Women We Admire is pleased to announce Top Women Leaders for 2024. Throughout history, women have been instrumental in driving progress in a wide number of fields. In modern times, the presence and recognition of professional women in leadership roles have significantly increased across many industries, including academics, government, healthcare, technology, retail, professional services, and many more.
These recognized leaders bring fresh perspectives, unwavering determination, and innovative leadership approaches to organizations and teams. Their contributions are a positive step toward gender equity as they inspire future generations of women leaders.
We recognize the storied career of healthcare executive, Monica Simmonds. In her current role as Director of Health Programs Implementation at Walmart, Simmonds leverages her expertise in public health and managed care to promote health equity and reduce social determinants of health barriers.
We also honor the achievements of marketing leader Sheba Roy. As the Director of Global Solutions Marketing at Equinix, Roy drives the growth and strategy of the Fortune 500 company’s AI and compute portfolio on a global scale.
Finally, we extend our honors to healthcare professional, Tina Chakrabarty, the Global VP and Head of Data Governance at Sanofi Pharmaceutical. With 2 decades of experience, she is a visionary leader in the field of data governance and digital transformation.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of Top Women Leaders for 2024.
Ronicka Briscoe
CEO, Winning on the Road, LLC
Ronicka Briscoe brings nearly two decades of professional experience to her work. She has been recognized as a 2023 Xavier University of Louisiana 40 under 40 Honoree, as the 2022 New Orleans City Business Woman of the Year, as the 2023 Teach for America Community Leader of the Year, and as a University of Holy Cross Community Service Award recipient. As an interdisciplinary scholar, Briscoe has formally studied political science, public administration (nonprofit management), and business, and she holds a PhD in Executive Leadership with a focus on Women in Leadership. Her career in education includes working as a teacher, university professor, administrator, consultant, and strategist.
Briscoe is actively involved in promoting positive and sustainable community change through board service in the following organizations: President-Elect Loyola University’s Women’s Leadership Academy Alumni Advisory, 826 New Orleans (immediate past president), 826 National, Parent Leadership Training Institute’s Civic Design Team, Teach for America Alumni Advisory (co-chair), and Faculty Women of Color in the Academy Advisory.
As the CEO of Winning on the Road, LLC, Briscoe leads as the principal researcher, consultant, and facilitator. She supports leaders and organizations nationwide as a strategist, executive coach, and expert facilitator, traveling the country as a speaker, presenter, panelist, and coalition builder. Additionally, Briscoe is a Gallup-certified Strengths Coach and MBTI Certified.
Tina Chakrabarty
Global VP & Head of Data Governance, Sanofi Pharmaceutical
Tina Chakrabarty is a visionary leader in the field of data governance and digital transformation. With over two decades of experience, Tina has established herself as a trailblazer in leveraging data as a strategic asset to drive innovation and business growth.
Currently serving as the Global VP - Head of Data Governance at Sanofi, Tina leads the development and implementation of comprehensive data governance frameworks. Her strategic initiatives have optimized operational efficiency, improved decision-making processes, and fostered innovation within the organization.
Tina's commitment to mentoring and empowering women is evident in her establishment of mentorship circles within Sanofi and active participation in external programs like Women in Technology, Women We Admire, Girls Who Code, and Women of Influence. Through these initiatives, she shares her expertise and serves as an inspirational figure, encouraging aspiring female professionals to pursue careers in technology and data-related fields.
She serves on the advisory board of the Standards Council of Canada, a federal crown corporation that worked with the Prime Minister’s Office of Canada in defining the data governance roadmap of Canada’s digital assets. She is also the most reputed and sought-after speaker at data and AI conferences and events. She has won numerous accolades and has recently been listed under the 40-under-40 list in Canada by Business professionals. She has been invited as a dignitary member of the Forbes Technology Council. She has won numerous accolades in the field of data and AI, and has been recently named in the elite list of AI150, by Constellation Research, Inc. along with the world's top global executives leading AI transformation efforts across the globe.
As a sought-after speaker and thought leader and has been invited to several reputed conferences as the Key opening speaker or panelist. Tina has made significant contributions to advancing diversity and inclusion in the technology industry. She has received numerous accolades and awards for her advocacy work and professional achievements, including recognition from national and international women's networking groups.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Tina is dedicated to community engagement and philanthropy. She actively supports educational initiatives aimed at encouraging young women to explore careers in technology and data and participates in various community organizations and charitable causes. She has been named in the list of 100 most powerful women by WXN in the year 2021.
Tina's visionary leadership, unwavering dedication to mentoring and empowering women, advocacy for diversity and inclusion, and commitment to community engagement make her a standout figure in the technology industry. Her impact transcends organizational boundaries, inspiring others and paving the way for future generations of leaders.
Sheba Roy
Director, Global Solutions Marketing, AI & Compute, Equinix
Sheba Roy has been named a top marketer by Forbes as the creative and bold mind rewriting the rules of brand engagement. In her current role as the Director of Global Solutions Marketing at a Fortune 500 company, she drives the growth and strategy of Equinix's AI and compute portfolio on a global scale.
Previously as Head of Business Product Marketing for North America, Roy led the go-to-market strategy for Meta’s digital advertising products (Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp). Before Meta, she was the global product and partner marketing lead at Google Cloud and partnered with some of the world’s largest technology companies to bring the power of the cloud to businesses around the world.
Roy has also worked for renowned companies, such as Dell, Fujitsu, Synyder’s-Lance, and The Walt Disney Company. Her passion for product and marketing started at a young age when she joined Y Combinator-backed startup Munch On Me as their youngest partner. She currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family and enjoys traveling, volunteering, public speaking, and learning new languages.
Erica Samalis
Senior Human Resources Business Partner, Children's National Hospital
Erica Samalis is a seasoned and passionate leader with over a decade of experience in the healthcare industry, striving to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare services and operations. At Children's National Hospital, her role as Senior Human Resources Business Partner revolves around spearheading strategic initiatives that enhance the patient and employee experience across the health system. With a specialized Lean Healthcare Certificate and skills in process improvement, she has facilitated the integration of Lean principles to significantly uplift operational efficiency. Her tenure has also included a pivotal interim managerial position in occupational health, reinforcing her versatility and commitment to organizational well-being.
