Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Rising Star Women of Business Consulting and Services for 2024. Whether managing a small enterprise with a lean but committed team or a multi-billion dollar global corporation, organizations of all sizes can benefit from effective consulting services. From human resources to IT, marketing to financial advising, these professionals are experts in their fields, equipped with the experience and knowledge to guide founders, executives, boards, and employees to reach their maximum growth and revenue potential.
We first acknowledge the accomplishments of financial expert Karla Bednar, Managing Director of Accenture’s Financial Services practice. Bednar has over 20 years of experience in delivering enterprise and strategic transformations, leading inclusive and diverse teams, and driving digital and business optimizations.
Next, we congratulate Devin Collins, a Director in RSM's Strategy and Management Consulting practice. Collins serves as the Associate Center of Excellence leader for all strategy and management consulting interns and associates at RSM, overseeing the training, onboarding, staffing, engagement, and performance of approximately 80 entry-level individuals.
Additionally, we highlight Madhu Raetsepe, Director Consulting Expert at CGI, a leading global IT and business consulting services firm. Raetsepe brings two decades of specialized experience to the role, with expertise in all the stages of the system development life-cycle. In her role, she focuses on maximizing client profitability, improving customer experience, increasing productivity, and reducing operational costs.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Rising Star Women of Business Consulting and Services for 2024.
Tori Weeks
Senior Director, Health & Productivity, Analytics & Consulting Practice, Prudential Financial
Tori Weeks is the Senior Director of Health and Productivity, Analytics, and Consulting Practice at Prudential Financial. She first joined the company in 2018 as the regional director of health and productivity analytics and consulting practice. Prudential Financial is one of the world’s largest financial services institutions, offering individual and institutional clients a wide array of financial products and services.
Weeks She has more than 28 years’ experience in benefits services, workers’ compensation, family medical leave, disability management, and unemployment benefits. Previously, Weeks was a director of workforce solutions at Unum. Before that, she was an associate director of employee relations, strategy, and risk management at Ohio State University (OSU), where she directed the Integrated Absence Management Vocational Services and Unemployment Program for Ohio State’s Office of Human Resources. She designed and developed the OSU’s Transitional Work Policy for the 55,000-member workforce, which saved the university $4.2 million within the first 12 months with continued savings of approximately $22 million. She has negotiated more than $2.5 million in cost savings in workers’ compensation lump-sum settlements on an annual basis. Earlier in her career, she worked with CareWorks as a team lead in extended case management.
Weeks initiated a movement to change Ohio legislation through HB487 to permit University hospitals to self-insure workers’ compensation, which was signed and enacted by the governor in 2012, making OSU the first public institution to self-insure workers’ compensation in the state of Ohio. Weeks earned an undergraduate degree from OSU.
Karen Satchell
IT Unit Director, Enterprise Business Solutions, HR/Payroll, The Johns Hopkins University
Karen Satchell is an IT Unit Director for Enterprise Business Solutions, HR, and Payroll at Johns Hopkins. In this role, Satchell supports the Johns Hopkins Health System and Johns Hopkins University. She is responsible for managing a team of 13 functional analysts who maintain and enhance the technical configuration and transport of employee master data for benefits, performance, personnel administration, organizational management, and talent acquisition.
After 13 years of working in HR/payroll vendor services, Satchell joined Johns Hopkins University and Medicine to concentrate her efforts on maximizing the HR/IT processes and systems for employees. Previously, Satchell was a director of professional development at Chesapeake Human Resources Association, Inc. Before that, she was a COS payroll operations manager in the HCM division at ADP. Earlier in her career, she worked with British Petroleum as a temp.
Satchell holds a Master of Science in Human Resources Development from Towson University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. She has an SHRM Senior Certified Professional certification from the Society of Human Resources Management and a Senior Professional in Human Resources certificate from the HR Certification Institute.
