Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of Charlotte for 2024. Charlotte, North Carolina, recently earned recognition as the fifth best place to live in the US by US News and World Report, thanks to its exceptional job market, robust economy, and high quality of life for residents. As the city continues to attract top businesses and talented leaders, its key industries—ranging from business services and IT to banking, biotech, and retail—are flourishing.
First, we acknowledge financial executive Margaret Borg, Senior Director of Enterprise Climate Risk Strategy for Ally. Borg is dedicated to the development of Ally’s comprehensive enterprise climate risk strategy and environmental stewardship programs. With a commitment to equality, she also served as an inaugural leader for the Charlotte Chapter of the Women ALLYs Employee Resource Group.
We also recognize the accomplishments of Kati Everett, Senior Vice President of Value Proposition Transformation for Novant Health. At Novant Health, Everett is spearheading the development of a distinct value proposition aimed at enhancing consumer engagement with the brand, and she is responsible for creating processes, programs, and services that bring the value proposition to life across the organization.
Finally, we congratulate influential business and strategy leader Judy Kay, Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer of Honeywell, a company that invents and manufactures technologies to address tough challenges linked to global macrotrends. Kay has worked with several Fortune 500 CEOs and led strategy and commercial teams to create over $2 billion in market value.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders of Charlotte for 2024.
2. Raz Barnwell
Vice President, Digital Innovation, Sodexo
Raz Barnwell is a transformational executive with almost two decades of experience in sales & marketing, primarily in the consumer-packaged goods and food service industries. Her current and most notable role to date is Vice President of Digital Innovation for Sodexo, supporting Universities and Government segments. She joined the organization in 2023, where she leads a dynamic team across North America responsible for accelerating digital transformation: scaling accessibility of digital solutions by way of a thoughtful B2B4C GTM strategy and cultivating organic growth through digital channels.
Raz Barnwell is originally from Aiken, SC – affectionally known as “Thoroughbred Country”. Her deep Carolina roots guided her to Winthrop University where she primarily studied Psychology, and later relocated to Charlotte, NC. In establishing “roots” in Mecklenburg County, Raz invested over 15 years with Coca-Cola Consolidated, where she also earned an Executive Leadership certificate from the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business in 2022, after completing a distinguished partnership program between the two entities. An enticing career transition to Sodexo in 2023 has afforded Raz the opportunity to deliver an early impact, impressing humanized technology into the ongoing digital evolution within Sodexo Campus.
Sodexo North America is part of a global, Fortune 500 company with a presence in 53 countries. Sodexo specializes in sustainable food and valued experiences at every moment in life: learn, work, heal, and play. The company employs 94,000 people at thousands of sites in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Guam, and indirectly supports more than 100,000 additional jobs through its annual purchases of $20B in goods and services from small to large businesses. Routinely recognized for the organization’s commitments to sustainability as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion, Sodexo North America’s purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all.
Raz has contributed to many community and civic organizations in Charlotte. In past years, she served as a devoted, volunteer coach and tutor for the Police Activities League, helping underserved youth find healthy alternatives to build bright, fulfilled futures. Most recently, she’s served as a volunteer coach for Morrison YMCA, is an NCPTA member,, and volunteer “Woman of Inspiration” for Girl Talk Foundation, Inc., a foundation committed to building girls’ emotional and social capabilities, in order to produce positive life outcomes and cultivate leaders of tomorrow.
4. Antonia Elliott
VP, Talent Development, Securitas Security Services USA
As the VP of Talent Development at Securitas, the global leader in protective services, Antonia Elliott oversees the design, delivery, and evaluation of scalable learning programs that enhance the skills and performance of over 120,000 employees in North America. She has extensive experience leading and managing learning and development initiatives across various industries, including security, hospitality, and entertainment.
Elliott is a proud member of CHIEF, a private network that empowers and supports women executives in advancing their careers and influencing positive change. She is passionate about developing people and fostering a culture of learning, collaboration, and innovation. By leveraging her expertise in leadership development, skills training, and employee development, she creates impactful solutions that drive business results and employee engagement. She holds certifications in Lean Six Sigma, Diversity and Inclusion for HR, and Hogan Personality Assessments.
Before joining Securitas Security Services USA, Elliott was a vice president of organizational development at Seminole Hard Rock Support Services. Before that, she was a general manager at Catch Miami for EMM Group. Earlier in her career, she worked with Shadow PR as an account coordinator. Elliott graduated from the University of the Arts with an undergraduate degree in photography and public relations.
