Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of Pennsylvania for 2023. The state's economy is multifaceted, encompassing industries including manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, finance, and technology. Pennsylvania's strategic location, excellent infrastructure, and skilled workforce have attracted numerous businesses, fostering job growth and economic development. This year’s awardees have made noteworthy strides in leadership positions at world-renowned companies including Comcast, United Airlines, PNC, and more. Their presence in executive roles, boardrooms, and entrepreneurial endeavors has not only brought fresh perspectives but has also resulted in improved diversity, equality, and overall success within the organizations they serve.
Among this year’s awardees is Catherine Monte, Chief Knowledge & Innovation Officer, who spearheads Fox Rothschild's strategic initiatives in innovative program development, practice and business process re-engineering, and elevating the quality and client satisfaction of their services. Awardee Willa Hightower, the VP of Customer Operations at PHI Holdings, is a utility industry veteran who prioritizes customer experiences, proactive communications, self-service advancements, and overall business growth. Also awarded is Jennifer Khoury, EVP and Chief Communications Officer at Comcast Corporation, who is responsible for overseeing all communications activities, including for their cable division, product launches, campaigns, media relations, corporate events, and developing cybersecurity and privacy communications strategies.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders of Pennsylvania for 2023.
1. Jennifer Khoury
EVP & Chief Communications Officer, Comcast
Jennifer Khoury is Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer for Comcast Corporation. Jenn oversees all communications activities for the corporation. Previously, Jenn led communications for Comcast's $58 billion Cable division including Xfinity's Video, Internet, Mobile, and Home businesses as well as for Comcast Business. Over her 20 years with the company, she has managed strategic communications for numerous product and technology launches, campaigns, media relations, and corporate events as well as the development of the company's cybersecurity and privacy communications strategies.
Previously, Jenn led communications, public affairs, and social responsibility initiatives for MediaOne and AT&T Broadband and served as a consultant for ML Strategies, a strategic consulting arm of Mintz Levin where she created and implemented marketing, public affairs, and crisis communications campaigns for a diverse range of clients, primarily in media and telecommunications.
Jenn has been involved with several nonprofit organizations, including The Barnes Foundation, and The National Constitution Center, as a Trustee of the National Braille Press and as VP and trustee of the Massachusetts Governor's Committee for Physical Fitness and Sports. She earned her master's degree from The Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania and received her undergraduate degree in communications from Boston College.
2. Cindy Keaveney
Chief People Officer, Randstad
Cindy Keaveney began her professional career 43 years ago. Today, she is the Chief People Officer for Randstad's global businesses, including Randstad Sourceright, Randstad Enterprise Group, Randstad RiseSmart, and Monster. Keaveney is a business and human capital executive who transforms organizations by building high-performing teams to produce profitable growth, develop industry-leading products, and create corporate strategies in complex, changing environments. She has a varied career that includes global account profit and loss management, sales, global client relationship management, human resources, and consulting practice leadership.
Keaveney first got her start in 1980 as a regional manager at Aetna. From there, she went on to St. Paul Companies, before eventually rising to a chief people officer at Randstad Sourceright. Keaveney graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with an MS in organizational dynamics and from the University of New Hampshire with an undergraduate degree in health and human services.
3. Maria Taylor
Chief Learning Officer, United Airlines
Maria Taylor is the Chief Learning Officer at United Airlines. In this newly created role, Maria is responsible for building a best-in-class learning organization. Throughout her career, Maria has combined strategic and financial acumen with organizational and leadership development to build the processes, systems, and talent required for rapid and profitable growth. She has worked with clients in strategic and market planning, talent and learning systems solution design, and executive education.
Maria co-authored Human Resource Transformation and The Strategic Human Resource Leader: How to Prepare Your Organization for the 6 Key Trends Shaping the Future. She has published articles and papers in the Journal of Higher Education, the Journal of Management Development, and The Institute for the Study of Organizational Effectiveness. Taylor earned an MBA in finance and an undergraduate degree in political science from Penn State University.
4. Marisa McWilliams
Managing Director, Deloitte Consulting
As a Leader in Deloitte’s GPS SAP Practice, Marisa McWilliams manages some of the most complex SAP Transformation programs and understands the importance & nuances of balancing strategic priorities, business requirements, and technical capabilities with user adoption and change management preparations. She has more than 20 years of SAP implementation experience. She is an SAP project manager with deep technical experience in areas such as data conversion, analytics, reporting, and data warehousing. She is accomplished in large-scale SAP program management and complex program cutovers.
Before joining Deloitte Consulting in 2004, Marisa served as a consultant with IBM. She graduated from Villanova University with an undergraduate degree in management information systems and French language and literature.
5. Jennifer Neglia
Global Trust Chief Data Officer & Digital Assurance Transparency Partner, PwC
Jenn Neglia is the Global Trust Chief Data Officer and a Digital Assurance Transparency Partner at PwC. In her role, Jenn is focused on data strategy and governance. She is passionate about driving a consistent strategy around corporate assets and data on which to build regenerative AI.
Jenn has over 25 years of experience serving clients primarily in the financial services industry, leading teams in financial accounting, system transformations, data governance, IT internal controls, and business process controls. Additionally, she is a leading thinker in the fast-evolving area of digitization of financial data and disclosures. She serves as the firm's US XBRL technology leader focused on delivering the full spectrum of data structuring services.
Jenn is a partner champion for PwC’s Enrich program which invests in deeper career development of high-performing diverse PwC professionals. She also serves as the Womens’ Inclusion Network leader for the Philadelphia office, providing programs, development, mentorship, and support for women of PwC locally.
Jenn was recognized by Crain’s NY in 2020 as a notable woman in accounting and consulting for her efforts in the XBRL space, developing a publically available data taxonomy that is being leveraged globally to further the transparency of reporting corporate ESG information. She graduated from Muhlenberg College in 1998 with undergraduate degrees in accounting and biology. She is certified as a CPA and CISA in the state of Pennsylvania. Additionally, she is also a member of Impact100 Philadelphia, a nonprofit engaging women in philanthropy.
6. Danica Griffith
Chief Risk and Change Officer, PNC
Danica Griffith is the Chief Risk and Change Officer of PNC. She first joined the company in 2019 as head of financial sponsor coverage. For more than 160 years, PNC has been committed to making a difference for its customers, communities, and employees. Through their growth into one of the nation’s leading banks, they are helping customers from coast-to-coast protect and grow their wealth. By combining what customers love about community banks with the security, technology, and capabilities of a top bank, they are helping everyone move forward financially.
