Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of Philadelphia for 2024. Philadelphia, renowned for its historic Liberty Bell, the iconic Rocky Steps, and the prestigious Philadelphia Museum of Art, offers more than just a rich cultural heritage. It stands as one of the largest and most dynamic markets in the United States, characterized by a low cost of living and a thriving array of industries. Top sectors in the City of Brotherly Love include financial services, life sciences, technology, manufacturing, health, and hospitality.
Among the leaders in these sectors is biopharmaceuticals executive Deirdre Diener. With 26 years of US and global commercial leadership experience, Diener is the Senior Director of Digital Transformation, Omnichannel, Data and Platform Operations, and Innovation at Janssen, a pharmaceutical company that is part of Johnson & Johnson.
Leading the way in the manufacturing sector is Karen Norheim, the President and CEO of the American Crane and Equipment Corporation (ACECO), the leading manufacturer providing cranes and material handling equipment for nuclear applications. Norheim oversees company operations and maintains a strong leadership team while driving innovation.
Finally, we recognize the accomplishments of healthcare leader Joni Rittler, the Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Rittler provides vision and leadership for an integrated supply chain across the nation's first hospital devoted exclusively to the care of children.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders of Philadelphia for 2024.
1. Brigette McInnis-Day
Chief People Officer, UiPath
Brigette McInnis-Day is the Chief People Officer of UiPath, a global software company that makes robotic process automation (RPA) software. McInnis-Day believes in fostering a people-first philosophy that focuses on attracting and developing an exceptional team of innovative thinkers and shaping a culture of customer-centricity to drive business growth and transformation. She is an avid believer in reshaping the future of work through technology and automation as well as the need to redefine the next generation of leadership.
Over her 20 years working in HR, McInnis-Day has managed board-level HR strategies, repaired sub-performing initiatives, and consulted senior-level executives. She enjoys amplifying employee experiences, revamping compensation elements, and accelerated development. Her passion is leading large-scale global teams while building cultures that promote women and early talents in leadership, diversity, inclusion, pay equality, and digital transformation. By leading with motivation and transparency, it is her purpose to help individuals succeed through innovation. McInnis-Day’s passions include leading large-scale global teams and building cultures that promote women and early-stage talent in leadership, diversity and inclusion, pay equality, and digital transformation.
Before joining UiPath in 2022, McInnis-Day served as a leader of Google Cloud’s human resources function, shaping a culture of customer empathy, empowering leadership, and belonging. As the chief operating officer of SAP SuccessFactors, she defined and implemented business strategies to achieve sustainable growth and satisfaction among customers undergoing digital transformation of their total workforce experience. In addition to her role as COO, McInnis-Day also led SAP SuccessFactors Digital HR Strategy and Transformation teams. McInnis-Day graduated from the University of New Haven with an MA in Industrial Organization and Psychology and from Ithaca College with an undergraduate degree in psychology and business.
4. Eileen Diskin
Chief Marketing Officer & SVP, Comcast Business
Eileen Diskin is the Chief Marketing Officer of Comcast Business, a global leader in business technology solutions and a significant contributor to Comcast Corporation’s growth. In this role, she leads a world-class, multi-faceted marketing practice focused on driving revenue and subscriber growth by strengthening the brand and expanding worldwide demand for Comcast Business’ technology solutions across all business segments and verticals.
Diskin, known as a “marketing powerhouse” is a dynamic, transformational B2C and B2B marketing veteran and leader with a proven track record of driving results and innovation through comprehensive strategies that translate to tactical, executable plans. She is passionate about leading and inspiring teams and has experience across several marketing disciplines including brand strategy, advertising, digital, product, analyst relations, and more.
Since joining Comcast Business in 2020, Diskin and her team have relaunched the global brand, established a new advertising and communications platform, Powering Possibilities; significantly increased overall brand awareness and consideration; and directly impacted revenue growth through demand generation and engagement programs. Diskin also launched Comcast Business Mobile – the brand’s fastest-growing product – and secured the largest sponsorship agreement in Comcast Business history with the PGA TOUR, including multi-year sponsorships with THE PLAYERS Tournament and the Comcast Business TOUR TOP 10.
Before joining Comcast Business, Diskin served as Senior Vice President of Marketing Communications & Strategy for Comcast, driving the Xfinity brand to #20 on the 2019 BrandZ Top 100 Global Brands ranking. Under her leadership, Comcast received hundreds of advertising awards, including Effies, Cannes Lions, Clios, and a Jay Chiat award. She also served as Vice President of Marketing at Comcast NBCUniversal-owned PBS KIDS Sprout. Prior to Diskin’s start at Comcast in 2002, she held management positions at The Walt Disney Company and E! Entertainment Television.
