Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of Columbus for 2024. As Ohio’s capital and most populous city, Columbus boasts a remarkably diverse economy. In The Arch City, no single industry accounts for more than one-fifth of the workforce, showcasing a balanced and dynamic market. Some of the most prominent sectors include finance, insurance, technology, food and beverage, and retail. This year’s honorees lead in these sectors and beyond, serving some of the most widely recognized companies and brands on the planet.
In the food and beverage sector, we honor Jessica Claytor, Human Resources Business Partner for Corporate Functions at Chipotle Mexican Grill. With previous leadership roles at retail giants Bath & Body Works and Victoria's Secret, Claytor partners with Chipotle’s senior leaders to deliver an HR strategy that spans multiple corporate functions.
Next, we honor Chandra Adams, Senior Director of GE Healthcare, a leading global medical technology and digital solutions innovator. As an IT professional, Adams leverages 15 years of experience in business analysis and program management to oversee development projects for the entire project life cycle.
Lastly, we recognize the accomplishments of Kathie Mancini, a seasoned healthcare executive. As Regional President for Humana’s East Central Medicare operations, Mancini brings more than 25 years of healthcare experience to her role, where she leads all aspects of Humana’s Medicare business.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders of Columbus for 2024.
1. Emily Wagner
Chief Financial Officer, Bon Secours Mercy Health
Emily Wagner is the Chief Financial Officer of Bon Secours Mercy Health. She first joined the team in 2019 as a senior financial analyst. In 2018, Bon Secours Health System and Mercy Health combined to become the United States’ fifth-largest Catholic healthcare ministry and one of the nation’s 20 largest healthcare systems.
Wagner has been with Bon Secours Mercy Health since 2019, starting as a senior financial analyst. She was a key member of the finance team supporting the Transformation Office, where she reviewed business plans for over $250 million in net recurring benefits of Now, Near, and Far (NNF) initiatives. In 2022, she was promoted to assistant CFO, where she developed monthly and quarterly forecasts, as well managing an annual budget of $41 million. She was made CFO in February 2023.
Previously, Wagner was a financial analyst at UC Health and a quality management and process improvement consultant at Primary Health Solutions. She earned an MBA in Finance from Xavier University and an undergraduate degree in healthcare administration and management.
2. Marlowe Lichtenfeld
Global Head of Talent, Development & Engagement, Willis Towers Watson
Marlowe Lichtenfeld is the Global Head of Talent, Development, and Engagement at Willis Towers Watson (WTW). At WTW, they provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk, and capital.
Lichtenfeld is a talent-focused leader with extensive experience supporting global organizations as a human resources executive, hands-on partner, coach, and consultant. She has a strong track record of guiding organizations through major business transformations. Her expertise lies in partnering with leadership to implement innovative practices in talent development, engagement, organizational transitions, and culture.
Lichtenfeld started her career in 1997 as a human resource generalist at Lehman Brothers. From there, she went on to Watson Wyatt Worldwide, before eventually rising to director of talent development at Activision, her most recent position before joining Willis Towers Watson. Lichtenfeld graduated from Columbia University with an MS in Social Work and from The University of Kansas with an undergraduate degree in political science and women's studies.
3. Elena Cilenti
Partner, Deloitte Consulting
Elena Cilenti is a Partner at Deloitte Consulting. Deloitte invests in outstanding people of diverse talents and backgrounds and empowers them to achieve more than they could else, where. Their work combines advice with action and integrity.
In her role, Cilenti provides integrated external audit services to large multinational clients. She also advises clients on various accounting and financial reporting issues, including transactions (acquisitions, divestitures, IPOs), technical accounting topics, and the adoption of new accounting standards. She focuses on assisting clients with internal controls, including SOX implementations and testing, and finance transformations.
Cilenti started her career in 2012 as an audit senior assistant at Deloitte Consulting. She graduated from The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
4. Stephanie Revish
VP, Finance, Target
Stephanie Revish is the Vice President of Finance of Target, one of the world’s most recognized brands and one of America’s leading retailers. Revish is an experienced vice president with a successful track record in the healthcare and retail industries. She brings strong financial, strategic, and operational expertise to her roles. She is passionate about building high-performing teams and fostering a positive culture while leading transformative initiatives that deliver tangible value.
Previously, Revish was the vice president of finance transformation at Cardinal Health, where she drove efficiencies and improved business insights through process optimization and the implementation of innovative tools and digital technologies. Before that, she served as the vice president of strategic pricing at Cardinal Health. Earlier in her career, she worked as a senior associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers, leading multi-location engagement teams in financial statement audits and Sarbanes-Oxley 404 integrated audits across various industries.