Previously, Griffith was a consumer and investment manager at Goldman Sachs & Co, LLC, and before that, a major gifts officer at the Office for Institutional Advancement at The Westminster Schools. Griffith earned an MBA in finance and management from The Wharton School and an undergraduate degree from Harvard University.
7. Alicja Plonska
SVP & Branch Manager, Morgan Stanley
Alicja Plonska serves as a Senior Vice President and Branch Manager at the Morgan Stanley Wealth Management office in Yardley, PA. She and her team develop personalized strategic advice to address the complex needs of individuals, business owners, and executives who have unique planning and wealth management needs. Her team combines the true intimacy and personal attention of a boutique shop and the global resources of one of the world’s largest financial services firms.
Alicja has been awarded America's Top Women Wealth Advisors ranking by Forbes in 2021.
She is a magna cum laude Temple University graduate. She received her undergraduate and master’s simultaneously graduating with 2 majors, a minor and a specialization. Alicja has also earned the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst ™ designation, awarded by The Institute of Divorce Financial AnalystsTM.*
8. Jessica Attanasio
Chief Marketing Officer, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions
As Chief Marketing Officer for Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions, Jessica Attanasio is responsible for providing leadership and program direction for the business’s strategic marketing, digital marketing, and global communications activities. She joined the company in 2018 as global communications director, with oversight of a team responsible for public relations, social media, digital marketing, internal and executive communications, and thought leadership for the business.
Before joining the Water Technologies & Solutions business, Jessica served as a vice president of a leading Philadelphia-area public relations firm and later worked in brand communications for two global pharmaceutical companies. She earned an undergraduate degree in communication from Villanova University.
9. Deborah Sesok-Pizzini
Chief Medical Officer & SVP, Labcorp
Deborah Sesok-Pizzini serves as Chief Medical Officer of Labcorp Diagnostics and discipline director of immunohematology. She earned her medical degree from the Penn State College of Medicine and did her residency and fellowship at The University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. She also graduated from Villanova University, with an MBA degree with a concentration in finance.
Dr. Sesok-Pizzini holds certifications in clinical pathology and blood bank and transfusion medicine. She is a member of the College of American Pathology, the American Society of Clinical Pathology, and the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies. She is a board member of the Intersociety Council for Pathology Information and serves as an adjunct professor with the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine
10. Olenga Anabui
Chief Operating Officer, Penn Medicine
Olenga Anabui is the Chief Operating Officer of Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System. Penn Medicine’s mission is to advance knowledge and improve health through research, patient care, and the education of trainees in an inclusive culture that embraces diversity, fosters innovation, stimulates critical thinking, supports lifelong learning, and sustains our legacy of excellence. Penn Medicine includes six acute-care hospitals and hundreds of outpatient centers throughout the region. Anabui has 21 years of experience. She began her career in 2002.
Before joining Penn Medicine, Anabui was a director of health insight & regulatory reform at Cerner Corporation and before that a senior director at Siemens Healthcare. She graduated from Penn State University with an MBA, from the University of Pennsylvania with an MPH, and from Northwestern University with an undergraduate degree in economics and organizational studies.
11. Monica Debellis
Managing Director, Protiviti
Monica DeBellis is a Managing Director with Protiviti, a global business consulting and internal audit firm composed of experts specializing in risk, advisory, and transaction services. Protiviti helps solve problems in finance and transactions, operations, technology, litigation, governance, risk, and compliance. Their highly trained results-oriented professionals provide a unique perspective on a wide range of critical business issues for clients in the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East.
Monica helps lead Protiviti's Financial Advisory and Internal Audit Consulting practice in Philadelphia. She is a licensed CPA, has a Certification in Internal Audit, and possesses an accreditation in Internal Audit Quality Assessment Validation. She serves as the Audit Committee chair of the Church of the Saviour and on the board of governors of the Philadelphia Chapter of the IIA. She is a member of the AICPA and has been actively involved in numerous civic and charitable organizations. Debellis earned an MBA in finance and international business from NYU Stern School of Business and an undergraduate degree in accounting from Liberty University.
12. Michelle Everill
Senior Director & Head of Clinical Business Operations, Bristol Myers Squibb
Michelle Everill is the Senior Director and Head of Clinical Business Operations at Bristol Myers Squibb, where she joined in 2020. Under her leadership, she built a new organization of 51 team members to increase cross-functional collaboration and improve clinical trial performance across Clinical Trial Business Planning, Clinical Trial Business Delivery, Clinical Trial Planning & Execution, and Study Optimization & Assessment Planning (SOAP). Her efforts resulted in $300M in savings over three years through process improvements, informed decisions, cost avoidance, and enhanced efficiencies.
Michelle is skilled in analyzing complex data and applying insights across diverse environments. She co-led a pillar of the Innovation Program on trial design and modeling and served on various committees and core teams. Prior to Bristol Myers Squibb, she held senior positions at Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer. Michelle holds an undergraduate degree in economics, behavioral science, and health from the University of Utah.
13. Catherine Monte
Chief Knowledge & Innovation Officer, Fox Rothschild
Catherine Monte leads Fox Rothschild in developing strategies for innovative programs and solutions, creating efficiencies through practice and business process re-engineering, and helping to enhance the delivery and value of client services and the client experience. Part of Fox’s senior administrative team, she works closely with the firm’s Innovation Committee and other professionals in providing program management for these initiatives. Catherine served as the firm’s chief knowledge officer before her promotion in 2019. She has added data analytics to her purview and continues to oversee knowledge management research, risk mitigation, and business/competitive intelligence initiatives.
Previously, Catherine worked as head of information services at Clifford Chance, and as head of reference services at Dewey Ballantine both based in New York City. She has also worked as a reference librarian at Pepper Hamilton & Scheetz and as a legal assistant at Drinker, Biddle & Reath in Philadelphia. Monte graduated from Columbia University - Graduate School with an MLS in library science and from Haverford College with an undergraduate degree in English.
