Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders in Finance of 2023. In recent times, there has been a remarkable upswing in the inclusion of women in the traditionally male-dominated realm of finance. Increasingly, companies are recognizing that gender diversity can foster innovation, enhance productivity, and bolster profitability. As a result of these fundamental changes in the world of finance, women are now shattering barriers and assuming pivotal roles in areas such as investment banking, top CFO positions, budget leaders, and financial analysis, among many others.
Recognized as a standard of excellence within the industry, this award honors and pays tribute to the remarkable women who are making a significant impact on the financial community. These female leaders serve as prime examples of the essential attributes required for success in their field. Their unwavering determination, astute decision-making, persistence, and resolute dedication not only empowers them but also paves the way for a sector poised to reap long-term benefits.
Among this year’s awardees is Katie Henry, the VP of Corporate Finance, Accounting & Treasury for MITRE, where she leads the company's $2.2B enterprise-wide financial operations. Henry, who has completed the KPMG Executive Leadership Institute for Women program, has extensive experience, including nearly 20 years at Booz Allen Hamilton, where she oversaw an $8B budget. An industry veteran with 34 years of experience in the financial industry, Cerita Battles is the Managing Director and Head of Community & Affordable Lending at JPMorgan Chase. Battles, who was identified by the Florida Diversity Council as one of the Most Influential Women in the State of Florida, has also been affiliated with multiple corporate boards in the industry during her lengthy career. Additionally, we have Solita Marcelli, the Chief Investment Officer of Americas for UBS Global Wealth Management, which boasts over $1.3T in total invested assets. Away from UBS, Marcelli serves on several committees of the UJA Federation of New York, including the Wall Street Strategic Council and Finance Committee.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders in Finance of 2023.
1. Daniah Robertson
CFO of North America Corporate Services and Energy & Resources, Sodexo
Daniah Robertson is the Chief Financial Officer of North America Corporate Services and Energy & Resources for Sodexo. She was promoted to this role in March of 2023 where she drives performance and growth through the finance function across >$1.5B of food services and facilities management services for Fortune 500 companies. She is a financial advisor and business partner to the CEO on strategic capital investments, driving the top line, expanding gross margin performance, and cultivating a disciplined cost culture. Daniah has a passion for developing and coaching high-performing teams of finance professionals in delivering best-in-class functional support through business partnership and constructive challenge.
Prior to her current role, Daniah was the VP of finance for Sodexo’s North America Energy and Resources portfolio. She has two decades of experience translating strategic objectives into tactical plans and navigating operational challenges to deliver financial results, inclusive of international multi-industry expertise in mature Fortune 500 companies and scaling operations.
Before joining Sodexo, Daniah established herself as an operationally adept finance leader and top performer in the oil and gas industry, holding various senior finance roles in BP’s Downstream Refining and Renewables operations in the US and UK, earlier in Sunoco’s Midwest Refining operations and prior to that in automotive manufacturing start-ups.
Throughout her career, Daniah has built a reputation as a collaborative business partner and leader, delivering constructive challenges and results at all levels of the organization. She also serves as an executive board member at Bread of Life International, working to help eliminate hunger and food insecurity in poverty-stricken communities in Africa. Daniah is an Eastern Michigan University graduate with an MBA in finance and supply chain management and holds an undergraduate degree in computer science and engineering from the University of Toledo.
2. Victoire Sabine Ouédraogo
SVP of Apps Development Group Manager, Citi
Victoire Sabine Ouédraogo is a Senior Vice President at Citibank where she leads geographically dispersed technology teams to deliver best-in-class IT solutions. Before this role, she held various positions in technology at Crédit Agricole and BNP Paribas, Financial Services leaders in Europe.
Victoire was born and raised in Burkina Faso and is fascinated by STEM. In high school, Victoire was one of five girls selected to represent Burkina Faso at an international excellence camp for girls in sciences, organized by Dr. Cheick Modibo Diarra’s nonprofit organization at the time. In her senior year in high school, she was chosen to participate in the National Olympiads in mathematics, physics, and biology.
In 2006, Victoire left Burkina Faso to pursue her college studies in France. After two years of intensive programs, she succeeded in the French nationwide competitive examinations for engineering school by securing a seat at ENSEA. She earned her Master of Engineering in computer science three years later. In 2021 she left France to enhance her leadership and business skills in Boston where she graduated from HULT International Business School with an MBA specializing in analytics.
3. Tricia Schumann
Chief Investment Officer, MedTherapy Biotechnology
Tricia Schumann is the Chief Investment Officer of MedTherapy Biotechnology. MedTherapy is a global biotechnology corporation for gene cell therapies for cancer. Schumann has a career that spans 35 years in the technology and healthcare sectors. In addition to her role at MedTheraphy, she also serves as a part-time Chief Investment Officer for Scioto Biosciences, a clinical-stage biotech company dedicated to innovative research and discovery in the field of microbiome therapeutics.
Before joining MedTherapy, Schumann was chief marketing and communications officer at Arches Health Plan. Arches Health Plan was one of several dozen health plans launched through HHS for the Affordable Care Act. Prior to her role at Arches, she held various executive roles at over a dozen companies including a venture fund. Schumann serves on various healthcare and community boards including Steward Health Care and she is a graduate of Harvard Business School.
5. Susan Jenull
Senior Vice President in Texas Commercial Banking, U.S. Bank
Susan Jenull is a Senior Vice President for U.S. Bank Texas Commercial Banking. Susan and her team were responsible for building U.S. Bank’s Commercial Banking for the state of Texas. Starting with U.S. Bank in mid-2017, after 15 years of experience with other large banking institutions in Texas, Ms. Jenull has increased the commercial business for U.S. Bank in Texas by over 2000%. She is responsible for the development of new businesses in Texas to commercial public and private companies across a broad range of industries.
Ms. Jenull also leads in the community. She is actively involved with several nonprofits and has been on the boards of both Artreach Dallas and Broadway Dallas. She began the Women Bankers Club of Dallas and is a recent graduate of the Dallas Regional Chamber Leadership Dallas program. She is a sustaining member of the Dallas Junior League, a member of the National Charity League, and a leader in the schools her children attend.
Before her banking career, Susan worked as a tax consultant for KPMG and Deloitte, focusing mainly on state and local taxes. Susan is a Certified Public Accountant. She earned her MBA degree in finance from Southern Methodist University in Dallas and her master’s and undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently a student at Pacific Banking School extending her leadership education.
6. Jen Earyes
VP & Head of Investor Relations, Navient
Jen Earyes is a financial professional with over 15 years of experience driving revenue success while strengthening relationships and improving operational efficiencies. She has served in roles across corporate finance, M&A, and capital markets while building her track record of successful advocacy. Today, she leads Investor Relations for Navient – a provider of technology-enabled education finance and business processing solutions.