Diskin has been recognized with several industry accolades and distinctions throughout her career, including, as one of CableFax magazine’s “Most Powerful Women in Cable” since 2016, Business Insider named her a Comcast “Power Player” in 2019 and Advertising Age recognized Diskin as a “Working Mother of the Year.”
Diskin holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Delaware and has completed executive leadership programs at Harvard Business School, the Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University Graduate School of Business. She serves on the board of Squash Smarts, a Philadelphia-based non-profit academic and athletic mentoring program for public school students, and LifeLabs Learning, a national learning and development company. She resides in the suburbs of Philadelphia with her husband and two daughters.
6. Claudia Piccirilli
Senior Director, Global FINEX Data Science & Analytics, WTW
Claudia leads the Global FINEX AI, Data Science & Analytics group at WTW, where she designs and delivers analytical models to support internal and external clients. As the leader of FINEX AI solutions, she sets the strategic direction for applying AI to solve critical business challenges and create value. She also oversees the data engineering and management that enable the meaningful and efficient use of AI. Her vision drives the discovery of new insights from data that can be used for various purposes.
A passionate advocate for cultivating vibrant teams and company culture, Claudia excels at conveying complex technical concepts in accessible language, addressing user adoption hurdles, enhancing the end-user experience, and applying her expertise in planning and change management.
Claudia holds a doctorate in Business Administration with a focus on Cyber Risk Quantification and has extensive experience in cybersecurity, product design, technology, operations, systems development, and consulting. She has worked as a senior corporate and management consultant for many Fortune 500 clients and is an active entrepreneur and investor.
8. Deb Harding
Senior Director, Artificial Intelligence Sales, Americas, Microsoft
Deb Harding is the Senior Director of Artificial Intelligence Sales for the Americas at Microsoft, an American multinational corporation and technology company. Harding is responsible for leading and empowering a specialist sales and technical team of deep subject matter experts in artificial intelligence technologies within Microsoft Azure. Her team assists major enterprises in planning, building, implementing, and adopting advanced, secure, and responsible artificial intelligence capabilities. This includes machine learning, cognitive services, and knowledge-mining scenarios across both the cloud and edge environments.
Harding is an assertive and results-oriented sales and management professional with outstanding business development and account management skills. As a strong team player, she leverages relationships at all organizational levels, effectively communicates and negotiates, collaborates, and earns partner and customer loyalty. She is an energetic, disciplined self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit and a drive for results through a solution-selling approach.
Harding started her career in 1996 as an account executive at E-Plus. From there, she went on to Thomson NETg. Her most recent role before joining Microsoft in 2010 was working as a realtor at Prudential Fox & Roach. Harding graduated from St. Lawrence University with an undergraduate degree in French and political science.
11. Brenna Quinn
Senior VP, Product, Oracle
Brenna Quinn is the Senior Vice President of Products of Oracle, a cloud technology company that provides organizations around the world with computing infrastructure and software to help them innovate, unlock efficiencies, and become more effective. Quinn joined Oracle in 2022 via the Cerner acquisition, where she served as chief product officer. During her time with Cerner and Siemens, Quinn has held a number of key leadership roles that have allowed her to develop strong client-partner relationships and experience driving initiatives across all areas of internal operations.
Quinn brings more than 25 years of health information technology experience with Shared Medical Services and Siemens. Quinn drives the strategy, execution, and overall market success of their Core Health product portfolio, generating over 2B annually in product revenues. Quinn has executive general management over their product business units inclusive of planning upstream marketing and overall product and portfolio management functions with accountability for overall strategy, profitability, and successful market performance of their clinical, revenue cycle, consumer, and population health management product offerings. She has previously held executive leadership roles over clinical and revenue cycle solutions, as well as leadership roles in global marketing and professional services areas.
Quinn is a graduate of Villanova University with a Bachelor of Arts. She has attended numerous executive management courses, including the European School of Management and Technology. She is a member of the Health Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), the American Congress of Health Care Executives (ACHE), and the Health Financial Management Association (HFMA). She is also on the board of directors for the Chester County Economic Development Council and Downingtown STEM Academy.
13. Joni Rittler
VP & Chief Supply Chain Officer, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Joni Rittler is the Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer for The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). She has worked in healthcare materials management for over 30 years and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management of Information Technology from Eastern University, as well as a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from St. Joseph’s University.