14. Willa Hightower
Vice President of Customer Operations, PHI Holdings
Willa Hightower is a 20+ year veteran of the utility industry. She is an experienced leader with a track record of success in achieving ambitious objectives, combining strategy, business acumen, and financial knowledge with a commitment to growth and development. As the VP of Customer Operations, Willa is responsible for all call center and service operations, customer field operations and billing, and revenue management, as well as large customer services for all PHI utilities. She is on the front line with customers daily, earning business by creating memorable moments through a personalized experience, proactive communications, and offerings. She is responsible for CIS and digital system support and the business planning process for the customer organization, focusing on expanding self-service offerings to meet evolving customer expectations.
Before joining PHI, Willa was the EU strategy director responsible for developing the broader utility of the future strategy with a focus on customer strategy. As the director of customer financial operations at PECO Energy Company, she was responsible for the billing, payment processing, and revenue collection of over $4 billion in annual revenues. She has implemented new process improvements with greater focus and attention on the customer and efficiencies.
Before joining customer operations, Willa spent her first 10 years at Exelon in finance in various capacities with increasing levels of responsibility at ExGen and PECO. As the manager of revenue and load forecasting and regulatory support, she was instrumental in helping PECO file its first gas and electric rate cases in over 20 years. Before joining Exelon, she gained experience in the energy industry at Southern Company in Atlanta, GA. Willa has a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Georgia Tech and an MBA from Georgia State University.
15. Karen Knudsen
CEO, American Cancer Society
Karen Knudsen is the Chief Executive Officer of the American Cancer Society and its advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkSM. As a well-respected cancer leader, researcher, and advocate, Dr. Knudsen guides the organization in its vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. She has a strong commitment to ensuring that all people can benefit from the impact of our work.
Dr. Knudsen currently holds leadership roles with some of the most important cancer entities in the nation. She serves on the board of advisors for the National Cancer Institute and on 12 external advisory boards for NCI-designated cancer centers. She is an active member of several committees with the American Society for Clinical Oncology, in addition to serving on other academic and for-profit advisory boards. She previously served as president of the Association of American Cancer Institutes, representing the 102 leading cancer centers in North America, and on the board of directors of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Dr. Knudsen holds an undergraduate degree in biology from George Washington University, a PhD in biological sciences from the University of California San Diego, and an MBA from Temple University Fox School of Business.
16. Vanessa Chan
Chief Commercialization Officer & Director of the Office of Technology Transitions, US Department of Energy
Vanessa Z. Chan is the Chief Commercialization Officer for the Department of Energy and Director of the Office of Technology Transitions. In this role, she is responsible for driving private sector uptake of clean energy technologies as the steward of commercialization activities across DOE, the 17 National Laboratories, and the Department’s other research and production facilities across the country. She is an innovator who has worked across a wide range of ecosystems, from academia to Fortune 1000 companies to startups. She has two decades of experience helping organizations grow at the interface of technology and business, across a diverse set of industries.
Chan is a former McKinsey & Company partner, an experienced venture board director for Vanguard and United Technology Corporation, and a board member at multiple startups. She was the first woman and the first East Asian elected partner in McKinsey’s North American Chemicals practice. She is a nationally respected educator who is the first practice professor at Penn’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, awarded an endowed scholarly chair.
Chan earned her PhD in materials science & engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her undergraduate degree in materials science & engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
17. Samantha Yarbrough
Chief Compliance Officer, American Water
Samantha Yarbrough is the Chief Compliance Officer of American Water. She first joined the company in 2023. With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse US publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs approximately 6,500 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and regulated-like drinking water and wastewater services to an estimated 14 million people in 24 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable, and reliable water services to our customers to help keep their lives flowing.
Previously, Yarbrough was a chief compliance officer and VP of inclusion & diversity at Nouryon and before that an associate general counsel of global compliance at PVH Corp. Earlier in her career she worked with Kim & Chang as a foreign legal consultant. Yarbrough earned a JD from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and an undergraduate degree in jazz studies, law, and Jewish studies from Oberlin College.
18. Stephanie Gorski
Strategy Managing Director & Global Strategy Lead for Software & Platforms, Accenture
Stephanie Gorski is a Philadelphia-based Strategy Managing Director in Accenture’s Strategy & Consulting practice and she is the Global Strategy Lead for Software & Platforms. Throughout her career, she has also advised companies across the communications, media, technology, and products industries. Stephanie is a forward-thinking thought partner and strategic advisor with expertise in companies that are driving industry-transforming innovation. She has an extensive understanding of marketing, sales, and product launch & a comfort level with the “fail fast mentality” to improve product trajectory. Stephanie additionally has deep expertise in growth strategy, go-to-market strategies, SMB sales, M&A, digital transformation, and operating model redesign. She is passionate about helping companies and business units decide if it is best to “Build, Buy, or Partner”.
Stephanie interned with Accenture in 2012 before joining full-time in September 2013. She holds an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University with a concentration in strategy. Before Accenture, Stephanie was one of the first employees of two government start-ups (TARP and CFPB), where she was responsible for implementing the organization structure, integrating lean six sigma techniques, and developing office systems.
19. Jennifer Allison
Vice President of Human Resources, Keystone Human Services
Jennifer Allison is the Vice President of Human Resources for Keystone Human Services (KHS). KHS is a 204 million multi-state, multi-site, not-for-profit organization that provides a broad array of services in the areas of intellectual disability, mental health, and autism as well as Head Start services through Capital Area Head Start and assistance dogs through Susquehanna Service Dogs. KHS offers technical assistance and educational opportunities to governments, regulators, and other affiliated organizations. Jennifer is responsible for the leadership of Human Resource and Operations Education functions for over 3000 employees.
Jennifer has held administration, management, consulting, and executive positions in private, public, and nonprofit organizations encompassing over 20 years of experience. She has extensive involvement in employee relations, managing change/organizational transitions, mergers and acquisitions, market trend analysis, leadership development, strategic planning, project management, process improvement, organizational effectiveness, talent acquisition, employee development, and retention, problem resolution/mediation, and the design and implementation of performance/compensation/benefit systems.
Ms. Allison received her undergraduate degree from Shippensburg University and a master’s in human resource management/industrial relations from Saint Francis University where she also served as adjunct faculty teaching strategic compensation in the HR graduate program. She holds a certification in workplace mediation from the Atlanta Justice Center and is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources with SPHR and SHRM-SCP designations. In conjunction with the Harvard Community Health Plan Quality Improvement Facilitator Program, she has facilitated corporate quality improvement efforts and led multidisciplinary Business Action Teams. Additionally, Jennifer has served as a jury analyst and implemented Jury Focus Groups for both defense and plaintiff counsel during trial preparation.