Her commitment to efficiency is coupled with a dedication to cultivating an inclusive atmosphere and driving forward-thinking progress in the healthcare sector. Beyond her operational focus, Samalis serves as a board member of Women in Healthcare, DC Chapter, where she promotes professional growth for women in the sector.
Her tenure in healthcare management is marked by a dedication to fostering an inclusive environment and pursuing progressive advancements within the field. Her efforts are centered on continuous improvement, with a clear vision of advancing healthcare management and fostering a culture of excellence that is reflected in every facet of her work. These collective efforts underscore her passion for nurturing a culture of growth and inclusivity in healthcare.
Ideneth Vega
SVP, Strategy, Revenue Growth & Marketing, Zurvita
Ideneth Vega is the SVP of Strategy, Revenue Growth, and Marketing of Zurvita. Zurvita’s line of wellness products supports a healthy lifestyle for people of all ages. In addition to health and wellness drinks and supplements, the company provides opportunities for individuals who are interested in sharing the product with friends and family.
As a seasoned sales and marketing senior executive fluent in multiple languages, Vega brings over 20 years of comprehensive experience leading initiatives that drive domestic and international market success. Her career has been defined by a combination of strategic foresight and hands-on expertise in strategy development, branding, sales, profit and loss management, product development, omnichannel distribution, and branding.
Vega started her career in 2001 as an executive director and national trainer at BeautiControl. From there, she went on to Belcorp, before eventually rising to head of sales development and field marketing at Ever Skincare at Stella & Dot, her most recent position before joining Zurvita. Vega graduated from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University with a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management and Marketing and from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, with an undergraduate degree in social sciences- psychology.
Lindsey Cavallaro
Vice President, Department Manager Environmental Planning & Permitting, AECOM
Lindsey Cavallaro is a Vice President at AECOM, the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm. She is an engaged leader and successful environmental consultant with more than 20 years of experience, including senior-level management of large and diverse teams of technical professionals.
Cavallaro leads with vision, passion for the work, and a high level of accountability for herself and her teams. Her background includes client account management, oversight of multi-year, multi-million dollar on-call environmental services contracts, and management of large-scale environmental compliance projects, complex habitat restoration programs, and multifaceted impact assessment and conservation planning for natural resources. She possesses a comprehensive understanding of pertinent state and federal environmental laws and regulations, deep knowledge of local natural resources, and long-standing working relationships with numerous resource agencies, utilities, and jurisdictions throughout Southern California.
Cavallaro brings a strong foundation of business acumen and operations experience and a successful track record of developing and implementing marketing and business development strategies.
Monica Simmonds
Director, Health Equity Program Implementation, Walmart
Monica Simmonds is an experienced public health and implementation healthcare professional with experience providing analytics and consulting for leaders and companies at all levels across the nation. In her current role as Director of Health Programs Implementation at Walmart, she leverages her expertise in public health, health equity, strategic partnership, program implementation, healthcare analytics, managed care, and evaluation/research to promote health equity by reducing social determinants of health (SDoH) barriers.
Simmonds has successfully piloted a series of community activations at over 20 stores in six states with innovative brands impacting over 15,000 customers, featuring over 50 national and community-based organizations leveraging retailtainment and educational features. Additionally, Simmonds has worked for managed care organizations leading analytics teams and initiatives, where she identified $12 million in verified cost savings opportunities, established health policy analytics initiatives, and conducted healthcare utilization and cost analyses of millions of members. Previously, she worked as a director at LexisNexis, where she led consulting services, provided thought leadership, established social determinants of health consulting frameworks, and supported client and business development initiatives support to drive value. She also worked as a clinical business innovations consultant at Humana, conducting national member-centric and provider value-based data analyses leveraging claims, care management, behavior segmentation, and operational data. She has worked in nonprofit organizations, managed care organizations, and academic settings and helped to establish internal and external strategic partnerships to drive initiatives forward.
Simmonds holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Education with a specialization in Community Health and a minor in Communication Studies from the University of Florida. She holds a Master of Science in Public Health with a concentration in Behavioral Health from the University of South Florida and a Graduate Certificate in Translational Research in Adolescent Behavioral Health.
Hanna Grene
Global Energy Industry GTM & Operations Leader, Microsoft
Hanna Grene is an energy and technology executive, leading Global Go to Market for the Energy and Resources Industry at Microsoft. Grene teams up with leaders across the Microsoft organization to support partners, and the largest power and utility, oil and gas, and mining companies in the world with their digital transformation, leveraging data and AI-powered solutions and advancing the energy transition.
Grene previously served as chief commercial officer for PXiSE Energy Solutions, a high-growth grid software start-up with investment from Sempra Energy. As CCO, she built a global sales, marketing, and channel partnerships organization that secured 1 GW of projects within three years, positioning the company for acquisition by Yokogawa. She has worked with governments and Fortune 500 companies worldwide to develop policies and projects valued at over $50 billion that accelerate investment in EVs, storage, grid resilience, and renewable energy.
Grene is a recipient of the 40 Under 40 Business Leader award in San Diego and was recognized as a 2022 Women in Smart Energy Industry Leader. She has been featured as a thought leader on energy transition and AI topics by IEEE, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, CERAWeek, and Carbon Copy. She is a board member for GridWise and GridForward and has served on the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Board. She is an adviser to the International Energy Agency. Grene holds an MBA from the University of California San Diego Rady School of Management and is based in San Diego, CA, where she lives with her husband and son. She enjoys traveling, hiking, cooking for her friends and family, and riding horses.
Sarah Clark Hopfer
Strategic Marketing Senior Director | Mid-Atlantic, Forvis Mazars US
Leading the charge as Strategic Marketing Senior Manager, Sarah’s forte lies in orchestrating marketing campaigns that resonate with the Mid-Atlantic region which spans from Charlotte, NC to Washington, DC. Weaving together over 18 years of marketing acumen, her expertise in communications and business development fuels the creation of innovative strategies that propel the brand forward. Sarah is committed to nurturing growth for both clients and colleagues alike, fostering a culture where strategic vision and creative execution align seamlessly.