Throughout her career, Rittler has led many projects to implement new technology and improve supply chain operations. Before her role at CHOP, she served as the vice president of supply chain technology for Catholic Health Initiatives (now Common Spirit). Her many accomplishments include the re-design of business processes, development of shared service centers, optimization of group purchasing organization, logistics planning, and implementation of ERP, Financial or Supply Chain systems. In her current role, Rittler provides vision, strategy, and leadership for an integrated supply chain across the CHOP enterprise.
Rittler believes that building relationships is key to success in supply chain management (SCM). She has a passion for developing emerging talent to grow the next generation of SCM leaders. She serves as the executive sponsor for CHOP’s All Abilities Resource Group, an employee team working to raise awareness and provide education related to the employment of people with disabilities. Rittler was instrumental in the formation of the Pediatric Alliance, a newly formed aggregation group of pediatric hospitals, and serves as the chair for the executive steering committee for the Pediatric Alliance, as well as a member of the Joint Oversight Committee.
15. Ashley Anders
President, Organizational Effectiveness & Human Performance Consultant, Ashley Anders Consulting, LLC
Ashley Anders is the President of Ashley Anders Consulting, LLC, as well as an Organizational Effectiveness and Human Performance Consultant. She first joined the company in 2012. Ashley Anders Consulting focuses on building high-performing teams, improving employee engagement, creating learning strategies, customizing competency-specific cohort programs, and building and facilitating high-potential leadership programs.
Anders designs leadership development strategies that are tied to talent management, employee engagement, organizational goals, and leadership competencies. She creates and develops high-performing teams by facilitating customized workshops and providing ongoing coaching. She provides one-on-one customized executive coaching to mid and senior-level leaders. She creates and facilitates leadership and professional development cohort programs to meet the specific needs of organizations, and she leverages behavioral assessment tools for team building and executive coaching.
Previously, Anders was a director of talent and professional development at Comcast Group. Earlier in her career, she worked with the Human Resources Department of the City of Philadelphia as a training and development manager. Anders earned an MSc in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of Baltimore and an undergraduate degree in psychology from West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
View the complete list of awardees.
16. Meghan Marschall
VP, Global Employee Experience Communication, Johnson & Johnson
Meghan Marschall is the Vice President of Global Employee Experience Communication at Johnson & Johnson, a focused healthcare company with expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech.
As VP, Marschall leads the Employee Experience Communication team that informs, inspires, engages, and activates J&J’s over 130,000 employees worldwide in support of J&J's enterprise and sector priorities. Her team deepens connections to the company's purpose through strategic content development, modern digital and mobile capabilities, intuitive and personalized communication channels, and immersive and inspiring global events. Marschall’s team also leads strategic internal and external communication for key areas of J&J's business, including the Office of DEI, Global community impact, human resources, environmental sustainability, quality and compliance, procurement, healthcare compliance, and crisis management.
Marschall started her career in 1993 as a senior account executive at G. S. Schwartz & Company Inc. From there, she went on to Ruder-Finn, before eventually rising to director of marketing communications at PfizerPfizer, her most recent job before joining the Johnson & Johnson team. Marschall graduated from Lafayette College.
17. Negin Naraghi
VP, Global Client Delivery, Randstad Sourceright
Negin Naraghi is the Vice President of Global Client Delivery at Randstad Sourceright, the leading global talent solutions provider, enabling companies to create sustainable business value and agility by keeping people at the heart of their organizations. Naraghi is a dynamic business leader with over 20 years of experience in the staffing industry. Her career is distinguished by her exceptional leadership skills and deep expertise across multiple sectors, including finance and accounting, office and administrative, sales and marketing, and legal retail staffing.
As a leader, Naraghi excels in fostering collaborative environments, where team members feel empowered and valued. Her approach to leadership is characterized by her ability to break down complex strategies, identify key value drivers, and align team efforts with organizational goals. This strategic acumen, combined with her talent for building and motivating high-performing teams, has been instrumental in managing multi-million dollar P&Ls across various regions and disciplines. Naraghi’s diverse skill set extends to direct hire, executive search and consulting, and RPO operations. This broad knowledge base allows her to lead with a comprehensive understanding of the industry landscape, enabling her to guide her teams effectively through complex challenges and opportunities.