Expanding from her in-house experience, she served as the head of policy at the Structured Finance Association, where she was responsible for developing policy initiatives while ensuring industry priorities were understood and addressed across policymaking bodies. Jen played a large role in the strategy to minimize disruption across our nation’s financial system caused by the discontinuation of the global index rate LIBOR.
Throughout her career, Jen has led numerous industry committees, including serving on Federal Reserve-convened committees as chairwoman of a student loan committee and co-lead of a securitization committee, as an appointee to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) Interest Rate Benchmark Reform Subcommittee and as an advisor of the Treasury Advisory Group for the Association for Financial Professionals.
Jen is actively involved in mentoring employees, helping to prepare them for leadership roles. In addition to her career, she is also a passionate advocate for financial literacy and education. She volunteers her time and expertise to help people learn how to make informed decisions about their financial future. Jen earned an undergraduate degree with distinction in finance from the School of Business at George Mason University and is designated as a Certified Treasury Professional (CTP).
8. Cerita Battles
Managing Director and Head of Community & Affordable Lending, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Cerita Battles is the Managing Director and Head of Community & Affordable Lending at JPMorgan Chase. She has 34 years of experience in the financial industry with 26 years specifically dedicated to mortgage. As the Head of Community & Affordable Lending, Cerita is responsible for building, implementing, and ensuring the execution of the company’s strategic plan to enable and increase sustainable homeownership among low-to-moderate income consumers and communities, the full economic spectrum of minority consumers and communities, as well as active duty service members and veterans across the United States.
Cerita has held several leadership positions within Home Lending and other major banking institutions. She is well respected within the mortgage industry and known for her passion and strategic vision as it relates to advancing homeownership within minority communities. In 2012, Cerita was identified by the Florida Diversity Council as one of the Most Influential Women in the State of Florida. She’s also affiliated with multiple corporate boards in the industry such as Freddie Mac’s Advisory Housing Council, Fannie Mae’s Affordable Housing Advisory Council, Mortgage Bankers Association Affordable and DE&I Councils, National Housing Conference Black Collaborative, OCC’s Project Reach, and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers Corporate Advisory Council. She was the 2022 Chairwoman for the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Profession’s Corporate Board of Governors and served on the Asian Real Estate of America’s Housing Advisory Board.
Cerita graduated from the University of Phoenix where she earned her undergraduate degree in business management. She is a native of St. Augustine, Florida where she currently resides with her husband and their beautiful daughter. Cerita is an ordained minister and reverend at St. Paul A.M.E. Church in St. Augustine, Florida, and is a licensed Zumba instructor.
9. Lillie E. Louis-Fils
Executive Director, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Lillie Louis-Fils is an Executive Director for Consumer Banking and Investments. In this role, she has responsibility for leading teams of leaders and financial advisors across Georgia and Tennessee. In addition, she is responsible for the National strategy development and execution of the Consumer Investments Small Business Retirement Partnerships for more than 1,000 advisors. Lillie’s career in the financial services industry spans over 23 years. She held various leadership roles across consumer banking and investments including, national performance manager, director, private bank program performance manager, VP, market sales manager, assistant vice president, financial solutions advisor, and Merrill Lynch financial advisor in Washington, DC.
In addition to the time she spends working, she makes time to be part of her community. She serves on the board of Habitat for Humanity, which allows her to help the community. She is passionate about volunteer work and has been a dedicated volunteer at Habitat for Humanity, March of Dimes, Local Food Banks, Operation Hope (financial literacy), Wounded Warriors, Junior Achievement, Year, Atlanta Boys and Girls Club, and the Mentor Foundation. In 2012, Lillie was honored to participate in the Top 100 Business Leaders Forum at the White House.
Louis-Fils is an Executive Sponsor for Bank of America’s Community Volunteers, serves as a chair on the Black Executive Leadership Council, and chair for the Consumer Investments Diversity Initiatives. Louis-Fils has an undergraduate degree in theology from Shiloh Seminary. She holds FINRA Series 7, 9, 10, and 66 licenses, Life Health & Annuities, Accredited Wealth Management Advisor designation, and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation.
Louis-Fils and her family currently reside in Atlanta Georgia.
View the complete list of awardees.
10. Darina Janovova
VP of the Finance Innovation Office, CBRE
Darina Janovova (formerly Darina Bockman) is a Vice President of the Finance Innovation Office at CBRE where she leads implementations of new systems, business transformations, and internal process improvement programs.
Janovova (Bockman) earned accolades for outstanding work on prior major projects which included ERP rollouts in different parts of the world, integrations of acquired companies, operating model overhauls, and other notoriously difficult initiatives. She has been described as a “force of nature” and a leader with an exceptional ability to motivate people.
Outside of CBRE, Janovova (Bockman) is known for her leadership in nonprofit causes. She is the founder of Vegan Leaders in Corporate Management, a 501c3 nonprofit promoting plant-based initiatives in Fortune 500 corporations. She has spoken at conferences and has been interviewed in publications and podcasts. She is fiercely passionate about strategy and effectiveness. She was born in Slovakia and she speaks multiple languages. She lives in Dallas, TX.
11. Joanna G. Burish
Managing Partner, Custer Burish Financial Services
Joanna G. Burish moved to Wisconsin with her family in January of 1976 from Nazareth, Israel. She graduated in December of 1996 from the University of Wisconsin - Madison with a degree in accounting, with a focus on finance and real estate. She has a lifelong passion for both business and the performing arts, combining extraordinary business and artistic sensibilities into a rich and diverse career. In 1998, she launched a music production company with studios in Los Angeles and New York, and a film/TV production company. She developed and produced feature films, television pilots, and web-based films. She co-produced the film, 'MADISON', becoming the # 1 viewed film at the 2008 Wisconsin Film Festival and she produced the soundtrack with the renowned international talents of Tom Waits. Along with her film production company, she was involved in international acquisitions and sales working worldwide including the Cannes Film Festival. She served on film festival executive and leadership panels, as well as being a judge on worldwide screenwriting competitions.
Joanna joined a family-owned real estate company in 2002 as VP developing a golf course and residential neighborhood, and in 2008 joined another real estate family portfolio becoming their CEO in 2011. She launched her company MTI-RED, LLC focused on real estate development, family and business consulting, and equity fund raising for real estate partnerships. Due to the 2008-2011 financial and real estate crisis, the family business and individual consulting service grew strongly as there was a demand for Joanna's strategic planning and financial restructuring skill sets. In 2015, Northwestern Mutual approached her and she joined the firm as a financial advisor to develop her holistic financial planning services.