8. Amy Nichols
Managing Director, Head of Identity & Access Mgmt, Cybersecurity
Wells Fargo Technology, Wells Fargo & Co.
Amy Nichols is Head of Identity and Access Management, a key area within Cybersecurity within Wells Fargo Technology. Wells Fargo has one of the world’s largest and most innovative information technology groups with more than 200,000 talented team members who help keep Wells Fargo at the forefront of America’s diversified financial services companies.
Amy is responsible for providing strategic thought leadership to critical major initiatives. Currently, she is driving oversight for key initiatives and transformation for the Identity and Access Management functions. Recent roles include areas of control and governance improvement within the CTO organization, focusing on Systems Development Lifecycle processes.
She previously served as Command Center leader for the Technology Cybersecurity Program, which had oversight for areas of improvement across many displacements including Asset Management, Network Perimeter Controls, Identity and Access Mgmt., and Cybersecurity Risk Practices.
Amy also headed the legacy Information Services (IS) Strategic Initiatives Office and served in leadership roles spanning Wells Fargo’s lines of business, specifically related to Cash Management (wires and ACH), Treasury Services (Corporate services, Reporting, Lockbox), Imagining Services, and Shared Services (Asset Management, Program Management, and Systems Development Lifecycle Tools).
Outside of work, Amy supports the local Charlotte tech community in various ways. In 2019, she formed CyberHype Charlotte with four other community leaders, which supports career advancement by using social media and other marketing collaboration for all Charlotte tech meetups and technical sessions across the Charlotte metro area.
Amy graduated from Queens University with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. Amy also supports Queens in support of the future talent pool through Alumni activities and scholarships.
12. Ana Moran
VP, Strategic Enablement, Foundever
Ana Moran is the Vice President of Strategic Enablement responsible for hiring and training in North America at Foundever, a global customer experience (CX) industry leader. With 170,000 associates across the globe, they're the team behind the best experiences for over 750 of the world's leading and digital-first brands.
Moran is a motivated leader with over 15 years of experience within large-scale operations. She has a proven track record of solving problems at the root, removing inefficiencies, optimizing processes, and building engagement for success. Skilled in building cross-functional teams, establishing trust, and driving scalable, out-of-the-box innovation, she is an adaptable and transformational leader focused on rebuilding organization efficiency to deliver better jobs into the marketplace. She is an Economic Mobility Fellow with the Aspen Institute – a topic emerging as a real issue as economic inequality continues to grow in the U.S.
Before joining Foundever, Ana held various positions of increasing responsibility at Allstate Insurance Company. She graduated from Central Michigan University with an undergraduate degree in leadership. In addition to career success, Ana is a proud mother of three. She and her husband moved to the Charlotte area in 2006 and are incredibly proud of their area's growth, which has supported the growth of their small business, Artisan Ice Sculptures. She currently volunteers with the Cabarrus Health Alliance Community Health Center Center Board of Directors and is actively supporting the Cabarrus Arts Council.
15. Marisa Thalberg
Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, United Parks & Resorts
Marisa Thalberg joined the United Parks & Resorts as their Chief Marketing and Communications Officer in 2023. United Parks & Resorts Inc. is a leading theme park and entertainment company with a world-class portfolio of seven brands across 13 parks in the United States and Abu Dhabi. In this role, Thalberg is responsible for brand and marketing strategies that drive revenue, increase visitation across the organization’s award-winning portfolio of 12 parks, and elevate the company’s conservation mission.
Thalberg is a globally recognized brand-builder and pioneer of digital, social, and eCommerce marketing. She was the first executive vice president and chief brand and marketing officer for Lowe’s Companies Inc. from 2020 to 2022. At Lowe’s, she was responsible for the transformation of marketing during, which she helped drive record sales and brand growth for the company. Before Lowe’s, Thalberg was the global chief brand officer at Taco Bell, where she achieved category-beating same-store sales growth every quarter and captured the highest passion index among fans of any QSR brand. She also provided global brand stewardship for Taco Bell’s rapid international expansion. From 2007 to 2015, Thalberg was the head of corporate digital marketing worldwide for The Estee Lauder Companies (ELC), where she was responsible for the total company leadership of digital/social marketing and content strategy to support brand and e-commerce development worldwide, across the company’s portfolio of over 30 leading prestige global beauty brands.
