Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of Maine for 2023. Despite holding the position as the least densely populated state in New England, Maine has no shortage of notable women leaders. Its diverse economy, including the tourism, forestry, and agriculture industries, as well as a thriving technology sector, points to the state’s history of resilience and innovation. Many of this year’s awardees are leading some of Maine’s largest entities including L.L.Bean, IDEXX, and Central Maine Healthcare. Their unwavering commitment to leadership has been a driving force behind the success and growth of the organizations they serve.
Among this year’s awardees is Heather Higgins, the Executive Director of IBM and a seasoned leader with over 30 years of tenure, who leads a global quantum team that is driving enterprise adoption of quantum technology. Awardee Margaret Angell, Head of Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives at the Roux Institute of Northeastern University, spearheads the development of strategic relationships with Maine businesses, academic institutions, community groups, and government partners to foster exceptional economic opportunities across the state.
Also awarded is Kris Chaisson, Vice President of Nursing and Patient Care Services at Central Maine Medical Center, who oversees nursing operations in acute care, emergency, perioperative services, laboratory services, and LifeFlight, bringing her experience from various roles since joining the center in 2016.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders of Maine for 2023.
1. Kris Chaisson
SVP of Nursing & Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, Central Maine Healthcare
Kris Chaisson is the Vice President of Nursing and Patient Care Services at Central Maine Medical Center. In this role, she is responsible for the hospital’s nursing operations in acute care, emergency, and perioperative services as well as for laboratory services and LifeFlight. Chaisson joined Central Maine Healthcare in 2016. She has served as CMMC’s director of perioperative and invasive cardiovascular services and as the health system’s associate chief nursing officer.
Chaisson was previously executive director of heart and vascular services at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and administrative director of cardiac surgery and cardiovascular services and the clinical decision unit at Concord Hospital in New Hampshire. She has also been a nurse clinician in Concord Hospital’s cardiac care and intensive care unit and a staff nurse in the intensive care unit of Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, NH, and in the oncology/medical-surgical unit of Salem Hospital in Massachusetts. She has served as an adjunct faculty member at the Maine College of Health Professions in Lewiston, Maine, and the New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord, NH.
Chaisson earned her master’s degree in healthcare administration from New England College in Henniker, NH, and her undergraduate degree in nursing from St. Joseph’s College in Windham, Maine. Her community involvement includes service on the Board of Directors of the American Heart Association in Maine and New Hampshire and on the American Heart Association Founders Affiliate Volunteer Leadership Board. She has been an active member and volunteer with the American Association of Critical Care Nurses since 1994. She is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, and the Organization of Maine Nurse Executives.
2. Rebecca Talley
Chief of Staff to AM CEO & VP of Sales Transformation & Operations, NTT
Rebecca Talley is the Chief of Staff to the AM CEO and VP of Sales Transformation & Operations of NTT. She first joined the company in 2021. NTT is a leading global technology company providing services to consumers and businesses as a mobile operator, infrastructure, network, application, and consulting provider. Talley is a results-oriented and accomplished business leader with over 20 years of go-to-market operations experience. She has had success building and leading hyper-growth and mature businesses with a proven track record in multiple disciplines including sales strategy, business management, merger integration, auditing, sales resource optimization, business operations, marketing & sales operations. Known for being execution oriented and analytical, she has a strong servant leadership style with a desire to collaborate and create world-class teams executing on go-to-market strategy and vision.
Previously, Talley was an assistant VP of internal audit at Wells Fargo and before that, a senior auditor at Grant Thornton LLP. She earned an undergraduate degree in accounting from Providence College.
3. Kierston Van Soest
Chief Financial Officer, L.L.Bean
Kierston Van Soest is the Chief Financial Officer of L.L.Bean. She first joined the company in 2002 serving as a senior vice president of finance. L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multi-channel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe.
Prior to joining L.L.Bean, Kierston served as a director of financial control and analysis for Time Inc. and before that as a manager for Arthur Anderson. She earned an undergraduate degree in accounting from Lehigh University. In addition to her work with L.L.Bean, Kierston serves as a director for the United Way of Southern Maine, as a council member for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, and as a director for the Portland Development Corporation.
4. Sharon Baughman
Chief Nursing Officer, MaineHealth
Sharon Baughman is the Chief Nursing Officer of MaineHealth. She first joined the organization in 2022. MaineHealth is a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of nine local health systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, and home health agencies. With approximately 22,000 employees, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis, and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire.
Baughman has served as a chief nursing officer since 2005 at various organizations including Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare and Ascension. She also previously served as a vice president of patient care at Ascension Columbia St. Marys. She earned her doctor of nursing practice from Marquette University.
5. Elizabeth Rickett
Chief Transformation Officer, Unum
Elizabeth Rickett is the Chief Transformation Officer of Unum. Since its founding in 1848, Unum has been a leader in the employee benefits business through innovation, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to its customers. This simple philosophy has guided them through America’s fledgling insurance landscape and helped them become an international leader in financial protection benefits, offering disability, life, accident, critical illness, dental, vision, and stop-loss insurance; leave and absence management support; and behavioral health services.
Rickett joined Unum in 1988 and has held various positions supporting the field organization. She has 35 years of experience. Rickett was born and raised in Portland and graduated from Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH, with an undergraduate degree in computer science.