In 2022 Joanna joined Custer Financial Services and became Managing Partner of Custer Burish Financial Services 2023 as the named successor of the firm. Among her proudest endeavors is founding The Brauds Network in 2012 with the mission of women empowering women. Joanna is a community leader involved in various start-ups and nonprofit businesses consulting on best business practices, leadership, and sustainable growth.
13. Jasmine Ahmed
Global Director of Finance Integration & Capabilities, The Coca-Cola Company
Jasmine Ahmed is the Global Director of Finance Integration and Capabilities for The Coca-Cola Company. She first joined the company in April 2023. In addition to her roles with Coca-Cola, she serves as an advisory board member for the Asian University for Women to raise awareness, opportunities, and funds for the Asian University for Women (AUW). AUW is the first of its kind: an independent, regional institution dedicated to excellence, women’s education, and leadership development.
Jasmine is recognized for building high-performing teams and winning trust-based business partnerships by simplifying the complex to carve out a path for everyone to win. Jasmine’s in-depth transformation expertise across operating models, talent investment, technology stack, and data has driven her success in multiple global industries to directly transform the way 7000+ employees work in multiple functions across the globe to create an empowered workforce while delivering over $100M in benefits. Her diverse industry experience includes highly federated media organizations, global pharmaceuticals, complex financial service companies, and regulated utility companies.
Jasmine’s passion to drive progress and innovation goes beyond her day job. She provides thought leadership regularly for many professional organizations focused on transforming the ways of working. She serves on the New York Advisory Board for the Asian University for Women to help women in disadvantaged communities access higher education. Jasmine also serves as a board member for the National Chorale where she is helping them increase their digital footprint. She obtained her MBA from Johns Hopkins University, Carey Business School, and her Bachelor of Science from the University of Virginia. Jasmine completed her Leadership in Digital Transformation post-graduation program at Columbia University Business School.
14. Stefanie Gorres
Executive Director & Branch Manager, Morgan Stanley
As a Branch Manager, Stefanie Gorres is responsible for driving growth in three Arizona offices, Phoenix, Peoria, and Prescott, and helping every financial advisor in her branches realize his or her full potential. She is committed to cultivating a positive atmosphere that promotes peer-to-peer idea exchange, team building, and the strategic connections required to satisfy the sophisticated needs of clients. She is also a passionate advocate for women in business and financial services. In 2021, Stefanie was one of eighteen individuals across Morgan Stanley Wealth Management to be named a Morgan Stanley MAKER.
Stefanie joined Morgan Stanley in 2006 and has held positions as a complex manager assistant, branch service manager, complex business service officer, and associate complex manager before taking on her current role. Before joining Morgan Stanley, Stefanie worked at AIG where she managed a team that was responsible for writing compliance policies and procedures for all broker-dealers under the AIG Advisor Group umbrella.
Stefanie earned her undergraduate degree in business finance from Minnesota State University at Mankato. She began her financial services career at Ameriprise Financial where she started on the service and trading queue before transitioning to institutional compliance. There, she and two others developed a patented personal trading monitoring system. She then moved to the retail side of the business where she performed high-profile fraud investigations and branch exams as a senior compliance examiner. Her background in risk, compliance, and operations gives her a well-rounded vision of all the different components of the financial services industry.
15. Jennifer Sullo
Managing Director of Asset Management and Investing Solutions, Earth Finance
Jennifer Sullo is Managing Director of Asset Management and Investing Solutions at Earth Finance. Earth Finance is an investment and advisory firm delivering growth solutions that accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future. EF investment solutions seek to generate compelling financial returns and real-world impact while EF advisory strives to build novel, climate-resilient business models through the lens of sustainability.
Before her current role, Jen held multiple leadership positions at Goldman Sachs Asset Management where most recently, she was global head of sustainable investing solutions. Jen joined Goldman Sachs with the Rocaton Investment Advisors acquisition in 2019, where she was a managing director and ESG practice lead. Prior to Rocaton, Jen held various positions at J.P. Morgan, ING Investment Management, and GE Asset Management.
16. Yvonne Garcia
Chief of Staff to Chairman & CEO, Global Head of Internal Communications, & Global Head of the CEO Experience Program, State Street
Yvonne Garcia serves as Chief of Staff to State Street’s Chairman and CEO, Ron O’Hanley, as Global Head of Internal Communications, and as Global Head of the CEO Experience Program. In these roles, Yvonne is responsible for the setting and execution of the Chairman and CEO’s firmwide strategic priorities, the internal communications strategy for State Street, including for over 40,000 employees and executive leadership platforms, and the engagement of our most strategic clients representing over $9B in revenue as part of a program intended to gain insights into how State Street can help clients achieve better investment outcomes for those they serve. Before these roles, Yvonne led State Street’s Global Client Solutions and Implementation team within Investment Management Services (IMS) for close to ten years where she led the design and implementation of future state operating models for clients.
Before State Street, Yvonne served as director of marketing and distribution strategy for Liberty Mutual and as a VP for Bank of America’s China Construction Bank Strategic Assistance Program. In that role, Yvonne and her team created and implemented over five new Wealth Management Centers throughout China which resulted in over 80 centers currently throughout the country. Yvonne is a fully certified Six Sigma Black Belt and applies that discipline, rigor, and process to every project on which she deploys.
Yvonne served as the chairwoman for the largest Latino Professional Organization in the country, ALPFA. Yvonne is also the co-founding chair of Milagros para Niños, a board at Children’s Hospital in Boston, which has raised more than $20M in funds for Hispanic children who can’t afford medical care. She was appointed by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey to serve on the state’s Latino Empowerment Commission Board and was also appointed to the executive committee of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. Yvonne has been featured in Fortune magazine in partnership with ALPFA as one of the Top 50 Most Powerful Latinas in the United States five years in a row. She has also been recognized by Boston Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business and by Yahoo Finance four years in a row on their top 20 HERoes list nationally showcasing leaders who are championing women in business and driving change for gender diversity in the workplace. Most recently, Yvonne was appointed to the board of directors of Reading Cooperative Bank and the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.
Yvonne holds an MBA from Boston University in finance and marketing and an undergraduate degree from SUNY Albany. She was also awarded an honorary degree in Doctor of Humane Letters from Cambridge College in Boston, Massachusetts, and most recently an honorary degree in Doctor of Commerce from New England School of Business.
View the complete list of awardees.
17. Sharla Godbehere
Vice President of Sales in Auto Lending, Equifax
Sharla Godbehere is the Vice President of Sales in Auto Lending at Equifax. For more than 25 years, she has been focused on leading successful teams to drive innovation and thought leadership within financial services. She is responsible for launching the FinTech vertical practice at Equifax, building a dedicated organization of specialists in product management, data & analytics, customer fulfillment, sales, and marketing.