Revish graduated from The Ohio State University with a Master of Accounting and from The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business with an undergraduate degree in business administration.
5. Marcie Merriman
Managing Director, Americas, Cultural Insights & Consumer Strategy Leader, EY
Marcie Merriman is the Managing Director of the Americas and a Cultural Insights and Consumer Strategy Leader at EY. Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform, and operate. Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax, and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing their world today.
Merriman is an internationally recognized leader in cultural anthropology and brand strategy, having her work frequently featured in news publications. For over 25 years, she has been working with teams to anticipate disruption and propel growth through human-centric strategies. She leads practices focused on helping organizations understand the nuances of human behaviors and the organizational implications that can be addressed through improved experiences, including the deployment of digital technologies.
Before joining EY, Merriman was an executive at a global fashion retail company and a successful business leader and entrepreneur. She was also a founder and chief executive officer at PrimalGrowth (acquired by EY). Merriman earned an MBA from Case Western Weatherhead School of Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science, International Studies, Anthropology, and Sociology from Michigan State University.
6. Shoba Narayanan
Executive Director, Head of Home Lending Planning & Analysis, JPMorgan Chase
Shoba Narayanan is the Executive Director and head of Home Lending Planning and Analysis at JPMorgan Chase. She first joined the team in 2019 as executive director of home lending P&A analytics. J.P. Morgan is a leader in financial services, offering solutions to clients in more than 100 countries with one of the most comprehensive global product platforms available.
Narayanan is a seasoned financial planning and analysis executive with over 20 years of experience. She has been recognized for her outstanding results with the Apothecary Award at Bath & Body Works and the Premier Achievement Award at Honeywell. She is a highly analytical leader with global experience across finance, marketing, merchandising, strategy, and operations.
Previously, Narayanan was a senior manager of financial planning and analysis at DSW. Before that, she was a director of financial planning and analysis and a director of business operations at MGF Sourcing. Earlier in her career, she worked with Honeywell as a senior engineer. Narayanan earned an MBA in Strategy and Finance from Education and an undergraduate degree in engineering from Cornell University.
7. Linda Salters
VP, Senior Business Banking Relationship Manager, Bank of America
Linda Salters joined Bank of America in 2022 as a business banking relationship manager for the Central Ohio market. Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individuals, small- and middle-market businesses, and large corporations. Salters now serves as a Vice President and Senior Business Banking Relationship Manager.
Salters originally moved into banking from the restaurant industry seeking a way to help small businesses better navigate the financial world. With almost 15 years of banking experience, she has served a variety of different sizes and industry-specific companies throughout Ohio as a single point of contact to holistically meet clients' diverse and often complex banking needs. Before joining Bank of America, Salters was a vice president of business development and market manager at FCBank. Before that, she was a senior branch manager and business specialist at PNC.
Salters graduated with a double major from Ohio State University and later acquired her graduate degree from Bowling Green State University. Since then, in addition to in-house training, she has completed a variety of relevant bank courses via the Bankers Association and Ohio Bankers League, compounding class knowledge with experience through years of dedication and service to clients across a wide spectrum of industries and sophistication levels.
8. Jessica Claytor
Human Resources Business Partner, Corporate Functions, Chipotle Mexican Grill
Jessica Claytor is the Human Resources Business Partner for Corporate Functions at Chipotle Mexican Grill. Chipotle has over 3,250 restaurants in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany and is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe.
At Chipotle, Claytor partners with senior leaders to deliver an HR strategy that spans across multiple corporate functions, including IT, food safety, payroll, finance, accounting, communications, and internal/external contact centers. Her recent focus has been on strategic workforce planning and guiding teams through complex people-related challenges, such as employee relations and performance management, leveraging over a decade of HR experience.
Before joining Chipotle, Claytor was a human resources manager at Bath & Body Works. Before that, she was an HR compliance and reporting auditor at L Brands. Earlier in her career, she worked with Victoria's Secret as an operations and staffing supervisor. Claytor graduated from The Ohio State University with an undergraduate degree in retail studies.
9. Kristyn Day
Global Head of Asset & Wealth Management Internal Communications, J.P. Morgan
Kristyn Day is the Global Head of Asset and Wealth Management Internal Communications of J.P. Morgan, a leader in financial services, offering solutions to clients in more than 100 countries with one of the most comprehensive global product platforms available.
