Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of DC for 2022. This group of accomplished individuals dedicate themselves to the betterment of society and the organizations they serve. Known for being the seat of the Federal Government, DC is home to many professional women, many of whom serve directly with the government and governmental organizations, changing the trajectory of our nation and planet. We recognize these trailblazers for raising the bar in their fields, paving the way for future women in their profession.
Among this year’s awardees is Shamiram Feinglass, Chief Medical Officer of Danaher, whose responsibilities include regulatory affairs, health policy, and clinical matters for the global science and technology company; Millette Granville, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion of 2U, who provides strategic and day to day operational leadership on all global equity, diversity, and inclusion policies and practices for the organization; and Stephany Foster, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Human Resources of QIAGEN, who helps the extraordinary talent realize their full potential through fulfilling careers with the company.
This year’s awardees are shaping everything from education to medicine to the economy. Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders of DC for 2022.
2. Christine LeBel
Vice President - Controller's Shared Service, Fannie Mae
Christine LeBel is the Vice President - Controller's Shared Service of Fannie Mae. Fannie Mae is a leading source of financing for mortgage lenders, providing access to affordable mortgage financing in all markets, at all times. LeBel leads a team of 200+ professionals in supporting the Controller’s Organization in the execution and delivery of large-scale finance transformation efforts; development of solutions for emerging regulatory and market changes; support of baseline operations; and continuous improvement efforts designed to optimize existing business processes, enhance controls, and move towards a best-in-class organization. She manages and oversees the execution of a portfolio of projects with an annual budget of $50M - $75M.
Before joining Fannie Mae, LeBel was a financial planning and analysis manager at U.S. Office Products and before that, at Sallie Mae. Earlier in her career, she worked with Laventhol & Horwath as a staff accountant. LeBel holds an MBA from American University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
3. Shamiram Feinglass
Chief Medical Officer, Danaher
Shamiram Feinglass began her professional career over 31 ago. Today, she is the Chief Medical Officer of Danaher. Danaher is a global science and technology innovator committed to helping their customers solve complex challenges and improve quality of life around the world. Feinglass’ responsibilities have included medical affairs, health policy, market access, reimbursement, health economics, regulatory, and clinical matters.
As a former regulator and Commander in the U.S. Public Health Service with deep regulatory and legislative experience, Feinglass has successfully transformed systems to optimize effectiveness, managed relationships, and driven policy changes with senior government officials in the U.S., EMEA, Latin America, Canada, and Asia-Pacific regions. She possesses significant clinical public health and health services research experience and has been an effective change agent enhancing employee and customer engagement. Feinglass graduated from Emory University School of Medicine with an MD, from Emory University School of Public Health with an MPH, and from Smith College with an undergraduate degree.
5. Jodi Weiss
Senior Client Partner & Practice Leader, Korn Ferry
Jodi Weiss, Senior Client Partner, serves as Practice Leader for Korn Ferry’s Nonprofit and Higher Education Professional Search. Based in Washington, DC, Weiss brings more than 20 years of leadership experience, with over a decade at Korn Ferry, during which span she has partnered with nonprofits, associations, and higher education institutions to place impactful executives and emerging leaders across an array of leadership roles. Weiss joined Korn Ferry from The Princeton Review, where she served as an editorial director, and held former roles as a director of business development and creative planning, in addition to managing editor. Prior to The Princeton Review, Weiss was a managing editor at Golden Books, Education Division, and earlier in her career, she served as a production manager at McGraw-Hill School Division.
Over the last 14 years, Weiss has served as an associate and adjunct professor of English and writing at Florida and New York City colleges and universities. She is the author of a novel, From Comfortable Distances, and a regular contributor to a variety of publications, including LinkedIn, Harness Magazine, and Ultrarunning Magazine, where she writes about careers, communication, and motivation. She is the founder of EverythingSmart, a career coaching organization that specializes in assisting professionals and college students to explore career routes. Weiss holds Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in English/literature and a Master of Fine Arts in writing from Brooklyn College. An accomplished long-distance runner with over thirty-five 100+ mile races completed, Weiss is affiliated with athletic organizations throughout the U.S. Weiss sits on the Board of Governors for Beta Gamma Sigma, the International Business Honor Society.
6. Stephany Foster
SVP & Head of Global Human Resources, QIAGEN
Stephany Foster is the Senior Vice President and Head of Global Human Resources of QIAGEN. QIAGEN is the leading global provider of Sample to Insight solutions that enable customers to gain valuable molecular insights from samples containing the building blocks of life. Their sample technologies isolate and process DNA, RNA, and proteins from blood, tissue, and other materials. QIAGEN provides solutions to more than 500,000 customers around the world in Molecular Diagnostics (human healthcare) and Life Sciences (academia, pharma R&D and industrial applications, primarily forensics). Foster has nearly 21 years of experience. She began her career in 2001.
Before joining QIAGEN, Foster was a senior manager of internal audit at MorganFranklin Corporation. Earlier in her career she worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers. Foster graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a master’s degree and undergraduate degree in accounting.
8. Aaisha Hamid
Assistant Vice President and DE&I Manager, Alliant Insurance Services
Aaisha Hamid is the Assistant Vice President and DE&I Manager for Alliant Insurance Services. She first joined the company in 2021. At Alliant Insurance, a top ten national brokerage firm where, she leads the company's diversity strategy and initiatives and acts as a thought leader for the company. Hamid is a global diversity professional with over seven years of experience in some of the largest and most financially successful legal and financial services firms in the nation, in academic institutions, and on community boards.