Karla Bednar
Managing Director, Financial Services, Accenture
Karla Bednar is a Managing Director in Accenture’s Financial Services practice, with over 20 years of experience in delivering enterprise and strategic transformations, leading inclusive and diverse teams, and driving digital and business optimizations. Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the world’s leading businesses, governments, and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth, and enhance citizen services.
As the Midwest banking portfolio lead and client relationship leader, Bednar is responsible for connecting banking clients to the areas of Accenture that can help them achieve the greatest value. She leverages her deep industry knowledge, strong network, and innovative thinking to create and execute solutions that address complex challenges and opportunities in the financial services sector. She is also committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and learning within Accenture and with her clients.
Bednar earned an undergraduate degree in computer and electrical engineering from The Ohio State University.
Rebecca Bayles
Managing Director, Deloitte Digital
Rebecca Bayles is the Managing Director of Deloitte Digital. At Deloitte Digital, they connect brands with the right strategies and tools to create great impact, connecting people, ideas, technology, and capabilities in innovative ways to help their clients tackle their biggest challenges. In this capacity, Bayles is responsible for leading and growing Deloitte Digital’s NetSuite practice, DigitalMIX asset-enabled services, and Customer Operations Talent Group.
Bayles is a technology advisor with over 15 years of experience as a leader in enterprise digital transformation. She focuses on helping technology clients optimize their middle and back-office operations so their organizations can scale for growth. She first joined Deloitte Digital in 2014 as a manager, focusing on experience platforms. She was promoted to senior manager and then to her current leadership role.
Previously, Bayles was a senior project manager at ERP Guru, a NetSuite Solution Provider. Before that, she was a director of operations and project management at EnabledSuccess Inc. Earlier in her career, she worked as an IT program coordinator and teacher. Bayles earned an undergraduate degree in English and literature from Queen's University.
Elena Dayamba
Director, Strategy and Sustainability, Accenture
Elena Dayamba develops strategies within the sustainability and financial services space at Accenture. She has made it her mission to drive responsible change for her clients, community, and within her own businesses. She has managed teams to deliver complex projects including sustainability strategies, mergers and acquisitions, ESG performance assessments, net zero target setting and planning, and operating model design.
In addition to her day-to-day client impact work, she is passionate about developing people. She leads the learning and development of the Sustainability Strategy team with Accenture to ensure the team stays up to date on the rapidly changing environment in sustainability practices and regulations within the US and globally.
She focuses her energy outside of work managing multiple small business ventures including a $3M real-estate investment portfolio invested in residential and commercial properties.
Due to her passion for developing people and creating better communities, she was awarded the 2018 Leadership Award from George Washington University.
Roma Sharma
Senior Director, Health Sciences Consulting, Cognizant
Roma Sharma is the Senior Director of Health Sciences Consulting at Cognizant. Cognizant engineers modern businesses. They help their clients modernize technology, reimagine processes, and transform experiences to stay ahead in their fast-changing world.
Sharma is a highly skilled life sciences professional with over 19 years of experience in business consulting and the pharmaceutical industry. Her extensive industry knowledge covers various domains, including clinical research, regulatory operations, quality assurance, GXP audits, pharmacovigilance, digital marketing, and program management. Sharma is an expert in structuring, overseeing, and managing large-scale managed service programs globally. She has successfully led a diverse range of programs in many areas, such as clinical trials quality management, software quality assurance, digital marketing, quality and compliance, and IT project quality management. Adept at collaborating with multiple stakeholders globally, Sharma has demonstrated excellent skills in working closely with client partners, as well as their vendors. Her vast experience, coupled with her functional expertise, makes her an invaluable asset to any organization seeking a seasoned professional in the business consulting and life sciences industry.
Sharma started her career in 2003 as a quality and compliance manager. Her most recent role before joining Cognizant was managing director at PwC. She graduated from Nottingham Trent University with an MSc in Biomedical Science and from St. Xavier's College with an undergraduate degree in chemistry.