Throughout her career, Naraghi has demonstrated a particular talent for influencing leadership consensus, prioritizing action plans, and securing big-picture wins. Her leadership style emphasizes long-term relationship building, both within her teams and with external stakeholders. She is especially adept at understanding client needs and empowering her teams to deliver exceptional results. Naraghi’s journey exemplifies how combining industry knowledge with strong leadership skills can drive innovation and excellence in workforce solutions. Her commitment to team development and strategic vision continue to make her an inspiring and effective leader in the staffing industry.
18. Lauren Tanzer
Chief Operating Officer, Emergency Department, Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System
Lauren Tanzer is the Chief Operating Officer of the Emergency Department at Penn Medicine with the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Penn Medicine’s mission is to advance knowledge and improve health through research, patient care, and the education of trainees in an inclusive culture that embraces diversity, fosters innovation, stimulates critical thinking, and supports lifelong learning.
Tanzer is a high-energy leader with a broad knowledge base in healthcare, business operations, finance, project management, quality improvement, and interpersonal awareness. She believes success is accomplished through collaboration, teamwork, goal orientation, and a sense of humor. Her principal strengths include motivating cross-functional team members to excel in their work, providing impactful feedback to colleagues to improve outcomes, and building strategic relationships across the organization.
Tanzer started her career in 2008 as a senior project manager, research coordinator, and research assistant at Drexel University. From there, she eventually rose to director of physician practice administration of pulmonary and sleep medicine at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, her most recent position before joining the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Tanzer graduated from Drexel University's LeBow College of Business with an MBA, from Jefferson Health with a Master's in Healthcare Quality and Safety, and from Pennsylvania State University with an undergraduate degree in psychological and social science.
19. Caitlin Clark-Zigmond
Senior Director of Software/SaaS Marketing, Intel
Caitlin Clark-Zigmond is the Senior Director of Software/SaaS Marketing at Intel. She first joined the company in 2022. Intel’s mission is to shape the future of technology to help create a better future for the entire world.
As an executive with a background in marketing, product marketing, and product management for diverse product and service pipelines, Clark-Zigmond focuses on leading digital strategy and go-to-market execution, delivering meaningful results for enterprise companies in SaaS, fintech, telecom, and cloud computing. She is an experienced leader and entrepreneur who thrives in dynamic environments of innovation and evolution. Previously, Clark-Zigmond was a director of global demand center, mid-market, partner, and large accounting firm marketing at Intuit. Before that, she was a director of marketing and CMO for the public sector at Verizon Business. Earlier in her career, she worked with Instec as a director of operations.
Clark-Zigmond’s accomplishments as a leader include driving strategies for go-to-market execution, implementing cutting-edge digital marketing techniques, monetizing breakthrough insights, and developing roadmaps for vertical-focused solutions while ensuring strong financial integrity. She excels at maximizing productivity, harnessing team strengths, and improving enterprise-wide performance, uncovering untapped opportunities for accelerated growth. Clark-Zigmond earned an undergraduate degree in international business and finance from American University.
20. Stefania Demarco
National Director, CBIZ
As the National Director of Business Development for CBIZ's Accounting, Tax, and Advisory Team, Stefania Demarco leads a team of 25 professionals and oversees organic growth initiatives for the firm. With over 15 years of experience in the public accounting space, she applies her technical skills and industry knowledge to provide innovative and tailored solutions to her clients, helping them achieve their strategic and operational goals.
Demarco has a proven track record of delivering value-added consulting services across various industries, such as financial, manufacturing, and technology. She has supported numerous transactions on both the buy and sell sides, conducting thorough financial, tax, and accounting due diligence and providing market insights and benchmarking. She also ensures ongoing compliance and risk management for her clients, navigating the ever-changing business environment with agility and excellence.
Demarco holds a CPA license in Pennsylvania, and she has an MBA from LaSalle University, where she graduated maxima cum laude and currently serves on the Accounting Advisory Committee for the School of Business.
23. Deirdre Diener
Head of Digital, Data, & Commercial Platforms for NA Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicines
With over 26 years of Biopharmaceuticals U.S. and Global commercial leadership experience at renowned companies like GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novo Nordisk, and Accenture, Deirdre is a distinguished leader in the industry. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded U.S. and Global commercial teams across diverse therapeutic areas, successfully launching 16 brands and numerous new indications. Over the past 8 years, Deirdre has been at the forefront of scaling omnichannel capabilities and transforming go-to-market strategies by harnessing data, AI, and machine learning across multiple major Pharmaceutical companies.