Godbehere consults regularly with today's future-designing companies to help expedite responsible growth in lending, with a mission to expand financial opportunities, allowing all consumers the freedom to live their financial best. She graduated from Arizona State University with an undergraduate degree in business administration and finance.
18. Liz Hocker
U.S. Managing Director of New Listings and Capital Markets, Nasdaq
Liz Hocker is the Southwest U.S. Managing Director of New Listings and Capital Markets at Nasdaq. She works with private companies on the planning and execution of IPOs, deSPACs, and Direct Listings.
With more than 20 years of business consulting, banking, and HR experience, Liz has worked with hundreds of companies that were positively impacted through the strong operations and people-oriented initiatives her teams have delivered. Since joining Nasdaq in 2018, she has worked with over 135 companies on successful new listings, representing over $117B in market value, including some of the highest-profile IPOs in the world.
Liz received her undergraduate degree in organizational communication from St. Edward's University and is currently a mentor at The Capital Factory. She was awarded Volunteer of the Year by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce in 2019, Austin Business Journal’s Profiles in Power, Women of Influence in 2015, and was a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society 2018 Woman of the Year Pediatric Cancer Research Grant winner.
19. Stephanie Murphy
VP & Commercial Lending Relationship Manager, Central Bank
Stephanie Murphy is the Vice President and Commercial Lending Relationship Manager for Central Bank. She has over 15 years of relationship banking and commercial lending experience. Murphy is passionate about building quality relationships and prefers to offer a personal approach. She is responsible for providing legendary service while assisting her clients with the right products and services for their personal and business credit needs.
Murphy holds an undergraduate degree in business administration from Vatterott College. She is active with the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Voice of Business Committee and the Small Business Council. She’s a past board member and current general member of The Network, a member of the Catholic Business Network and Rotary Club Springfield Southeast. She is also a past board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks.
20. Debbie Merritt
Chief Financial Officer, Starrex International
Debbie Merritt is the Chief Financial Officer of Starrex International, a Canada-based company that acquires, manages, and grows companies active in mortgage, real estate, and other financial service sectors. It targets mortgage operations, mortgage servicing, mortgage-backed securitization, lead generation, staffing, and recruitment operations. In her role, Merritt is responsible for all aspects of finance and accounting. She is primarily focused on analyzing merger and acquisition activities to grow shareholder value, as well as providing financial guidance and requisite reporting to the board of directors and governing public agencies. Merritt has 34 years of experience. She began her career in 1988.
Before joining Starrex International, Merritt was a CFO at National Asset Direct, and before that, a director of portfolio services at New Century Mortgage Corporation. Earlier in her career, she worked with Arthur Andersen as a manager of business and advisory services. Merritt graduated from UCLA Anderson School of Management with a PhD in global economics and management, and from The University of Memphis with an MBA and an undergraduate degree in accounting.
22. Leah Lombard
Vice President, DWS Group
Leah Lombard is the Vice President of the FATCA Responsible Office at DWS Group. DWS is recognized by clients globally as a trusted source for integrated investment solutions, stability, and innovation across a full spectrum of investment disciplines.
Lombard holds an undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Miami with a minor in business law. As a recipient of the Henry King Stanford Scholarship, she has served in numerous academic honor societies, including serving as the Pre-law Ambassador to the Lecture Series and Mock Trial Team. She was a recipient of the Scholar’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Business Law and tutored anatomy & physiology, mathematics, and logic. Lombard volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and the Neighborhoods Program, and she is a member of the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc.
Lombard has served as a faculty assistant for the University of Miami School of Law, Center for Ethics & Public Service and obtained a wide range of both legal and financial experience, on a national and international level, in the areas of Corporate Trusts, OTC Derivatives, Regulatory Affairs, Compliance Testing, and Anti-Money Laundering.
23. Shannon Nash
Chief Financial Officer, Wing
Shannon currently serves as Chief Financial Officer at Wing, a drone delivery company and subsidiary of Alphabet, Inc. She serves as an independent director on several boards, including NetScout Systems Inc. and SoFi Bank, a subsidiary of SoFi Technologies Inc. She's also on the Board and Audit Chair at Lazy Dog Restaurants. Previously, she was on the board of UserTesting, including Lead Independent Director and Chair of the Nominating & Governance Committee.
Diversity and Inclusion are cornerstones of her leadership. She serves as a Board Advisor to Black Women on Boards, an Executive Board Member to How Women Lead, and a mentor for Santa Clara University’s Black Corporate Board Readiness Program. She was also appointed to the CalCPA Diversity Equity & Inclusion Commission. Shannon was named one of the 100 most influential women in Silicon Valley by the Silicon Valley Business Journal in 2023 and on the 2023 Top 50 Women in Accounting list by Ignition. She was previously named to the 2022 Top 50 Women Leaders in Finance list by Women We Admire and featured on Accounting Today’s 2020 list of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting. She was also named one of 2020’s Most Powerful Women in Accounting by the AICPA and CPA Practice Advisor and received the 2021 Trailblazer Award from CalCPA.
Shannon is an attorney and CPA and was recognized as a qualified financial expert. Shannon holds an undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce and a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law. She serves on the board of advisors for the University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce. In her free time, Shannon is a fitness junkie and teaches Zumba and U-Jam Fitness. She’s also an award-winning documentary film producer with her film, Colored My Mind, winning best short at the 2013 American Pavilion in Cannes. Her latest film, OnBoard, premiered during the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023.
View the complete list of awardees.
24. Ava Villegas
Vice President and SBA & USDA Credit Relationship Manager, First United Bank
Ava Villegas is the Vice President SBA & USDA Credit Relationship Manager for a closely held bank, FUB, overseeing the Central Texas Market. In her role, she is a change agent, passionate about ensuring that businesses across communities have access to responsible capital. She identifies partnerships with local business leaders and organizations, government agencies, CDCs, and CDFIs to broaden the SBA & USDA program reach. She has 15+ years of experience as an analytical, women and minority-owned business advocate on the finance track with extensive project management and business experience, specializing in Small Business Administration Loans and USDA Loans. By leveraging her credit risk and analytics knowledge she has remained committed to advocating and advancing financial inclusion for small businesses, through responsible use of data and technology and by monitoring the issues and trends in the industry, with a goal to find creative financing solutions for businesses. She has a track record of success as a highly effective strategist, with expertise in process improvement, product development, and change management, and has a high ability to influence, engage, and collaborate with colleagues and small business owners to solve complex issues and initiatives.