In 2002, Thalberg founded Executive Moms, an organization created to connect and support accomplished women who are professionals and moms. She currently serves as a strategic advisor to the VC firm Composite Ventures and is on the boards of the Blumenthal Center of the Arts and the MMA. She has served on the boards of the AdCouncil, International Women’s Media Foundation, TheatreworksUSA, and the Orange County School of the Arts. Thalberg graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts.
16. Colette Matthews
Global VP, Customer Experience, Circle K
Colette Matthews is the Global Vice President of Customer Experience at Circle K. Their mission at Circle K is to make their customers' lives a little easier every day. They are part of communities across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, helping them grow into one of the world's leading convenience and fuel retail businesses.
Matthews has 22 years of experience. She is an experienced growth marketing leader with a demonstrated history in the consumer goods industry and retail. She is skilled in customer experience, innovation, digital transformation, consumer insights, leadership, innovation management, consumer products, trends and foresight, and marketing. She is a strong business development professional with formal training in brand marketing, future thinking, and innovation strategy.
Before joining Circle K, Matthews was a vice president of innovation and marketing at Alpha Guardian. Before that, she was the head of global innovation at Whirlpool Corporation. Earlier in her career, she worked with Procter & Gamble as a scientist in product development. Matthews graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a PhD in Biochemistry and from North Carolina State University with an undergraduate degree in biochemistry.
17. Judy Kay
Chief Commercial Officer & Chief Strategy Officer, Honeywell
Judy Kay is the Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer of Honeywell, a company that invents and manufactures technologies to address tough challenges linked to global macrotrends, such as safety, security, and energy. Kay advises portfolio companies, CEOs, and private equity firms on decisions related to strategy and mergers and acquisitions (M&A), artificial intelligence and digitization, as well as marketing, go-to-market, and sales strategies.
Kay is an influential business and strategy leader with expertise in defining and shaping company vision, growing global technology businesses, and leading business model transformation. Her success is attributed to her ability to blend a technical background with experience as a general manager, enabling her to analyze the entire industry ecosystem and develop highly differentiated business cases for customers. Having worked with several Fortune 500 CEOs, Kay has led strategy and commercial teams to create over $2 billion in market value. She excels at applying strategy and marketing principles, innovation, mergers and acquisitions, business development, and strategic alliances to identify strategic opportunities, drive significant revenue, and position companies for competitive advantage.
Kay started her career in 1989 as a member of the technical staff at Watkins-Johnson (now Qorvo). From there, she went on to Analog Devices, before eventually rising to senior vice president of global strategy, brand, and communications at Expedia Group, her most recent position before joining Honeywell. Kay graduated from Columbia Business School with an MBA in General Management and from the University of California with an MS in Electrical Engineering. She has an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Cornell University.
View the complete list of awardees.
21. Kimberly Rinard
National Accounts Senior Director, Bayer
Kimberly Rinard is currently on the National Health Plans/ Pharmacy Benefits Management Account team at Bayer Healthcare. She is responsible for contracting for the Bayer Healthcare product portfolio with large National Payers and PBMs to ensure access to medication for patients.
A multiple award-winning, accomplished sales executive and leader, Kimberly has spent close to 20 years working in the pharmaceutical industry. Her strong and varied background includes experience in sales, managed care, patient and disease-specific population health projects, government programs, and overall financial expertise in protecting the gross to net of the company.
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of healthcare and agriculture. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with their businesses. Bayer's corporate mission is "Health for all, Hunger for none."
Kimberly enjoys reading, running, pilates, and yoga. She can be found volunteering at her children's schools or on the weekend at a variety of sports for her two boys. She also enjoys a good podcast while watching the kids' sports practices.
24. Holly Webdale
VP, Supply Chain ESG & Facilities, TE Connectivity
Holly Webdale was appointed as the VP of Supply Chain ESG and Facilities at TE Connectivity in October 2023. TE Connectivity is a global industrial technology manufacturing leader creating a safer, sustainable, productive, and connected future. She has responsibility for the global supply chain ESG strategy and execution, as well as facilities and construction operations.
Since joining TE Connectivity in 2018, TE has validated Science Base Targets (SBTi). TE has reduced its Scope 1 and 2 Carbon emissions by more than 70%, energy efficiency over the past 4 years has improved by more than 25%, water, and hazardous waste reductions by over 15% over three years, and leads a world-class facilities organization. You can learn more about the ESG journey at https://www.te.com/en/about-te/corporate-responsibility.html
Webdale has a strategic mindset and enjoys leading by example and building high-performing teams. Previously, her career was mostly in the defense manufacturing industry leading various corporate functional responsibilities, including real estate, safety, security, construction, facilities, ethics, and sustainability.