Deirdre is widely acknowledged as an industry luminary, particularly in fields such as customer and patient experience, Digital Transformation, omnichannel, and data strategy. Beyond her professional achievements, she is deeply committed to nurturing talent, especially aspiring women leaders, aiding them in career advancement and growth.
Currently serving as the Head of Digital, Data, and Commercial Platforms for North America Pharmaceuticals at Johnson & Johnson, Deirdre is also the visionary behind the Lisa Diener Domestic Violence Foundation (LDDVF). As the President of LDDVF, she has steered the organization to raise over $250K, providing crucial support to abuse survivors seeking to rebuild their lives in the tri-state area. Furthermore, as a proud single mother by choice, Deirdre collaborates with Penn Medicine and the community to empower women to explore modern family structures and fertility options.
26. Marissa George
Director, Engagement Strategy, CMI Media Group
Marissa George is the Director of Engagement Strategy at CMI, where she has played a pivotal role for the past five years. Bringing over a decade of expertise in healthcare and pharmaceutical marketing, George leads a dynamic team in omnichannel strategic media planning, she consistently achieves exceptional, data-driven results across diverse therapeutic categories for her clients.
George’s passion for healthcare marketing was ignited by her father, a former vice president at GlaxoSmithKline, inspiring her to excel in the field. Her dedication and expertise have positioned her as a top performer within CMI, culminating in her recognition with the prestigious Q4 2023 CMI Reach Award. This accolade celebrates George as one of only two employees company-wide who exemplify CMI's core value of "We are Best in Class.”
Known for her deep understanding of media strategy, George not only educates and advances her team's knowledge but also fosters robust external relationships, establishing herself as an invaluable resource within the organization.
View the complete list of awardees.
27. Meg Ehm
Senior Director, External Innovation, GSK
Meg Ehm is the Senior Director of External Innovation at GSK, a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. In her role, Ehm develops new partnerships with external companies to advance precision medicine in the oncology and specialty care space.
Ehm joined GlaxoWellcome in 1995 as their first statistical geneticist and has since progressed within GSK through a series of progressively challenging roles beginning with statistical analysis and working in a cross therapeutic capacity. Recently, she fostered the use of Electronic Health Records (EHR) for target identification and validation building on her knowledge of EHR data and genetic information with biobanks in the US, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Most recently, Ehm was the pharmaceutical partner chair for FinnGen, a pharma biobank external consortium in Finland with 13 pharma and 10 biobank partners, which she helped to develop into an exemplar of pre-competitive innovation in the genetics field. She has joined GSK's Precision Medicine department, which drives impact across the organization at the pipeline, drug, and study levels through biomarkers and precision medicine solutions. She enjoys supporting the development of high school students and young scientists through coaching, summer internships, and job shadowing.
Before joining GSK, Ehm was an adjunct professor at North Carolina State University. Earlier in her career, she worked with Glaxo Wellcome as a senior project analyst in bioinformatics. Ehm graduated from Rice University with a PhD in Statistics and from Vanderbilt University with an undergraduate degree in mathematics and computer science.
29. Barbara Zaun
Philadelphia Eagles Director of Entertainment Teams
A dynamic professional in the NFL for over 20 years, Barbara's approach to innovation within her role has led to many firsts. Barbara managed the Entertainment team’s participation at major sports events including Super Bowl LVII, LII, and XXIX, along with directing their involvement as global brand ambassadors during international fan engagement tours in the UK, Mexico, Canada, and Hong Kong. Committed to honoring United States service members, Barbara initiated the first international goodwill military tour by the Eagles Cheerleaders in Bosnia, followed by Iraq and Kuwait, and to date, the team has now visited over 70 military installations worldwide.
She served as Executive Producer of a popular one-hour televised special that aired on NFL Network and was involved in the collaboration with Vera Wang to become the first team in the NFL outfitted by an internationally renowned designer. Barbara was instrumental in the creation of a first-of-its-kind mobile app, and within 5 days of the launch, it ranked on Google Play's list of Top 5 Sports Apps. She fostered the inclusion of environmental sustainability into projects prior to it being a mainstream practice, resulting in the first eco-friendly calendar in the NFL as producer and creative director. Barbara has obtained high-profile opportunities for the Entertainment Teams with features in top publications, national and international television programming, as well as in-concert performances with iconic music artists.