Hamid’s former roles included global DE&I plan project manager and D&I senior coordinator where she executed diversity efforts across 55 offices in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific. Hamid has managed the development, facilitation, and metrics for over 200 programs. She has also supported 30 employee resource groups and led efforts to complete over 139 client diversity requests and 15 third party market surveys which consistently yield awards and high rankings for the firm. She is the author of two grant funded books and has traveled locally, nationally, and internationally to speak about a wide range of topics ranging from identity politics and issues impacting women in the workforce, to addressing culture and religion in contemporary society. Hamid graduated from the University of Louisville with a master’s degree in political science and an undergraduate degree in psychology. She has earned certificates from Cornell University, Yale, and the University of South Florida.
11. Millette Granville
Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, 2U
Millette Granville is the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for 2U, Inc., a global education technology company that partners with over 75 top-tier, non-profit universities to build, deliver, and support high-quality online degrees, certificates, boot camps, and short courses. In this role, Granville is responsible for providing strategic leadership on all global equity, diversity, and inclusion policies, programs, and practices. She is a trusted partner to senior leaders, Business Resource Networks, and Mosaic, the DEI council. She also partners with the business, human resources, and communications teams on strategy, program launch, and implementing initiatives to ensure the optimal attraction, development, and retention of diverse talent while infusing DEI principles and practices into 2U’s products, outreach, and philanthropy.
Prior to joining 2U, Granville was the VP of talent, diversity & inclusion and organizational development for Food Lion LLC, an Ahold Delhaize Company. In that role, she was responsible for the strategic implementation of diversity and inclusion, talent acquisition, as well as learning and organizational development strategies. Granville served on the Global Talent Network and the Associate Engagement Global Network. She provided oversight for nine BRGs and two Business Diversity Councils. And in 2019, she completed the “Leadership Journey from Purpose to Legacy'' at Harvard School of Business. Her previous roles also include VP of D&I for Time Warner Cable, VP of diversity and college recruiting with Wells Fargo, and president/CEO of Granville & Webb HR Connections, Inc. Granville serves on the Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership Board and on the Board of Advisors for BraveWorks. Granville has been recognized by the National Diversity and Leadership Conference as one of the top 100 Chief Diversity Officers in 2021. She has been recognized by Radio One as a Top Woman of Excellence and named as a Savoy Magazine Most Influential Women in Business. Granville also received the Career Mastered National Diversity Leadership Award. She is a member of the CALIBR Global Leadership Network and the author of The Exceptional Leader, a quick guide to personal branding and leadership development.
12. Sujata Mitra
EVP and Head of Earned Media Strategies, Edelman DC
Sujata Mitra is an Executive Vice President and Head of Earned Media Strategies for Edelman's Washington DC office. Edelman is a global marketing and communications firm. In her role, Mitra leads the Earned Media Team and serves as strategic senior media counsel to clients, C-level executives, and client partners. She specializes in how to effectively communicate to target audiences via impactful earned media strategy and media relations. Under her leadership, the Earned Media Team in Edelman’s DC office tripled in size.
Prior to joining Edelman, Mitra led communications and media relations efforts for Vox Media's Vox.com, Recode, and The Verge. Prior to Vox Media, she was a senior director of communications for The Huffington Post, and a director of marketing communications for CQ Roll Call/The Economist Group. Mitra also spent several years at public relations agencies DKC and Allison & Partners. Before working in PR and communications, Mitra was a journalist having worked in local, national, and international broadcast news. During her time as a producer at WPIX in New York City, she received an Emmy Award for the station’s one year 9-11 anniversary coverage.
View the complete list of awardees.
13. Wesley Hauck
Vice President of Placement Programs, 2U
Wesley Hauck is a Vice President of Placement Programs at 2U, where she has spent the last 10 years overseeing over 70,000 internship placements for students in degree programs partnered with 2U. 2U delivers high-quality digital education at scale and partners with non-profit universities and corporate partners to expand access to world class online education. Uniquely, 2U is a leader in the industry for internship and clinical placement, where students in our 2U powered programs spend roughly 50% more time in the field than they do in the classroom. Hauck has had the opportunity to work alongside several strong female leaders to successfully navigate the complex and regulated world of clinical and field placement which has contributed to 2U’s industry leadership.
Hauck is an expert at building relationships and managing teams through creative and collaborative decision making. She oversees a team of 70+ placement specialists, managers, and directors who place students in social work, education, and counseling internships all over the country to achieve their dream of obtaining a master’s and giving back to their communities. Hauck is uniquely talented at communicating and collaborating with stakeholders all over the country to ensure their program's standards are possible at scale. Originally from Lexington, Kentucky, Hauck gained her undergraduate degree from Lawrence University.
14. Raquel Tamez
Chief Inclusion & Engagement Officer, Charles River Associates
Raquel Tamez is the Chief Inclusion and Engagement officer at Charles River Associates (CRA). As CIEO, Tamez plays an integral role in the firm’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, launching initiatives and designing programs that empower CRA’s workforce and strengthen its culture, allowing the firm to better serve its clients and communities.
Prior to joining CRA, Tamez served as CEO for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), a national organization focused on empowering the Hispanic community to achieve its full potential in science, technology, engineering, and math. During her four years with SHPE, she expanded the organization’s programs and services, increased its corporate partnerships and its membership to more than 13,000 across 280+ national chapters, and helped create new avenues for outreach and engagement. She also previously held the role of Chief Legal Officer, general counsel, and SVP of legal at SourceAmerica. In 2020, Tamez represented SHPE as part of the first-ever Hispanic delegation to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. That same year, she received the 2020 Ohtli Award from the Mexican government, in recognition of her efforts to empower Hispanic communities abroad. Tamez is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and St. Mary’s University School of Law.
15. Shawn Wright
Co-Chair & Partner, Blank Rome
Shawn Wright is a Co-Chair of the DC Office and Parner of the White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice Group of Blank Rome. Blank Rome is an Am Law 100 firm with 13 offices and more than 600 attorneys and principals who provide comprehensive legal and advocacy services to clients operating in the United States and around the world. Wright represents large, multinational corporations, other businesses, and individuals in FCPA-related matters before the Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, and other U.S. regulators. Additionally, she has supervised and conducted large, complex investigations throughout the world involving a range of FCPA-related issues, most notably FCPA due diligence work for one of the Fortune 50 corporations.