Webdale holds an MBA from Queens University of Charlotte, where she learned the art of resilience and leadership.
25. Cecily Jowers
Strategic Account Director, Salesforce
As an entrepreneur in fashion for eight years, Cecily Jowers learned the importance of customer experience. She hired female graduates from top design schools and developed a CRM/Commerce application for a collaborative shopping experience. With multiple stores and a team of over thirty women, she decided to pursue an MBA in International Business and joined SafeGuard International.
However, balancing her business and engagements with companies like LinkedIn in South America proved challenging, so she sold her company and transitioned to technology. After nearly a decade working with software companies like Ceridian, Safeguard World International, Oracle, and Salesforce, Cecily wants to give back.
Women excel in selling and marketing products daily, and they need support in funding, sales operations, marketing, and culture. Cecily aims to be a voice of reason where needed. She believes a career in technology is fulfilling and empowers women. Through this female founders fund, she volunteers to positively impact future generations of talented women.
27. Tina Schoen
Quality Director for Performance Improvement, Atrium Health
Tina Schoen has been in healthcare for over 25 years, with almost half of that time in a variety of Leadership positions within Atrium Health, now a part of Advocate Health, in Charlotte, NC. Ms. Schoen is a Quality Director for Performance Improvement with Atrium Health. She has responsibility for quality outcomes for the multiple clinical service lines and 7 acute care hospitals.
She earned her Bachelor of Nursing at James Madison University and holds a Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Services Administration from Strayer University. Her certifications include being a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality, and Certified Nurse Executive Advanced.
Ms. Schoen is active in her professional organizations by serving on the Board of Directors and past president of the NC Association for Healthcare Quality, serving on the NC Nurses Association Board of Directors, and as a committee volunteer with the Charlotte chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives. She was afforded the opportunity to be appointed as a Guest Lecturer at Wake Forest University’s Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Master’s in Healthcare Leadership program.
30. Alexandra S. Wolff
Residency Program Director, PGY2 Oncology, Atrium Health
Clinical Pharmacist Coordinator, Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Levine Cancer
Alexandra Wolff is the Residency Program Director for the PGY2 Oncology pharmacy program at Atrium Health Carolina’s Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. She is an experienced clinical pharmacy specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital and healthcare industry. She is skilled in stem cell transplant, oncology, hematology, and the professional development of pharmacy residents.
Wolff has pursued two parallel themes throughout her career – advancing clinical pharmacy practice in leukemia, lymphoma, and cellular therapies, and fostering the growth and leadership of the pharmacy profession. In 2023, she was honored with the Clinical Excellence Award from the American Society of Transplant and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) Pharmacy Group. This prestigious national award recognizes only one person annually and highlights her significant contributions to the field.
Wolff’s commitment to leadership and professional development is evident in her role as a residency program director, where she has mentored post-graduate pharmacy residents, helping them achieve their personal and professional goals. She has also made substantial contributions on a larger scale through her work with the national organization HOPA, particularly on the Leadership Development Committee. She was instrumental in launching their mentorship program and is now focused on creating standardized professional benchmarking metrics and advancing the role of pharmacy practice within the evolving healthcare climate to improve practice outcomes. Additionally, Wolff is the lead author of the Women in Oncology Pharmacy Leadership white paper, published in 2020.
Wolff graduated magna cum laude from the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy.
33. Katheryn Peterson
Director of Abdominal Transplant Research Operations, Atrium Health
Katheryn Peterson has dedicated her career to surgical and surgical device research and education, working predominately in Orthopaedic, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary, Bariatric, and Abdominal Transplant Surgery. Currently, she serves as the Director of Abdominal Transplantation Research Operations at Atrium Health. In this role, she has successfully established the Atrium Research on Transplantation (ART) Laboratory, revolutionizing research operations and developing a robust clinical research infrastructure.
Katheryn's strategic leadership is evident in her management of a dedicated team of research residents, fellows, and interns, and her oversight of a comprehensive portfolio of projects and grants. Her expertise in regulatory compliance and database management ensures the integrity and accuracy of critical research data.