Maggie Adams
Cross Platform, Director, Health Industries, PwC
Maggie Adams is the Cross Platform Director for Health Industries at PwC. At PwC, their purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. They’re a network of firms in 152 countries with over 327,000 people who are committed to delivering quality assurance, advisory, and tax services.
Adams is a self-driven and accomplished leader who is a team player and is not afraid to roll up her sleeves while juggling multiple competing priorities. She manages to demonstrate successful outcomes. She has extensive experience in management consulting, coupled with marketing and sales. She has led various complex initiatives in marketing and sales, project management, PMO establishment, operational effectiveness, process re-engineering, labor productivity, risk management, quality and compliance, communications, and change management. She is a versatile communicator focused on relationships, coaching, and real-time development.
Before joining PwC, Adams was a project coordinator at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Before that, she was a registered nurse at American Mobile and HRN Services. Earlier in her career, she worked with Women's College Hospital as a registered nurse. Adams graduated from the University of Ottawa with an MHA in Health Administration and from Ryerson University with an undergraduate degree.
Judith Phillips
Managing Director, Service Delivery & Managed Services, EY
Judith Phillips is the Managing Director of Service Delivery and Managed Services of EY. She is a seasoned senior executive with over 30 years of experience in information services and information technology. She first joined the company in 2018. Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform, and operate.
Phillips combines strong business acumen with technical expertise. She communicates effectively with everyone, from the ground floor IT personnel to the C-suite, building consensus at all levels, which is vital to successfully implementing change.
Previously, Phillips was an SVP of client service delivery at ProCom Consulting. Earlier in her career, she worked with Accenture as an associate partner and managing director. Phillips earned an undergraduate degree in business administration in management and operations from the University of Albany.
Kimberly Houston
Managing Director, Global Consulting COO, KPMG
Kimberly Houston is the Managing Director and Global Consulting COO at KPMG, a global network of professional firms providing audit, tax, and advisory services. They have 227,000 outstanding professionals working together to deliver value in 146 countries and territories.
Houston has 29 years of experience. She has successfully operated in an entrepreneurial environment within an established global firm. She has consistently taken on new and innovative roles, accumulating expertise in building, establishing, scaling, and operating new teams. She has played an integral part in managing complex, global projects that have enabled KPMG to serve its clients and generate revenue.
Houston graduated from the UNH Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics with an undergraduate degree in business.
Tamara Dicaprio
Senior Director, Cloud Operations & Innovation Sustainability, Microsoft
Tamara Dicaprio is the Senior Director of Cloud Operations and Innovation Sustainability at Microsoft, a global technology company that enables people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential by creating technology that transforms the way people work, play, and communicate.
With a background in environmental science, economics, policy, and sustainable business, Dicaprio focuses on establishing innovative business models and products that break the linear relationship between business growth and natural resource consumption. Her initiatives have included new technical support, strategic partnerships, customer conversations, marketing engines, internal carbon taxes, net-zero data center environmental impact models, and the initial version of the sustainability calculator, which increases accountability and scale through customers.
Dicaprio graduated from Marylhurst University with an MBA in Sustainable Business and Environmental Policy Administration and from UC Santa Barbara with an undergraduate degree in environmental studies and physical geography.
Andrea Monllau
Director, JLL Consulting, JLL
Andrea Monllau is the Director of JLL Consulting at JLL. She first joined the company in 2017 as a transaction manager. JLL is a leading professional services firm, specializing in real estate and investment management.
Monllau partners with Fortune 1000 companies to drive transformative changes in their future ways of working. She empowers organizations to envision progressive work concepts, design resilient organizational structures, integrate cutting-edge technology, reimagine the workplace and portfolio, and engineer agile work methodologies that thrive in today's digitally connected landscape. Her approach empowers her clients to reimagine how they work and operate.
Previously, Monllau was a customer success and visa compliance manager at EF Education First. She earned an LLM in Law from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law, and she has an undergraduate law degree.
Madhu Raetsep
Director Consulting Expert, CGI
Madhu Raetsepe is the Director Consulting Expert at CGI. Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest IT and business consulting services firms in the world. They are insights-driven and outcomes-based to help accelerate returns on client investments.