6. Katherine Rolfe
Chief Claims Officer, Keystone Insurers Group
Katherine Rolfe is the Chief Claims Officer of Keystone Insurers Group. As a senior-level insurance executive, she has broad expertise across commercial and personal insurance claims, pre-trial authority resolution, and litigation management at leading insurance companies. Optimizing claims operations and customer experiences while minimizing exposure is her top priority. She thrives on leading teams in the evaluation, planning, investigation, and resolution of complex cases.
Rolfe is passionate about leading, coaching, and mentoring staff to achieve their full potential. She is equally passionate about creating efficiencies to ensure the highest levels of customer service and client satisfaction. Driven to lead with integrity and add value, she leverages her knowledge and skills in a dynamic and growing organization.
Before joining Keystone Insurers Group, Rolfe was a vice president of claims at Acadia Insurance and before that, a director of home office claims quality audit at The Hanover Insurance Group. She graduated from Husson University with an MBA in risk management, from the University of Southern Maine with a master's degree, and from Castleton University with an undergraduate degree.
7. Margaret Angell
Head of Partnerships & Strategic Initiatives, The Roux Institute, Northeastern University
Margaret Angell is the head of partnerships and strategic initiatives at the Roux Institute. As a member of the institute’s founding leadership team, she leads strategic relationship development with Maine businesses, academic institutions, community groups, and government partners with the mission to create extraordinary economic opportunities throughout Maine. In addition to her work at the Roux Institute, Angell currently serves as a member of the board of trustees of the Maine Community College System.
Prior to joining the Roux Institute, Angell served as the deputy director of the Institute for Digital Engineering and Life Sciences (IDEALS), where she focused on bringing a new, world-class graduate school to Portland. She has also held positions at the District of Columbia Public Schools and Boston Public Schools, is a graduate of the Broad Residency in Urban Education, and served as a White House Fellow. Angell has an MBA from Columbia Business School, an MPA from Harvard’s Kennedy School, and an undergraduate degree in economics from Harvard University.
8. Molly Slotznick
Chief Operating Officer, Office of MaineCare Services, Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Molly Slotznick is the Chief Operating Officer in the Office of MaineCare Services of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. In her role, Molly oversees operations, compliance, provider services, contract management, change management, and care coordination. This includes the relationship with the fiscal agent for MaineCare (Maine’s Medicaid program), which provides health care coverage to 390,000 Maine residents, works with a network of more than 6,000 provider professionals, and operates a >$3B medical assistance budget and >$130M administrative budget.
Before joining the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Slotznick was a strategy and operations senior consultant for state and local government at Deloitte Consulting, and before that, a food justice and go! chefs facilitator at Children's Aid Society. Earlier in her career, she worked with the World Food Programme as a regional public information assistant. Slotznick graduated from Columbia with an MPA in development practice and from Princeton University with an undergraduate degree.
9. Janette Kirk
Chief of Federal Programs, State of Maine
Janette Kirk is the Chief of Federal Programs for the State of Maine. She first joined the organization in 2014 as ESEA director. Kirk is an international early childhood educator continuing her passion in the field of education through the oversight and implementation of the Title I program in the State of Maine. The purpose of Title I is to ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on challenging State academic achievement standards and state academic assessments.
Kris has volunteered as a team manager at the Pharma Hockey Association and as a fundraising chairperson at the Skating Association of Maine, where she had to coordinate fundraising initiatives for the hockey steering committee within the Skating Association of Maine.
Previously, she was a program specialist for outreach ministries at the Salvation Army. Kirk earned a master's degree in education from Cleveland State University and an undergraduate degree in primary education from Liverpool John Moores University.
10. Christina Barss
Chief Transformation Officer, Problem Solutions
Dr. Christina Barss, an accomplished executive, educator, and researcher, excels in Human-Centered AI Transformation, Organizational Change, and Design Thinking. With a deep understanding of Improvement Sciences, she has led transformative initiatives across healthcare, manufacturing, and education, emphasizing employee empowerment and adaptability in the face of change.
Notably, Dr. Barss was instrumental in redefining healthcare delivery at Cleveland Clinic, emphasizing patient-centered care as one of the first Lean/Six Sigma industrial engineers. Her tenure at Hitchiner Manufacturing demonstrated her adeptness in operational excellence and innovation in the metallurgy field.
Dr. Barss obtained her PhD in Organizational Development and Sustainable Systems Design from Case Western Reserve University. She holds a Master of Education, Instructional Design Technology, a Master of Science, Strategic Leadership, and a postgraduate certificate in Applied Positive Psychology.
As a speaker at various industry events and webinars, Dr. Barss shares her insights on strategic organizational development and the nuances of integrating AI and human-centric approaches, ensuring technology serves to enhance and uplift human potential.
11. Nichole Kelley-Sirois
Compensation Executive Director, Wells Fargo
Nichole Kelley-Sirois is a Compensation Executive Director for Wells Fargo. As a dedicated and results-driven Total Rewards, Compensation, and Risk executive, she brings a unique blend of collaboration, leadership, and expert strategy to the table. Her career has been defined by a commitment to making impactful decisions and fostering a culture of action and accountability.
With a 25-plus-year track record of success in building forward-thinking total rewards strategies, Kelley-Sirois has led and influenced large, complex, and globally distributed organizations. She has successfully balanced the needs of diverse employee groups, from corporate to front-line teams. Her approach is grounded in confidentiality and diplomacy, which has allowed her to build trust and partnerships across all levels of an organization.