Wright also conducts investigations to audit compliance with corporate codes of conduct and applicable statutes and regulatory rules, and counsels the board of directors on creating and monitoring codes of ethical business behavior and on related disclosure issues. As an outgrowth of her FCPA work, she also represents companies and their board of directors in criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings arising from corporate governance and compliance issues. Prior to joining Blank Rome, Wright was an associate attorney with Dyer Ellis & Joseph. She graduated from Howard University with an undergraduate degree in political science and government.
16. Yiselle Santos Rivera
Principal & Global Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, HKS, Inc.
Yiselle Santos Rivera is a Principal and Global Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at HKS, Inc. Santos Rivera seeks to dismantle barriers, bring visibility and voice to underrepresented designers, and create equitable practices through inclusive workplace strategies. As an architect and medical planner, Santos Rivera amplifies the voices of marginalized communities encouraging processes of co-creation and designing spaces that provide equitable access to care. She is a trusted advisor to firm leaders and clients as they begin their journeys to build more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organizations.
She is the co-founder of the Latin American Interior Designers, Engineers, and Architects (LA.IDEA) DC Committee and founder of “Women Inspiring Emerging Leaders in Design” (WIELD). Santos Rivera has served on the AIA National Associates Committee (NAC) as Mid-Atlantic Regional Associate Director and At-Large Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement. During her tenure, the Emerging Professionals WolfPAC won the AIA ArchiPAC’s ArchiCup for most money raised and greatest number of donors. Later, she served as the 2019 Strategic Council Associate Director and in 2020, served on the AIA National Board as Associate Representative. As a member of the 2020 AIA COVID-19 Health Impact Task Force, Santos Rivera led the creation of the Additional Considerations section of the AIA Alternative Care Site Preparedness Assessment Tool V2.0 providing measures in support of ethnically diverse and marginalized populations, now translated into 3 languages. During this time, Santos Rivera also served a two-year term on the AIA Equity and the Future of Architecture Committee, supporting the development of the AIA Guides for Equitable Practice Executive Summaries. Currently, Santos Rivera is the AIA DC Chapter Board 2022 Vice President/2023 President-Elect and the NOMA Chair of Research and Development. Santos Rivera is a national speaker, a featured author in the book Latinas in Architecture: Stories of raising the 1% one Latina at a time, and has been featured on various industry podcasts.
17. Martha L. Carter
Vice Chairman & Head of Governance Advisory, Teneo
Martha L. Carter is Vice Chairman and the Head of Governance Advisory with Teneo. She advises CEOs and boards on corporate governance, sustainability, activism defense, executive compensation, shareholder engagement, strategy, and other matters. Carter sits on the Advisory Council of the Harvard Corporate Governance Forum and previously sat on the Markets Advisory Council at the Council of Institutional Investors (CII). She has certifications in SASB and TCFD reporting frameworks.
Previously, Carter was a head of global research at Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and chair and founder of the ISS Global Policy Board. At ISS, Carter led the Global Research’s team of governance analysts in 10 offices worldwide. Her team provided institutional investors with research and voting recommendations on more than 38,000 companies in 115 markets. Carter has been quoted in media worldwide and has been a speaker at corporate governance events. She has also written articles for a number of publications, including NYSE: Corporate Governance Guide; International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Benefits Magazine; ICGN Yearbook; and Financial Analysts Journal. In 2022, she was named one of the Top 25 Women Leaders in Consulting by The Consulting Report. Carter holds a PhD in finance from George Washington University, an MBA in finance from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and undergraduate degrees in mathematics and French from Purdue University.
19. Jennifer Marietta-Westberg
Vice President, Cornerstone Research
Jennifer Marietta-Westberg began her professional career over 22 ago. Today, she is the Vice President of Cornerstone Research. Cornerstone Research is a financial, economic, and litigation consulting firm based in the United States. Marietta-Westberg consults on economic and financial issues arising in litigation and regulatory investigations in financial markets. She addresses allegations related to financial reporting, asset management, trading, private equity, and mergers and acquisitions. An experienced expert witness, she has testified on matters related to Rule 10b-5/Section 11 securities class actions, damages, alleged insider trading, corporate governance, and Employee Retirement Income Security Act matters. Additionally, she has supported respondents in enforcement actions involving the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). She leads large teams to support academic and industry experts at all stages of litigation, including trial.
Marietta-Westberg worked for ten years at the SEC, in several capacities. She served as the deputy chief economist and deputy director of the Division of Economic and Risk Analysis (DERA). She has also managed economic analysis in support of Commission policy and rulemaking in the areas of asset management, broker-dealers, credit rating agencies, and market microstructure. Marietta-Westberg graduated from the University of Iowa with a PhD in finance.
20. Cassie Bond
Vice President of Revenue Strategy, Remington Hotels
Cassie Bond has over 19 years of hospitality experience with a strong focus on driving top line revenues and maximizing profitability for hotels. She worked for over 13 years in Revenue Management for Chesapeake Hospitality and most recently joined Remington Hotels as a Vice President of Revenue Strategy in April 2022. In Bond’s role, she spearheads revenue strategy for the current Chesapeake Hospitality division of third-party managed hotels as well as directly supports her team of trained revenue directors. Her expertise covers Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Wyndham and Independent hotels across various U.S. markets and chain classes. Bond and her team specialize in granular deep dives into segmentation, channel analysis, price positioning and targeted demand capture. Daily optimization and profitability remain at the forefront when creating and implementing thoughtful revenue management strategies across the portfolio.