Dedicated to humanitarian outreach, Barbara has facilitated numerous international service trips within the organization, including helping to provide access to clean water in remote villages and aiding in improving living conditions for underserved communities. Passionate about women in sports initiatives, she was recently a featured speaker on the Pro Football Hall of Fame's prestigious Before the Snap program. A graduate of DeSales University, Barbara also completed the Yale School of Management Executive Education Women’s Leadership Program.
30. Aleshia Pate
Founder, CEO, The Hustle Mom Non-Profit Organization
Aleshia Pate is the Founder and CEO of The Hustle Mom Non-Profit Organization. The Hustle Mommies nonprofit and brand is a movement designed to empower urban, inner-city moms to be leaders in their homes and their communities. Pate personally coaches and mentors young women and mothers in her spare time as she advocates for them around the city.
Pate, born and raised in Philadelphia, is a driven, ambitious, and extraordinarily talented young woman who demonstrates leadership skills, positive business practices and organized developmental skills in her career, business, and community affairs. She has almost 10 years in the financial industry. She has worked for Bank of New York Mellon for five years in their Asset Servicing department handling multiple mutual funds and investments. She also has five strong years in accounts management for the US Treasury, where she handles International large business and investments from taxpayers around the world.
Pate’s education derives from Bloomsburg University, where she majored in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. She does public speaking in various communities, shelters, and city schools. She helps her community with various knowledge and information on all sorts of subject matters she learns that affect and benefit families. She currently serves her community through philanthropy, volunteering, hosting free seminars, and teaching workshops that have been written by her and her team.
32. Marybeth Gray
SVP of Health & Welfare Consulting, Trion
Marybeth Gray has spent more than 25 years in the employee benefits field as an advocate working to help put access to quality healthcare within reach of every employee and their family. She currently serves as a Senior Vice President of Health and Welfare Consulting at Trion, a Marsh McLennan Firm. She serves as the team lead and manages the overall account teams for her clients. She works with all-size employers to deploy cost-effective strategies that will raise the quality of care, increase access to equitable care, and lower the cost to both the employer and employee. Together with her team, Gray has saved clients millions of dollars with an innovative strategic approach that helps employers understand what’s coming next.
Formerly a VP with AON Consulting, Gray specialized in utilization and data management to understand key cost drivers. She is an expert in developing and redesigning pharmacy programs and understanding the cost drivers within these programs. She has developed key strategies for specialty medication, gene therapies, and many other emerging treatments employers will have to solve. Before Aon, she served as a national account manager with Aetna Inc. for eight years, where she was responsible for clients with more than 10,000 employees operating in multiple locations. Gray served on the Aetna Presidents Roundtable Committee, fostering communications between clients and the president’s office regarding suggested changes that would improve Aetna’s operational procedures.
Recently, Gray was named EBN’s 2017 Most Influential Women in Benefit Advising, among 30 leaders whose unique client management strategies, innovative data manipulation, and other industry-leading skills are transforming the field. Gray is featured on the Marquis Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement site. She earned an undergraduate degree in health policy and administration from Penn State University.
35. Dana McDonald
Senior Director, New Business, Impact XM
Dana McDonald serves as the Senior Director of New Business Development at Impact XM, an award-winning, full-service global experiential marketing agency with over 50 years of expertise in creating unforgettable live events, activations, and branded environments for some of the world’s most prestigious brands, including Amazon, Astellas, AT&T, BASF, Epic Games, Nvidia, and Takeda, among many others.
In her role at Impact XM, Dana is a strategic advisor to new and prospective clients, helping them navigate and define strategies to achieve their brand goals. She excels in implementing successful sales campaigns and initiatives that drive growth within IXM. Dana leads the development of cross-functional teams for new partner program opportunities and strategic responses, ensuring a cohesive and effective approach to each project.
Dana brings over 15 years of extensive experience in business development, sales leadership, design management, operations, multi-site operations, team management, RFP management, and project coordination. Before joining Impact XM, she was the Director of Sales and Business Development at Her Campus Media, a leading media portfolio targeting Gen Z and college demographics. Prior to that, Dana was the Strategic Director of Business Development at MC2, an experiential marketing agency, where she spearheaded strategic initiatives for new sales growth, managed new business opportunities, and mentored colleagues in sales operations and best practices.
Dana’s significant experience also includes her time at Sparks, an experiential marketing agency, where she oversaw Sales Operations and CRM directives for new business development and growth. She managed the new business development team and worked directly on both domestic and international account management for various experiential program accounts. Earlier in her career, Dana contributed her expertise to Camuto Group, a leader in the fashion industry, as a vendor compliance and distribution processing administrator.