From a young age, Katheryn knew that she wanted to work in the medical community, with a particular focus on surgical care. Driven by this passion, she has organized, coordinated, and executed over ten advanced training courses and large-scale events for the American Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association. These multi-day, international courses and events have offered over 200 surgeons of all skill levels the opportunity to enhance their skills in surgical robotics, ultrasound, and ablation techniques. Through these courses and her various professional roles, Katheryn has demonstrated and refined her results-oriented, adaptive, and collaborative leadership skills.
A native of Charlotte, Katheryn attended Charlotte Catholic High School, graduated from Furman University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration at Wake Forest University. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she is actively involved in mentoring as a Furman University Alumni Mentor. Katheryn is passionate about running, traveling, reading, and spending quality time with her family, friends, and fiancé.
35. Taranda M. Frost
Director, Benefits, Americas, Xylem Inc.
With over two decades dedicated to employee wellness and benefits management, Taranda serves as the Director of Employee Benefits for the Americas at Xylem, Inc. Her mission is to enhance the company's global standing by implementing strategic benefits programs that align with Xylem's commitment to sustainability and innovation. She has mastered legal compliance and has a proven track record in benefits design and mergers and acquisitions, enabling her to expertly navigate global benefit plans.
Taranda believes leadership in benefits strategy extends beyond basic administration; it involves fostering a culture of wellness and engagement. Her oversight of comprehensive benefits communications and consultative guidance underscores her focus on enhancing employee experiences and attracting top talent. Her drive to improve operational efficiencies and maintain impeccable compliance standards is crucial for team success and a healthy work environment.
She is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and a Certified Benefits Professional (CBP), holding a BS in Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina and a master's degree in human resource management and business administration from Webster University. Her diverse background includes military service and active membership in various professional and civic organizations.
Taranda has received numerous awards during her career, including the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and CEO Awards. She is also a proud mother and grandmother, an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and South Carolina Gamecocks, and an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. In her free time, Taranda enjoys traveling, interior decorating, and listening to podcasts. She is passionate about empowering young individuals and solving water challenges as part of Xylem, a global leader in advanced water technologies and services.
View the complete list of awardees.
37. Roni Jansen
VP, Sales Operations & Strategy, Coca-Cola Consolidated
Roni Jansen began her professional career 13 years ago. Today, she is the Vice President of Sales Operations & Strategy of Coca-Cola Consolidated, the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States. Its purpose is to honor God in all it does, serve others, pursue excellence, and grow profitably. For over 120 years, it has been deeply committed to the consumers, customers, and communities it serves and is passionate about the broad portfolio of beverages and services it offers. It makes, sells, and distributes beverages of The Coca-Cola Company and other partner companies in more than 300 brands and flavors across 14 states and the District of Columbia to approximately 60 million consumers.
Jansen first got her start in 2011 as a foreign language instructor at the Center for Teaching and Learning in China. From there, she went on to the Law Office of Fred B. Goldberg, PC, before eventually rising to productivity support analyst at Cisco, her most recent position prior to joining Coca-Cola Consolidated. Jansen graduated from the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business with an MBA in data analytics and marketing and from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with an undergraduate degree in global studies and Asian studies.
38. Mercedes Sullivan
VP, HR Storefront Architect, TIAA
Mercedes D. Sullivan is an executive with a passion for driving growth, transformation, innovation, and inclusion. She blends over 20 years of expertise across technology, human resources, portfolio management, and social impact to resolve critical problems facing organizations today.
Mercedes currently serves as VP, Storefront Architect, for the People Team at TIAA, a leading provider of secure retirement income solutions. In this capacity, she leads the development and continuous improvement of AI-enabled employee experiences. Previously, Mercedes held the position of VP, Head of People Team PMO, where she led HR productization, agile transformation, and project delivery. Prior to TIAA, she held program delivery leadership roles at Symphonic Strategies, a social impact Consultancy, and was Head of Financial Services Custom Research at CEB (now Gartner), providing best practice research and advice to over 600 global financial institutions.
Born in Mexico City and raised in Acapulco, Mexico, Mercedes was a national tennis champion and achieved a top 30 world junior tennis ranking. She later attended Boston College on a tennis scholarship. Mercedes holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in International Studies from Boston College and the University of Sydney, Australia, respectively. Through her professional and personal experience, Mercedes embodies her commitment to enabling individuals and teams to thrive, win, and feel included in the marketplace.