Bond has revenue management and system certifications with Hilton, IHG, Marriott and Preferred Hotel Group. She is also a Certified Hospitality Revenue Manager with the American Hotel & Lodging Association and a Certified Revenue Management Executive with HSMAI. Bond has also published and been featured in various revenue management articles with hotel news publications. In 2018, she was selected as HSMAI’s Corporate Revenue Management Professional of the Year. Her passion for hotel revenue management can be seen through her disciplined work ethic, innovative strategies, and relentless dedication to consistently moving the needle and striving for better results for hotel owners.
View the complete list of awardees.
21. Afi Edim
Vice President of Residential Services, JBG Smith
Afi Edim is an exceptional leader with over 25 years of experience in Residential Property Management. She currently serves as a Vice President of Residential Services at JBG SMITH (NYSE: JBGS), an S&P 400 Real Estate Investment Trust. She first joined the company in 1993. Edim is responsible for operations of a portfolio of communities in the Washington Housing Initiative, an innovative and transformational market-driven approach to preserve and create affordable workforce housing in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Edim has extensive experience with establishing policies, developing systems, and implementing infrastructure to support business operations and continued growth.
Edim holds the Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management and a master’s degree from Western Illinois University.
22. Margery Kraus
Founder & Executive Chairman, APCO Worldwide
Margery Kraus is the Founder & Executive Chairman of APCO Worldwide. APCO Worldwide is an independent, global communication, stakeholder engagement and business strategy firm. Kraus transformed APCO into a multinational consulting firm in major cities throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. She led a management buy-out of the firm in 2004, making APCO one of the largest privately owned communication consulting firms in the world. Kraus specializes in providing strategic counsel on issue-based communication, crisis management, market entry, and corporate reputation across diverse industry sectors. She pioneered one of the industry’s earliest practices in corporate responsibility and the development of public/private partnerships.
Before founding APCO Worldwide, Kraus was a VP at Close Up Foundation. She graduated from American University with an MPA and from Knox College with an undergraduate degree.
23. Amanda Arnold
Vice President for Government Affairs & Policy, Valneva
Amanda Arnold began her professional career over 17 years ago. Today, she is the Vice President for Government Affairs & Policy at Valneva. Valneva is a specialty vaccine company focused on the development and commercialization of prophylactic vaccines for infectious diseases with significant unmet medical need. The company has leveraged its expertise and capabilities both to successfully commercialize two vaccines and to rapidly advance a broad range of vaccine candidates into and through the clinic, including candidates against Lyme disease, the chikungunya virus, and COVID-19.
Arnold has honed her skills in Washington over the past 15 years, first as a policy staffer for the U.S. Senator Jon Tester, Chairman of the powerful Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and for the National Institutes of Health. Recently, she represented multiple universities including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Washington with the goal of expanding American research, development, and manufacturing innovation. Arnold completed her undergraduate work at the University of Edinburgh and Arizona State University in political science and international relations. She holds a master’s degree in science and technology policy from the University of Sussex in the UK.
24. Angelique Kelly-Lara
SVP of Human Resources & Chief People Officer, Enterprise Community
Angelique Kelly-Lara is a Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Chief People Officer of Enterprise Community. Enterprise Community Partners is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for millions of families without one. Kelly-Lara is responsible for providing leadership that aligns the organization's strategic priorities with the necessary people capabilities to deliver on Enterprise's mission and business objectives. She leads all facets of human resources including talent management, talent acquisition, total rewards, and diversity and inclusion. She is also responsible for change initiatives that impact organization growth, strategy implementation, and cultural transformation.
Prior to joining Enterprise Community, Kelly-Lara served with Choice Hotels International as a VP of global talent acquisition and senior director of HR. She also previously worked with McDonald’s, Banker’s Life and Casualty, and Aramark Uniform Services in various HR leadership roles. Kelly-Lara earned an MBA from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and an undergraduate degree in business administration from The University of Kansas.
26. Kelly Brown
VP for Advancement & Director of Capital Campaign, St. John's College
Kelly Brown is the Vice President for Advancement and Director of Capital Campaign for St. John’s College. St. John’s College, with campuses in Annapolis, MD, and Santa Fe, NM, offers liberal arts education. The interdisciplinary curriculum focuses on the foundational works of philosophy, literature, history, political science, theology, economics, music, mathematics, and the laboratory sciences. Brown is responsible for leading a $250 million campaign from launch to conclusion. She also leads the principal and major gifts efforts for the College, and the community outreach efforts for the Annapolis campus.
Brown has pursued a broad career in communications, fund-raising, board development, strategic planning, and alumni relations. In the past twenty years, she has held key philanthropic management positions in major organizations. She has secured seven and eight figure gifts from individuals and companies. Brown has had extensive capital campaign and leadership experience where she has been involved in a wide variety of strategic planning and implementation initiatives. She earned an undergraduate degree in history from The Johns Hopkins University.
27. Christina Payne
SVP of Human Resources and Corporate Relations, Precise Systems
Christina Payne is the Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Relations of Precise Systems. Precise Systems is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned small business headquartered in Maryland, providing high value support and critical service solutions to the U.S. Government and program offices throughout the United States. Payne is responsible for leading Precise Systems' overall human resources strategy, talent acquisition, diversity and inclusion, cultural development, employee education, workplace safety and development, compensation and benefits, and employee relations. She also leads aspects of corporate relations, including, Community and Employee Engagement and Facilities. She instills an employee-centric, high-performance culture emphasizing empowerment, quality, career growth and development, and goal attainment. As a member of the executive team, Payne contributes directly to the organization's long and short-term strategic objectives while maximizing organizational effectiveness. She oversees company programs and initiatives that enhance the employee experience and partners with leaders across the organization.
Payne holds an undergraduate degree from Towson University and a master’s degree in management with a focus in human resources from the University of Maryland University College. She holds a Society of Human Resources Management certifications as a Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), Senior Human Resource Leadership (SHRL), and Professional of Human Resources (PHR). She is a 2015 graduate of Leadership Southern Maryland.