Kelley-Sirois has previously served at Bank of America in a variety of executive roles. She earned her undergraduate degree in civil engineering from the University of Maine.
12. Marjorie Boles
Group Chief Information Officer, Sappi North America
Marjorie Boles began her professional career 24 years ago. Today, she is the Group Chief Information Officer of Sappi, a leading global provider of powerful everyday materials made from wood fiber-based renewable resources. Sappi works to build a thriving world by acting boldly to support the planet, people, and prosperity. Their products are manufactured from wood fiber sourced from sustainably managed forests and plantations in production facilities powered, in many cases, with bio-energy from steam and existing waste streams, and many of their operations are energy-self-sufficient.
Boles has specialized in customer-facing strategies and solutions as well as operational excellence initiatives, and large-scale implementation, including multiple acquisition integrations, business re-engineering initiatives, and major organizational restructurings with improved outcomes. She graduated from Babson F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business with an MBA in entrepreneurship and from Boston College with an undergraduate degree in economics and mathematics.
13. Keirstin Delano
SVP of Consumer Privacy and Data Management Business Strategy and Initiatives Manager, Bank of America
Keirstin Delano is the Senior Vice President of Consumer Privacy and Data Management Business Strategy and Initiatives Manager of Bank of America. With over 25 years of experience in Strategy Development, Data Analytics & Data Management, Risk Management, and Business Control, she is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of working in the banking industry. She graduated from Bradford College with an undergraduate degree in business administration and management.
14. Hilarie Schmalke
Vice President & Business Risk Officer, Citi
Hilarie Schmalke, with over 23 years of experience, currently serves as the Vice President and Business Risk Officer at Citi, a global institution dedicated to responsibly providing financial services for growth and economic progress. In her role, she contributes to Citi's mission of being a trusted partner to clients worldwide.
Beginning her career in 2000 as a development assistant at Love Heals, the Alison Gertz Foundation for AIDS Education, Schmalke later held key positions at Fountain House and TD, where she rose to the role of senior compliance analyst - retail cards and unsecured lending. A La Salle University graduate with a degree in economics, international studies, and political science, Schmalke combines her educational background with diverse professional experience, establishing herself as a seasoned leader in the financial industry.
15. Angela Drysdale
Divisional Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Infectious Disease, Abbott
Angela Drysdale is the Divisional Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for Infectious Diseases at Abbott. With two decades of expertise, Drysdale embarked on her healthcare odyssey in 2003 as a Clinical Operationalist Specialist at Millennium Pharmaceuticals during a pivotal era of transformation in the industry. Her trajectory soared as she assumed the role of Director of Clinical Affairs at Inverness Medical, where her influential presence persisted for a commendable eight years. A trailblazer in regulatory affairs, Drysdale then ascended to the position of VP of Regulatory Affairs, Infectious Diseases at Alere Inc., setting the stage for her current leadership at Abbott.
16. Kristie Demarco
Global Head of AML Operations, TD
Kristie Demarco began her professional career 25 years ago. Today, she is the Global Head of AML Operations at TD. TD is the sixth-largest bank in North America by branches and serves approximately 22 million customers in several locations in key financial centers around the globe. Over 85,000 TD employees represent the strongest team in banking.
Demarco is a self-motivated, analytical problem solver with a 25+ year record of achievement and demonstrated leadership. She has also succeeded in delivering multimillion-dollar initiatives while providing comprehensive leadership to large and diverse teams. Demarco is an excellent mentor and coach and also has an exceptional ability to forge strong relationships with internal and external business partners. She graduated from Cornell University with an undergraduate degree in hotel/motel administration/management.
17. Patricia Laughren
Vice President of Operations, Value-Based Strategies, Humana
Patricia Laughren began her professional career 29 years ago. Today, she is the Vice President of Operations, Value-Based Strategies, at Humana. The mission of Humana's Value-Based Strategies Department is to develop and deploy best practices and capabilities that assist their customers in creating successful value-based provider relationships with a focus on improving the provider experience and advancing value-based health care. Laughren is an executive-level leader with extensive experience in managed care network development, pay-for-performance reimbursement models, risk contracting, and digital population health management applications. She has proven expertise in the design and implementation of shared and full-risk accountable care networks.
Laughren first got her start in 1994 as a network manager at Aetna US Healthcare. From there, she went on to United Healthcare. Laughren graduated from Babson College with an undergraduate degree in finance and investments.
18. Robin Hodgskin
Senior Vice President, Family Wealth Director & Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley
Robin Hodgskin is a Senior Vice President and Family Wealth Director with Morgan Stanley. She has spent over 30 years as a financial advisor including 13 years as a branch manager. She has worked with clients to align their investments with their values to help with achieve financial goals and dreams.
Robin has developed her credentials including, Certified Financial Planner (CFP® ), Investing with Impact Director (IWID), and Financial Planning Specialist. She has also been awarded Forbes 2023 Top Women Advisors and Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams.
19. Kirsten Ismail
Senior Vice President of Wealth Management, UBS
Kirsten is a Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor with Argosy Wealth Management at UBS Financial Services. She began her career in the securities industry in 1995 with Merrill Lynch before joining Smith Barney in 1997. In 2009, she joined UBS Financial Services in Boston and last year joined the Argosy Wealth Management team located in her home state of Maine.