Raetsep is a highly experienced professional with about two decades of experience in the specialization of business process recommendations and implementations. Her diverse background and experience in various industries have given her the depth of knowledge to help diagnose complex issues and provide the necessary means to resolve them. She has a deep understanding of all the stages of the system development life-cycle, from putting together proposals and analyzing complex business processes to production roll-out and end-user training and support. Some of the business problems she has addressed include maximizing client profitability, improving customer experience, increasing productivity and proficiency, and reducing operational costs.
Before joining CGI, Raetsep was a director of corporate systems and analytics at Sense Corp. Before that, she was a consultant data analyst at MetLife. Earlier in her career, she worked with Lanco Global Systems as a business system analyst.
Liz Porter
Global ESG Consult Leader, Director ITST, Kyndryl
Liz Porter is the Global ESG Consult Leader and Director of ITST at Kyndryl. Kyndryl has the world’s best talent that designs, runs, and manages the most advanced and reliable technology infrastructure.
Porter is a C-suite executive with over 20 years of transformation and leadership experience across Wall Street and asset management. She started her career in 2001 as a senior VP of operations at Lava Trading. From there, she went on to Citi, before eventually rising to director of portfolio sustainability and ESG at CodeGreen Sustainability, her most recent position before joining Kyndryl.
Porter graduated from the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School with an MBA in Finance and from the University of Phoenix with an undergraduate degree in business management.
Annah Nelson-Feeney
Director, Strategy Consulting, Salesforce
Annah Nelson-Feeney is the Director of Strategy Consulting at Salesforce. She first joined the company in 2019 as a consulting manager. Salesforce, Inc. operates as a cloud-based software company that develops customer relationship management software and applications focused on sales, customer service, marketing automation, analytics, and application development.
Previously, Nelson-Feeney was an associate manager at Accenture. Before that, she was a CRM consultant at Slalom Consulting. Earlier in her career, she worked with OpFocus, Inc. as a business operations consultant.
Nelson-Feeney earned an undergraduate degree in international relations and French from Mount Holyoke College.
Michelle Hoysick
Business Development Director, AECOM
Michelle Hoysick is the Business Development Director of AECOM, the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle.
Hoysick is a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of Colorado with experience in project management, program management, construction management, civil engineering, inspection, and maintenance services for large capital improvement programs. She is experienced in multi-discipline projects using Public Private Partnership (P3), Design-Build (DB), Progressive Design-Build (PDB), Construction Manager General Contractor (CMGC) and Design Bid-Build (DBB) project delivery methods. With experience in engineering and construction projects valued at over $6 billion, Hoysick is knowledgeable in several industry sectors, including rail, transit, highway, bridges, and commercial infrastructure. She is a team leader with proven project delivery success and exceeds expectations for quality, budget, and schedule goals. She is a problem solver, innovative team member, and client-oriented professional.
Before joining AECOM, Hoysick was a regional practice lead in design-build at Michael Baker International. Earlier in her career, she worked with Jacobs as a project estimator. Hoysick graduated from the University of Colorado Denver with an MBA in Sustainability and from Colorado School of Mines with an undergraduate degree in civil engineering.
Carley Johnston
Associate Director, Enablement Consulting, EPAM
Carley Johnston is the Associate Director of Enablement Consulting at EPAM. Since 1993, EPAM Systems, Inc. has used its software engineering expertise to become a leading global provider of digital engineering, cloud, and AI-enabled transformation services, as well as a leading business and experience consulting partner for global enterprises and ambitious startups.
Leveraging knowledge of private and public sectors, Johnston’s extensive experience in instructional design, information technology, and organization transformation enables her to implement strategic initiatives aligned across all business units. She specializes in organizational change and technology adoption, including stakeholder engagement and communications, training design and delivery, and online help design and development. Johnston has a proven track record of exceeding client requirements and expectations while anticipating client needs, which has helped to establish her as a valuable leader and resource.