Day has 19 years of experience. Before joining J.P. Morgan, she was a technical communications lead at NiSource. Before that, she was a vice president of business engineering at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. Earlier in her career, she worked with Thinkronize as a content evaluator.
Day graduated from Capital University with an MBA in Business Administration and from Miami University with an undergraduate degree in communications.
10. Hope Yanling Yin
Founder & Owner, Leadership/Executive Coach, Blueprint Coaching
Hope Yin is the Founder and Owner of Blueprint Coaching, as well as a Leadership and Executive Coach. Blueprint Coaching works with women in tech and their allies to elevate their power, expand their potential, and amplify their legacy.
Yin started her career in 1993 as a research assistant at Beihang University. From there, she went on to BBCRI (Beijing Building Construction Research Institute), before eventually rising to SVP and head of engineering engagement at US Bank, her most recent position before founding Blueprint Coaching.
Yin has multiple advanced degrees, including a Master's degree in Computer Science and Engineering, a Master's degree in Industrial Systems Engineering, and a Master's in Aircraft Manufacturing Engineering. She also has an undergraduate degree in aircraft manufacturing engineering.
11. Dianne Morrison-Beedy, PhD
Chief Talent & Global Strategy Officer; The Centennial Professor of Nursing, The Ohio State University
Dianne Morrison-Beedy serves as the Chief Global Strategy Officer and Centennial Professor of Nursing at The Ohio State University. Internationally recognized as a scholar, leader, and educator, she has received four prestigious Fulbright Awards, is a Certified Global Nursing Consultant, and holds nine international distinguished visiting professorial appointments. Before that, she served as dean of the University of South Florida College of Nursing and senior associate vice president of USF Health. She serves on the board of directors for the Friends of the National Institute for Nursing Research (FNINR) and as journal editor-in-chief of Building Healthy Academic Communities.
As an internationally-recognized nurse scientist, Morrison-Beedy developed The Health Improvement Project for Teens (HIPTeens), recognized by the CDC and US DHHS as an exemplary evidence-based intervention for HIV/STI and teen pregnancy prevention. As the founder and CEO of HIP4Change, LLC, she is committed to moving research to practice. HIPTeens reaches some of the most vulnerable/underserved adolescent populations, including victims of sexual trafficking, those in foster care, and resettled refugee/diasporic girls from twelve different countries
Morrison-Beedy is an elected fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the National Academies of Practice, and the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland. Recipient of numerous awards, including election into the International Nursing Research Hall of Fame, the Audrey Hepburn Award for contributions to children globally, the Adolescent Research Legacy Award, Ohio Nurse of the Year by March of Dimes, Excellence in HIV Prevention Award, and Lifetime Achievement in HIV work, Florida and New York State Distinguished Researcher, Intrapreneur of the Year for global educational innovation and the FNINR President’s Award for her impactful, sustained program of adolescent research. She is a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Rochester (PhD), SUNY at Buffalo (MS), and Niagara University (BS), where she serves on the Board of Trustees.
12. Julianne Meola
Head of Talent Management, John Deere
Julianne Meola is the Head of Talent Management at John Deere. Founded in 1837, John Deere is a world leader in providing advanced products, technology, and services for customers whose work is revolutionizing agriculture and construction.
Meola started her career in 2004 as a special events coordinator at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South. From there, she went on to Adolescent Cessation and Evaluation Study, before eventually rising to director of executive development and diversity at Walmart, her most recent position before joining John Deere.
Meola graduated from The University of Memphis with a PhD in Industrial Organizational Psychology and an MS in Industrial Organizational Psychology. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Arkansas.
13. Kathie Mancini
Regional President, Humana Healthy Horizons in Ohio
Kathie Mancini is the Regional President for Humana’s East Central Medicare operations. Humana Inc. is committed to helping its millions of medical and specialty members achieve their best health.
Bringing more than 25 years of healthcare experience to this role, Mancini leads all of Humana’s Medicare business, including membership and revenue growth, provider contracting, and network operations in the three-state region of Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. She oversees a staff of more than 400.
Mancini joins Humana from New Health Horizons LLC, where as president she directed Medicare Advantage plan sales growth, product development, broker channel development, and network strategy, among other responsibilities. Her previous senior-level roles have included positions at Molina Healthcare, Mount Carmel Health Plan, and SummaCare Health Plan. Mancini is a graduate of Ohio University. She is based at Humana’s Dublin, Ohio, office.
14. Kate Bachey
VP, Nonprofit Strategist, PNC
Kate Bachey is the Vice President and Nonprofit Strategist at PNC. The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. is an American bank holding company and financial services corporation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its banking subsidiary, PNC Bank, operates in 27 states and the District of Columbia, with 2,629 branches and 9,523 ATMs.