20. Rebecca Liebert
President and CEO, The Lubrizol Corporation
Rebecca Liebert is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Lubrizol Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway Company. She leads the premier global specialty chemicals company in pursuing its mission to continually innovate, solve its customers' most complex challenges and help millions of people, communities, and businesses around the globe move cleaner, create smarter, and live better every day.
Before Lubrizol, Rebecca was an EVP at PPG Industries and before that, a president and CEO of Honeywell UOP. She began her career as a development engineer with Nova Chemicals. She held several positions of increasing responsibility during her tenure at Nova. Rebecca serves on the board of the American Chemistry Council where she works to advance the chemical industry, fostering progress in our economy, environment, and society. She also was elected to the highly esteemed National Academy of Engineering for her leadership in developing and executing innovative initiatives to strengthen and advance the manufacturing industry. Rebecca earned an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from the University of Kentucky, a PhD in chemical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.
21. Lara Rhame
Chief US Economist & Managing Director, FS Investments
Lara Rhame serves as Chief US Economist and Managing Director on the Investment Research team at FS Investments, where she analyzes developments in the global and US economies and financial markets. Her fresh take on macroeconomic issues helps to inform and develop the firm’s long-term views on the economy, investment trends, and issues facing investors.
Lara is a frequent guest on financial news outlets including Bloomberg News, CNBC, CNN, and Fox Business. In 2018, she was recognized by the Money Management Executive as one of the Top Women in Asset Management. Additionally, Lara was a recipient of the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 2018 Women of Distinction Award. She is committed to the Philadelphia community and serves on the boards of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, Hyperion Bank, and Starr Garden Park. Lara is also on the board of the Forum of Executive Women. She received an undergraduate degree in economics from Bates College.
22. Madeline Bell
President & Chief Executive Officer, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Madeline Bell is the President and CEO of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), one of the top-ranked children’s hospitals in the United States. A bold and visionary leader, Bell champions change with empathy and integrity, inspiring the nearly 24,000 employees and other workforce members in the hospital’s $3.8-billion-a-year health system and research institute to create breakthroughs that have a worldwide impact.
Bell began her career as a pediatric nurse at CHOP in 1983, later leaving the organization to move into hospital administration. She returned to CHOP in 1995 and has since held several leadership positions, advancing from VP to SVP to EVP to COO. In 2015, she assumed the title of President and CEO. She serves on the boards of Comcast-NBCUniversal, the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, the Schuylkill River Development Corporation, and Solutions for Patient Safety, as well as on the executive committee of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.
Bell has received many awards and accolades for her achievements. She is the host of Breaking Through with Madeline Bell, a podcast that features interviews with CHOP patients, doctors, and scientists, as well as with philanthropists and innovators who support CHOP’s mission. She holds a bachelor of science in nursing from Villanova University and a master of science in organizational dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania.
23. Erika Lloyd
Senior Client Account Manager and Principal, Woodard & Curran
Erika Lloyd is a dynamic Senior Client Account Manager with 25+ years of experience in providing innovative, programmatic solutions to national and global clients to meet their business objectives in the environmental services industry. She currently serves Woodard & Curran, an integrated engineering, science, design-build (DB), and operations company specializing in water and environmental projects. They are a privately-held firm with 1,200 professionals.
Erika has a diverse background in operational leadership, program and project management, environmental information management, and the use of technology to support and optimize operations. She is an exceptional leader skilled in building and managing trusted client relationships, seamlessly orchestrating complex projects, and working with cross-functional teams to deliver successful project outcomes. She serves as clients’ trusted advisor and is proficient in developing and implementing efficient and cost-effective strategies to meet sustainability and ESG, EHS compliance and oversight, and operational goals. Lloyd earned a master's in geology from the University of New Hampshire and an undergraduate degree in geology from Bowdoin College.
24. Marybeth Gray
SVP of Health and Welfare Benefits, Marsh & McLennan Agency
Marybeth Gray has spent more than 25 years in the employee benefits field as an advocate working to help put access to quality healthcare within reach of every employee and their family. She currently serves as a Senior Vice President of Health and Welfare Consulting with Trion, a Marsh McLennan Firm. She serves as the team lead and manages the overall account teams for her clients. She works with all-size employers to deploy cost-effective strategies that will raise the quality of care, increase access to equitable care and lower the cost to both the employer and employee. Her strategic approach, coupled with her vast industry knowledge, is how her team develops solutions for cost drivers without cost-shifting to employees. Together with her team, Marybeth has saved clients millions of dollars with an innovative strategic approach that helps employers understand what’s coming next.
Formerly a VP with AON Consulting, Marybeth specialized in utilization and data management to understand key cost drivers. She is an expert in developing and redesigning pharmacy programs and understanding the cost drivers within these programs. She has developed key strategies for specialty medication, gene therapies, and many other emerging treatments employers will have to solve. Prior to Aon, she served as a national account manager with Aetna Inc., for eight years. Marybeth was responsible for clients with more than 10,000 employees operating in multiple locations. She served on the Aetna Presidents Roundtable Committee, fostering communications between clients and the president’s office regarding suggested changes that would improve Aetna’s operational procedures.
Recently, Marybeth was named EBN’s 2017 Most Influential Women in Benefit Advising, among 30 leaders whose unique client management strategies, innovative data manipulation, and other industry-leading skills are transforming the field. Marybeth is featured on the Marquis Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement site. She earned an undergraduate degree in health policy and administration from Penn State University.
25. Cathy Thomas Hess
VP and Chief Clinical Officer for Wound Care, Net Health
Cathy Thomas Hess is Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer for Wound Care at Net Health. She gained expertise in various acute care, long-term care, sub-acute care facilities, home health agencies, and outpatient wound care department settings. With over 35 years of experience in wound care, she's been engaged to share her command of knowledge in the industry with manufacturers, including biotechnology firms, product suppliers, insurers, law firms, and governmental agencies.
Cathay is the author of the Product Guide to Skin and Wound Care – Eighth Edition, and hundreds of articles and book chapters. Additionally, she serves as a board member for Today’s Wound Clinic. She is certified in wound care, an expert witness for the OIG, and a workflow strategist. Cathy earned her undergraduate degree in nursing from the University of Maryland.