Johnston started her career in 2013 as a student nutritionist assistant at Penn State Campus Dining. She eventually rose to the role of learning and development specialist at Hanover Hospital, her most recent position before joining EPAM. Johnston graduated from Penn State University with an MAEd in Training and Development and with an undergraduate degree in nutritional science.
Bekki Leu
Consulting Director, KPMG US
Bekki Leu is the Consulting Director for KPMG US. KPMG LLP is an audit, tax, and advisory firm, operating from over 75 offices and over 40,000 partners and professionals.
Bekki Leu has over 20 years of experience spanning technology and media, life science, retail, and A&D industries. She specializes in quote-to-cash optimization and has worked on a variety of process design and performance improvement projects that have contributed to her areas of expertise. She is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, and she has conducted professional consulting engagements in the Americas, Asia, and Europe. She holds both CSCP and CPIM certifications from APICS and PMP certification from PMI.
Leu holds an MBA and an MSE from the University of Washington’s Program in Engineering and Manufacturing Management and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering also from the University of Washington.
Denise Pallavajjala
Director, Shared Delivery Plan Operations Strategic Consultant, WTW
Denise Pallavajjala is a Director and Shared Delivery Plan Operations Strategic Consultant at WTW. She first joined the company in 2023. At WTW, they provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk, and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of their colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, they help sharpen strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate the workforce, and maximize performance.
With over 20 years of experience in administration and consulting, Pallavajjala is an organizational influence beyond her core responsibilities. She is a successful leader of global teams with a demonstrated commitment to DEI. Previously, Pallavajjala was a senior director and defined benefit client leader at Alight Solutions. Before that, she was a defined benefit domain manager at Aon Hewitt. Earlier in her career, she worked with Hewitt Associates as a business analyst.
Pallavajjala earned an undergraduate degree in international business and Hispanic studies from Illinois Wesleyan University.
Becca Kuusinen
Client Capabilities Director, Global Operations, Capital Excellence, McKinsey & Company
Becca Kuusinen is the Client Capabilities Director for Global Operations and Capital Excellence for McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm. They are the trusted advisors to the world's leading businesses, governments, and institutions.
Kuusinen is responsible for the global operations of McKinsey's Capital Excellence Service Line, which is part of McKinsey's global operations practice. Previously, she served McKinsey as an associate principal, where she advised senior government leaders on effective preparation for and management of, natural disasters and other crises with widespread public effect. She started her career in 1997 as a research associate at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Kuusinen graduated from Harvard Law School with a JD in Law and from Yale University with an undergraduate degree in history.
Kristy Ellmer
Managing Director and Partner | North America Leader for BCG Transform & Global Leader of Culture, Boston Consulting Group
Kristy Ellmer is a Managing Director and Partner in BCG’s Boston office. Ellmer leads culture, transformation, and change management globally and serves as the North American lead for BCG Transform. She draws on over 15 years of transformation and turnaround experience, including multiple interim executive roles across industries and a period as chief transformation officer. Ellmer has led numerous complex large-scale transformations across industries and geographies, resulting in over $8 billion in P&L improvement and significant enhancement in organizational health.
In addition to leading holistic transformations, Ellmer specializes in coaching chief transformation officers and C-suite executives through the most intense periods of rapid, at-scale performance improvement. Her expertise in transformational impact in procurement, supplier management, P&L ownership, accountability category management, and continuous improvement helps the C-suite lead through change.
Before joining Boston Consulting Group, Ellmer was an SVP at Recovery & Transformation Services practice at McKinsey & Company. Before that, she was a Senior Consultant at Ernst & Young. Earlier in her career, she worked with Delta Air Lines as a manager of strategic sourcing. Ellmer graduated from Mercer University with an MBA in Marketing and from Roanoke College with an undergraduate degree in business finance.