Bachey has been with PNC for over five years. She was the assistant vice president and nonprofit strategist, where she contributed to developing strategies tailored to the nonprofit sector. Before that, she served as a senior analyst in the asset management group development program, gaining valuable experience in financial analysis and asset management.
Earlier in her career, Bachey worked as an office assistant at Ohio University's Career and Leadership Development Center. She graduated from Ohio University with an undergraduate degree in business economics.
15. Chandra Adams
Senior Director, GE Healthcare
Chandra Adams is the Senior Director of GE Healthcare. As a leading global medical technology and digital solutions innovator, GE HealthCare enables clinicians to make faster, more informed decisions through intelligent devices, data analytics, applications, and services, supported by its Edison intelligence platform.
Adams is an IT professional with over 15 years of experience in business analysis, project, and program management. She has participated in multiple software development projects encompassing the entire project life cycle and has extensive experience with requirements gathering/analysis/documentation, process modeling, project planning, resource planning, financial management, and process implementation. Her strengths include excellent attention to detail, the ability to readily grasp new concepts, and a diverse knowledge of a broad range of fields.
Before joining GE Healthcare, Adams was a senior business analyst at IDX Systems. Earlier in her career, she worked with Ceridian Canada Ltd. as a functional consultant. Adams graduated from Saint Mary's University with an undergraduate degree in marketing and human resources.
16. Liz Geraghty
CMO, International, The Wendy's Company
Liz Geraghty has served as the International Chief Marketing Officer for The Wendy's Company since February 2020. She leads marketing, supply chain, operations support, and innovation in 30 countries outside of the US Founded in 1969, today Wendy's and its franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide with a vision of becoming the world's most thriving and beloved restaurant brand.
Geraghty originally joined Wendy’s as vice president of new product offerings in October 2008. She was later promoted to vice president of brand marketing and eventually vice president of international brand marketing and operations, before stepping into her current role. She has helped Wendy’s launch many iconic menu items, including the apple pecan chicken salad, asiago ranch chicken club, spicy nuggets, and natural-cut sea salt fries. Geraghty spearheaded the introduction of delivery with Wendy’s first US provider in 2017 and was the thought leader behind the company’s revamped breakfast menu that launched in 2020. She also led menu, marketing, and supply chain efforts for Wendy’s launch in the United Kingdom in 2021.
Geraghty holds a BS in Microbiology and an MS in Food Science from the University of Illinois. She has an MBA in Marketing from Northwestern University. She is a member of the board of Syntero, a nonprofit behavioral health service in Central Ohio, and she is also past chair of the Women’s Foodservice Forum Mentor Committee.
17. Kathrine Ruhl
Lead Inclusion Business Partner, Bridgestone
Kathrine Ruhl is a Lead Inclusion Business Partner at Bridgestone. Nashville, Tennessee-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader providing sustainable mobility and advanced solutions.
Ruhl has 12 years of experience. Before joining Bridgestone, she was a teaching assistant at Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business. Before that, she was a human resource assistant at Michigan State University. Earlier in her career, she completed an internship in HR and employee benefits at Textron.
Ruhl graduated from Michigan State University School of Human Resources and Labor Relations with a Master's degree in human resources and labor relations and from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business with an undergraduate degree in human resource management.
18. Michelle Melendez
VP, Aon
Michelle Melendez is the Vice President of Aon. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, Aon provides clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that help protect and grow their businesses.
Melendez is an enthusiastic and results-driven security professional with experience in several security and risk management domains. At Aon, she leads the organization responsible for cybersecurity and technology risk management. Previously, Melendez was an executive director at JPMorgan Chase & Co., where she led the transformation of processes that resulted in savings of over $5 million annually while reducing risk. She also established a global organization to support network security risk management across 1,200 firewalls and network devices. Before that, she was the director of IT governance at EXPRESS, where she managed vendor relationships, developed policies and procedures, and successfully saved $250,000 within the first four months by renegotiating security-related contracts.
Melendez volunteered as a director of communications for Central Ohio ISSA, where she contributed to the organization's efforts in science and technology. She is currently a grant reader for The Women's Fund of Central Ohio, where she has played a key role in reading and scoring grants to help improve the Central Ohio community, and she volunteers with Homes for Our Troops, where she helped build a brand-new ADA-compliant home for an injured USMC Corporal.