26. Alexandra von Plato
Chief Executive Officer, Publicis Health
Alexandra von Plato has been a driving force in the healthcare industry for over two decades. Alexandra is currently the Chief Executive Officer at Publicis Health, where she has led the development of the global LifeBrands brand vision for the organization. Before her current role, Alexandra served as the president & global chief creative officer at Digitas Health LifeBrands/Publicis LifeBrands Medicus. During her tenure, she oversaw the global creative and strategic teams across multiple agencies in the US, Europe, and APAC. Before joining Digitas Health LifeBrands, Alexandra was the chief creative officer at Medical Broadcasting Company where she was responsible for leading the creative development and production of several groundbreaking creative media projects, including creating and producing the nationally syndicated TV series “Prevention’s Bodysense,” producing and publishing ePharmaceuticals and the ePharm5, and creating many of the first digital marketing campaigns for iconic brands like Tylenol, Viagra, and Crestor.
Alexandra’s passion for healthcare and their proven track record of success has made her one of the most respected leaders in the industry. She is a true pioneer in the field of healthcare marketing and communication, and her work has helped shape the way we think about and understand healthcare today.
27. Jenna Posner
Chief Digital Officer, SNIPES
Jenna Posner is the Chief Digital Officer for SNIPES. Previously, she was a senior account executive for the New York Press, an interactive developmental executive at Getty Images, and a professional rugby athlete for the USA Rugby Team. She also served as a business development director for Pushkart and a manager and a mid-Atlantic director of sales for LevelUp.
Jenna has an undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University, an Executive MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology, and a certificate from the Wharton School, and she studied abroad at The University of Western Australia.
28. Andrea Lawrence
Senior Vice President and Senior Wealth Advisor, Bryn Mawr Trust
Andrea Lawrence received her undergraduate degree in accounting from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia, and her JD and LL.M. in tax from Villanova Law School. Before joining Bryn Mawr Trust, Andrea served as COO of Quantitative Foundation and provided family office and philanthropy consulting services through Tapestry Advisors, LLC, which she founded in 2007.
A former CPA and practicing trusts and estates attorney, Andrea is a trusted advisor to nonprofits, family offices, and ultra-high-net-worth investors. Her areas of expertise include estate and charitable planning, private foundation administration, and business and family office succession planning.
Andrea has a certificate in landscape design from Longwood Gardens and is a master gardener and master composter volunteer. She enjoys helping friends and family "bring nature beautifully back" through sustainable land management practices. An avid rower, Andrea is treasurer of the historic University Barge Club of Philadelphia located at No. 7 Boathouse Row in Philadelphia. She played D1 tennis in college, is currently rated 5.0, and is captain of the 2023 USTA Addie Cup Team for the Middle States. She has formed several nonprofit youth sports organizations, notably, Blue Mountain Racing, in support of junior alpine ski racing. A naturalist at heart, she enjoys backcountry skiing, paddle boarding, and hiking with friends and family.
29. Kary Milan
Vice President For Institutional Advancement, Mount Aloysius College
Kary Milan serves as the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Mount Aloysius College. Established in 1853, Mount Aloysius is a comprehensive, liberal arts and science-based college with a commitment to career-directed study. Rooted in Catholic traditions, Mount Aloysius College is one of 17 Mercy-sponsored colleges and universities in the United States and is a member of the Conference for Mercy Higher Education. Their 193-acre campus is home to a wide variety of humanities and health sciences majors/programs and 16 NCAA athletic teams.
Previously, Kary served as the director of development and alumni relations with Penn State University. She has more than 20 years of experience in fundraising, development, major gift solicitation, event management, relationship-building, public speaking, volunteer management, program development, project management, and community engagement. Kary earned her undergraduate degree from Seton Hill University and her master’s degree from the California University of Pennsylvania. Kary is a Certified Fund Raising Executive.
30. Gina Cline Rose
Chief Executive Officer, American Reading Company
Gina Rose began her professional career 19 years ago. Today, she is the Chief Executive Officer of American Reading Company (ARC), a mission-driven company, providing language arts solutions in English and Spanish K-12, in the pursuit of literacy and educational excellence for all students. They are a high-growth, triple bottom line, and 100% solar-powered organization. In ARC’s history they have been recognized as one of the Top 500 Women-Owned Businesses in the US, received the Ernst & Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and most recently ARC was the first and only company among its peers to receive an “all green report card” for their K-12 curriculum after review by the nationally recognized nonprofit, EdReports.
Before her current role, Rose was the leader of the program and product development, children's publishing, and marketing division of ARC. She is the proud co-author of ARC Core, the first Language Arts curriculum to receive an ALL GREEN, top-rated review from Ed Reports for all grades K-8. Rose graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a master’s in education in reading, writing, and literacy and from Wesleyan University with an undergraduate degree in women's studies.
31. Nancy Rawson
Acting Director and President, Monell Chemical Senses Center
Nancy Rawson is the Acting Director and President of the Monell Chemical Senses Center, a nonprofit research institute whose mission is to advance public health through the understanding of taste, smell, and related senses. She holds a master’s degree in nutrition from the University of Massachusetts and a doctorate in biology from the University of Pennsylvania.
Nancy’s career spans academia and industry, including a faculty position at the Monell Center studying the biology of taste and smell in humans and companion animals, and leadership roles in the pet and human food and ingredient industries where she built research teams from the ground up and received awards for new product innovation. Since 2016, she has been in leadership roles at Monell, catalyzing Monell’s relationships with academic and industry partners around the world and leading strategic and operational planning activities to support the Center’s growth and success. She serves on the board of the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences and is a founding advisory board member for the Smell and Taste Association of North America.
Dr. Rawson has authored over 100 publications, holds multiple patents, and is active in the Association for Women in Science and the Association for Chemoreception Sciences.
32. Erin Taack
Managing Director, Ankura
Erin Taack is the Managing Director of Ankura. She first joined the company in 2023. Ankura Consulting Group, LLC is an independent global expert services and advisory firm that delivers services and end-to-end solutions to help clients at critical inflection points related to change, risk, disputes, finance, performance, distress, and transformation. The Ankura team consists of more than 1,800 professionals in more than 35 locations globally who are leaders in their respective fields and areas of expertise. Collaborative lateral thinking, hard-earned experience, expertise, and multidisciplinary capabilities drive results and Ankura is unrivaled in its ability to assist clients to Protect, Create, and Recover Value.
Previously, Taack was a senior manager at Deloitte and before that an operations manager of the records division at Kroll. She earned an undergraduate degree in criminal justice from Michigan State University.