40. Margaret Borg
Senior Director, Enterprise Climate Risk Strategy, Ally Financial
Margaret Borg is the Senior Director of Climate Risk, dedicated to the development of Ally’s comprehensive enterprise climate risk strategy and environmental stewardship programs. She currently serves as an internal sustainability expert in the organization to educate on emerging industry trends and regulatory developments on environmental and climate risk management disclosure. As a strategic partner for business-critical initiatives, Borg excels in navigating complex or ambiguous scenarios, while developing and executing strategies that create cohesion across the organization.
Borg joined Ally in 2013 and has worked in multiple functions across the organization, including human resources, technology, compliance, and business transformation. She has been involved in women’s initiatives throughout her career, emphasizing equality, the importance of mentorship, and a commitment to personal authenticity. In 2017, she served as an inaugural leader for the Charlotte Chapter of the Women ALLYs Employee Resource Group (ERG), establishing a network devoted to the support and empowerment of women with a focus on both personal and professional growth. She remains an active member of the Women ALLYs ERG as a strategic advisor to the National Steering Team and continues to drive innovative and robust programming.
Borg earned her undergraduate degree from Florida State University and obtained a Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR) certificate from the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP). She is an advanced certified scuba diver and enjoys embarking on adventures to the natural wonders around the globe. In her spare time, you can typically find her tending to her garden or hiking with her Labradoodle.
41. Evonne Bennett Brown
Head of Equity, Belonging & Culture, Credit Karma
Evonne Bennett Brown’s career is distinguished by her success in developing the next generation of diverse talent in global organizations. Mrs. Bennett Brown possesses a unique blend of expertise in strategic human resource management, diversity & inclusion, talent management and business strategy.
Evonne recently served as the first Chief Diversity Officer and Social Sustainability Leader for Westinghouse Electric Company having created a strategy for diverse voices to be included in shaping tomorrow’s energy. She previously worked as the Enterprise Director of Talent Management and Career Development at Ingersoll Rand Company. With 43,000 employees globally, Evonne led the organization in robust talent and succession management, talent assessment, employee engagement, performance management, and employee career development strategies. Evonne was promoted to that role after serving as the company's Director of Global Diversity and Inclusion. In this role, she was responsible for implementing a wide range of workforce, workplace, and learning initiatives to support the company’s efforts to build a progressive, diverse, and inclusive culture. Evonne's background includes more than 20 years of experience in human resources roles with increasing scope, scale and complexity including an international assignment as the Asia Pacific HR Leader for Ingersoll Rand’s security division.
Evonne began her HR career at General Electric, gaining valuable human resources experience in GE's premiere HRLP: Human Resources Leadership Program. Evonne commenced her career in the legal profession as an attorney specializing in employment law.
Evonne is a three-time graduate of the University of South Carolina. She earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations, a Juris Doctorate from the School of Law, and a master’s in Human Resources from the Darla Moore School of Business.
A native of Charleston, South Carolina, Evonne and her family currently live in the Charlotte, NC area. Evonne is an active volunteer and leader in various civic and professional organizations.
42. Ashleigh Anderson
VP, Global Talent Acquisition & Head, Credit Karma
As the Vice President of Global Talent Acquisition and Head of Credit Karma’s Charlotte office, Ashleigh Anderson oversees talent acquisition and onboarding across all geographies, including Charlotte, Oakland, Los Angeles, London, and India.
Since joining Credit Karma in 2018, Anderson has worked to establish Charlotte as Credit Karma’s East Coast headquarters, scaling that office from 50 employees to almost 700, within 18 months of making the announcement. Anderson brings more than two decades of experience in talent acquisition to Credit Karma. She was recently named to the Charlotte Business Journal’s Power 100 list and the Top 50 Women Leaders of North Carolina by Women We Admire in 2022.
She began her career at Microsoft in 1998 and then caught the start-up bug, which led her to lead talent teams at five technology companies resulting in multiple IPO/acquisition exits. Before joining Credit Karma, Anderson was also head of talent at Shiver Entertainment and The Climate Corporation and head of the research function at Zynga.