At the core of her professional ethos is a profound dedication to community and innovation. Sarah’s leadership style is characterized by collaborative spirit and strategic direction, where transparent communication and trust form the bedrock of success. Together with a talented team of marketing and business development professionals, Sarah has successfully executed comprehensive campaigns, contributing to the firm's reputation as a pillar of marketing excellence.
Before joining Forvis, Hopfer was a self-employed virtual marketing director and campaign strategist. Before that, she was a marketing manager at RSM US LLP. Earlier in her career, she worked with AirTight Mechanical as a sales rock star and marketing diva. Hopfer graduated from the College of Charleston with an undergraduate degree in business administration and marketing.
Djenita Svinjar
Partner, BBG Construction Law
Djenita Svinjar is a Partner at Beltzer Bangert & Gunnell LLP (BBG Construction Law), where she focuses her practice on assisting her commercial clients with drafting, reviewing, and negotiating multimillion-dollar construction contracts and external general counsel matters.
Svinjar began her legal career as in-house counsel for one of the country’s largest title insurance companies, providing legal support for title curative matters through claims resolution, litigation management, and foreclosure assistance for insured homeowners and sophisticated lenders alike. Afterward, Svinjar spent several years as corporate counsel for one of the nation’s largest general contractors, assisting with various matters, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating multimillion-dollar prime contracts using various methods of project delivery, resolution of mechanic’s lien disputes, and federal audit compliance for Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.
Svinjar is passionate about community involvement and serves on the boards of the Denver Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction, the Law Committee of the Board of Law Examiners for the Colorado Supreme Court, and the United States Board of Advisors for Women for Women International, an international nonprofit dedicated to assisting women in war-torn countries in various areas of the world.
Rekha Venkatakrishnan
Director of Product, Chime
Rekha Venkatakrishnan is a seasoned product and technology leader with over two decades of experience in the field of science and technology. She is currently head of product at Chime focused on customer experience and consumer products. Prior to Chime, she had held product leadership roles at Amazon, Tacobell, Walmart and Fortune 500’s.
Rekha’s experience includes but is not limited to building B2C and B2B products. She is a core believer in building simple yet delightful products with seamless experiences that help win both customers and businesses.
Rekha champions the cause of Women in Tech, Data, and Products. As a fervent advocate, she founded Women in Product chapters in the San Francisco – Tri-Valley area, extending her support to budding talents and seasoned professionals alike. Her mentorship spans from guiding early-career individuals seeking breakthroughs to advising senior leaders in product management.
Rekha has also served as a Global Advisor with How Women Lead, mentoring non-profit tech startups, facilitating their growth and scalability. Her involvement in communities like Forbes Women and advisory roles in Harvard Business Advisory Council and global product management awards board demonstrates her commitment to driving substantive change.
Alina Panas
CFO & COO, 4P Strategies
Alina Panas serves as Chief Financial & Operations Officer at The Mixx and Titanium Worldwide, bringing over 25 years of expertise in finance and operations for SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises). Her leadership highlights the significant influence women can have in senior roles. Alina's impact is evident in her promotion of a functional and inclusive culture, proving that women can shape industries regardless of company size.
Beyond her executive roles, Alina is dedicated to empowering women financially. She sits on the Board of Directors for Savvy Ladies, providing free financial education to women, and is a founding member, investor, and board advisor at The Fourth Effect, focusing on closing gender gaps in power, wealth, and funding. As a member of Chief, she continuously refines her leadership skills and contributes to this influential network of executive women.
Her holistic approach prioritizes team well-being and customer satisfaction, employing innovative, purposeful, and adaptive strategies. These strategies are rooted in four key principles: people, profit, purpose, and performance. Alina emphasizes people over profits, maintaining transparent communication with her team and focusing on sustainable business practices and employee welfare. Her commitment aligns with B Corporation's principle of equity, extending her duties beyond traditional CFO responsibilities.
Since joining The Mixx, Alina has redefined success to include profit and positive impact, achieving a 300% increase in operating profits and securing B Corporation certification. She introduced the Four-Day Work Week (4DWW), which improved employee well-being and productivity. This innovative approach, focusing on productivity over busyness, extended beyond its initial pilot, reinforcing her "people first, profits follow" philosophy. Alina's leadership sets The Mixx apart in the industry, highlighting the importance of team morale and well-being for success.
Victoria Zelefsky
Vice President, Communications, Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation
With over a decade of experience in communications and marketing, Victoria Zelefsky is a seasoned professional specializing in growth marketing, crafting multi-channel digital strategies, managing complex communications strategies and dissemination, and spearheading social media campaigns for multimillion-dollar companies. Currently, Victoria serves as the Vice President of Communications for the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation in Annapolis. In this role, she leads internal and external communications, public and government relations, public policy, event planning, and all brand marketing strategies as AAEDC enters a new phase of growth.
Prior to joining AAEDC, she was the Director of Brand and Communications at The Menkiti Group, where she directed all marketing and public relations initiatives for the enterprise, including both The Menkiti Group and Keller Williams Capital Properties.
Victoria is a member and featured writer for the exclusive Forbes Communications Council, where she shares her insights and expertise on marketing and communications topics. Additionally, she serves as the Creative Director for Kurv Agency, a national digital marketing agency, overseeing content creation, approval, and distribution for major clients.
Passionate about creating impactful and compelling content that engages and informs audiences, Victoria also excels in leading and developing talented teams of marketers. She has been recognized as a 2022 Top Women Leader in Maryland by Women We Admire, an Acquisition International Influential Businesswoman of the Year, and was an Inman Innovator finalist for a marketing campaign she spearheaded about Women’s History Month.
As a classically trained opera singer, Victoria earned a master’s degree in music from the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University, and a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Northern Colorado. Today, she continues to perform across Maryland and has made regular appearances each year as the national anthem singer for the Baltimore Orioles since 2015.