Born into entrepreneurship, and marrying a local business leader, she has vowed to dedicate her life to amplifying the voices of minority business owners, forging connections, and fostering an economy where everyone has an opportunity to prosper and build generational wealth. She saw first-hand how government lending could accelerate the agility, profitability, and speed of a company, and empower families for generations to come, a perspective she brought to her work. Through her father’s and mother’s business, she gained access to higher education, enrolling as a first-generation college student. Currently, she has goals to adopt and rebuild her and her husband’s business to provide the same opportunities for her family.
She is recognized for building high-performing teams and winning trust-based partnerships by simplifying the complexities of government lending to carve out a trusted path for everyone to win. Ava provides thought leadership on a regular basis for many local small business leaders focused on opportunities for growth and prosperity. Frequently sought out as an SBA & USDA lending expert, Ava has been invited by numerous financial professionals, including competing lenders to speak to help drive communities forward. Ava obtained her BA degree in economics from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Business Foundations Certification from McCombs School of Business. Currently, is sitting through RMA classes to sharpen her risk management skills.
26. Melissa Wright
Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, American Pacific Mortgage
Melissa Wright is a nationally ranked executive leader, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of American Pacific Mortgage, and a true expert in strategic design. With more than 20 years in C-Suite Leadership Melissa has built companies from the ground up to multi-million-dollar acquisitions, led organizations from last to #1 in their industry, and grew sales by over 500%. Melissa has been ranked as a Top Marketing Leader, a 7-time winner of Best of State, and nationally recognized as one of the Elite Women in Mortgage.
As a self-proclaimed entrepredoer, Melissa currently leads the areas of sales technology, marketing, communication, innovation & support, and business development for the nationally recognized mortgage lender. Melissa’s vision and leadership can be seen in several areas of the company including the strategic growth and expansion of the APM’s national footprint over the past few years. She is valued for her collaborative leadership style, her delivery of modern-day sales, marketing, and communications strategies, and her complete ownership of driving strategic initiatives for the company.
Melissa sits on three advisory boards for advancing tech companies. She is also a sought-after speaker and industry expert who works with executives, leaders, and emerging leaders on how to transform their leadership style through radical generosity, purpose-driven work, and living to make a difference.
27. Tammy Mogilski
Senior Vice President, Wealth Enhancement Group
Tammy Mogilski a Senior Vice President at Wealth Enhancement Group. For more than 30 years she has served the needs of individuals and families seeking comprehensive financial plans and strategies and personalized asset management strategies. As a Chartered Life Underwriter®, Chartered Financial Consultant®, and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, Mogilski focuses on helping clients in or nearing retirement develop effective retirement income strategies.
Mogilski began her financial services industry career in 1987. She is experienced in all areas of financial planning including retirement, income distribution, estate, investment, and special needs estate planning. Mogilski received undergraduate degrees in political science and finance from Alfred University. She earned her CLU®, ChFC®, and CFP® certifications from The American College.
28. Mia Lao
VP of Consumer Lending, Wings Financial Credit Union
Mia Lao is the Vice President of Consumer Lending at Wings Financial Credit Union. She first joined the organization in 2021. Founded in 1938, Wings Financial Credit Union is Minnesota's largest credit union and ranks among the nation’s top 40 credit unions with over $8.4B in assets and over 365,000 members. She oversees the consumer lending originations and operations group with 55 headcounts. She led the first fintech engagement with Wings which resulted in a total of over $67.3M in loan production in just fourteen months and saved 1,300 days of auto loan processing time. Most recently, she led another Fintech partnership between Wings and TruStage CuneXus for loan pre-approvals, also known as perpetual lending. Her knowledge and experience in process improvement and Six Sigma gave her the edge to succeed on these projects.
Previously, Mia was a major accounts manager of commercial finance at Toyota Industries North America where she earned her Kaizen Coach certification, and before that, a commercial finance supervisor at Toyota North America. Earlier in her career, she worked with Bank of America as a customer service manager where she received her Six Sigma training and completed “The Dale Carnegie Course”. Before she migrated to the US in 1986, she attended an engineering school in the Philippines. She earned an MBA from California State University, Long Beach, and an undergraduate degree in technology and operations management from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
29. Elisha González
Vice President of Community Relations & Government Affairs, FAIRWINDS Credit Union
Executive Director, FAIRWINDS Foundation
Elisha González is the Vice President of Community Relations and Government Affairs at FAIRWINDS Credit Union and Executive Director of the FAIRWINDS Foundation. In her role, she leads the company’s nationwide community relations and government affairs initiatives, programmatic activities, strategic philanthropy, team member engagement, social corporate responsibility, and market reputation risk. González has been instrumental in the new, unified vision for the FAIRWINDS Foundation, where she leads the philanthropic effort to bolster organizations that advocate financial literacy, education, and volunteerism. A trusted public affairs executive and avid community connector, Elisha has been recognized for her leadership, business acumen, influence, and commitment to the community.
Most recently Elisha was the lead consultant for the Central Florida collective impact initiative, Project Opioid in association with Change Everything Inc. She also led the government and community relations efforts for Duke Energy Florida where her focus was the company’s east coast operating area encompassing Seminole, Volusia, Flagler, and Brevard counties. She served as Duke Energy’s leader in the region for local governments and civic partnerships and was responsible for government relations, philanthropy, community engagement strategy, and social responsibility.
González served as director of community affairs for Valencia College and executive director of Valencia Promise/Orange County Take Stock in Children where she successfully relaunched the program in Orange County providing college scholarships, mentors, and hope to economically disadvantaged youth locally. In addition to her experience in education, González worked as the Central Florida regional director for the United States Senate. She serves on multiple boards including, most recently the gubernatorial appointment to Career Source Florida State Board where she served as Vice Chair of the Finance committee. Currently, she serves as vice chair on the executive committee of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando, United Arts of Central Florida, Prospera USA, Florida Chamber Foundation, Junior Achievement of Central Florida, and Heart of Florida United Way.
Elisha has been recognized for her community work and leadership with numerous honors. She earned a master’s degree in education from Nova Southeastern University. A native of Mexico City, Mexico, González earned an undergraduate degree in education from the University of Central Florida.
30. Jonna Turner
VP & Commercial Relationship Manager, Fidelity Bank
Jonna Turner is a Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager for Fidelity Bank. Since 1908, Fidelity Bank’s mission has been to remain the long-term institution of choice in the marketplace. Fidelity Bank is client-focused, community-minded, financially stable, and operationally sound.