Dana McDonald holds a BS in Business Management with a minor in Marketing from Philadelphia University.
38. Margarita Davis-Boyer
Managing Director of Prevention & Family Support, Belmont Charter Network
Margarita Davis-Boyer is an innovator and driven social worker with 23 years of experience and an extensive history of working in nonprofit and educational settings. She is expertly skilled in child welfare, social services, policy development, implementation of strategic planning efforts, crisis intervention, and program evaluation. She currently serves as the Managing Director of Prevention and Family Support at Belmont Charter Network. Davis-Boyer manages the five schools' social services component at the Belmont Charter network.
Her commitment to empowering and uplifting youth is exemplified through her role as the founder and program manager of the Eagle Youth Program at Corinthian Baptist Church of Germantown. This program provides valuable support and guidance to youth in grades 6 through 12. Additionally, Davis-Boyer serves as the vice president for the scholarship program, further highlighting her dedication to fostering opportunities for educational advancement. Her perspective provides a more in-depth approach to social work and youth development.
Davis-Boyer has a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts with a focus on Criminal Justice, as well as a Master's degree in Social Work from Temple University. She has served as a member of both the Community Oversight Board and the Child Welfare Oversight Board, allowing her to continue advocating for the social and emotional well-being of youth in the foster care system. She has served as the founding youth development specialist and counselor for Temple University's Center for Social Policy and Community Development, the first appointed lower school social worker at Steven Girard College, the founding youth development specialist for the Department of Human Services in Philadelphia, and a founding resilient specialist for Vaux Big Picture High School.
41. Karen Norheim
President & CEO, American Crane & Equipment Corp.
Karen Norheim is the President and CEO of American Crane and Equipment Corporation (ACECO), the leading manufacturer of overhead crane systems, hoists, and material handling equipment for nuclear applications, aerospace, and many more industries. ACECO has been a trusted source of high-quality specialty lifting equipment for over 50 years.
Through her work with ACECO, Norheim found her passion for manufacturing. She oversees company operations and maintains a strong leadership team. She is responsible for guiding efforts to achieve the company’s mission and vision. She drives innovation and enhancements to the customer experience. In addition to supporting the ACECO team, Norheim actively supports STEAM programs, as well as programs that support women in the manufacturing field.
Norheim, a distinguished alumna of Penn State Great Valley, received her MSIS and MBA degrees from the institution in 2007 and 2009, respectively. She has been recognized for her leadership and professional development throughout her community, winning awards such as the VISTAGE Leadership Award, the Diamonds of the Decades Award, and many more! She is eager to continue telling her story through her fourth coming book titled The Viking Gardener and she is looking forward to the development and continued success of American Crane & Equipment Corporation.
View the complete list of awardees.
44. Tara Mogan
Chief Marketing Officer, Co-Owner & Founder, e-Beach Wagon
Tara Mogan is a marketing powerhouse, serving as the Chief Marketing Officer and co-owner of e-Beach Wagon, a groundbreaking premium electric motorized beach wagon, and the visionary founder of iMarketeur, a cutting-edge consulting firm specializing in home improvement marketing. With a stellar 22-year career in marketing, including 14 years dominating the home improvement sector, Mogan has consistently shattered expectations and pioneered new frontiers. Her unparalleled expertise in integrated marketing, collaboration with renowned brands, and mastery in steering large-scale marketing strategies have cemented her reputation as an extraordinarily accomplished and influential industry leader.
Before embarking on her consulting journey, Mogan was the driving force behind Horizon Group Holdings' explosive growth. She expertly managed marketing for 12 home service companies, propelling them to a combined revenue surpassing $300 million, and orchestrated the company's ambitious expansion across eight states and seven metropolitan statistical areas. This remarkable growth was achieved through a strategic blend of organic development and acquisitions. Her exceptional strategic insight and comprehensive skill set were further proven through her instrumental role in the successful sale of three companies, two via private equity and one through a private sale.
At e-Beach Wagon, Mogan spearheads innovative marketing initiatives, revolutionizing the beach transportation industry with her premium motorized wagon, which she co-owns with her husband, Michael. Since its sensational debut in 2020, this luxury wagon has been making waves with its state-of-the-art design and unmatched functionality, setting a new benchmark for high-end carts. Engineered to hold up to 300 pounds, navigate diverse terrains, and travel approximately 5 miles on a single charge, the e-Beach Wagon provides beachgoers with an unparalleled blend of convenience and efficiency.