Keisha Raspberry
CFO, Teremana Tequila
Keisha Raspberry currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Teremana Tequila, where she plays a pivotal role in overseeing the financial operations and strategic planning initiatives of one of the fastest-growing tequila brands in history. Prior to joining Teremana, Keisha held the position of Vice President, Finance & Strategy for the US & Canada at Brown-Forman, a global leader in premium spirits. In this capacity, she spearheaded financial operations and led revenue growth management strategies for the company's largest region.
With a wealth of experience spanning over 18 years in accounting, finance, and strategy, Keisha has held expansive roles at MillerCoors, Texas Roadhouse, Lexmark International, and Brown-Forman. Her diverse industry experience has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics and a strategic mindset essential for driving business success. Keisha is an empathetic leader and mentor, a holistic thinker, and a passionate champion for diversity, equity & inclusion.
Keisha is a proud alumna of the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business & Economics, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She currently serves on the Gatton College Finance Advisory Board. Keisha also holds an MBA from Bellarmine University.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Keisha finds great joy in her role as a wife and mother. She currently resides in Atlanta, GA, with her husband and their three sons.
Karen Bannister
Vice President, Marketing, Centurion Asset Management Inc.
Karen is a Chartered Marketing Executive with over 20 years of experience in marketing, communications, and brand management within diverse industry-leading organizations including Manulife, Colliers International, and Scotiabank's MD Financial. Karen currently serves as the Vice President of Marketing at Centurion Asset Management Inc., Canada’s largest private apartment REIT.
Centurion Asset Management Inc. is a leading asset management company, offering investors a growing portfolio of private investment products, corporate financing, mortgage financing, multi-residential apartments, and student residences. As the Vice President of Marketing, Karen plays a key role in enhancing the brand, strengthening advisor channels, and positioning Centurion as an industry leader in the property market. She excels in blending strategic insight, practical execution, and strong leadership to align marketing strategies with organizational goals.
Karen holds an Executive MBA from Ivey Business School and a Chartered Marketer Designation from the Canadian Marketing Association. Beyond her professional achievements, she is deeply engaged in community service, serving as Board Director and Chair of the Fundraising Committee for the Learning Disabilities Association of York-Simcoe, and is actively involved with multiple associations and programs across the Marketing industry.
Keena Sims Bradley, Ph.D.
Executive Director of Employee Relations & Classified Staffing, Aldine Independent School District
Dr. Keena Bradley serves as the Executive Director of Employee Relations and Classified Staffing for Aldine Independent School District in Houston, TX. In this role, Dr. Bradley manages the employee relations department and provides guidance to district leaders on documentation and investigations for employee misconduct and performance. She also oversees talent acquisition for auxiliary and substitute teacher personnel.
As a native of Haughton, Louisiana, Dr. Bradley began her teaching career in Louisiana where she served as a Special Education Teacher in Webster and Bossier Parishes respectively. Upon her transition to Houston, TX, she began her career in Aldine ISD where she has dedicated 28 years of service in the roles of High School English Teacher, High School Counselor, Director of Benefits, Director of Operations, Director of Staffing, and Executive Director of Employee Services and Experience. Dr. Bradley has a wealth of experience in education and every facet of human resources, including compensation, payroll district policies, and compliance. She also has a career in higher education. She has continued to pursue her love for teaching as an adjunct professor for students in undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs.
Her educational journey began when she received an undergraduate degree in English from Northeast Louisiana University (currently University of Louisiana - Monroe); she continued her studies at Prairie View A&M University where she earned a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M University – College Station. Dr. Bradley is a lifelong learner and she is committed to educational excellence. As the daughter of a preschool teacher and government health inspector, she learned at a very early age that education was the great equalizer. She was determined to achieve academic distinction and proudly became an educator to share her passion and love for learning with all students.
Dr. Bradley is a visionary, and who diligently seeks to enhance her leadership capacity and grow other leaders. Her prowess as a leader was recognized when she received the Jacquelyn O. Dansby Edwards Educational Leadership and Achievement Award for her exemplary educational leadership. She is a graduate of the Urban Superintendents Academy through The School Superintendent’s Academy (AASA) and Howard University. She was empowered to lead with purpose through the completion of the Southern Methodist University (SMU) District Leadership Fellows Program and The Forum for Educational Leadership.
Dr. Bradley is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Ethel Hedgeman Lyle (EHL) Foundation of Texas. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her son, watching football, reading, singing, and listening to music. Dr. Bradley is also active in her church where she sings in the choir, serves on the scholarship committee, and participates in her church school class.
Marcie Gregorio
CEO, Founder, World Wide Title
Marcie Gregorio is the Owner of World Wide Title. Worldwide Title is a full-service escrow, title, and settlement company. They offer a quick turnaround time for title commitments, as well as expert closing services for residences, yachts, and planes.
Gregorio is a new-generation expert, specializing in luxury residential and commercial real estate closings and investment opportunities in the State of Florida. She was lucky to be brought up in a family business based in real estate. Her experience and expertise are broad in scope. Gregorio readily demonstrates her skills while building relationships, assisting buyers in realizing their dreams, helping sellers and investors lock in deals, and then moving on to closing by offering her clientele the best customer care services in the industry. She works with high-end and international clients, speaks three languages, and has proprietary software to manage and check deal flow 24/7. She also has advanced technology for virtual closings.
Gregorio has a great advantage in bringing deals together through her ability to assist international clients with clarity when explaining either side of a transaction. By using her eloquent verbal and written communication skills, Gregorio frequently assists other local agents, making sure their closings get done with precision.
Lauren Werle
VP & Head of Internal Audit, The ODP Corp
Lauren Werle is the VP and Head of Internal Audit of The ODP Corp, a leading provider of products and services through an integrated business-to-business (B2B) distribution platform and omnichannel presence, which includes world-class supply chain and distribution operations, dedicated sales professionals, a B2B digital procurement solution, online presence, and a network of Office Depot and OfficeMax retail stores.
Werle first joined The ODP Corp in June 2018 as the vice president of internal audit. She was promoted to her current VP role in January 2023. Previously, she was a senior manager of advisory services at EY. She also served EY as a senior risk advisor and advisory services manager.
