Governmental Information Technology Managers, the Texas Municipal League, and the Chicago chapter of the Society for Information Management. These engagements enable me to bring current, practical insights and a broader perspective to my work with clients.

Outside of work, I value spending time with my family — especially with my husband, Dustin, and our kids, Luca and Liv. While having kids wasn’t part of my original plan, they’ve been the most rewarding part of my life and have inspired some of the most meaningful personal growth along the way. They also keep me very busy, which led me to my yoga practice a few years back — something that helps me stay grounded and balanced.