Kirsten works primarily with corporate executives and busy families to develop, implement, and monitor a financial plan reflective of their priorities and unique situations. Kirsten prides herself on her attention to detail and ability to listen carefully to her clients' needs. She believes that money touches every part of our lives. Therefore, it is essential to have a financial plan that adapts to the ever-changing world of finance and can adapt and evolve with each family's financial life needs, wants, and wishes. She believes successful financial planning is created and cultivated through continuous evaluation and good communication, and she pledges a lifelong dedication to helping her clients explore and realize their financial goals.
Kirsten obtained her CFP® certification in June of 2011. She is FINRA Series 7, 63 & 65 licensed. She also maintains her life insurance and variable annuity licenses in several states CA license # 0D89459. Kirsten is a cum laude graduate of the University of Maine in Orono.
Kirsten has been actively involved with the Financial Planning Association® for nearly 10 years. She served as the Chair for the FPA's Retreat Conference in 2019. Kirsten is actively engaged in her community. She currently serves as Secretary on the Board of Trustees of John Bapst Memorial High School. She also sits on the investment committee for the Bangor YMCA. She previously served as the Chair of the Steering Committee for the Bangor Region Leadership Institute and is a graduate of the Class of 2013.
20. Lauren Smedley
VP & Executive Creative Director, Fidelity Investments
Lauren Smedley began her professional career 16 years ago. Today, she is a VP and Executive Creative Director at Fidelity Investments. Fidelity’s goal is to make financial expertise broadly accessible and effective in helping people live the lives they want. Prior to joining Fidelity, Smedley served as a creative director for The VIA Agency. She graduated from the University of Miami with an undergraduate degree in communication and studied creative writing briefly at Harvard University.
21. Heather Higgins
Executive Director, IBM
Heather Higgins is a growth-minded entrepreneur and inspirational executive at IBM. She has served in global leadership roles during her 30-year tenure with a consistent focus on empowering C-Suite executives to capture business value through emerging technologies.
Today, Heather leads a world-class team of global IBM research scientists, industry domain and technical quantum experts working with pioneering enterprises who are preparing their organizations to capture business value with the arrival of quantum computing – a revolutionary computing paradigm that harnesses the laws of quantum mechanics to solve business and societal problems that are too complex for today's classical computers.
As quantum computing technology matures, the market is starting to expand from a research-centric era of discovery to a utility-centric era with a growing number of enterprise industry leaders around the world collaborating with IBM to design and develop industry workflows and applications of quantum to capture business utility. As a business thought leader within IBM Quantum, Heather is uniquely qualified to explain to C-Suite executives why the technology matters using real-world examples, to provide insight on the path to value associated with the technology, and to define skill gaps to be addressed across the global workforce.
While she is well known as a results-driven business leader who helps commercial clients advance their transformation agenda, she is equally passionate about giving back to her community and enjoys collaborating with local industry, academic, and government leaders across Maine to innovate and prepare the workforce of the future. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and spending time with her 5 children who are scattered across the United States in Alaska, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, and Massachusetts.
Heather is a proud alumni of Northeastern University in Boston Massachusetts where she earned an undergraduate degree in International Business Management and Management Information Systems.
22. Lydia Sy
Managing Director, Manpower Group
Lydia Sy is the Managing Director at Manpower, with responsibility for the operations of the Mid-Coast and Central Maine branches, including Augusta, Auburn, and Rockland. A 30-year veteran of the staffing industry, Lydia has a broad knowledge of human resources, including recruiting, staffing, workforce development, safety, training, management, and sales. Prior to joining Manpower, she was a small business owner in Central Maine and worked extensively in the restaurant industry.
Sy served as Chair of the Coastal Counties Workforce Investment Board, Past President of the Midcoast Human Resource Association, and is the current Director for the SHRM Maine State Council. In these roles as well as her position at Manpower, she works closely with small businesses and large corporations to develop workforce solutions and partnerships that effectively connect people to work.
Sy is a member of the Kennebec Valley Human Resource Association and a member of the Mid-Maine and Kennebec Valley Chambers. She has done volunteer work with JMG, Work Ready, and various youth and community agencies. Sy holds an undergraduate degree in business administration from Thomas College and resides in Waterville with her family.
23. Brock McCarthy
HR Business Partner & Vice President, Commerzbank AG
Brock McCarthy is a Vice President and Human Resources Partner at Commerzbank AG, She is an experienced Human Resources Business Partner with over 15 years working in the banking industry. She is known for her strong professional skills in employee relations, training and development, performance management, recruitment, compensation, organizational development, and professional coaching. McCarthy worked as a sales assistant at Oppenheimer & Co. before joining Commerzbank AG. She graduated from Gettysburg College with an undergraduate degree in philosophy.
24. Keri Simmons
Vice President & Lead HR Business Partner, Prudential Financial
Keri Simmons is a Vice President and Lead HR Business Partner at Prudential Financial. She first joined the company in 2007 as vice president of human resources. Prudential Financial is one of the world’s largest financial services institutions, offering individual and institutional clients a wide array of financial products and services. With operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, they are known for delivering on their promises to their customers and are recognized as a trusted brand and one of the world’s most admired companies. Simmons studied at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
25. Melissa Hynes
Vice President & Senior Product Marketing Partner in Unsecured Lending, Citizens
Melissa Hynes is a Vice President and Senior Product Marketing Partner for Unsecured Lending at Citizens. She first joined the company in 2013 as a VP and senior marketing partner in B2B and B2C. In her current role, Melissa supports consumer credit card Mastercard relationships and student lending content partnerships.