33. Susan Reisbord
EVP, Environmental Services, Stantec
An Executive Vice President and Business Operating Unit Leader for their Environmental Services business, Susan Reisbord is a dynamic leader recognized for forging strong client relationships, driving growth, and inspiring an inclusive team environment. Her project and leadership experience spans diverse sectors and geographies across the consulting engineering and construction industry. Susan has managed complex environmental programs around the world and provided strategic oversight of transformational business change. No matter her role, Susan is committed to superior client care and project delivery.
Susan is an advisory board member of the International Federal of Consulting Engineers Global Leadership Forum and a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Executive Consultation Group supporting their Blue Dot Network. She has an undergraduate degree in geology from the University of Cincinnati and a master’s degree in geochemistry from the University of Chicago.
34. Carrie Collins
Chief Advancement & Strategic Planning Officer, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Carrie Collins is the Chief Advancement and Strategic Planning Officer at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), where she is responsible for fundraising and alumni engagement. At the beginning of her tenure in August 2015, Carrie led a complete transformation of the advancement operation, doubling gift revenue in just two years. Under her leadership, the college has seen double-digit growth in total commitments, and fiscal year 2021 recorded the largest amount raised in the College's history for the second year in a row. Carrie is also responsible for the college's strategic planning efforts, including implementation, tracking, and reporting for the institution-wide plan and providing guidance for school and department strategic initiatives.
Previously, Carrie was VP of institutional advancement at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, where she instituted similar transformational initiatives. In her first full fiscal year, while overseeing fundraising, alumni relations, marketing and communications, and university events, the operation raised 53% more than the previous year. Earlier, she held multiple roles at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, closing the then-largest gift in university history while serving as an assistant legal counsel. Carrie began her career as a transactional attorney with a practice focused on start-up companies, venture capital financing, private placement debt, equity financing, and issues related to corporate formation, ownership structure, and governance. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s degree from Duquesne University, and a JD from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Collins also received her PhD in leadership from the University of the Cumberlands.
35. Michelle McMurray
VP of Program and Community Engagement, The Pittsburgh Foundation
In December 2020, Michelle McMurray was named Vice President of Program and Community Engagement at The Pittsburgh Foundation where she is responsible for the strategic direction, development, and management of the foundation’s grantmaking programs and community outreach efforts. Michelle joined the Foundation in 2014 and has served in multiple roles of increasing responsibility, including senior program officer and director of grantmaking. Over her tenure, she has led the creation of innovative initiatives, which include Small and Mighty and the Social Justice Fund and has embedded equity practices across the foundation's grantmaking portfolios which have significantly increased access to funding for small, community-based nonprofits and Black and Brown-led organizations. Under the foundation’s new strategic plan, Michelle will steward its commitment to invest $50 million of its unrestricted grant-making pool over the next five years to advance racial equity and racial justice.
Michelle is a seasoned leader with more than 20 years of professional experience, including academic research, clinical practice, policy advocacy, and organizational leadership. Throughout her career, she has been committed to serving low-income communities, working to eliminate racial inequities across systems, and strengthening the capacity of small, community-based nonprofits. Before joining the foundation, Michelle served as the CEO of Mental Health America Allegheny County, where she oversaw programs and advocacy to ensure the delivery of recovery-oriented services, increase awareness and understanding of mental illness, and protect the educational rights of students with mental health needs. She is the co-author of several book chapters and peer-reviewed articles documenting the relationship between race, income, age, and mental health.
Michelle earned multiple degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, including a master’s in social work, an undergraduate degree in sociology, and a certificate in women's studies. She is the recipient of several awards recognizing her work to advance equity, including the national 2018 Emerging Leader in Philanthropy Award from the Association of Black Foundation Executives. In 2020, she was also recognized for her advocacy for Black communities by the Pennsylvania Governor's Commission on African American Affairs.
36. Cara Ciminillo
Executive Director, Trying Together
Cara Ciminillo is the Executive Director at Trying Together (formerly the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children), the voice for early childhood in southwest Pennsylvania. Cara works to ensure early care and education providers are their best for our youngest and that the system providers operate through supporting their ability to focus on what matters to children’s optimal development, meaningful relationships, creativity, discovery, and play.
Cara’s had a lifelong interest in bringing diverse individuals around a common goal. As a founding partner of the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative, Cara has helped to establish an avenue where various stakeholders work together to ensure play is valued as a critical element in the lives of all people of all ages. Before her tenure at Trying Together, Cara was the project director for an evaluation and assessment collaborative at the University of Pittsburgh. She also spent thirteen years directing an international service program in native communities in Australia, the Caribbean, and North America.
Ciminillo graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a MED in administrative and policy studies and from Bowling Green State University with an undergraduate degree in ethnic studies.
37. Susan English
SVP and Director of Strategic Communications, Gatesman
With roots as a broadcast journalist, Susan English has a passion for rooting out angles and insights that fuel audience engagement, influence opinions and motivate action. Throughout her 20+ years of agency experience, English has channeled this passion into shaping impactful marketing and communications strategies for her clients, helping exceed their business goals, while driving agency growth and innovation. Her consistent track record of success is one reason she has maintained several client relationships for 15 years or more, and why so many of her programs have been recognized as best-in-class at the national level. Today, she serves as the Director of Strategic Communications for Gatesman and is responsible for leveraging the multi-disciplinary strengths of the agency to help clients hack human behavior and exceed organizational goals.
English has helped her clients establish and evolve their core messaging, such as vision, mission, and values. She has also helped them to identify powerful positioning and thought leadership platforms, and to initiate programs in new areas, such as corporate giving, multicultural marketing, managed care, loyalty programs, clinical research and education, and social media. English has led several research initiatives to develop frameworks for thought leadership and planning in areas such as business leadership, COVID response, and Gen Z opportunities. She initiated the development of Gatesman’s strategic communications function, which she now runs. In recognition of her stellar new business and organic growth track record and overall agency leadership, English is recognized and relied upon as a key business stakeholder for the agency.
English is a respected leader in her local community. She was a founding member of the One Young World Pittsburgh Partnership, is a board member for St. Lucy’s Auxiliary to the Blind, and is the lead organizer of Gatesman’s Parents for a Pause public service initiative addressing youth mental health. She is an active volunteer at her children’s schools and has been honored as a personal and professional role model for young women.