Katya Trifilo
Senior Director, Global Leader of People Business Partner Enablement, PayPal
Katya Trifilo is the Senior Director and Global Leader of People Business Partner Enablement at PayPal, where she oversees the delivery of a wide range of HR services, consulting, and planning through the execution of cross-functional strategic initiatives and cyclical processes.
Trifilo has spearheaded the conceptualization, build, and evolution of the People Business Partner Enablement Team at PayPal, growing it from ideation to a team of 12 HR generalists. This team provides strategic enablement and direct agile support, delivering more seamless people experiences to PayPal employees. She collaborates with executives from across the enterprise to develop employee-centric, scalable solutions and acts as the bridge between HR leadership, HR Centers of Excellence (COEs), people business partners, and employees leading efforts in process improvement through automation and centralization of tools and communications.
Trifilo started her career in 2008 as a manager and HR business partner in forensic services at PwC. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara with an undergraduate degree in economics.
Marisa Zdroik
Managing Director, NTT DATA Americas
As a Managing Director, Marisa Zdroik leads the Organizational Change Management (OCM) and Organizational Transformation Domains within the People and Organization Consulting Practice for NTT DATA Americas, a trusted global innovator of business and technology services.
Marisa has held senior positions focusing on transformational change and adoption, organizational strategy and design, talent development, and employee engagement. She is an expert at finding creative yet pragmatic solutions to complex business challenges. She drives organizational effectiveness with clients across industries, achieving business goals and promoting sustainable change through transformation.
Previously, Marisa held leadership roles at North Highland and Accenture. She has an MA in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University.
Mellissa Cordova
NAM Industry Business Consulting Director, Dassault Systèmes
Mellissa Cordova is the NAM Industry Business Consulting Director of Dassault Systèmes. Dassault Systèmes is a catalyst for human progress. They provide businesses and people with collaborative virtual environments to imagine sustainable innovations.
Cordova has 19 years of experience. Before joining Dassault Systèmes, she was a systems architect engineer at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. Earlier in her career, she worked with Raytheon Missile Systems as a multi-discipline engineer.
Cordova graduated from Johns Hopkins University with an MEng in Systems Engineering and from the University of Arizona with an undergraduate degree in systems engineering.
Sayli Kulkarni
Director, Strategy & Consulting, Publicis Sapient
Sayli Kulkarni is the Director of Strategy and Consulting at Publicis Sapient, a digital business transformation company. They partner with global organizations to help them create and sustain competitive advantage in an increasingly digital world.
Kulkarni started her career in 2002 as a software engineer at Gateway Infosys Ltd. From there, she went on to Yash Technologies, before eventually rising to senior manager in management consulting at Credera, her most recent position before joining Publicis Sapient.
Kulkarni graduated from the University of Houston-Clear Lake with an MSc in Computer Science and from Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya with an undergraduate degree in computer science and applications.
Tracey Cargile
Client Director, Strategic Accounts Healthcare & Life Sciences, Gartner
Tracey Cargile is the Client Director in Strategic Accounts Healthcare and Life Sciences at Gartner. She first joined the company in 2014. Gartner's unrivaled combination of expert-led, practitioner-sourced, and data-driven research steers clients toward the right decisions on the issues that matter most.
Cargile consistently creates and fosters senior-level relationships at Fortune 100 companies. With sincere dedication to client success, she has maintained deep relationships with clients for many years. Cargile engages information technology leaders as they seek to improve company performance, operations, and customer engagement. She successfully navigates and marshals internal resources to provide client solutions, and she is adept at creating unique engagement plans centered around how clients define success. Transparency, open communication, curiosity, collaboration, and a genuine desire to exceed client expectations, are hallmarks of her success.
Previously, Cargile was a senior account manager at AMR Research. Earlier in her career, she worked with InterCall as a senior account manager. Cargile earned an undergraduate degree in economics and marketing from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Maureen Keegan
Director, Boston DEI, Bain & Company
Maureen Keegan is the Director of Boston DEI at Bain & Company, a global consultancy that helps the world’s most ambitious change-makers define the future. Across 65 cities in 40 countries, they work alongside their clients as one team with a shared ambition to achieve extraordinary results, outperform the competition, and redefine industries.