Previously, Hynes was a marketing manager of demand generation at Satmetrix Systems and, before that, a marketing campaign manager for Treasury Management Services at Wells Fargo. Earlier in her career, she worked with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt as a contract proofreader. Hynes earned an undergraduate degree in organizational communications from Northeastern University.
26. Allyson Casey
Head of Competitive Product Intelligence, Intuit
Allyson Casey is the Head of Competitive Product Intelligence at Intuit. She first joined the company in 2005 as an analyst relations manager. Casey is a strategist with a passion for using research and data to drive innovation and product and service improvement. She’s a customer-obsessed, a “big-picture thinker,” and a collaborative and authentic leader.
In her first 10 years at Intuit, she conceived, developed, and executed a strategic vision for Intuit’s Influencer Relations program. She also expanded Industry Analyst programs globally and led teams to scale customer relations and key association relationships. At Workday, Casey expanded her role to include driving strategy for multiple programs and leading the annual Technology Summit. Having returned to Intuit in 2021, she shifted focus to competitive intelligence and business development across their small business portfolio. Casey earned an undergraduate degree from Fairfield University.
27. Patricia Brigham
Chief Executive Director, Maine Society of CPAs
Patricia Brigham is the Chief Executive Director of the Maine Society of Certified Public Accountants. In her role, Patricia manages all aspects of the organization including marketing, communication and website management, operational policies & procedures, supervision of part-time subcontractors, continuing education seminars & event planning.
Previously, Patricia served as a finance and HR manager for k colette, and before that a manager of finance and administration for the Sam L. Cohen Foundation. She earned an undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Rhode Island and an MBA in finance from Babson College.
28. Lory Davis
Vice President & Head of Organizational Effectiveness, Prudential Financial
Lory Davis is a Vice President and Head of Organizational Effectiveness at Prudential Financial. She is a highly motivated, tenacious, and detail-oriented senior talent and OE professional with over 15 years of experience as a relationship manager, project manager, program designer, and respected leader. Lory is passionate about building a diverse talent and leadership pipeline at all levels. She is highly skilled at establishing, partnering, and cultivating relationships one-on-one, with mid-level and senior leaders as well as mid-level and executive teams and groups around a broad range of issues. She effectively creates alliances with clients, colleagues, and human resources business partners to provide high-end, value-added solutions that directly address business requirements and organizational effectiveness
Before joining Prudential Financial, Davis was a principal in OD consulting and talent development at L&D Consulting, and before that, a head of learning and development at Deutsche Bank. Earlier in her career, she worked with Citi as a training manager for institutional client training programs. Davis graduated from the University of Maryland with an undergraduate degree in psychology.
29. Sharon Underberg
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, IDEXX
Sharon Underberg embarked on a transformative journey with IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. in February 2019 as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Her strategic mindset resulted in her swiftly ascending the ranks by being elected as Executive Vice President in February 2022. In her role as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Underberg spearheads IDEXX’s global legal, compliance, and corporate governance functions. Prior to joining IDEXX, she dedicated 3 decades of her illustrious career to Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, NY. There, she served as General Counsel, Secretary, and Senior Vice President, unsurprisingly leaving an indelible mark on the company’s legal landscape. Additionally, she extends her influence as a director of the United Way of Southern Maine.
Underberg started her legal career in private practice in New York City, the place of her birth and upbringing. She received an undergraduate degree in political science from Brandeis University and a JD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law. Beyond the legal realm, she is the proud parent of two children and shares her life’s journey with her husband in the vibrant city of Portland. In her spare time, Underberg enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and exploring the fantastic Portland food scene.
30. Sarah Sheldon
Vice President and Head of Tax Legal, Lincoln Financial Group
Sarah Sheldon is a Vice President and Head of Tax Legal at Lincoln Financial Group. She first joined the company in 2021. Sarah is experienced in procedural, corporate, and international tax with both the private and public sectors. She was admitted to practice law in the State of California, before the US Tax Court, and as in-house counsel in the State of New York.
Previously, Sheldon was an assistant vice president and assistant tax counsel at MetLife and, before that, an attorney and chief counsel at the Internal Revenue Service. Sheldon earned an LLM in taxation from the University of San Diego School of Law, a JD in law from California Western School of Law, and an undergraduate degree in business administration and marketing from Miami University.
31. Nadine Weinberg
Partner & Global Technical Community Director, ERM
Nadine Weinberg is a Partner with ERM. Over her 25+ year career, Nadine has focused on working with chemical, manufacturing, and aerospace companies to solve their most challenging issues related to human health risk assessment, vapor intrusion, and emerging chemicals. Nadine has provided expert witness support for several vapor intrusion cases. Most recently, she co-authored the book Emerging Contaminants: Anticipating Developments.
Throughout her career, Nadine has been dedicated to technical excellence and ongoing learning. She extends this excitement to working with new staff. Over her career, Nadine has managed a department of risk assessors and managed staff at various career levels. She is currently actively involved in a Women's Employee Resource Group and mentors junior staff to help support their careers.