38. Diane Fanelli
Chief Operating Officer, iCIMS
As Chief Operating Officer, Diane Fanelli leads global customer operations for iCIMS’ growing community of roughly 2.7 million global platform users and an ecosystem of about 700 partners. Fanelli joined iCIMS in 2020 and is responsible for strategizing daily operations across the business and leading the company’s professional services, award-winning customer success, technical support, revenue operations, go-to-market enablement, and customer training teams.
Fanelli is a customer-centric leader at heart and is passionate about anticipating clients’ needs, as her team guides them through digital and talent transformation and empowers them to build winning teams globally and navigate the new future of work. She brings extensive senior leadership experience from global enterprise software companies, including COO roles at Citrix and SAP. She has previously served as an executive sponsor of diversity and inclusion programs, including the Veterans to Work initiative at SAP, and is an active supporter of STEM initiatives to inspire today’s youth to focus on the digital careers of tomorrow.
Under her leadership, iCIMS was recognized with a Stevie American Business Award for Customer Service & Excellence in 2021. In 2019, Fanelli was recognized with a CRN Channel Chief award and the CRN Women of the Channel award in 2018 and 2017 for her success in driving innovation, growth, and revenue through channel partners and customers.
39. Samara Sit
Chief Communications Officer, Bryn Mawr College
Samara Sit is a strategic communications and marketing leader driving excellence in higher education outreach through distinctive digital storytelling and innovative editorial strategies that unify campus communities, raise institutional profiles, and instill pride. She was recently named Chief Communications Officer at Bryn Mawr College, a selective women's liberal arts institution that is part of the original “Seven Sisters” colleges, where she leads the central communications team and serves as part of the president’s senior staff.
In her previous role as associate dean and chief communications officer at the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (Cornell CALS), Samara led an award-winning communications team responsible for supporting two campuses and more than 350 faculty members. Her work at Cornell included the development of a multichannel content strategy for external communications, the direction of crisis communications, strong collaboration with the admissions and alumni and development offices to strengthen their communications strategies, and a significant increase in the college’s media visibility.
Samara’s early career included positions at the Newseum, the world’s first interactive museum of news, and as an editor at a news content start-up, WomensNewsLink.Com. She has served on several boards including the Finger Lakes (NY) chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and Washington DC's former newspaper for teens, Young DC. A graduate of American University, in her senior year she was inducted into the Phi Alpha Theta National History Honors Society and served as a commencement speaker.
40. Kelli Tea
VP & Head of Commercial & Corporate Development, Protara Therapeutics
Kelli is currently the Vice President and Head of Commercial and Corporate Development at Protara Therapeutics, a New York City-based clinical-stage biotech company that is focused on advancing transformative therapies for people with cancer and rare diseases. In this role, she leads launch readiness, market development, and all external partnering & alliances. Along with an MBA and undergraduate degree in business management and marketing, she brings over 15 years of commercial leadership experience. Most recently, she has led and grown successful Oncology and Rare Disease Marketing Franchises while working at Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, following an early career in finance and consulting.
Kelli is deeply passionate about channeling her energy and efforts to better the lives of others, particularly those battling life-threatening and life-altering diseases. She thrives in “build and grow” environments and is experienced in leading complex brand, organizational, and process transformations across disciplines. Consistently, she’s recognized for exceeding targets, building high-performing teams, unearthing impactful insights, delivering passionate & poised communications, and forging strong partnerships.
She is honored to be able to live out her passions and leverage her expertise by serving as the vice chair of the American Cancer Society’s NYC board of directors, which enables her to make a meaningful and tangible impact on the cancer community, and Co-Leading a Peer Mentoring Group in Bucks County with the Women in Bio organization. Kelli is fueled by a belief that we are all much better together, and thus loves investing in, learning from, and collaborating with others.
41. Megan Dapp
Vice President of External Affairs, Triad Strategies
Megan Dapp brings more than 15 years of public affairs experience in several industry sectors including healthcare, energy, and education. She currently serves as the Vice President of External Affairs for Triad Strategies.
Megan previously spent 11 years working at a Harrisburg-based public affairs firm where she successfully developed and executed multi-faceted advocacy campaigns on behalf of a variety of clients. She has managed public affairs campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels. Before that, she served as the State Advocacy Director for the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, where she represented the organization to the state legislature. Megan is a native of central Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Dickinson College.
42. Cassandra Bailey
CEO, Slice Communications
Cassandra Bailey is the CEO of Slice Communications, the founder and current Chairwoman of Social Media Day, Inc., and the creator of the My Mom Is… children’s book series. She has been working in marketing communications for more than 20 years and has authored two books on the subject, Pay Attention! and Social Media is About People. She believes that integrated public relations, social media, and email marketing efforts are critical for growing businesses and nonprofits looking to accomplish their goals.
With a background in international politics, economics, and philosophy, communications has become her passion and she has been tapped by various industry associations and the media to share her insights and experiences. She has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, and The Today Show and has written for, or been quoted in, Forbes, Philadelphia Magazine, Black Enterprise Magazine, TheNextWeb, and several other publications. Cass has also been named a Rising Star by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and received the Brava award from Philadelphia Smart CEO.
Cass is deeply involved with her community and has served on boards for the Entrepreneurs’ Organization of Philadelphia; the Business Leadership Forum at The Union League of Philadelphia; the Small Business Board at the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce; Tree House Books; Pennsylvania 30 Day Fund; and Hopeworks. Cass graduated from The Catholic University of America with a degree in international politics, economics, and philosophy. Additionally, she has completed programs in business education from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program and WBENC Executive Program at the Tuck School of Business.
43. Lauren Iannucci
Executive Director, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
As the Executive Director of the Eastern PA - Delaware Region at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Lauren Iannucci is responsible for $10M fundraising for the LLS mission. Before becoming Executive Director in 2019, Lauren was a senior director of corporate development, responsible for managing operations, fundraising & organization of multiple campaigns that made up the Chapter fundraising of approximately $9M in 2018. Lauren’s major focuses are building a collaborative culture within her chapter, and working with the organization as a whole to build awareness of the LLS mission. She is a passionate, dedicated & hardworking professional with experience in the sports and entertainment industry as well as nonprofit fundraising, organization, and management.