Mogan's distinctive leadership style, characterized by an unwavering sense of ownership and commitment, consistently drives exceptional results across both B2B and B2C sectors. She has previously transformed and elevated iconic brands such as Walgreens, Coca-Cola, Wyeth, Window Nation, and Nu Look Home Design, solidifying her legacy as a marketing luminary.
47. Courtney Altemus
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Advance NIL & TeamAltemus, LLC
Courtney Altemus is the Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Advance, as well as CEO & Founder of TeamAltemus, LLC.
Courtney is an unbiased consultant and educator to athletes. As a former Wall Street executive, she brings decades of expertise and experience in helping athletes reach their financial goals and manage their money. Now, as an objective and independent consultant, instead of managing assets, she educates athletes about all things financial, helps clients vet and monitor their advisors, and prepares them for their future.
During her investment career, Courtney worked at Barclays, Lehman Brothers, Credit Suisse, and DLJ. She began her career at Wells Fargo in commercial and investment banking. She has served on the Alumni and Business Advisory Boards at La Salle University and as an advisor to the World Series of Entrepreneurship. Courtney currently serves on the Board of the Philadelphia Youth Organization/Marian Anderson Recreation Center, and the Jean and Raymont Harris Foundation.
49. Elyse Lupin
President & Founder, Elysium Marketing Group
Elyse Lupin is the President and Founder of Elysium Marketing Group, which specializes in dynamic marketing strategy and upscale marketing creative. With over 20 years of marketing experience, Lupin provides expertise in the areas of marketing strategy, food and franchise marketing, digital marketing, branding, and brand strategy. Her broad marketing background spans years of working at big-name brands, such as Comcast, The Walt Disney Company, NBC, and New Balance Athletic Shoe.
Lupin began to lay the foundations for her career at The Pennsylvania State University. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, she served as an NBC Page, working on Today and Saturday Night Live. She then as a publicity assistant for several companies in New York City before becoming the marketing and promotions manager for Radio Disney in Philadelphia. While at Disney, Lupin oversaw more than 50 large-scale events and concerts and partnered with local media and sponsors on various integrated marketing campaigns. In 2007, she returned to school to earn her MBA at Boston University. During her studies, she worked as an MBA Intern for New Balance Athletic Shoe in Boston. One of only five interns chosen for the summer of 2008, she was asked to stay with the company and during her final year of school continue her role in consumer insights.
After completing her MBA, Lupin returned to Philadelphia and accepted a position with Comcast, first within the product marketing group working on go-to-market strategy and then within the direct marketing group working on campaign testing and strategies for email acquisition, direct mail, and retention marketing. After Comcast, Lupin accepted the director of marketing position at Philadelphia magazine. In 2015, she started Elysium Marketing Group. She has served as an adjunct professor at Temple University, and she is the founder of the working mom resource, The WoMo Network. Lupin sits on the board of the Center for Loss and Bereavement and acts as an advisor for ShadowHer. She has a passion for traveling, especially in Europe, and cherishes quality time with her husband and two kids.
50. Ashlee Hollis
President, Helm Creative Studio
Ashlee Hollis is a visionary leader with the ability to champion creatives, and the President and Founder of award-winning Helm Creative Studio, a certified woman-owned business and creative agency and production house that is redefining what it means to lead one’s story. Within Philadelphia, Ashlee and her husband, Elijah, additionally pastor CHANGE Church, a multi-generational and diverse church, and are the Founders of The Story Factory, a city block-sized building wrapped in mural art and created with the mission to build stories out to build people up. With previous experience both as a youth pastor and as a life, health, and disability insurance agent, Ashlee is committed to supporting and championing the next generation, while also recognizing what moves people’s hearts when it comes to not only their net worth but their legacy. Her unique ability to understand the motivations of key stakeholders, transforming them into tangible actions, and also translating them to cast vision for creatives, has proven to be a niche that allows for the multiplication of positive impact across industries.
In addition to the awards won for Helm, Ashlee has received a 2024 American Business Award for “Maverick of the Year,” of which she won a silver Stevie Award, in recognition of one who’s affected the most positive change on his or her company and/or industry since 2022. She, along with her husband, Elijah, has received a citation from the City of Philadelphia for their commitment to positive social impact within the city. With multiple degrees, including an Associate in Business Administration, a Digital Marketing Certification, and a certified Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy from The American College of Financial Services, Ashlee is merging her intelligence with her drive for social impact and creative excellence through each initiative she leads and creates.
View the complete list of awardees.