Jonna has been in finance for 25 years, specializing in commercial lending for over 20 years. She plays an active role in the Greater New Orleans community where she resides. She has served on several boards, both past and present, including Leadership Northshore Alumni Association, Olde Towne Main Street, Steel Mimosas, Junior Auxiliary of Slidell, Emerging Young Professionals, and Camellia City Kiwanis Club. She is a 2014 graduate of Leadership Northshore, was nominated for the Athena Leadership award in 2017, and has been a volunteer for East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity as part of their “Rosie the Riveter” Women’s Build program for the past 4 years. She recently took on the role of a 2023 board member for East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity.
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31. Lisa VanArsdale
Financial Advisor & Managing Director, SageView
Lisa VanArsdale is a Financial Advisor and Managing Director of SageView’s Deer Park, IL office. She works closely with Judy VanArsdale on portfolio management, financial research, and client communications. Before joining SageView, Lisa was a financial advisor and co-owner of Lakeview Wealth Management, an LPL Financial affiliate, before the firm’s acquisition by SageView in 2022.
Lisa is passionate about the industry and strives for opportunities to make an impact. She is also currently a member of George Washington’s Women in Leadership Program Advisory Council. Outside of the office, she is an avid Chicago Blackhawks fan. She enjoys spending time with her family and staying active with running, water skiing, and golfing. She has completed three marathons – Chicago, Paris, and New York City. Lisa graduated from Elmhurst University as a student-athlete with a degree in finance and international business and continues to mentor students at the business school of her alma mater. She holds the Series 7 and 66 FINRA licenses.
32. Jenna Nicholas
Head of Investments and Acquisitions, One Planet Group
Jenna Nicholas is the Managing Director of One Planet VC where she invests in early-stage businesses in transformative industries, such as education technology, marketplaces, media, and the future of mobility. There is a focus on investing in socially conscious companies, at least 60% of which are run by women and people of color. Jenna leads Corporate Development for One Planet Group which incubates, operates, and invests in businesses. She has led the acquisition and integration of three companies over the course of 15 months.
Jenna is also the co-founder and CEO of Impact Experience focuses on addressing equity across investments, healthcare, education, and climate. Jenna is currently spearheading the Business Climate Finance initiative through Impact Experience to decarbonize corporate bank accounts and retirement funds. Jenna formerly founded Phoenix Global Impact, a firm that specializes in impact investing, social entrepreneurship, and strategic philanthropy. Through her firm, she project-managed Divest-Invest Philanthropy, a coalition of foundations, divesting from fossil fuels and reinvesting in new economic solutions. Jenna spoke at TedX Portland about the Divest-Invest work.
Jenna has worked with the World Bank Treasury on green bonds and with Toniic helping to support an impact investing community. She worked with the Calvert Special Equities team, investing in impact-oriented companies and funds. She is an advisor to the Nexus Global Youth Summit and Ethic, an impact investing platform. Jenna graduated from Stanford University with an international relations honors degree during which time she also read International Development at Oxford University.
Jenna is a Stanford Graduate School of Business MBA graduate, a PD Soros Fellow for New Americans, a recipient of the Stanford Social Innovation Fellowship, an Echoing Green Fellow, a Forbes 30 under 30 for Social Entrepreneurship, a Summit fellow, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a coach for the Roddenberry Foundation and a Young Leaders Council member of Milken Institute. Jenna serves on the Impact Advisory Committee for Apollo Global Management. She serves on the Investment Committee of the Wayfarer Foundation. Jenna co-taught a course at the Tsinghua School of Economics and Management in Beijing on sustainability and impact investing. Jenna is the VP of Stanford Angels and Entrepreneur. She is an active member of the Baháí Faith.
33. Yvonna Stevens
EVP & Chief Financial Officer, International Youth Foundation
Yvonna Stevens is an Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the International Youth Foundation. She is responsible for leading the organization’s global financial, accounting, human resources, and information technology operations. Stevens is a dynamic finance and administration leader with over 20 years of experience in international nonprofit operations. She is known for her outstanding leadership, coaching, and relationship-building skills and for developing diverse teams across global locations to collaborate and maximize results.
Yvonna currently serves on the boards of the Latin American Youth Center, Global Health Council, and Poets & Writers. Additionally, she serves the Obama Foundation as a scholars program mentor and as the U.S. country representative of International Financial Reporting for Nonprofit Organizations. Yvonna graduated from Morgan State University with an undergraduate degree in accounting and from the University of Maryland with an MBA.
34. Raquel Favela
Executive Managing Director, National Development Council
In the competitive field of economic development and housing, Raquel Favela stands uniquely with a solid foundation of nearly 30 years. Proving her executive mettle, Ms. Favela conceptualized and executed the pioneering flex-staff system at NDC, seamlessly mobilizing an astounding $1B in critical COVID-response efforts nationwide. As Executive Managing Director, her stewardship at the Training and Technical Advisory Services Division has transformed public sectors, empowering them with tailored strategic roadmaps and innovative policy solutions that are quintessential for fostering equitable wealth-building opportunities.
Ms. Favela's distinctive leadership style is an alchemy of hands-on execution and visionary strategy, positioning her as an unmatched catalyst for community advancement. Her achievements are evident in her instrumental role in San Antonio's inaugural Strategic Community Development Plan. Moreover, her tenure as Dallas’ Chief of Economic Development saw her pioneering the city’s benchmark Comprehensive Housing Policy, addressing deeply rooted housing challenges with efficacy and insight.
At NDC, she has not only been a trusted advisor but has also sculpted her legacy by guiding clients through intricate financing blueprints for high-stakes redevelopment initiatives for over sixteen years. Her comprehensive grasp of federal, state, and local financial tools underscores her acumen, making her a coveted asset in optimizing public benefits. Ms. Favela brings to the table an impeccable track record, strategic talent, and a vision aligned with the future of economic development and housing. Her leadership promises not just growth, but transformative evolution.
35. Kristin Ferge
Chief Financial Officer, Capri Communities
As Capri Communities’ Chief Financial Officer, Kristin Ferge is a well-rounded and highly accomplished C-level financial executive and business leader. Kristin’s holistic understanding of sustainable growth coupled with her expertise in the senior living industry has directly contributed to Capri’s growth during her tenure. Since joining Capri in September 2016, the company’s revenue has grown by over 178%. She has been instrumental in enhancing the company’s executive committee to position Capri for continued growth and operational success. Kristin’s specialty is leading fast-paced, dynamic high-growth, and business turnaround initiatives to a successful conclusion. She is able to lead multi-discipline teams across a wide variety of financial areas and brings expertise in both a for-profit and nonprofit setting. She leads capital-raising activities and is also responsible for building relationships with joint venture partners, investment bankers, commercial banks, lessors, auditors, attorneys, and shareholders.