19. Jena Schnur
Senior HR Business Partner, Global, Avanade
Jena Schnur is the Senior HR Business Partner, Global of Avanade. Avanade is the leading provider of innovative digital, cloud, and advisory services, industry solutions, and design-led experiences across the Microsoft ecosystem.
At Avanade, Schnur serves as a strategic human resources business partner, supporting global sales, marketing, HR, legal, finance, IT, and operations teams. From there, she eventually rose to the level of senior associate in human resources at Publicis Groupe, her most recent position before joining Avanade.
Schnur graduated from Villanova University with a Master of Science in Human Resource Development and from Miami University with an undergraduate degree in business management.
20. Tara Campbell
VP, Director of Community Development Operations & Strategy, Fifth Third Bank
Tara Campbell leads regional and national lending and investment programs at Fifth Third Bank, focusing on supporting underestimated communities and entrepreneurs. As a key collaborator in the Bank’s $180MM Empowering Black Futures Neighborhood Investment Program, she launched the Empowering Black Futures Capital Readiness Grant program with the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) and implemented the Connect2Capital referral program with the Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF) to expand small business capital access.
Before joining Fifth Third in 2021, Tara served as Signature Initiatives Manager at U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation. There, she advanced social impact strategies, including a $50 million Paycheck Protection Program liquidity fund for CDFIs and a $25 million fund for women of color micro businesses.
With over 20 years of experience in community development and banking, Tara has held significant positions such as Manager of Lending at Community Affordable Housing Equity Corporation (CAHEC) in Raleigh, Senior Vice President of Lending & Investments at the North Carolina Community Development Initiative, Director of Lending for IFF, and Vice President of Lending for Finance Fund in Columbus, Ohio. She has deployed over $65 million in various lending programs, including small business and facilities-based lending, CDFI investments, and loans utilizing Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, New Markets Tax Credits, and Historic Tax Credits.
Tara holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Economics from Denison University. She has completed the McKinsey & Company Black Management Accelerator Program, earned her Certification as an Economic Development Finance Professional from the National Development Council, and completed the Citi Leadership Program through the Opportunity Finance Network. She actively serves as a board member for the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), the Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI), and the YMCA of Central Ohio.
21. Michelle Greene
Chief Information Officer, Cardinal Health
Michelle Greene is the Chief Information Officer of Cardinal Health, a distributor of pharmaceuticals, a global manufacturer and distributor of medical and laboratory products, and a provider of performance and data solutions for healthcare facilities.
Greene has held technology-oriented roles with increasing responsibility at companies like Johnson Controls and Sony Ericsson. Before joining Cardinal Health, she served as the vice president of information technology for Masco Corporation based in Livonia, Michigan. In this role, she was responsible for aligning the IT strategies and initiatives supporting Masco’s corporate functions and overall business objectives. In addition to providing leadership for the corporate IT organization, she directed the planning and implementation of corporate IT solutions and led Masco’s enterprise-wide IT strategy for shared services, information security, and data analytics initiatives.
In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities at Cardinal Health, Greene serves on the board for Goodwill of Southeastern Wisconsin, serves as the vice chair for Goodwill Manufacturing, Inc. subsidiary, and is a member of the DE&I Taskforce. Additionally, she serves on the board for GreenPath Financial Wellness as vice chair and chair of the Audit Committee. She is also on the board of Detroit Public Television (DPTV) and is a member of the HR and Comp Committee. Lastly, she is an active member of ITSMF (IT Senior Management Forum), Chief and Black Women on Boards. Greene earned a Bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State University and a Master’s degree in Information Sciences from Florida State University.
22. Amy Arthur
Managing Director, Investments, Wells Fargo Advisors
Amy Arthur is the Managing Director of Investments for Wells Fargo Advisors. With over two decades of experience in the financial services industry, Arthur is passionate about making a difference in the financial lives of her clients. In 2019, she moved to Wells Fargo Advisors in her current role after working at JPMorgan since 2004.
Arthur formed The Arthur Woodby Financial Group of Wells Fargo Advisors in 2021. Since then, she has been a registered Player Financial Advisor with the NFL Players Association and currently serves on the Strategic Planning Committee. Her areas of expertise are financial planning and portfolio management. She holds a CFP and is a Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA).
Arthur holds an MFA from The Ohio State University and is a forever Buckeye fan. Before her career in finance, she was a professional dancer and enjoys yoga, biking, and reading.
23. Mary Lawson
VP, Operations Excellence, Fiserv
Today, Mary Lawson is the VP of Operations Excellence of Fiserv, a global technology leader enabling money movement for thousands of financial institutions and millions of people and businesses. Fiserv, Inc. aspires to move money and information in a way that moves the world.