28. Karen Decker
Owner & President, International Center for Language Studies
Karen Decker is the Owner and President of the International Center for Language Studies (ICLS) in Washington, DC. ICLS is an accredited institution that provides internships, language training and testing services in English and over 85 foreign languages to a wide variety of clients including the Defense Department, international organizations, academic institutions, and corporate entities. Decker’s journey began after earning a degree in English and education from Wheaton College, when she served two years in Yemen as a Peace Corps volunteer teaching English. She then moved to Washington DC, where she landed a position as an ESL teacher at ICLS. She rose through the company from teacher to Director of the Foreign Language Division. After the untimely passing of the founder in 1996, Decker was appointed president and later became the owner. Over the following twenty years, ICLS’ revenue increased by 1000% and its reputation grew as a leader in the language training community.
Decker has been an active member of the language training community. She has been VP for Advocacy on the Executive Board of English USA, Coordinator of the English Language Trainers and Administrators professional network of NAFSA, and President of the Association of Proprietary Language Schools. Decker also served a 3-year term as a Commissioner for the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA). She is currently the Chair of ASTM’s Subcommittee on Foreign Language Instruction, which she has led for over twenty years. Her subcommittee developed the very first ASTM standard for the Language Services Industry. Decker believes that language learning is a life-long commitment; her love of languages started in high school where she studied French and Latin. In college she continued with French and added Spanish, and in the Peace Corps she received intensive training in Arabic.
View the complete list of awardees.
29. Wendy Lee
Vice President of Business Development, Precise Systems
Wendy Lee is the Vice President of Business Development of Precise Systems. She first joined Precise Systems in 2020. Founded in 1990, Precise Systems offers specialized services including knowledge management, program management, engineering, logistics, and information technology. In her role, Lee is responsible for identifying, capturing, and pursuing key growth markets and customers to meet strategic goals. Lee is an accomplished business development executive and has been highly successful in developing and executing strategic growth plans enabling company growth year over year.
Before joining Precise Systems, Lee was a VP and director of business development at Platform Aerospace Inc. and before that, a VP of strategy and business development at Ausley Associates. Earlier in her career she worked with Camber Corporation in various roles including VP, account executive, deputy division manager, and acquisition analyst. Lee graduated from the University of Maryland Global Campus with an MBA and from Ashworth College with an undergraduate degree in business management.
30. Karen Parker Davidson
Vice President, GM Instruments
Karen Davidson has held many positions in the medical device industry over the past 25 years, specifically in the ENT and sleep markets, in addition to 30 years of clinical experience to include service as a Flight Nurse in the United States Air Force Reserves and committee member for various Otolaryngology meetings. Davidson currently serves as the Vice President at GM Instruments, with a special interest in and published on the technology of objective nasal measurements, nasal physiology, clinical application, reimbursement, health economics, and health policy. She is adjunct faculty at Central Michigan University, Health Administration Division, School of Health Professions and Liberty University, School of Business and School of Health Sciences. She is the SME for medical coding and payors sources at Liberty University in their School of Health Science undergraduate program. Her expertise as a volunteer partner with the Harrison COVID-19 Research Group includes nasal function studies, nasal physiology, nasal drug delivery, health economics, and health policy for a prophylactic protocol via nasal delivery.
Davidson currently serves as an editorial board member for Dental Sleep Practice Magazine and as a consultant and medical advisor to medical companies and various medical groups. She is a speaker on the topic of nasal function, resistance, how nasal airflow is objectively measured, and the necessary collaborative care approach between medical and dental professionals. She is a co-author of The Power of the Tongue In the Beginning, We Were All Tongue Tie and Sleep Apnea and Pregnancy: The Female Response to Sleep Breathing Disorders, a contributing author to Growing Into Breathing Problems: The Quest for Collaborative Life Time Solutions for release in 2022, and the author of an upcoming book, Breathe Through Your Nose, Don’t Pay Through It: The Impact the Healthcare Industry has on Nasal Function and How We Breathe. Davidson received her undergraduate degree in nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master’s degree in administration and health services from Central Michigan, master’s degrees in nursing and education from the University of Phoenix, and PhD in health administration from Central Michigan University.
31. Christine Koetz
Chief Brand Officer, MOM's Organic Market
Christine Koetz began her professional career over 13 years ago. Today, she is the Chief Brand Officer of MOM's Organic Market. Founded in 1987, MOM's has grown to become the Mid-Atlantic region's premier chain of family owned and operated organic grocery stores. MOM's purpose is to protect and restore the environment.
Koetz started working at MOM’s Organic Market at the age of 22 in their Produce Department. After 3 months, she became the CEO’s Assistant and started doing graphic design and marketing for the company. In the span of 3 years, she refined their brand, and built a Design and Communications Department. At 25, Koetz became MOM’s Director of Communications. She oversees their brand, marketing, design, and development. Koetz is also a member of the American Marketing Association DC Chapter and does freelance consulting. She recently served on a Branding Panel at the DC Marketing Summit. Koetz graduated from Binghamton University with an undergraduate degree in English.
33. Brin Frazier
Chief Communications Officer, McCourt Global
Brin Frazier has more than two decades of experience as a communications strategist and executive speechwriter. She serves as Chief Communications Officer for McCourt Global, a private family company with a 130-year history of merging community and social impact with financial results. Through its work across the sports, real estate, technology, media, and finance industries – as well as its significant philanthropic activities – McCourt Global is committed to building a better future for all. Frazier leads communications across the company, including for its Project Liberty initiative, which aims to transform the internet through a new, equitable technology infrastructure and rebuild social media in a way that enables users to own and control their personal data.