32. Karen Andreasen
Head of Supplemental Underwriting, Guardian Life
Karen Andreasen is the Head of Supplemental Underwriting at Guardian Life. With over 160 years of stability and fiscal integrity, Guardian is a trusted resource for generations of families and business owners, inspiring well-being and helping build financial confidence. Today, they stand behind 29 million consumers, helping them prepare and plan for a bright future for themselves and their families. Andreasen has 32 years of experience. She began her career in 1991.
Before joining Guardian Life, Andreasen was an associate director of worksite underwriting at Sun Life Financial and, before that, a director of voluntary benefits large case acquisition at Unum. Andreasen graduated from Boston University with an undergraduate degree in communications.
33. Jennifer Deburro
Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, University of New England
Jennifer Deburro serves as the Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students at the University of New England. She initially joined the company in 2005 as the coordinator of campus life and activities. The University of New England is Maine’s largest private university, an innovative educational community with two distinctive coastal Maine campuses, a vibrant new campus in Tangier, Morocco, and a robust offering of degree and certificate programs online.
Before her current role, Deburro held positions of increasing responsibility in the academic realm. She was an area coordinator at Merrimack College and, preceding that, a reach-out center director at Assumption College. Deburro has earned her EdD in educational leadership and administration from the University of New England, reflecting her commitment to advancing in the field. Additionally, she holds an MEd in higher education administration from Suffolk University and received her undergraduate degree in sociology from Assumption University.
Deburro is fiercely passionate about providing social and educationally rich opportunities to holistically support the development of emerging adults on the college campus. Demonstrating unparalleled efficiency in multitasking, delegation, and the professional development of student affairs professionals, she has been an invited speaker and conference presenter on diverse topics such as generational differences in the workplace, change management, imposter syndrome, and leading from the middle. As a proud member of NASPA, Student Affairs Leaders in Higher Education, she has contributed to the organization in various capacities, including the role of National Volunteer Coordinator and, most recently, as the Regional Director from 2018 to 2020. Deburro finds genuine joy in mentoring graduate students and professionals in the field, as she relishes the opportunity to effect transformational change in the lives of college-going students.
34. Robin Woodcock
Head of Communications & Public Relations, Toast
Robin Woodcock is the Head of Communications and Public Relations at Toast. She first joined the company in 2022 as director of corporate communications. Toast empowers restaurants of all sizes to build great teams, increase revenue, improve operations, and delight guests. They pair their deep understanding of the restaurant industry with powerful cloud-based software and restaurant-grade hardware to deliver an intuitive, all-in-one platform across point of sale, guest marketing, digital ordering and delivery, payroll, and HR.
Previously, Woodcock was a global strategic growth marketer at IDEXX and, before that, a senior manager of brand and corporate communications at EnerNOC. Earlier in her career, she worked with Spitfire as a senior account executive. Woodcock earned an MBA in marketing, general management, corporate responsibility, and sustainability from Georgetown University McDonough School of Business and an undergraduate degree in English from Dartmouth College. Woodcock has also volunteered as a board member of the Maine Public Relations Council and Goodwill Northern New England earlier in her career.
35. Leah Stevens
Head of Project Management Office, Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC
Leah Stevens began her professional career 18 years ago. Today, she is the Head of the Project Management Office at Dechra PharmPasquerilloaceuticals PLC. Dechra is an international specialist in the veterinary pharmaceuticals and related products business. Their expertise is in the development, manufacture, and sales of high-quality products exclusively for veterinarians worldwide. They have sales and marketing organizations in 26 countries and market their products in 63 other countries worldwide through distributors or marketing partners.
Stevens first got her start in 2005 as an office manager at Coldwell Banker. From there, she went on to Allgood Mortgage before eventually rising to project and procurement associate at TRC Companies, Inc., her most recent position before joining Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC. Stevens graduated from the George Washington University School of Business with an MBA in information systems and from the University of Southern Maine School of Business with an undergraduate degree in marketing.
36. Michelle Pasquerillo
Vice President and Head of Bank Channel Strategy, Bottomline
Michelle Pasquerillo is the Vice President and Head of Bank Channel Strategy at Bottomline. She first joined the company in 2009 as a customer support and risk manager. In her role, Michelle partners with financial institutions to provide their clients with a suite of payables solutions that assist organizations with achieving their automation and financial goals, while reducing fraud exposure.
Previously, Pasquerillo was a client fulfillment manager at Bank of America and, before that, a teleservices manager at MBNA/Bank of America. Pasquerillo earned an undergraduate degree in business administration and management from the University of Southern Maine.
37. Kayla Zagieboylo
Head of Data Analytics & Implementation, MilliporeSigma
Kayla Zagieboylo's professional career began 15 years ago. Today, she serves as MilliporeSigma's Head of Data Analytics & Implementation. MilliporeSigma offers consultative services to help customers optimize their workflows and overcome complex challenges in areas of life science research. Zagieboylo previously served as a senior communications specialist for John Hancock Financial Services. She earned an undergraduate degree in business finance from Southern New Hampshire University.
38. Leah Polcar
Senior Director of Emerging Opportunities, Healthcare Economics Product Analytics, Optum
Leah Polcar is a Senior Director of Emerging Opportunities at Optum. She is an analytics subject matter expert and leader with extensive experience in advanced analytics, applied statistics (biostatistics) and methodology, data science, process/operations improvement, strategic thinking, critical thinking, and communication skills. Optum, part of the UnitedHealth Group family of businesses, is powering modern health care by connecting and serving the whole health system across 150 countries. They combine cutting-edge technology, the world’s largest healthcare database, and vast expertise to improve healthcare delivery, quality, and efficiency. Polcar has 21 years of experience. She began her career in 2002.