Werle earned an undergraduate degree in accounting from Auburn University Harbert College of Business. She is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) through The Institute of Internal Auditors.
Kaile Zagger
Chair, Healthcare Practice Group & Managing Director, Province
Kaile Zagger has more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry and has held significant executive leadership positions for organizations both publicly traded and privately held, across the C Suite from CEO, COO to CCO. Adjunctly, Ms. Zagger is the Co-Founder, in conjunction with a Yale surgeon, of a breakthrough non–profit driving early detection in the women’s gynecological oncology space.
She has deep expertise in internal operations of healthcare, commercialization, and launching disruptive products that have shifted the paradigms in the space. During the course of her career, she has formulated and executed a wide range of restructurings, secured $100M of operational expense reduction, re-positioned commercialization go-to-markets across a wide array of care areas, and has led the delivery of over $1B in revenue.
Kaile has led some of the most complex transformations, re-organizations, and commercial re-positions in the healthcare space, and successfully and repeatedly, navigated organizations to their desired new state. She has leveraged her expertise and recently joined Province, a nationally recognized restructuring firm, as Chair of the Healthcare Practice Group and Managing Director. In her new role, she will execute a mandate to build a platform that assists healthcare organizations with operational improvement, turnaround, repositioning of commercialization, and reimagining the go-forward business strategy. She is working hand in hand with a myriad of organizations as Chief Transformation Officer, Chief Restructuring Officer, or serving as an Independent Board Member.
Her deep transformational experience has been proven across 14 healthcare verticals and has spanned from pre-revenue challenges to post-commercialization complexities.
She has a proven track record of exponential top and bottom-line growth, post-transformation - while spearheading operational improvements to drive productivity and reduce costs cross-functionally. Kaile has redesigned strategic plans and has facilitated the tactical execution of those plans within organizations. She excels at constructing a go-forward platform that enables the organization to thrive in demanding, dynamic, and elastic environments while ensuring they are able to sustainably demonstrate pragmatic focus, change management, and operational excellence.
Sarah Navarre
Co-owner of the VanderRose brand
Sarah Navarre is the Co-Owner of the VanderRose brand. She is a photographer, gown designer, artistic director, as well as Editor-in-Chief of VanderRose Magazine. The VanderRose brand is passionate about transforming clients into what we call “living art” through our gowns and photography. VanderRose Magazine highlights artists and creators from around the world and gives a platform to share inspiring stories.
Sarah holds both an MBA and MPH (Masters of Public Health) from Westminster University and an undergrad in International Culture and Conflict Resolution from Brigham Young University Hawaii. She has hosted events for over 20,000 attendees and broadcast in over 180 countries while working for Major League Soccer team, Real Salt Lake. Sarah has also launched products on a global scale in the medical device industry and led cybersecurity teams in a worldwide financial company. She has traveled extensively, studied abroad learning Mandarin in Shanghai, China, and has years of experience in international business. In addition to VanderRose, Sarah also is consulting and is branching out by starting a mediation practice. In 2022 she was awarded one of Utah’s 40 Women Over 40, and she was honored to be included in a group of extraordinary women.
Sarah now takes her creativity and directs it toward her passion for design, photography, and creating photographic art that inspires. VanderRose gowns have graced the runway at New York Fashion Week, and although the gowns began with a photography emphasis, the latest collections are designed as “Red Carpet” gowns that are unique but also easy to walk in. The brand also offers designs that are modest to give all clients a wide variety of options. They also have an extensive collection of flying gowns, they are named this for their extensive trains. These gowns are visually captivating particularly in photography with sweeping vistas in the background, for which Utah is known for.
One of her favorite things is providing a destination client experience. That is when a client travels to Utah for a booked VIP experience, on the day of their shoot their hair and makeup are professionally done, plus their wardrobe and accessories curated. The photo shoot takes place in iconic locations such as the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats, sand dunes that resemble the Sahara Desert, or red rock cliffs or canyons near Moab, Utah. The result is rewarding because the experience transforms clients into living art that is not only captivating and beautiful; but enables them to see themselves in a whole new way. The goal is to make sure clients have an unforgettable experience with us and leave feeling confident and radiant; their incredible photos are reminders of this experience for years to come.
Shalynn Simmons
Senior VP, Sales, Trader Interactive
Shalynn Simmons is the Senior Vice President of Sales at Trader Interactive. Trader Interactive is the leading provider of online marketplaces and digital marketing products serving the lifestyle vehicles and commercial equipment segments.
As a transformational sales executive, Simmons offers over 20 years of experience directing the turnaround of underperforming divisions, launching new programs and tools, and building top-tier teams to maximize revenue, cost, profitability, and market share results. As a big-picture leader and C-suite advisor/partner, she leverages a broad background spanning sales, marketing, business development, consulting, and customer care, combined with process development and optimization expertise and diverse global experience.
Before joining Trader Interactive, Simmons was a national director of advertising sales at Dominion Enterprises. Before that, she was a regional manager of strategic partnership sales at Dex Media. Earlier in her career, she worked with BellSouth Telecommunications as a center director for the small business channel. Simmons graduated from Strayer University with an undergraduate degree.
Sharon Grehan, PhD
Executive Director, Gilead Sciences
The diversity of positions Sharon has held during her career has helped her to become the leader and coach she is today. Following an academic career, culminating in a PhD, she has over 20 years of leadership in Commercial organizations. She enjoys empowering others to embrace opportunities beyond the limits of their imagination and to do so while being their authentic selves. People describe her as a very strong authentic leader, a caring and relatable coach, and an excellent mentor. She spent her formative years in Ireland and believes that EQ is just as critical as IQ to bring out the best in others.
Sharon has led numerous teams and individuals to high level of success through leadership positions in various Commercial functions, including market research, forecasting, pricing, marketing, and learning & development. She spent 2 years elevating the business impact of an ERG for Women at Gilead Sciences with 7,200+ members, tying efforts to business outcomes and measuring the impact of all initiatives. Externally, she has presented on leadership topics at numerous conferences including the Galvanize, HBA 3BC executive, California Conference for Women, and Romar Learning Solutions conferences, and holds board and executive positions with BioLink, Zensights Executive Network, Romar Learning Solutions, INBA, and FGB, leading ERG Accelerator efforts.