Lawson has 30 years of electronic payments experience. Her first focus at Fiserv was operations. She formed the Payment Management group with the mission to improve the electronic rate of bill payment transactions. She is listed as an inventor on 18 payment patents, including the system responsible for the current e-rate and the concept of the earliest available payment date. Lawson was part of a three-member team that started CheckFree’s Direct Send program, allowing for electronic remittances to be sent directly to merchants. From operations, she consulted internationally for several years and during that time enabled a complete bill payment and presentment system in New Zealand that is still in use today. From there, she went into the Product Strategy group.
Lawson has over 10 years of product management experience, including online banking, bill payment, P2P, A2A, and the underlying platforms for those products. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Ohio University, a Master’s degree in Business from Franklin University, and a JD from Capital University Law School. She is a licensed attorney in Ohio.
24. Myeshia Troy Harmon
Senior Director of Clinical Research Operations, Nationwide Children's Hospital
Myeshia serves as the Senior Director of Clinical Research Operations for Nationwide Children's Hospital. In her role, Myeshia oversees the research operations for the Hematology, Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplant, and Clinical Research Services groups, respectively. Both teams serve as full-service project management teams that support the initiation, and execution of all clinical research projects, regardless of funding source.
Over the past several years, NCH's clinical research portfolio has tripled in size and has facilitated highly complex clinical research - from clinical trials for rare diseases and gene therapies to large-scale longitudinal cohort studies. The Division of Hem/Onc/BMT is a National Institute of Health (NIH) designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, the largest facility of its kind in Ohio and one of the largest in the United States. It is also a leading center for clinical trial enrollment for the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), the world’s largest and most recognized pediatric cancer research collaborative.
During Myeshia’s tenure as director of the Hem/Onc/BMT Clinical Research Office, 74% of eligible oncology patients participated in clinical trials for new therapeutic agents, treatment delivery technologies, and radiation treatment strategies. In 2020, Myeshia played a vital role in the successful, rapid transition of Maryam Fouladi, MD, and the CONNECT research consortium from Cincinnati Children’s to Nationwide Children’s. Through astonishing research growth, Myeshia has kept patients in focus, consistently reminding her teams of the direct link between their work and the child at the end of every clinical trial opened at Nationwide Children's.
Myeshia has been chosen as the Hem/Onc/BMT Mentor of the Year, received an NCH "Service from the Heart" award, and was selected as the 2020 Manager of the Year. Her love for process improvement garnered the 2022 Maribeth Quinn Award for Process Improvement. Myeshia has been integral to the growth of Nationwide Children’s clinical research enterprise. Her successful leadership continues to contribute to streamlined clinical research operations in partnership with NCH faculty and staff. Outside of work, Myeshia enjoys spending time with her husband, their two children, and a very large extended family. She enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, community service, and mentoring those new to leadership, clinical research, and professions in healthcare.
25. Storm Woods
VP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Battelle
Storm Woods has diverse work experience in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion. She currently holds the position of Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Battelle. Before this role, Woods served Battelle as the director of DEI. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers.
Previously, Woods worked as a diversity and inclusion Manager at L Brands from May 2018 to February 2021. Woods also worked as a talent development specialist at Big Lots Stores from July 2016 to May 2018. She also has a background in management and event coordination. Woods served as the general manager at Teavana from March 2009 to July 2016. Additionally, she worked at Shadowbox Live from March 2004 to September 2009, where she held multiple roles, including special occasions coordinator, event sales, and assistant to the marketing director.
Woods obtained a Master of Science in Human Resources Management and Services from Franklin University in 2016. Before that, she earned a BA in Theatre from The Ohio State University in 2010. She also studied theater at the University of Michigan-Flint.
26. Melody Birmingham
Executive VP & Group President of Utilities, NiSource Inc.
Melody Birmingham serves as Executive Vice President and Group President of Utilities at NiSource Inc. As group president, she leads NiSource’s gas and electric business segments, focusing on the energy transition of NiSource’s electric generation fleet and driving the long-term sustainability of its gas segment. Additionally, Birmingham leads sustainability, customer operations, strategy, planning, regulatory, federal government affairs, and public affairs for the six NiSource operating companies.
Birmingham has more than 25 years of experience in the energy industry. Previously, Birmingham served as the chief innovation officer for NiSource, where she was responsible for enterprise transformation and project management office, information technology, cyber and physical security, data analytics, supply chain, real estate, corporate aviation, enterprise communications, and customer organization. She also previously served as senior vice president and chief administrative officer for Duke Energy, where she was responsible for information technology, supply chain operations, accounts payable, corporate aviation, real estate, facilities, and enterprise security.