Prior to joining McCourt Global in 2021, Frazier was senior strategist for policy communications at Amazon. Before joining Amazon, she was the director of executive & strategic communications at Nissan Motor Corporation, where she wrote for Nissan’s top executives and helped to develop and execute tailored communications strategies for the company’s executive committee members. She joined Nissan in 2012 and, until 2016, was based at its global headquarters in Japan. While living in Tokyo, Frazier was the speechwriter for Nissan’s chairman & CEO. Before this, she served at the U.S. Department of Justice as chief speechwriter to the Attorney General and led the department’s speechwriting team. Frazier began her career at the White House Office of Speechwriting. She has served two stints on Capitol Hill, including on the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee as deputy communications director and speechwriter to the chairman, and has worked on U.S. Presidential and Senate campaigns. Frazier is a graduate of Georgetown University and holds a master’s degree in writing from Johns Hopkins University. Since 2019, she has been an adjunct instructor and guest lecturer at American University’s School of Communication. She also serves as an executive board member for CulturalDC, a DC-based arts nonprofit, and is a volunteer advocate for the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasia and a fundraiser for Children’s National Hospital.
34. Astrid Schmidt-King
Vice President of Programs & Fellowships, World Trade Center Institute
Astrid Schmidt-King began her professional career over 20 years ago. Today she serves as the Vice President of Programs and Fellowships of World Trade Center Institute (WTCI). At WTCI, they empower globally minded leaders with new ideas and valuable connections. Schmidt-King oversees the organization’s fellowships, signature events, series, global exchanges, and customized programs. She is also responsible for WTCI’s three professional development fellowships and global exchanges, focusing on addressing major international issues impacting business and society.
Schmidt-King first got her start in 2002 as a coordinator of the State Legislature Program at Families USA. From there, she went on to Greenberg Traurig, before eventually rising to consultant and senior advisor of International Programs at Vedu. In her most recent position prior to joining WTCI, she served as an Executive in Residence at the Sellinger School of Management and Business at Loyola University Maryland where she was the director for the International Business Program and taught various international business and law courses. Schmidt-King graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law with a JD, from Freie Universität Berlin with an MA in international relations and global politics, and from New York University with an undergraduate degree in international relations.
35. Dusanka Delovska-Trajkova
Chief Information Officer, Ingleside
Dusanka Delovska-Trajkova is the Chief Information Officer of Ingleside. She first joined the organization in 2012. Ingleside offers a system of three continuing care retirement communities, a foundation, home care and development company. Delovska-Trajkova has been instrumental in helping build Ingleside into the successful community it is today. She was promoted to Chief Information Officer where she brings her vision and energy to developing technologies that will be a part of the business and life strategies. Her focus is to help each community adapt to new organizational innovations and to develop and execute new business strategies.
Delovska-Trajkova has more than 25 years of experience in computer science and automation in a variety of environments, corporate, government, educational, and nonprofit in Macedonia and the U.S. Previously, Delovska-Trajkova worked in a chemical factory and the Department of Defense. She came to the United States in 2000 after the war in Kosovo and worked for the Council on Foundations. She returned to Macedonia in 2006 to accept a position as counselor to the president of Sts. Cyril, working to consolidate the IT system between 23 schools. After that, Delovska-Trajkova returned to America and began working at the Pew Research Center. Delovska-Trajkova attended Sts. Cyril and Methodius University in Macedonia and graduated with an electrical engineering degree.
36. Buu-Linh Tran
VP of Financial Solutions, Marcum Technology
Buu-Linh Tran is a nonprofit industry executive with over 25+ years of various public accounting and consulting experience. She specializes in technology consulting services for clients in multiple industries with the focus on nonprofit, including financial system implementations for several leading product lines, modifications and integrations with existing applications, and Corporate Performance Management. Buu-Linh regularly consults with CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, and other executives across a wide range of financial system, information technology, and business process projects. Buu-Linh currently holds the position of Vice President of Marcum’s Financial Solutions division. Marcum is one of the largest independent public accounting and advisory services firms in the nation, with offices in major business markets throughout the U.S Headquartered in New York City, Marcum provides a full spectrum of traditional assurance, tax and accounting, technology services; advisory, valuation, and litigation support; and an extensive range of specialty and niche industry practices. The Firm serves both privately held and publicly traded companies, as well as high net worth individuals, private equity funds, and hedge funds. Marcum is a member of the Marcum Group, an organization providing a comprehensive array of professional services.
Buu-Linh was with Arthur Andersen prior to joining Marcum where she has assisted a wide range of clients including international organizations to optimize their enterprise-level applications and processes. Buu-Linh has managed both large and small technical engagements where she was responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of leading ERP and CPM solutions including Sage Intacct, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Planful and Vena. She is also an accomplished finance and accounting systems professional with proven experience in business requirements analysis, systems integration, accounting software implementation, financial management, and strategic planning.
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37. Adriana Bankston
Principal Legislative Analyst, University of California Office of Federal Government Relations
Adriana Bankston is a Principal Legislative Analyst at the University of California Office of Federal Governmental Relations in Washington, DC, where she serves as an advocate for the university with Congress, the Administration, and federal agencies.
Prior to this position, Bankston was a Policy & Advocacy Fellow at the Society for Neuroscience, where she provided staff support for special and on-going projects, including the society’s annual lobby event and the annual meeting. In addition to working at UC, Bankston is the Chief Executive Officer & Managing Publisher of the Journal of Science Policy & Governance, a Fellow with Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS), and a Biomedical Workforce & Policy Research Investigator at the STEM Advocacy Institute. Bankston also is a member of the Engaging Scientists and Engineers in Policy (ESEP) Coalition Steering Committee. Bankston earned her PhD in biochemistry, cell, and developmental biology from Emory University.