In recognition of the impact her coaching has had on others, Sharon was the recipient of a 2023 Women of Inspiration award with the Universal Women’s Network and was shortlisted for a 2023 Forbes 50-over-50 award.
Vanessa Bordeaux
VP, Global Shared Services, Ingredion
Vanessa Bordeaux is the Vice President of Global Shared Services of Ingredion. Ingredion Incorporated headquartered in the suburbs of Chicago, is a leading global ingredient solutions provider serving customers in more than 120 countries.
Vanessa has 33 years of experience with the past 13 years in Global Business Services. Her passion lies in building high-performing teams and developing leaders to establish agile organizations and devise strategies for long-term success. As a multicultural, multilingual, dual national change agent, her track record of financial, analytical, and strategic leadership is based on the expertise, insights, and skills she has gained throughout her career. These skills coupled with her enthusiasm and focus on organizational purpose have enabled her and her teams to drive business process excellence and extraordinary results. Her keen ability to engage and empower her teams is what she deems is the "secret sauce" to reaching excellence.
Before joining Ingredion, Vanessa was a Senior Director of Shared Business Services at Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling. Prior to Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling, she was an Executive Director of Shared Services at Hillrom. In addition to Shared Business Services, Vanessa's career includes various Finance, Management Consulting, and Strategy roles, and has worked in multiple industries and Fortune 500 companies including Electronic Data Systems, Vivendi Universal, and HBO. Vanessa holds an MBA in Strategy & Finance from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from UCLA. She also holds a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt from BQF.
Anna Kogan
CEO & Founder, DuckFund Inc.
Anna Kogan is a fintech leader and businesswoman with over 15 years of experience in the financial industry. As an innovator at heart, she has an extensive background in entrepreneurship, starting and successfully scaling more than five startups in the last seven years. She is currently the CEO—and founder—of Duckfund, a “Sign now, pay later” platform that provides earnest money deposit financing for commercial real estate developers and investors.
Having started her career in corporate banking, she eventually turned to co-founding and joining the finance teams of several startups. Through these roles, she expanded her knowledge and refined her skills in tech, building a track record of digitizing outdated processes.
At Duckfund, she has made it her mission to revolutionize commercial real estate financing by providing a speedy, reliable, and flexible solution for CRE professionals that grants them a competitive edge in the market and improves their acquisition experience. Additionally, she is committed to creating equality and inclusivity in this field by lowering the entry barrier and providing equal access to capital for all investors, especially other women in the industry.
Anna’s education includes a Master's Degree and Ph.D. in Economics and an MBA from Stanford, where she also volunteers for the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
Kathryn Boyle Brewer, MBA
Director, District Attorney's Office
Karen is a Chartered Marketing Executive with over 20 years of experience in marketing, communications, and brand management within diverse industry-leading organizations including Manulife, Colliers International, and Scotiabank's MD Financial. Karen currently serves as the Vice President of Marketing at Centurion Asset Management Inc., Canada’s largest private apartment REIT.
Centurion Asset Management Inc. is a leading asset management company, offering investors a growing portfolio of private investment products, corporate financing, mortgage financing, multi-residential apartments, and student residences. As the Vice President of Marketing, Karen plays a key role in enhancing the brand, strengthening advisor channels, and positioning Centurion as an industry leader in the property market. She excels in blending strategic insight, practical execution, and strong leadership to align marketing strategies with organizational goals.
Karen holds an Executive MBA from Ivey Business School and a Chartered Marketer Designation from the Canadian Marketing Association. Beyond her professional achievements, she is deeply engaged in community service, serving as Board Director and Chair of the Fundraising Committee for the Learning Disabilities Association of York-Simcoe, and is actively involved with multiple associations and programs across the Marketing industry.
Brynessa Gradley
Deloitte Digital Industry Leader, Deloitte
Brynessa Gradley is the Canadian Deloitte Digital Energy and Resources Industry Leader who leads the National Digital Intelligent Information (Di2) Strategy service offering for clients across financial services, energy and resources, and the public sector.
Gradley has spent the last decade in consulting, focusing on the financial services and energy and resources industries, enabling global organizations to create digitally enabled solutions, for employees and external customers, and implement emerging technologies like Digital Hubs and GenAI. Gradley’s thought leadership and team are leveraged as the global subject matter experts in the standup of enterprise information strategy programs and have enabled some of the world's leading financial services and energy companies to achieve their enterprise information goals. She is passionate about DE&I and founded Deloitte Canada and Chile's, Women's Impact Network (WIN), the National GreenDot Women's Employee Resource Group, which focuses on building and retaining women on their paths to leadership at Deloitte.
Before Consulting, Gradley worked in the energy industry and law, honing an inside understanding of how organizations function, what drives greater efficiency, and how to support transformational change using digital and GenAI technologies. She presents regularly on the importance of enterprise technology strategies being powered and focused on human and business capability enablement. She has also supported global organizations in developing their own DE&I strategies to foster women's progression at the senior levels. Gradley holds a BA Honours from Queen's University, a JD in Law from the University of Calgary, a Public International Law certification from the Hague, and an MBA from Simon Fraser University.
Moksha Smith
Senior Attorney, Magdalena Law Group
Moksha Smith is a Senior Attorney at Magdalena Law Group. Being a prosecutor for five years and advocating for the rights of victims in domestic violence and sexual assault cases has shaped her into a champion for her clients now in private practice. She pioneered the Criminal Defense division at Magdalena Law Group, where she handles complex misdemeanor and felony cases. Ms. Smith has an in-depth understanding of the criminal justice system having worked for both sides, she fights for her clients in and outside the courtroom. She has taken over twenty-five jury trials to verdict and conducted hundreds of preliminary hearings/ motions.
Ms. Smith was awarded her Juris Doctor Degree from Santa Clara School of Law and obtained her Bachelor of Science from UCSD in Cognitive Neuroscience, double minoring in Psychology and Biology. During law school, she competed on the Trial Team, earning awards in National Competitions, and interned at multiple District Attorney's Offices. She was recently selected as a Top 40 under 40 criminal defense trial attorney by the National Trial Lawyers Association and the 10 Best Attorneys by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys for 2021 and 2023, and by Forbes Advisor:10 Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in San Jose.