Keegan has 15 years of experience. Before joining Bain & Company, she was a program administrator at Talloires Network. Before that, she was a legal assistant at Conn Kavanaugh Rosenthal Peisch & Ford, LLP. Earlier in her career, she worked with Boston College as an associate director of campus entertainment.
Keegan graduated from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business with an MBA and from Boston College with an undergraduate degree in international studies, French.
Devin Collins
Director, Strategy & Management Consulting, Integration & Separation Advisory, RSM US
Devin Collins is a Director in RSM's Strategy and Management Consulting practice. She brings over nine years of experience with the firm. As the leading provider of assurance, tax, and consulting to the middle market, RSM is known globally for delivering innovative solutions, lasting value, and confidence in a world of change.
Collins has experience leading cross-functional global teams, complex delivery, and managing multiple stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes. She has managed many successful mergers and acquisitions transactions across multiple industries, resulting in significant value creation for shareholders and stakeholders. Additionally, throughout her career, she has executed comprehensive assessments of IT, HR, and finance business processes, as well as the execution of recommended solutions, including organizational assessments, software selections, implementations, and general advisory post-transaction.
Collins' team leadership and people management skills extend beyond her client service. She serves as the Associate Center of Excellence leader for all strategy and management consulting interns and associates at RSM. Overseeing the training, onboarding, staffing, engagement, and performance of roughly 80 entry-level individuals, she has been successful in increasing the utilization and employee satisfaction of these individuals since the start of the program in 2022. Collins leads the Boston chapter of RSM's women's networking group, STAR, and advocates for the advancement of women in the workplace.
Catherine Koverola
Director, Center for African Studies & Professor of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh
Today, Catherine Koverola is the Director of the Center for African Studies and a Professor of Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, a public institution in Pennsylvania that is a member of the Association of American Universities of leading research universities.
Koverola has over 30 years of consultation and clinical practice experience that has included executive coaching and leadership development, strategic planning and change management, startup launch, fundraising, culturally relevant trauma-informed program development, and psychotherapy. She started her career in 1989 as an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Manitoba. From there, she went on to the University of Southern California, before eventually rising to the inaugural provost and senior advisor at The African Leadership University, her most recent position before joining the University of Pittsburgh.
Koverola graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary with a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Western University. She has an MA in Clinical Child Psychology and an undergraduate degree in biology.
Nadya Barnes
Director | Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Guidehouse
Nadya Barnes is the Director for Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt at Guidehouse. Guidehouse is a leading global provider of consulting services to the public sector and commercial markets, with broad capabilities in management, technology, and risk consulting. She is a strategy and operations leader who drives results through strategic thinking, operational execution, change management, and effectiveness in complex environments for Guidehouse.
Barnes first joined Guidehouse in 2018 as a senior consultant. Previously, she served the United States Postal Service and the Georgia Institute of Technology. She has expertise in spearheading continuous improvement and innovation frameworks to achieve operational excellence by instilling lean management principles. She is known as a collaborative, transparent leader of multi-disciplined, matrixed teams with a history of guiding stakeholders to overcome challenges and achieve enterprise-level goals.
Barnes earned an MBOE from The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business and an undergraduate degree in industrial and systems engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.
Sabrina Matthews
Director (Global), DEI Centre of Expertise, ZS Associates
Sabrina Matthews is a Global Director of the DEI Centre of Expertise at ZS Associates. ZS is a management consulting and technology firm focused on transforming global healthcare and beyond. They leverage their leading-edge analytics, plus the power of data, science, and products, to help their clients make more intelligent decisions, deliver innovative solutions, and improve outcomes for all.
Matthews has 25 years of experience, including a role as the head of talent development at Enova International. She previously served ZS Associates as a manager of global learning and development. Earlier in her career, she worked with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (US Dept of Treasury) as a financial auditor.