38. Elizabeth Caulder
President & Chief Strategist, PHOENIX Lifestyle Marketing Group
Elizabeth Kemp Caulder has enjoyed an extensive career in the field of brand marketing. Over the past two decades, she has served in executive leadership roles at prominent agencies, providing brand strategy and marketing expertise to Fortune 500 Companies, Lifestyle Brands, Government Agencies, NGOs, and Non-Profits. This diversity in experience has precipitated her unique aptitude for the design of effective campaign strategy. Caulder was honored to support the United Nations by leading the design of the strategic marketing and communications plan for the High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment. Responsible for establishing the brand positioning, visual representation, messaging strategy and tactical implementation plan for the UN HLP, Caulder’s team was also instrumental in the compilation and delivery of the report to the Secretary General. She recently addressed heads of state and dignitaries from around the world during the annual gender equity conference held in Scotland.
Caulder is passionate about issues impacting women, particularly Maternal Mortality and Premature Birth. She serves on the Board of Directors for the March of Dimes as both the Vice-Chair of the Board and the Marketing and Outreach Chair. Caulder is committed to inspiring support for initiatives designed to eradicate systemic inequity. She also serves on the National Board of Directors for the non-profit Vehicles for Change. Her commitment to community service is not new. She has been a member of the international civic organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated for 26 years and serves on the organization’s International Branding team. As the President of Phoenix Lifestyle Marketing Group, Caulder serves as a mentor and advisor to young professionals around the globe.
39. Sherri Sampson
VP and General Counsel, University of Maryland Global Campus
Sherri Sampson is the Vice President and General Counsel of University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC). UMGC is the largest public university in the United States. This global university specializes in high-quality academic programs tailored to working adults. Sampson joined UMGC to lead a team of in-house attorneys in the Office of Legal Affairs supporting a dynamic and innovative University environment. She was given the responsibility for establishing the new Institutional Compliance and Risk function to provide University-wide enterprise risk management and compliance oversight. Sampson leads the team in providing legal advice and recommendations on matters related to higher education including student matters, human resources, real estate and procurement, state, military and global compliance, accreditation, state authorization, Title IV, as well as key business transactions and venture opportunities.
Previously, Sampson was a chief human resources officer, general counsel, and secretary at the Graduate Management Admission Council®, and before that, an associate at Hogan & Hartson. Earlier in her career, she worked with Perkins Coie as an associate. Sampson earned a JD from the University of Washington School of Law and an undergraduate degree in comparative area studies from Duke University.
40. Leticia Proctor
EVP of Sales, Marketing & Revenue, Donohoe Hospitality Services
Leticia Proctor is Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Management at Donohoe Hospitality Services, a hotel management company. She holds the responsibility of navigating the company’s topline sales and revenue strategies during these unprecedented times. Proctor has over 28 years of experience in the hospitality industry, working with major hotel companies to improve sales, marketing, food and beverage, revenue management, digital strategy, and hotel operations.
Previously, Proctor has held sales and marketing positions with well-known hotel companies including Kimpton, Hersha Hospitality, Crestline Hotels, Remington Hotels, Interstate Hotels, Loews Hotels and Hospitality Partners. Prior to joining Donohoe, Proctor was an SVP of Sales, Revenue Management & Digital Strategies at PM Hotel Group. Recently, she was recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Women in Hospitality, Top 25 Most Inspirational Executives in Travel/Hospitality and Top 50 Most Influential Leaders in Hospitality by the International Hospitality Institute. She also received HSMAI’s Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds award, Washington Business Journal’s Top 25 Minority Business Leader award and was selected as Georgetown University’s Hoya Professional 30. Proctor obtained her undergraduate degree in legal studies with a minor in business law and public policy from the University of Maryland. Proctor also received a master's degree in hospitality management at Georgetown University.
41. Kathy Clem
Executive Director, Allegis Global Solutions
Kathy Clem is an Executive Director with Allegis Global Solutions (AGS). AGS helps organizations around the world understand the most efficient and effective ways to get work done and secure the talent and resources to drive growth and success. They shape the future by designing and managing workforce solutions for over 35 years and across 60+ countries. From contingent and flexible workforce engagements to services procurement and employee recruiting, AGS universal workforce solutions cover the breadth of talent opportunity, so companies can leverage the total extended workforce as a strategic competitive advantage.
With 24 years of talent acquisition experience covering all aspects of human capital management solutions, Clem is consistently engaged in complex and strategic engagements while helping major corporations transform the way they acquire talent. Working globally, Clem has led a wide range of large-scale organizational transformational projects, managed client SLA/KPIs, technology roadmaps, including enabling strategies to ensure on-time project delivery and cost savings. The scope of her current position includes client enablement, implementation of multiple products and services, supply chain management, market and business analytics and technology operations. Known as a trusted advisor, people leader, client centric and enthusiastic professional, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership by driving for greater efficiencies. Clem’s knowledge, operational excellence, strategic agility and change management also led to taking on a role leading AGS’ external inclusion and diversity strategy. She is a member of AGS’ Executive Inclusion Council and was named SIA’s 2021 Global Power 150 Women in Staffing.
42. Adriane Griffen
Executive Director, American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists
Adriane Griffen is an Executive Director with the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists. The Academy, founded in 1970, is the professional organization representing practitioners certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, state licensed practitioners, as well as assistants, technicians, fitters, and others affiliated with the profession of orthotics and prosthetics. It is dedicated to helping members provide the highest level of professionalism and service to their patients, and advancing the standards of patient care through education, literature, research, advocacy, and collaboration. Griffen is responsible for directing the organizational leadership of Academy activities including administration, program development, strategic initiatives, financial management, and outreach to consistently fulfill the mission and purpose of the organization.
With over 20 years of experience in leading, developing and managing public health programs in collaboration with partners, Griffen is adept at making bold change happen. She is known as a forward creative thinker, compelling in action, and talented in working with networks and persuading strategic partners to collaborate. Griffen is highly respected for leading with consummate skill, integrity, and determination. In addition to her roles with the Academy, she is an instructor with UConn Health. She graduated from The George Washington University with undergraduate degrees in psychology and biology and an MPH in health promotion and disease prevention, and from the University of Illinois Chicago with a DrPH in leadership and public health.