Birmingham serves on the board of directors for 1st Source Corporation and 1st Source Bank, the largest locally controlled financial institution headquartered in northern Indiana and southwest Michigan. In addition, she serves on the board of directors for the United Way of Central Ohio, the Columbus Symphony and Orchestra, and One Columbus. She is a member of the Executive Leadership Council, an organization committed to increasing the number of global Black executives. Birmingham most recently served on the board of directors for the Urban League of Central Carolina, the board of directors for Charlotte Symphony and Orchestra, the board of directors for Discovery Place, and a former member of the board of trustees for Marian University in Indianapolis. Birmingham earned a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University. She also completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School. In 2016, Birmingham was conferred an honorary Doctor of Humanities by Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Terre Haute, Indiana.
27. Oana Polanco
Senior Director, Product Management, Service Cloud Digital Engagement, Salesforce
Oana Polanco is the Senior Director of Product Management in Service Cloud Digital Engagement of Salesforce. She first joined the team in 2022. Salesforce, Inc. is an American cloud-based software company headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Previously, Polanco was a director of international technology at The Wendy's Company. Before that, she was an associate strategist for a new business at Alliance Data Retail Services. Earlier in her career, she worked with Margaret W. Wong and Associates Co., LPA as an immigration legal assistant.
Polanco earned an MBA in Marketing and E-commerce from Keller Graduate School of Management and an undergraduate degree in economics from Hiram College.
28. Brianna Elsmore
VP, Contracts & Assistant General Counsel, MAXIMUS
Brianna Elsmore is the Vice President of Contracts and Assistant General Counsel for MAXIMUS. She first joined the team in 2022. MAXIMUS moves people forward by providing transformative technology services, digitally enabled customer experiences, and clinical health services that change lives.
Elsmore is an accomplished legal executive with extensive experience advising corporate leadership on contractual risk mitigation. She has expertise in drafting and negotiating contracts with state, federal, and international governments, as well as with commercial customers. She is committed to assisting her business partners in achieving their goals.
Previously, Elsmore was an assistant general counsel at OCLC. Before that, she was a counsel for corporate legal service and contract compliance and director of contracts at Battelle. Earlier in her career, she worked with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Land and Maritime as an assistant counsel. Elsmore earned a JD in Law from Capital University and an undergraduate degree in history and women’s studies from Otterbein University.
29. Jessica Dejanovic
Director, Operations, Swim & Dive, The Ohio State University
Jessica Dejanovic joined the Ohio State staff in October of 2021. She is entering her fourth full season with the Buckeyes. As Director of Operations, she oversees all logistics and operations of the Swimming, Diving, and Artistic Swimming teams. She works as a liaison to all parts of the athletic department.
Jessica was born and raised in the small town of Windham, Ohio. She graduated from The Ohio State University in the spring of 2019 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Industry. While an undergrad, Dejanovic worked four years as a student manager for the Women’s Basketball program, focusing on operations. After the completion of her Bachelor’s Degree, Jessica received her Master’s Degree in Sport Management in the spring of 2021. During her post-graduate years, she continued her work with the Women’s Basketball Program.
While on staff, Jessica’s teams and athletes have won 3 Big Ten Titles, and 2 Artistic Swimming Collegiate Championships and had 11 Buckeyes represented in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. She has a passion for not only working in sports but also watching young people grow and develop as young professionals outside of the pool.
30. Lisa Gutierrez
VP, DEI, Ardent Health
Lisa Gutierrez is the Vice President of DEI at Ardent Health. She first joined the team in 2024. Ardent Health is a leading provider of healthcare in communities across the country. With a focus on consumer-friendly processes and investments in innovative services and technologies, Ardent is passionate about making healthcare better and easier to access.
Working with leaders and team members, Gutierrez collaborates with Ardent’s local DEI Councils to tailor programs to the company’s markets and measure the effectiveness of DEI initiatives. She has also developed new processes and training opportunities to foster awareness and advocacy.
Gutierrez brings a wealth of experience building creative strategies that mobilize organizations around DEI goals. With more than two decades of experience leading diversity and inclusion for major companies and academic institutions, she most recently served as chief diversity and inclusion officer for Indiana University Health. She focuses on leveraging differences to help drive results and serves as a strategic thought partner at the intersection of diversity, inclusive leadership, and innovation. Gutierrez is originally from New Mexico and is a graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder.