Before joining Optum, Polcar was a director of medical analytics at Magellan Health and, before that, a senior operations analyst at Arbitron. Earlier in her career, she worked at the University of Amsterdam as an associate professor. Polcar graduated from the University of Arizona with a PhD in communication and cognitive science and from Loyola University Chicago with an undergraduate degree in English.
39. Emily Saucier
Executive Director, Genesis
Emily Saucier is an Executive Director with Genesis. She began her career with the company in 2017 as an assistant executive director. Genesis HealthCare, which has been a leading provider of care since 1985, is a holding company that is composed of subsidiaries that, when united, offer their services to senior living communities and skilled nursing facilities. Additionally, Genesis is an expert in the fields of contract rehabilitation therapy, respiratory therapy, physician services, staffing services, and accountable care. Saucier attended the University of Southern Maine, where she received both an undergraduate degree in health fitness and a Master of Public Health degree in healthcare management.
40. Kivalena Starr
Senior Director & US Firmwide Communications Leader, PwC
Kivalena Starr began her professional career 18 years ago. Today, she is the Senior Director and US Firmwide Communications Leader of PwC. Kiva's career has been spent at the intersection of purpose & business strategy, focused on elevating the impact and driving the reputation of purpose-led organizations.
At PwC, Kiva sits on the Communications Leadership team and is responsible for promoting and protecting the reputation of the firm. This includes leading all firmwide communications, internal & external comms for the talent acquisition function, as well as the firm's commitment to purpose, societal equity, DEI, climate & sustainability, and CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion. This also includes the leadership and oversight of 18 direct reports.
Kiva has extensive integrated marketing communications experience and a proven track record in global brand building, purpose-led communications, campaign development, stakeholder engagement, ESG reporting, and issues management. Throughout her 15+ years on the agency side, Kiva advised a variety of Fortune 100 executives on the development and execution of award winning US and global purpose-led marketing and communications campaigns. Her past clients include PayPal, UPS, Visa Inc., Deloitte, Procter & Gamble, The Kellogg Company, Honda Motor Company, The Walt Disney Company, and many others.
41. Michelle Trudo
Senior Director of Product Design, ServiceNow
Michelle Trudo is a mindful executive leader who advocates for a human-centered approach to designing and building products for complex workflows. Notably, she believes in creating a human-centered culture through mindsets, behaviors, and education. She is a true advocate for focusing on humans with true empathy and being an active listener. A firm believer in qualitative data and user insights, Trudo is well recognized for creating meaningful products and services in collaboration with design leadership and business leaders.
Trudo brings a wealth of experience to the table, having worked with enterprise organizations on their digital and design transformation journey by tackling all the top organizational challenges: education and training, building diverse teams, scaling skills and education, ethical practices, and processes at scale. Adding to her impressive portfolio, she has spent over 14 years as an assistant professor, contributing her extensive knowledge and insights to colleges and universities across the country.
42. Kaitlin Dumont
Director of Workforce Learning Innovation, Kaplan
Kaitlin Dumont’s expertise lies at the intersection of higher education and workforce learning. Currently, in her role as head of workforce learning innovation at Kaplan, she partners with an ecosystem of stakeholders ranging from senior university leaders to corporate learning executives and state government officials. Her focus is on scaling Kaplan’s impact at this strategic nexus, particularly in areas such as work-based learning, career readiness, and integrated credential degrees, known as Credegrees. Dumont has been featured in several publications, including Inside Higher Ed and Education Technology Insights. She recently took center stage as a speaker and member of the host committee at StartEd’s 2023 EdTech Week in New York City, further solidifying her influential presence in the education technology landscape.
Prior to joining Kaplan, Dumont played an instrumental role in shaping executive development programs at 2 of the most prestigious institutions: the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and Harvard Business School. As an advisor, she worked closely with C-Suite executives and Fortune 500 corporations, offering strategic guidance on learning and development priorities. Crucially, she led the charge in curating flagship portfolios of residential executive programs and spearheaded the launch of innovative online initiatives, ensuring the delivery of top-notch learning experiences. Dumont completed her undergraduate studies at Tufts University and holds an MBA from the Questrom School of Business at Boston University, as well as an Instructional Designer Certificate from the Online Learning Consortium. She currently lives in Lewiston, Maine, where she shares her life with her husband and two children.
43. Caroline Buzanoski
Director of Global Benefits, ADP
Caroline Buzanoski is the Director of Global Benefits at ADP. Buzanoski's ascent within ADP over 12 years, from an account manager to her current role, reflects her unwavering dedication and robust work ethic. Renowned for its history of providing cutting-edge solutions to human resource challenges, ADP goes beyond conventional approaches. The company’s mission is to constantly think forward and take empowering actions that can shape the changing world of work.
Buzanoski’s professional journey began in 2004 as a marketing assistant at Bertucci's corporate headquarters. From there, she went on to Fidelity Investments, eventually rising to the position of team lead at Mercer. Buzanoski graduated from Clark University with an MBA in management and from Bentley University with an undergraduate degree in managerial economics.