Before joining LLS in 2012, Lauren was a leader in the sports industry. While guest services manager at Cowboys Stadium, Lauren was involved with many different aspects of operations, which includes building a guest services operation, developing and executing staff training, managing 3 full-time and 1,400 part-time staff, operations, and staff logistics. Lauren was also involved with the advanced planning of over 50 major events each year. The largest one, Super Bowl XLV, which she worked with SP Plus Gameday to put together the Mobility Assistance Program for the event. She was part of the NCAA Final Four Facility Committee in New Orleans in 2012 as well as Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014. Lauren holds an undergraduate degree in sports management from Virginia Commonwealth University where she was a Division 1 Women’s Basketball Player.
44. Anna Babnik
VP of Operations & Global Marketing, BCW Global
Anna Babnik is the Vice President of Operations and Global Marketing of BCW Global, a global communications agency built to move people. BCW partners with clients in the B2B, consumer, corporate, crisis management, healthcare, public affairs, purpose, and technology sectors to set strategic direction for all communications and create powerful and unexpected ideas that earn attention. Babnik has 14 years of experience. She began her career in 2009.
Before joining BCW Global, Babnik was a senior account executive, in global marketing & communications at Cohn & Wolfe. She graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with an undergraduate degree in communication studies.
45. Cass Egan
EVP & Chief Administrative Officer, Holy Redeemer Health System
Cass Egan began her professional career 51 years ago. Today, she is the Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Holy Redeemer Health System. With an emphasis on providing a continuum of care, Redeemer Health remains true to its mission to care, comfort, and heal. Redeemer Health offers a wide range of healthcare and health-related services, including an acute care hospital, home health and hospice services, three skilled nursing facilities, personal care, a retirement community, low-income housing, an independent living community, and a transitional housing program for homeless women and children.
Egan first got her start in 1972 as an insurance rater at Guardian Life Insurance Company. From there, she went on to Temple University Hospital as a director of health information management. Egan graduated from Saint Joseph's University with an MHA in health, health care administration, and management, and from Temple University with an undergraduate degree in science and health information management.
46. Tirza Shreiber
Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Ollie's Bargain Outlet
Tirza Shreiber is the Senior Vice President of Human Resources of Ollie's Bargain Outlet, a discount retail chain in the United States. Founded in 1982, the company offers a wide range of brand-name merchandise at discounted prices. Ollie's operates over 400 stores across 25 states, providing customers with deals on various products, including housewares, electronics, clothing, food, books, and more. The company distinguishes itself through its "Good Stuff Cheap" motto, attracting bargain hunters looking for affordable and value-oriented shopping experiences. Ollie's has gained popularity by offering a constantly changing inventory of surplus, closeout, and overstocked items from manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, making it a go-to destination for thrifty shoppers. Shreiber has 24 years of experience. She began her career in 1999.
Before joining Ollie's Bargain Outlet, Shreiber was an SVP of global human resources at Marc Jacobs and before that a VP of human resources at IT Cosmetics and LOREAL. Earlier in her career she worked with Banana Republic LLC as a flagship HR manager. Shreiber graduated from New York University with a master's in clinical and medical social work and from University at Albany, SUNY with an undergraduate degree in Spanish and theater.
47. Krystal Gamez
Clinical Director, Elwyn
Krystal Gamez is the Clinical Director of Elwyn. At Elwyn, their mission remains steadfast, supporting individuals with diverse challenges in shaping distinctive, meaningful lives. Founded in 1852, they are the oldest nonprofit of their kind and assist 20,000 children and adults across PA, NJ, DE, and CA annually. Their services range from providing early intervention screenings for children in Philadelphia who may have autism to residential offerings with day and vocational programs for adults with intellectual disabilities. They also have several educational programs, as well as behavioral health services for children and adults. Gamez has 7 years of experience. She began her career in 2016.
Gamez graduated from Immaculata University with a doctor's degree in clinical psychology and from Albright College with an undergraduate degree in psychology.
48. Maxine Mann
Chief Strategy Officer, World Markets, Teknion
Maxine Mann began her professional career 37 years ago. Today, she is the Chief Strategy Officer of World Markets, a Canadian furniture manufacturer known for its innovative design and high-quality office furniture solutions. Founded in 1983, the company has established a global presence, with offices and showrooms in major cities worldwide. They offer a diverse range of products, including ergonomic seating, desks, storage systems, and collaborative furniture, catering to the evolving needs of modern workplaces. The company's commitment to sustainability is evident in its use of eco-friendly materials and its focus on minimizing environmental impact.
Mann first got her start in 1986 as a salary operations manager at ExxonMobil. From there, she went on to Steelcase as a regional vice president. Mann graduated from Drexel University with an MIS in marketing and an undergraduate degree.
49. Maude Le Roux
Clinical Director, A Total Approach
Maude Le Roux is an occupational therapist with an extensive following of professionals across the globe. She studies human development in different capacities of growth, spanning ages and stages, neuroanatomy, assessment tools as well as current trends of intervention. She completed the SIPT training in 2002 and Sensory Integration forms the foundation from which she continues to develop different tracks of assessment and intervention. Maude is certified in multiple different techniques that she applies uniquely through her Developmental Pathways Model (DPM). While she trains globally, Maude continues to operate an active center to continue to inform her work and develop the case studies from which she expands her assessment and intervention protocol. Her requirement for practice is a warm, embracing atmosphere operated through clinical expertise and professionalism that will provide quality of care to all entering her practice.
Maude gives back to her community by serving on different boards and currently serves on the board of directors for ATTACh, an international organization dedicated to serving families and children with attachment-related difficulties and trauma-informed care. She co-authored the book Our Greatest Allies in 2011 with Lauren O’Malley describing the journey of one child and also describing the DIR/Floortime Method.
50. Jamilah Lahijuddin
Director of Operations and Data Management, RentHelpPGH
Jamilah Lahijuddin began her professional career 13 years ago. Today, she is the Director of Operations and Data Management of RentHelpPGH, a program established in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to provide financial assistance to individuals and families struggling to pay their rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Launched in response to the economic hardships caused by the pandemic, RentHelpPGH aims to prevent evictions and homelessness by offering direct aid to eligible applicants. The program offers funds to cover past-due rent, rental arrears, and future rent payments. It is funded through federal stimulus packages and administered by the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh. RentHelpPGH has been crucial in providing support to residents facing housing instability and ensuring stability in the local community.
Lahijuddin first got her start in 2010 as a family intervention and prevention specialist at Community Empowerment Association. From there, she went on to Hill District Consensus Group, before eventually rising to become an operations manager at Sequal Consulting, her most recent position before joining RentHelpPGH.