44. Maura DeMouy
Assistant Dean for Experiential Education & Executive Director for RISE
Georgetown University Law Center
Maura DeMouy is the Assistant Dean for Experiential Education and Executive Director for RISE at Georgetown University Law Center. DeMouy oversees the administration of all non-clinical experiential courses including externships, practicum courses, and simulations. She strategically develops the experiential curriculum in these areas and supports courses, faculty, and students throughout their journey. With a mission of empowering, she co-founded the RISE Program which was designed to serve incoming JD students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in law school and the legal profession, including but not limited to underrepresented racial, ethnic, geographic, socioeconomic, and first-generation college backgrounds.
Before joining Georgetown University Law Center, DeMouy was an assistant dean for student affairs and dean of students at The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. Before that, she was an adjunct professor and law and leadership coordinator at University of Maryland School of Law. Earlier in her career, she worked with the United States District Court for the District of Maryland as a law clerk for the Honorable Catherine C. Blake. DeMouy graduated from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law with a JD.
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45. Dina Cappiello
Managing Director of Communications & Marketing, RMI
Dina Cappiello is the Managing Director of Communications and Marketing of RMI. She first joined the company in 2021. RMI is an independent nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to align with a 1.5°C future and secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all. They work in the world’s most critical geographies and engage businesses, policymakers, communities, and NGOs to identify and scale energy system interventions that will cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 50 percent by 2030. RMI has offices in Colorado, New York City, California, Washington, DC, and Beijing. Cappiello leads an integrated communications and marketing team that uses all forms of media including earned, owned, social, to promote RMI’s work.
Previously, Cappiello was an EVP & editorial director at Edelman and before that, an adjunct professor of journalism at Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies. Earlier in her career, she worked with Albany Times Union as an environment reporter. Cappiello earned an undergraduate degree in biology from Georgetown University and an MS in journalism and environmental science from Columbia University.
46. Sheryl Chapman
Executive Director, The National Center for Children and Families
Sheryl Brissett Chapman is a passionate advocate and internationally recognized expert in child and family welfare. She has served as Executive Director of The National Center for Children and Families (NCCF) for 29 years. Chapman publishes and presents on a wide range of topics including juvenile justice, systems reform in child and family welfare, poverty and homelessness, childhood trauma, domestic violence, and cultural competency. Her most recent research and upcoming book, Black Male Youth on the Edge: The Art of Healing is focused on African American male adolescents removed from their families and placed in public child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
Chapman’s work continues to garner recognition both internationally and locally. She facilitated the development of the first formal child protection system in the Pacific Basin and presented at the first national conference on child abuse in Israel. Chapman received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and served on the second Jerry M. Consent Decree Panel for the DC Superior Court, where her research led to programmatic redesign. Recently, Brown University conferred an honorary doctorate to her in recognition of her achievements as an advocate and nonprofit innovator. Brown also recognized her with the John Hope Award for Public Service. In addition, Chapman served as President of the Inman Page Black Alumni Association, she co-chaired Brown’s allclass Black Reunion which drew over 700 participants in September 2018. Today, she also is a recently appointed Commissioner for Maryland Governor’s Procurement Improvement Council (PIC), a member of the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence’s Fatality Committee, a Board Director, Congressional Research Institute for Social Work Policy (CRISP), and a member of MCAC Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
47. Marija Kramer
Managing Director & Head, ISS Corporate Solutions
Marija Kramer is Head of ISS Corporate Solutions Inc. (ICS), a separately managed subsidiary of Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS) that helps companies design and manage their corporate governance, executive compensation, and sustainability programs to align with company goals, reduce risk, and manage the needs of a diverse stakeholder base by delivering best-in-class data, analytics, and advisory services. In this role, Kramer is responsible for setting the strategic direction of ICS’ product portfolio, development roadmap, client advisory, and client coverage teams.
Kramer previously served as Head of ISS’ ESG business unit, overseeing the unit’s Research & Ratings, Climate, Index, and Data & Analytics offerings while leading a globally diverse team of 500 professionals helping investors develop and integrate responsible investing policies and practices. She was instrumental in identifying and securing external growth opportunities, globally, for the ISS ESG business and has been a frequent speaker at industry events covering topics ranging from ESG integration to climate impacts across industries and sectors. Kramer’s expert commentary is frequently cited in major business and industry print titles, including the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Reuters, and Responsible Investor, as well as featured via broadcast outlets such CNBC. Before joining ISS in 2003, Kramer was with Thomson, where she was responsible for the design and implementation of Thomson’s flagship investment management and banking portals. She holds an MBA from American University’s Kogod School of Business.
48. Robin Cantor
Managing Director, Berkeley Research Group
Robin Cantor is a Managing Director at Berkeley Research Group, a global consulting firm that helps leading organizations advance in three key areas: disputes and investigations, corporate finance, and performance improvement and advisory. Cantor co-leads BRG’s Class Action Litigation and Environmental Advisory services. She co-founded BRG’s Women’s Leadership Initiative and, in 2021, received an Excellence in Leadership Award from Consulting Magazine for her efforts to grow the next generation of consulting leaders.
Cantor’s consulting practice focuses on economics at the interface of science and technology using rigorous evidence-based economic analysis for energy, environmental, product liability, and healthcare investigations. She is a past president and Fellow of the Society for Risk Analysis, a past president of the Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment, and a past president of the Matrix Organization, a business incubator for women and minority-owned startups. Cantor served as a program director at the National Science Foundation, taught in the graduate program at Johns Hopkins University, held senior research appointments at Oak Ridge National Laboratory where she began her career, and has served on more than 20 scientific review and advisory boards. Cantor joined other prominent economists and social scientists in a submission to the U.S. Supreme Court in Tyson Foods regarding the reliability of statistical evidence in class actions. She has published widely on economics, product liability, class actions, and risk management. She has a PhD in economics from Duke University and a BS in mathematics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
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