44. Susan Baker
Senior Director, Global Product Readiness Program Management, Salesforce
Susan Baker is the Senior Director of the Global Product Readiness Program Management at Salesforce. She is an emerging expert in Cloud technology and innovation, dedicated to enhancing customer experiences and empowering stakeholders to think creatively. She advocates for customer satisfaction daily, encouraging innovative approaches that optimize experiences while keeping a sharp focus on cost efficiency. With extensive expertise in digital engagement, product adoption, go-to-market strategies, operations, and digital transformation, Susan serves as a visionary catalyst for enduring change. She empowers customer delivery and product teams through data-driven insights, driving impactful transformations. She’s a relentless advocate for continuous improvement, reshaping challenges into viable and profitable solutions. Susan’s exceptional acumen enables her to push the boundaries of what's achievable, constantly redefining what's possible.
Before joining Salesforce, Baker was a manager of the growth and optimization team at Demandware, a Salesforce company, and before that, a web content production manager at L.L. Bean. She graduated from the University of Maine with an undergraduate degree in business administration.
45. Jennifer Fix
Senior Director of Product Management, Nordstrom
Jennifer Fix is the Senior Director of Product Management, Merchandising, Credit, Loyalty, and Marketing at Nordstrom. Nordstrom empowers employees to set their sights high and blaze their own trails. This is a place where clients’ success and growth are truly a result of clients’ efforts and achievements. Fix has 16 years of experience. She began her career in 2007.
Before joining Nordstrom, Fix was a director of product at Brightwell and before that a manager of The Home Depot. Earlier in her career she worked with Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art as a marketing and public relations associate. Fix graduated from Auburn University with an MBA and from the University of Florida with an undergraduate degree in public relations and psychology.
46. Kathryn Connolly
Director, Service Excellence | Human Resources at WEX, WEX Inc.
Kathryn Connolly is a leader in the Global Talent Development Team at WEX, supporting the operational learning strategy for the Global Service Organization. As part of the Human Resources Organization, she leads the learning team that champions the sharing of knowledge and information throughout the organization. Connolly’s role involves creating and disseminating information to ensure the seamless exchange of the organization's skills and experiences among all members. In essence, she is the architect behind strategies that harmonize learning activities with business objectives and strategic initiatives.
Connolly believes that the bedrock principles of knowledge sharing and aligning learning with strategy are essential in catalyzing cultural change, improving performance, and providing world-class learning solutions to gain competitive advantages.
Connolly’s educational journey reflects her commitment to excellence, holding a master of arts in adult education and instructional design from the University of Phoenix, an undergraduate degree in applied technical leadership from the University of Maine, and an associate of science in hotel restaurant management from Endicott College. Furthermore, Connolly is a lifelong learner and has received a Chief Learning Officer Certification from George Mason University as well as a Project Management Certification from the University of New England early in her career.
47. Jill Parker
Senior Director, Capital One
Jill Parker holds the position of Senior Director at Capital One. In her role, she leads customer-facing operations for Capital One Trade Credit including Customer Service, Cash Application, Credit & Collections. She’s known for her strategic and tactical leadership of high-growth operations. She leads a team of over 200 agents across multiple geographies
Prior to joining Capital One, Parker served as an executive director at Athenahealth and as a chief inspiration officer at Inspireal Maine. She started her professional life in 1993, and she has thirty years of experience. She attended Simmons University and received a degree in strategic leadership that she obtained.
48. Allison Foster
Senior Director Business Lines Profitability Analytics, Liberty Mutual Insurance
Allison Foster began her professional career 20 years ago. Today, she is the Senior Director of Business Lines Profitability Analytics at Liberty Mutual Insurance. She first joined the company in 2021 as a distribution planning and analytics lead. Foster first got her start in 2003 as a finance leadership development program at Travelers Insurance. From there, she went on to The Hanover Insurance Group. Foster graduated from Bentley University with an undergraduate degree in economics and finance.
49. Martha Lloyd
Senior Director of Human Resources Business Partnerships & Employee Relations, Elanco
Martha Lloyd is the Senior Director of Human Resources, Business Partnerships, and Employee Relations at Elanco. She first joined the company in 2015 as a senior associate in HR. Elanco works to improve the health of animals through innovative products and services for pets and farm animals around the world. As a global animal health company, they provide solutions that empower their customers to advance a vision of food and companionship enriching life. Since 1954, Elanco has committed to empowering veterinarians, farmers, and all those who care for animals with the tools they need to help animals live healthy lives.
Previously, Lloyd was a human resources specialist at Lohmann Animal Health and, before that, a branch office administrator at Edward Jones. Lloyd earned an MBA from Thomas College and an undergraduate degree in photography from the University of Oregon.
50. Anna O'Connell
Senior Director & People Business Partner, Corporate, AVANGRID
Anna O'Connell is a Senior Director and People Business Partner at AVANGRID. She first joined the company in 2014 as a manager in labor relations. Avangrid, a leading sustainable energy company headquartered in Orange, CT, is propelling America toward a clean and connected future, boasting a robust presence in 24 states with $40 billion in assets. Its primary businesses are Networks, which serves 3.3 million electric and natural gas customers in the Northeast, and Renewables, the third-largest renewable energy company in the US with a diverse onshore and offshore renewable energy portfolio.
O'Connell previously served as a lead advisor in labor relations at Iberdrola USA and, before that, as a labor relations manager at the University of Southern Maine. Earlier in her career, she served the City of Cambridge in the realm of employment and labor relations. O'Connell earned a JD in law from New England Law, Boston, and an undergraduate degree in political science from Presbyterian College.