Matthews graduated from Mercer University with an MBA and from South Carolina State University with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
Duygu Basman
Director of Global Risk Management - Disputes & Investigations, Alvarez & Marsal
Duygu Basman is the Director of Global Risk Management for Disputes and Investigations at Alvarez & Marsal (A&M), a leading global professional services firm that provides advisory, business performance improvement, and turnaround management services.
Basman is a CCEP-I and CFE-certified compliance and ethics professional who has successfully promoted a strong compliance culture at every company she has worked with, focusing on advisory and regulatory practices, policies, controls, and program management. She has extensive global knowledge and experience, with a solid understanding of current thinking and best practices in all compliance areas and disciplines.
Basman previously worked as a compliance officer for Oxford University Press and AlixPartners. Before that, she held multiple roles in risk management at Deloitte. Basman graduated from Florida Atlantic University with an MSc in International Economics and an undergraduate degree in finance and marketing.
Christa Babcock
Director, Sales & Revenue Growth, Accenture Song
Christa is known for inspiring and enabling business leaders to transform their organizations, to lead with purpose, and improve the world.
Christa Babcock serves as a GTM and Sales Strategy Leader for Accenture Song Northeast. At Accenture Song, Christa is responsible for complex business development, marketing and strategic partnerships, catalyzing long term growth. She focuses on helping clients meet targets in growth, efficiency and sustainability, leveraging GenAI and other cutting-edge technology. Christa is also responsible for negotiating large, strategic deals with senior leadership at Fortune 500 organizations, specifically in the space of Communications, Media and Technology.
Prior to Accenture Song, Christa held leadership roles in business development, partnerships and marketing for the world’s largest advertising policy and thought leadership organization, the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB). Christa also served as the lead of Strategic and Corporate Development for The Switch (acquired by TATA Communications).
Christa holds an MBA from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Sloan School of Management and a BS in Business Administration, magna cum laude from Bryant University.
Swati Patel
Managing Director, Clarkston Consulting
Swati Patel is the Managing Director of Clarkston Consulting. She first joined the company in 2007 as a manager. Clarkston Consulting provides management, operations, and implementation consulting services for life sciences, consumer products, and retail companies.
Patel has worked primarily in the life sciences industry, ranging from small pre-commercial to large global companies. She has helped several pre-commercial pharma and biotech companies transition into commercial organizations and launch their first commercial product. She possesses strong professional skills in strategy planning and road mapping, program and project management, global supply chain operations, business process optimization, system implementations, digital transformation, and patient services.
Previously, Patel was a manager of publishing operations at Random House. Before that, she was a SAP senior consultant at Arthur Andersen. Earlier in her career, she worked with McNeil Consumer Healthcare as a co-op and operations associate. Patel earned an undergraduate degree in business management from Rochester Institute of Technology.
Laura Carlson
M&A Integration Director, MGT Consulting Group
Laura Carlson is the M&A Integration Director of MGT Consulting Group. MGT is a public sector consulting firm with a 48-year track record and a forward-thinking attitude. It was established by a group of former public-sector employees to provide creative yet practical solutions to the challenges faced by local and state governments and educational institutions nationwide.
Carlson has over 15 years of experience in process improvement and M&A integration. Her responsibilities have included collaborating with all stakeholders to successfully onboard and integrate acquired firms, effectively manage operational transactions as well as monitor the success of acquisition integration and strategic efforts. She was instrumental in developing publicly traded and private equity companies' integration playbooks, including summary, integration overview, employee onboarding, and strategic planning. She also has focused on continuing to improve the process to make integration transitions as seamless as possible. Previously, Carlson was an M&A integration manager at SAM Companies. Before that, she was a senior manager of M&A integration at Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc. Earlier in her career, she worked with Medical Properties Trust as a marketing and administrative assistant.
Carlson is a Registered Project Management Professional (PMP). She has a BS in Business Management from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), as well as a Master's in Accountancy from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.