Most recently, she was invited to serve on the Board of Directors for the non-profit organization, Niroga, an organization committed to spreading wellness to at-risk communities. She is also actively involved in the Santa Clara Bar Association as a member of the finance committee.
Ms. Smith attributes her tenacity to overcoming adversity from a young age, which instilled in her resilience and a problem-solving mentality that has been crucial throughout her career. She became a guardian of her mother at nineteen and had to make complex decisions. Seeing her mother institutionalized, was heartbreaking and forever taught her to be a fighter not only for her mother but for herself and others.
Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer, PhD
Co-Founder, The Zeal of the Heel
Dr. Cynthia Bentzen Mercer is an elite talent and organizational development strategist, social psychologist, and author with three decades of experience transforming company culture through nationally recognized approaches to identifying, unleashing, and actualizing human potential. She is a leading authority on premier workforce cultivation rooted in integrity, passion, service excellence, and diversity. Cynthia’s unique ability to inspire professional growth galvanizes a flourishing culture of innovation and discovery. Known as a visionary in organizational design, succession planning, leadership advancement, and executive coaching, she helps assemble top-tier teams with deep, balanced bench strength.
A stalwart professional, Cynthia’s experience traverses domestic and international, public and private, for-profit and not-for-profit, start-up, and aggressive growth companies within the real estate, gaming, hospitality, and healthcare industries. Cynthia was executive vice president and chief administrative officer at Mercy, overseeing human resources, government relations, community relations, philanthropy, and other support functions. A true catalyst for change, Cynthia launched Mercy’s first diversity, equity, and inclusion program and advisory board. With a passion for advancing women’s careers in business, she founded Mercy Women in Leadership. Before Mercy, Cynthia served as chief human resources officer for Ameristar Casinos, Inc., a national gaming and hospitality organization; vice president of human resources for The Cheesecake Factory restaurants; and vice president of international human resources for Oakwood Worldwide.
Cynthia holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology from Walden University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Science in Broadcasting and Film from the University of Central Missouri. She is also a Certified Executive Coach through the Center for Executive Coaching, a Board-Certified Coach from the Center for Credentialing and Education, a Senior Professional in Human Resources through HRCI, and holds a certification in Organizational Development from DePaul University.
She has been recognized as one of Ingram’s 50 Missourians You Should Know, among Becker’s 143 Women Leaders of Hospitals and Health Systems to Know, a St. Louis YWCA Leader of Distinction, and one of St. Louis’s Most Influential Businesswomen.
Stacy Reinsel
Director of Strategic Accounts, Covenant Logistics
Stacy Reinsel is an accomplished leader in the transportation industry with 14 years of experience. As the Director of Strategic Accounts at Covenant Logistics, a top expedited carrier in the U.S., she spearheads the strategic growth of key accounts, driving revenue growth for the organization. Her commitment to excellence and strategic vision have earned her recognition as one of the Top Leaders in Transportation.
Stacy began her career as a customer service representative at U.S. Xpress, one of the largest asset carriers in the United States. Her exceptional skills and dedication led to her promotion to Customer Service Manager. In this role, she demonstrated remarkable leadership and development capabilities, managing a team of 14 direct reports and overseeing a multi-customer portfolio generating over $50 million in revenue. Stacy is particularly talented in developing partnerships, overseeing personnel, and crafting tactical plans to achieve strategic objectives.
Throughout her career, Stacy has been an active member of the transportation community. She is a member of Women in Trucking and the Transportation Club of Dallas/Fort Worth. Additionally, she is a mentor for Mentors Care and serves on the Carrier Advisory Board as a strategic partner. Her leadership is characterized by a people-first mindset, and she is skilled in matching employees with roles for maximum performance. Stacy is recognized for her humility and trustworthiness, attributes that have been key to her success in building strong, effective teams and fostering long-term partnerships.
Outside of her professional achievements, Stacy has a busy household with her loving husband of 13 years and their two children, ages 21 and 9. Stacy enjoys traveling with her family and being an enthusiastic ‘dance mom’. Proactive and dedicated, Stacy remains focused on continuous improvement, both in her professional and personal life.
Kavitha Kamal
Director of Engineering, The Engineered Innovation Group
Kavitha is a dynamic leader with a proven track record of growing teams and leading change while building and deploying leading-edge software products and solutions. She empowers individuals, teams, and organizations to realize peak performance and profitable growth through the thoughtful integration of her
engineering expertise, empathetic leadership style, teaching experience, and passion for products. She is currently the Director of Engineering at The Engineered Innovation Group (EIG), a high-growth B2B innovation services agency that builds and deploys SAAS products as well as emerging technologies. Kavitha’s span of impact includes onboarding EIG’s first offshore engineering partner as well as leading a large onshore team of engineers. During her tenure to date, she has helped implement the company’s first Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), provided technical leadership and oversight of complex, client-facing enterprise projects, and mentored the organization at large in software best practices and business acumen. Kavitha was a Senior Software Engineer at Glew.io prior to joining EIG.
Kavitha’s passion for learning and equipping the next generation of talent resulted from her successful tenure at Kenzie Academy and at Southern New Hampshire University. Leading in a learning world as a Director of Technology, Software Engineering Manager, and Associate Instructor provided a wealth of insights into how to maximize human potential and how to make the complex simple. She also acted as a coach to students and faculty, curated curriculum, and provided 1:1 assistance to struggling students.
She commenced her career as a Senior Software Engineer at Honeywell, where she worked as a Module Lead advancing projects through the full application lifecycle (design, development, testing, deployment, and client interaction). She also served as a mentor to incoming junior developers.
Kavitha earned a Master of Computer Applications (MCA) in Computer Science from Vellore Institute of Technology, a B.S. in Computer Science from Auxilium College in India, and a Software Engineer Degree from Kenzie. She also holds multiple Amazon Web Services (AWS) certifications as well as Full Stack Web Developer and Front End Web developer certifications from Kenzie Academy. She serves as President of Vellore Institute of Technology Alumni Association for the Indiana region. Kavitha resides in Carmel, Indiana, with her husband and two children.