Kristin’s expertise includes debt and equity financing, IPOs, M&A, restructuring, SEC matters, strategic planning, governance, treasury, banking, financial analysis and modeling, financial reporting, and auditing. She also has significant experience working with boards of directors and audit committees. Before Capri, Kristin was EVP, chief accounting officer, and treasurer with Brookdale Senior Living which has revenues over $6B, making it the largest for-profit, publicly traded senior living corporation in the US. She also served as VP and CFO at Alterra Healthcare Corporation, a privately held senior living company, where she was responsible for the financial operations of 300 locations and overseeing a team of 300+ professionals. Kristin graduated with a master’s degree in healthcare administration and finance from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and an undergraduate degree in accounting from Marquette University. She is a CPA.
36. Deanna Schiavone
SVP & Chief Financial Officer, ScionHealth – Specialty Hospital Division
Deanna Schiavone originally joined Louisville, Kentucky-based Kindred Healthcare in 2014 as the Controller of the Hospital Division, and she currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Specialty Hospital Division of ScionHealth, which launched in Louisville in 2021 following a transaction between Kindred and LifePoint Health. Deanna provides financial leadership for ScionHealth’s national network of long-term acute care hospitals that operate under the brand of Kindred Hospitals. She has also been an advocate for women in business, finance, and healthcare, serving as co-chair of EMPOWER, ScionHealth’s Women’s Employee Resource Group, which helps to create an inclusive environment through support, mentoring, and engagement.
Deanna has more than 20 years of healthcare finance experience. Before joining Kindred, she held multiple roles over 14 years at BrightSpring Health Services (formerly ResCare), including residential services controller and director of planning and analysis, where she managed the finance functions for operations in 16 states that totaled over $500M in revenue. A Certified Public Accountant, she also worked at Vencor, Atria Senior Living, and Clark Construction Group throughout her career. Deanna, who is from Rockville, Maryland, earned an undergraduate degree in business administration and accounting from the University of Mary Washington while also playing collegiate field hockey.
37. Sophia Corona
Chief Financial Officer, tZERO Group
Sophia Corona is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in the financial services, fintech, e-commerce, marketing, telecommunications, healthcare, and hospitality industries. She has held CFO and COO positions at both start-ups and F-500 companies, including the Intercontinental Exchange/New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
She is a highly accomplished executive with a wealth of experience in the financial services industry as a myriad of others. Sophia has a proven track record of delivering growth strategies, M&A, and turnarounds. She is a strategic thinker with strong financial acumen and a deep understanding of the global markets. She is also a decisive leader who can build and motivate high-performing teams.
Her professional experience and ACFE expertise make her an invaluable asset to any board of directors. She has been a member of the Audit, Nominating, Governance, and Deal Committees at public companies. She is also a sponsor/mentor for the mayor’s office Partnership Fund for NYC & Accenture - the Fintech Innovation Lab, NYC.
At present, Sophia is the Chief Financial Officer for tZERO Group, Inc. – a financial technology company that is pioneering the next generation of the Capital Private Markets, which includes significant public company investors such as Intercontinental Exchange/NYSE.
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38. Kimberlee Davis
Partner & Managing Director, The Bahnsen Group
Kimberlee Davis is a Managing Director and Partner at The Bahnsen Group, a private wealth management firm based in Newport Beach, California. She is also a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and the Founder of The Fiscal Feminist, a platform to empower women to achieve solid financial footing. She is the author of The Fiscal Feminist - A Financial Wake-Up Call for Women and the host of the podcast The Fiscal Feminist.
Kimberlee specializes in personal wealth advising, and financial, retirement, and estate planning solutions, for high-net-worth individuals and multi-generational families. Her proficiency also includes helping her clients transition to financial independence after life-altering events such as death or divorce.
With more than 25 years of finance, legal, and corporate experience, her career has included being a corporate securities lawyer, investment banker, and CFO. Kimberlee received her undergraduate degree in foreign service/international finance at Georgetown University and earned a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center.
39. Kim Bright
SVP of Operations & Finance, Campaign Legal Center
Kim Bright has extensive experience in leading and scaling effective policies and operational solutions in the public and private sectors. As Campaign Legal Center’s Senior Vice President, Operations and Finance, Bright leads the organization's operational, human resources, and financial functions. Before joining the Campaign Legal Center, she led the finance and administration functions for the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program. Bright has served as the COO for the National Police Foundation, leading the foundation’s financial, human resources, information technology, and operations functions. During her tenure with Booz Allen Hamilton, she managed a multimillion-dollar technology solutions contract with the Department of Justice, including providing contract oversight, building and leading teams of subject matter experts to support national policies to improve information sharing capacity, and the delivery of technical assistance to stakeholders and practitioners.
Bright is a highly effective strategist, with expertise in client service, solutions development, process improvement, and change management. She has a track record of success in linking strategy to effective operations, leveraging technology to increase efficiency, and leading high-performing, cross-functional teams. In addition, Bright is an exceptional listener with the ability to influence, engage, and build consensus and partnerships across diverse constituencies and stakeholders on complex issues. Bright holds a master’s degree in public policy from American University, an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University, and a Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institute.
40. Sweta Shah
Chief Financial Officer, Northeast Private Client Group
Sweta Shah, Chief Financial Officer at Northeast Private Client Group, smoothly manages the firm’s finances and budgeting oversight. With a goal to help clients succeed, Shah serves all of her clients with professionalism and efficiency. She is dedicated to earning and keeping the trust of her clients through creating personal connections and providing excellent service. Her finance work includes areas of commercial banking, accounting, financial planning, investment banking, and money management.
Before working at Northeast Private Client Group, Shah graduated with an undergraduate degree in finance from Rutgers University. There, she was inspired to pursue a career in finance because of opportunities to work with a broad range of clients and colleagues, across geographies and industries. Her work in finance has brought her diverse experiences. She previously worked as the financial coordinator for City College of New York and the branch operations manager for Santander Bank.
41. Jamie Tipps
Managing Director of Accounting Advisory, CFGI
Jamie brings over 15 years of accounting and financial reporting experience to her current role as Managing Director in the Accounting Advisory practice at CFGI, the nation’s largest non-audit accounting advisory firm. She provides accounting advisory services to public and private companies in all industries, including technical accounting, financial reporting, and transaction support. Jamie consistently works with clients to find solutions to complex accounting issues and provides a tailored approach that fits each client's needs and circumstances.