43. Sarah Fatherly
Provost & VP for Academic Affairs, Queens University of Charlotte
Sarah Fatherly is the chief academic officer for Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina, overseeing all academic programs and services. Having served in that role since 2017, Dr. Fatherly has two decades of experience in academic leadership and administration. During her tenure at Queens, she has led efforts that revitalized undergraduate signature experiences including interdisciplinary learning, faculty-student research, career readiness, and curriculum innovation all in a broader effort to enable students to flourish, persist, and succeed. She has co-authored and directed multiple grant projects including a $2.2 million award from the U.S. Department of Education’s Title III Strengthening Institutions program in support of student success efforts at Queens. Earlier in her career, Fatherly served in a variety of faculty and administrative roles at Otterbein University.
In addition to scholarship in her academic fields of study, Fatherly has published and presented widely on scaling high-impact practices, equity-minded curriculum innovation, faculty development practices, and campus partnerships for student success. She earned a B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus College, an M.A., and a Ph.D. in United States History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with specializations in early American and women’s history.
Fatherly currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Carolina Raptor Center and the Levine Museum of the New South.
44. Kathy Flick
VP, National Partners, Nextiva
Kathy Flick is the Vice President for National Partners at Nextiva. She is a former teacher and coach turned technology geek. She started her sales journey as an account executive and in six months moved into a management role.
Flick has held various roles from leading record-breaking sales teams to building top-performing, award-winning TSD programs. She holds a BS in Exercise and Sport Science and a Masters in Education from East Carolina University, where she was also a three-year letter winner, co-captain, and Texas Gulf American Academic on the women's Volleyball Team.
Her hustle, along with her survival of the fittest mentality, can be attributed to her mother’s Asian influence and her battle with cancer. Outside of work, her passions are nonprofits focused on uplifting women, cancer research, and animal rescue. Flick is a board member of a Charlotte nonprofit and an avid supporter of local animal rescues.
View the complete list of awardees.
45. Wendy Zhang
VP, Data & AI, Hayward Holdings
Wendy Zhang joins Hayward as the Vice President of Data and AI. Hayward Holdings, Inc. is a leading global designer and manufacturer of pool and outdoor living technology. In this role, Zhang leads the Business Intelligence Center of Excellence within Hayward's global finance organization. She is responsible for developing and implementing business intelligence strategies and enabling data-driven decision-making.
Zhang brings extensive experience as a visionary data and analytics leader, having successfully executed large-scale data transformation programs across diverse industries, including financial services and life sciences, in both the public and private sectors. She previously served in similar roles at TheAssociation.AI, Sallie Mae, and Wells Fargo. Earlier in her career, she was an analytics manager for the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and a lead data analyst for the US Air Force.
Zhang holds a Master of Science in Business Analytics from George Washington University, a Master of Arts in Accounting from Ohio State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She is a Certified Project Management Professional and holds a Certificate in AI Applications for Growth from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
46. Reaiah Brown Johnson
Head of Global Talent Management & Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Cell Signaling Technology
Reaiah Brown Johnson is the Head of Global Talent Management and Diversity Equity & Inclusion at Cell Signaling Technology. A Talent Management and DE&I thought leader, Reaiah has been honored to lead a diversified career in Talent Management, HR Business Leadership, Production & Engineering Analysis, Corporate Development, and IT Programming. That journey has spanned industries including Aerospace, BioTech, Chemicals, and diversified manufacturing. Reaiah has earned an MS in Organizational Behavior and Management with a certification in Executive Coaching from the University of Texas at Dallas, and an undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems from Claflin University.
She has received accolades and recognition throughout her career for breaking barriers starting from graduating college at 18 years old, to being the first African American and the youngest Vice President in her previous employer’s 90+ year history. For almost two decades, Reaiah has applied that emphasis to the most crucial resource of all – People.
Being an involved advocate, Mrs. Brown Johnson has established her own synergy of immersion outside of Corporate America over the years by speaking & teaching to inspire every generation from students at universities, as well as other professionals at conferences across the US. She also previously held a board seat on Real Estate Mastermind’s Executive Board, and the American Dreams Return Nonprofit Board of Directors. Reaiah enjoys volunteering throughout her community and is dedicated to opening the door to opportunities where the gifted & talented from traditionally marginalized communities are enlightened, connected, and elevated. Her experience and innovative mind continue to prove invaluable in today’s ever-changing environment.
47. Brie Barton
VP, Industry Lead, Cardlytics
Brie Barton is an experienced sales and business leader with 15 years of client strategy experience and 10 years of leading top-performing sales teams. She is a growth-focused leader, known for accelerating business profit and optimizing team performance. She does this with a customer-first mentality that drives success by providing comprehensive top-level leadership. Currently, Barton serves as Vice President and Industry Lead in Advertiser Partnerships at Cardlytics. Cardlytics (NASDAQ: CDLX) is a digital advertising platform for banks' digital channels. Cardlytics partners with financial institutions to run their banking rewards programs that promote customer loyalty and deepen banking relationships.