Caitlin Henson
Network Director, Strategic Implementation | Ascension Texas
Caitlin is a healthcare and community leader with expertise in strategic planning, project management, and operations. She serves as the Director of Strategic Implementation at Ascension Texas where she supports capital planning and major construction. With over ten years of professional experience, Caitlin has a relentless pursuit of healthcare excellence by leading collaborative problem-solving, relationship-building, and project implementation. Alongside the teams, she has played a pivotal role in executing strategies to expand hospital campuses, ambulatory clinics, and digital health to improve the patient and clinician experience and help deliver care to those who need it most.
Prior to Ascension, Caitlin was a healthcare consultant and project manager at The Advisory Board Company. She also serves as Past Chair at Austin Young Chamber where she has led organization transitions and supported membership growth over the last five years. In 2024, Caitlin was nominated as a finalist in the Austin Under 40 Awards in the Medicine & Healthcare category for her service to healthcare and the community. She also serves on the Texas Hospital Association Emerging Leadership Forum and is an alumna of Leadership Austin Emerge.
Caitlin holds a Bachelor’s in Business Management, magna cum laude from St. Edward’s University while she played college golf and a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from the Texas A&M University Health Science Center. She currently lives near Austin, Texas.
Sophia Nardelli
VP HR, Bath fitter / Bain magique
As the Vice President of Human Resources at Bath Fitter, an esteemed international manufacturing and retail company, Sophia leads a dynamic team in crafting a workplace culture that fosters growth, innovation, and employee well-being. With over 1100 employees, their commitment to excellence has earned them recognition as the Best Workplace in Canada and the United States, Top Workplace in Tennessee, and Canada's Most Admired Culture.
Nardelli is a collaborative, driven and visionary leader, committed to empowering and supporting her team and the broader organization in achieving their goals and objectives. With a focus on creating a productive and engaging work environment, Sophia is dedicated to driving organizational success through a people-centric approach.
Bringing over 15 years of global HR leadership experience, she navigates the intricacies of talent management, recruitment, health and safety, training, compensation, labor relations, communication, and HR compliance. Sophia firmly believes that investing in people is at the heart of organizational success—a philosophy encapsulated by Lawrence Bossidy's wisdom: "Nothing we do is more important than hiring and developing people."
Proudly serving as a member of the Forbes HR Council, she also actively contributes to the advancement of the HR profession. Through this platform, she shares invaluable insights and best practices, contributing to the continuous evolution of the HR landscape.
Armed with a master's degree in organizational development and a bachelor's in Human Resources, she is dedicated to applying strategic insights to create a workplace culture that seamlessly aligns with organizational goals.
Darneesha Figgs
Director of Social Responsibility, Quad
Darneesha Figgs is the Director of Social Responsibility at Quad, a global marketing experience—or MX—company that helps brands make direct consumer connections, from household to in-store to online. Darneesha employs her years of expertise to formulate, implement, and manage Quad’s DEI strategy, including the development of a sustainable DEI learning program, and growing Quad’s network of Business Resource Groups (BRGs). Additionally, she oversees both Quad’s DEI Task Force and its Social Working Team, collaborating with community partners to foster deeper, more meaningful connections with Quad BRGs. Thriving at identifying opportunities to advance business objectives and implement best practices for process improvement, Darneesha is especially passionate about creating equitable spaces, furthering inclusion, and ensuring belonging.
Prior to Quad, Darneesha spent 20 years in the healthcare sector, where she worked in several roles including Director of DEIB Strategy, and Administrator of Language Services, effecting change in both the DEI and patient experience realms.
Darneesha holds a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Science in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University, as well as a Master of Business Administration in Human Resources from Grand Canyon University. Additionally, she is a 2022 graduate of the Greater Cincinnati Urban League African American Leadership Development Program (AALDP) Emerging Leader Program and has a certification in DEI and Human Resources from Cornell University. She has been a member of the Society for Diversity since 2021, and, in 2024, she received the Shape the Future Award from Uplifting Impact, a DEI consulting firm dedicated to building inclusive environments.
Darneesha lives with her husband of 17 years, Terrance, and their two children in Cincinnati, Ohio. Outside of work, she enjoys community engagement initiatives, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Anneliese Spence
Founder & Head Coach, Unbreakable Strength Co.
Anneliese Spence began her iron journey over a decade ago. Filled with a deep love for science, science fiction, and comic art, she became fascinated with drawing the body, in particular the anatomy and musculature of the human system. At the young age of 12, she bought a copy of Strength Training Anatomy by Frédéric Delavier. Inspired by the art within, she joined ProFitness, a local gym in a grungy basement filled with powerlifters, bodybuilders, and other knowledgeable mentors. She found her home amongst the weight racks, chalk, and old 80’s lifting gear. Fascinated and filled with curiosity, she spent hours in that basement training and tearing through every book and resource on training she could get her hands on.
Since that time, Spence has put in thousands of hours with the iron and learned just how life-giving the pursuit of strength is. At 20 years old, she survived a traumatic crush injury, rendering her with six open pelvic fractures, organ damage, and extensive nerve injury. Over 24 hours of surgery and six months of hospitalization in New Zealand left her with 29 screws and three plates in her pelvis and spine. Three years later, she graduated in kinesiology, founded her first brick-and-mortar location, and then fell sick with an MRSA infection in her hardware, which destroyed her left hip joint. After a year and a half of bone-on-bone coaching and training, she had a complete left hip replacement, leaving her with even greater gratitude for movement, health, and strength, as well as an intimate understanding of what it truly means to be strong, to fight for one’s life, and to reclaim one’s body.
Spence is the Founder and Head Coach of Unbreakable Strength Company. She offers client-centered coaching in person and online drawing on years of experience, her degree in the field, and her broad-reaching professional certifications. When she’s not coaching, training, or putting her nose in a book, she can be found outside with her wife, their daughter, and their three dogs playing ball or spending time with the community at her favorite local cafe.