Prior to joining CFGI, Jamie worked as a managing director at Ernst & Young in Orlando, Florida. During her fifteen-year career at Ernst & Young, Jamie was responsible for leading audit engagements for a variety of clients, including SEC registrants and privately held companies, primarily in the health and life sciences industry. Her experience includes working with clients on a broad array of technical accounting issues, including but not limited to debt modification, purchase accounting, accounting for investments, implementation of new accounting standards, and SEC reporting issues. She also has experience working with companies on initial public offerings, private placement offerings, and special purchase acquisition company transactions. Jamie, who is a graduate of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, is a Certified Public Accountant in Florida and Tennessee as well as a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She also serves as chair of the finance committee for the Orlando Repertory Theatre, a nonprofit children’s theater in Orlando, Florida.
43. Shay Kleinschmidt
Vice President of Lending, FranFund
Shay Kleinschmidt is the Vice President of Lending at FranFund. Since Kleinschmidt joined FranFund in 2012, her strategic vision has helped the company’s lending department gain a distinguished reputation for quality. She has established a wide variety of lender relationships throughout the years, which continues to expand today. As a direct and powerful result of her dedication, FranFund is able to offer competitive funding products of all shapes and sizes. In her role, Kleinschmidt also focuses on developing processes that promote thorough internal controls and risk mitigation within compliance guidelines of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and other funding programs.
44. Kimberly Stemley, CPA
Chief Financial Officer, YWCA Metro St. Louis
Kimberly has more than 18 years of experience in finance, business strategy, and nonprofit development, with positions in public accounting at Ernst and Young, AT&T telecommunications company, and Innoventor, an engineering firm previously recognized in St. Louis’ Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies. She has served as a leader in healthcare as the EVP of business development and CFO at Rx Outreach, the nation’s largest nonprofit, mail-order pharmacy, and Patient Assistance Program. To date, she is the Chief Financial Officer at the YWCA Metropolitan St. Louis, recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal as one of the largest nonprofits in the region. At the YWCA, Kimberly is addressing the need for expanded early childhood centers to respond to approximately 1 million women who have not returned to the workforce since the pandemic.
Kimberly is fortunate to be a transformative leader, working passionately within the region to improve the quality of life for those most in need. This requires insight not just into financial matters, but the needs, mindset, and behaviors of the most underserved populations in the community; whether that is acquiring access to affordable medications or ensuring a working mother has access to quality and affordable childcare. In 2010, her commitment to helping those in need became personal when her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This journey for relief and assistance for her mother began a movement in Kimberly’s life; revealing several systemic problems for those aging in our communities and the people who loved them. In conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Association, Kimberly became a champion for the 15 million caregivers supporting those living with Alzheimer’s disease. Her fight which started locally in St. Louis led to Washington DC, with her speaking at the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging and requesting Congress to increase research funding by $500M to fight the disease. Within 3 months after her testimony, they did.
Kimberly is a contagious leader in the region, extending her business acumen from large corporations to the indigent in the community. She has tackled hard healthcare issues serving on the Community Advisory Council for the Missouri Foundation for Health as their chair, faced childhood education issues as a founding board member of Preclarus Mastery Academy – Charter School, and previous Accounting Careers Taskforce Chair for the Missouri Society of CPAs. In 2022, Kimberly became an International Bestselling author on Amazon with the release of Overcoming: Living Our Best Life in Spite Of. Kimberly’s voice is in demand, with requests from boardrooms to the White House. Her daily focus has been simple, ensuring the most disenfranchised in the region and the world have access to a better life.
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45. Marisa Calderon
Executive Director, CDFI and Chief of Community Finance & Mobility, National Community Reinvestment Coalition
A veteran of the financial services industry, Marisa Calderon is an Executive Director of the NCRC Community Development Fund. She has been ranked as one of the most powerful leaders in the residential real estate industry and named one of HousingWire’s 2018 and 2021 Women of Influence for her work in increasing real estate and mortgage professionals’ understanding and appreciation of the Hispanic home-buying market. Frequently sought out as an expert, Calderon has been interviewed by numerous publications and media outlets including NPR’s Marketplace, and regularly speaks at events such as those for the Mortgage Bankers Association, Consumer Federation of America, the FDIC, and the National Fair Housing Alliance.
Calderon previously served on the advisory board for the Banc of California and the Fannie Mae Affordable Housing Advisory Council, and also previously authored the State of Hispanic Homeownership Report. She currently serves on the board of Latinas Lead California, the first and only non-partisan political action committee dedicated to increasing the number of Latinas in elected office, appointments, and other prominent leadership positions. She previously served on the board of the Hispanic Wealth Project, which has a stated goal of tripling the median household wealth of Hispanics by 2024. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and is in the process of completing her MBA.
47. Joclyn Balanda
Senior Vice President & Senior Relationship Strategist, PNC Private Bank
As a Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Strategist, Joclyn Balanda coordinates a team to assist clients and their families in pursuing the peace of mind that comes from knowing that the important aspects of their financial lives are thoughtfully orchestrated. Through a dynamic discovery process, Joclyn is able to help build and maintain a thorough understanding of an individual’s needs and priorities. Helping each customer with the achievement of their goals and aspirations is their primary focus. Joclyn has the knowledge, experience, and desire to help bring about successful outcomes as a trusted advisor.
Joclyn has over 25 years of experience in the wealth management arena. She serves as an advocate within the bank, coordinating a team of specialists around the client in the areas of investment management, financial and estate planning, business succession, insurance, and private banking. Joclyn brings her experience and focus on client service for the benefit of her high-net-worth clients daily.
Joclyn graduated with an undergraduate degree in finance from the Farmer School of Business at Miami University, Ohio. She holds the Accredited Wealth Management Advisor SM designation. She is active in the community and currently serves on the board of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation and is on the Gala Committee for the Levine Children's Hospital. Joclyn is a former board member of Discovery Place Museums and Bright Blessings, serving the homeless community, as well as The Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust, The Land Acquisition Committee of the Catawba Lands Conservancy, The Charlotte Chapter of American Heart Association and Lifespan, serving the developmentally disabled.
48. Jacqueline Reeves
Director of Retirement Plan Services, Bryn Mawr Capital Management
Jacqueline Reeves is Director of Retirement Plan Services with Bryn Mawr Capital Management. With more than 20 years of experience in wealth management, Jacqueline provides a foundation of research and analysis for retirement planning. She operates a central
repository for research, process, and monitoring by developing a risk-adjusted return analysis that is used throughout the client base.
Before joining the company, Jacqueline served as an institutional equity research analyst as well as director of research and head of financial institutions research at firms including Ryan Beck, Putnam Lovell, Citigroup, Janney Montgomery, CS First Boston, and Rothschild. She’s led a research team with more than a hundred companies under coverage. Jacqueline performed extensive financial modeling and analysis.
She is a Board Certified FiduciaryTM, AIFA®, and PPCTM designations. Jacqueline is a resource to the national media, including CNBC, Bloomberg television and radio, The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, and various other printed media.
View the complete list of awardees.