Barton oversees the restaurant industry, where she partners with leaders from national restaurant brands, like McDonald’s, Papa John’s, Dunkin’, and Starbucks, to drive revenue, win share, and grow their business. She manages a sales and services team, while directly impacting the company’s revenue and working closely with leadership on key sales initiatives. To date, her partnerships have generated over $60 million in revenue. Before taking on this role, Barton served as head of client success, where she led role transformation initiatives to build and launch a Client Success team responsible for revenue generation. This required end-to-end planning through strategic communication, hiring, training of the new team, and ongoing development.
Before Cardlytics, Barton was head of retail and key accounts at Criteo, where she ran the largest ad sales team for the Americas and owned the growth and strategy for top global accounts, such as Macy's. She spent seven years at Criteo, becoming an expert in business sales, team leadership, and revenue growth. She found her passion in advertising sales in college, where she sold advertisements for a local magazine, by the time she graduated, she was running her own sales team. From there, this passion took her to New York City for her first role as an account executive at the New York Post, Page Six. Barton holds a BA in Economics from the University of Virginia.
48. Kelly Benish
Senior Director, Resellers, Constant Contact
Kelly Benish is the Senior Director of Resellers at Constant Contact. She first joined the company in 2024. Constant Contact delivers for small businesses with powerful tools to simplify and amplify digital marketing. Whether it's driving sales, growing a customer base, or engaging an audience, they help build strong connections and generate powerful results.
Benish has over 15 years of business development, strategic partnership, product, and GTM experience providing SaaS websites, local search marketing, and productivity solutions to SMBs and franchise brands around the world. Previously, Benish was a vice president of strategic partnerships at Uberall. Before that, she was a VP of business development at Navads (Acquired by Uberall). Earlier in her career, she worked with Taylor and Turner Financial Group, LLC as an office and sales manager.
Benish is a nationally recognized speaker, including engagements through HOTSAUCE by Hotjar, SMX East, SMX West, Pubcon, State of Search, DFWSEM, SIGMA (the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America), AACS (The Australasian Association of Convenience Stores), SMASH (Senior Care Sales and Marketing Summit), and MDMC (Midwest Digital Marketing Conference). Benish earned an undergraduate degree in criminal justice and English from the University of North Carolina.
49. Britta Miano
Director, Business Development & Customer Service Excellence, Red Classic
Britta Miano is a dynamic leader with a proven track record in establishing strategic visions, executing go-to-market strategies, and driving new business revenue in the transportation, logistics, and fleet maintenance sectors. As the Director of Business Development and Customer Service Excellence at Red Classic, she oversees the commercial revenue budget, manages enterprise customer relationships, and empowers her team to take risks and solve problems. Britta's leadership is marked by her passion for serving others, developing talent, providing exceptional customer experiences, and fostering cross-functional alignment.
Her career journey includes roles as Senior Manager of Customer Service, Sales Executive, and Talent Acquisition Regional Manager at Coca-Cola Consolidated.
Britta's core competencies include corporate vision and strategy, business development, customer experience, change management, and talent development. She holds a B.A. in Business Management from the University of North Carolina Charlotte. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three boys, her family, and friends.
50. Dr. LaDonna Battle
Executive VP, Care Management & Population Health Officer, Trillium Health Resources
LaDonna Battle is the Executive Vice President and the Care Management and Population Health Officer at Trillium Health Resources. She first joined the company in 2022. Trillium Health Resources manages specialty behavioral healthcare for North Carolinians across 46 counties.
As an experienced in the standardization, execution, and tactical planning of innovative clinical, technical, and operational management programs, Battle achieves strategic outcomes through integration with information systems partners, local governing bodies, vendors, community service agencies, and health plans, by federal, state, and accreditation standards. Previously, Battle was a VP of care management and population health at Cardinal Innovations Healthcare. Before that, she was a vice president of field health services operations at WellCare Health Plans. Earlier in her career, she worked with Humana as a program coordinator in obstetrics and outreach services.
Battle earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice and Executive Nurse Leadership from Baylor University, a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix, and an undergraduate degree in nursing from Valparaiso University.
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