31. Tonjia Coverdale
SVP, Chief Strategy Officer for Operations & Technology, Associated Bank
Tonjia Coverdale joined Associated Bank as a Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer in Operations and Technology. Associated Banc-Corp has total assets of $41 billion and is the largest bank holding company based in Wisconsin.
Coverdale is a technology executive, professional, and scholar who has cultivated her unique perspective through industry best practices, strategic focus, academic theories, and applied research with nearly 30 years of experience and three degrees in technology. She was previously with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, where she launched the enterprise data partner solutions team to mobilize data strategies for the entire enterprise, including all lines of business and corporate functional units, led the finance technology team, and strategized modernization efforts for enterprise performance management, planning/budgeting, risk management, treasury management, and regulatory reporting and drove strategic initiatives to support over 25,000 associates and led modernization efforts to support operations, compliance, litigation, and philanthropy as the leader of the workforce and legal technology team.
Coverdale earned her PhD in Business Administration and Information Science and Systems from Morgan State University and her MBA in Computer Information Systems from Georgia State University. She also has a Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Systems from Morgan State University. In the community, Coverdale is a member of several advisory boards that provide access to technology education and career opportunities, including Project Lead the Way and Per Scholas.
32. Megan Ellis
Executive Director, OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan University
Megan Ellis co-leads the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan University's signature experience. As a strategic leader, she is responsible for the unification and growth of this transformational program, which is integrated into the OWU curriculum.
In her role as Executive Director, Ellis works closely with students, faculty and staff, alumni, community members, and corporate partners to create opportunities for personal and professional development for OWU students through research, service, travel, and career development. She oversees multiple teams, including Career Connection, Delaware Entrepreneurial Center, Woltemade Center for Economics, Business, and Entrepreneurship, Ross Art Museum, Early Childhood Center, Perkins Observatory, Global Scholars, Arneson Institute, Education Fellows, and New York Arts Program, which provide high-impact practices and student opportunities connecting curriculum to out-of-classroom experiences.
Ellis’ passion for innovation and strategy development is evident in her ability to create new initiatives, develop a strategy, and execute the plan. Her teams view her as a collaborative leader and skilled change manager. She is a doctorate student at the University of Pennsylvania, researching strategy and change leadership in higher education. Ellis earned a Master's of Education in Higher Education from Pennsylvania State University with a Certificate of Institutional Research. She has a BA in Economics Management with a minor in Psychology from Ohio Wesleyan University.
33. Amy Shore
EVP & Chief Transformation Officer, Nationwide
Amy Shore is the EVP and Chief Transformation Officer of Nationwide, one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is an industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, providing a full range of insurance and financial services products.
Shore She is a growth strategist with over 25 years of experience leading transformational change at a Fortune 100 company. Her professional passion lies in helping teams succeed by deeply understanding their customers, protecting them against risk, and delivering extraordinary experiences. In addition to her C-suite leadership roles, she has extensive governance experience, serving as the vice-chair of the board of trustees at Bowling Green State University, where she also chairs the Investments Committee.
Shore graduated from Bowling Green State University with an undergraduate degree in business. Her passion is supporting financial literacy and promoting economic mobility for a broader population.
34. Jenn Fowler Howard
Senior Managing Director, Per Scholas Columbus
Jenn Fowler Howard is the Senior Managing Director of Per Scholas Columbus. In her role, she directly addresses the issues of thriving workforces through ensuring equitable access to education for all. She leads strategic vision and program oversight to develop partnerships with community-based organizations, corporations, and private and public foundations to ensure the delivery of the organizational mission at Per Scholas Columbus.
Howard is also the founder and executive director of Project C.L.O.U.D.S, a nonprofit organization that provides leadership training, life-skill development, and college and career preparation for youth between the ages of 14 and 22. She has a varied educational background that has prepared her to work collaboratively and compassionately with others as a community developer and youth advocate. Howard is passionate about people and seeks to inspire, motivate, and encourage those around her to live authentic, full lives. Her recent debut as a TEDx King-Lincoln Bronzeville speaker allowed her to talk about the power of influence in the lives of teens and young adults.
Howard holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Further, she completed a Master of Divinity from Methodist Theological School in Ohio and is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She is a kid at heart, who seeks to live a life that makes a difference through supporting the development and advancement of everyone she is privileged to encounter. Howard loves puzzles, reading, and binge-watching reality TV shows. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her spouse and puppy.
35. Denise Snowden
Founder & CEO, Coach to Lead
Denise Snowden is the Founder and CEO of Coach to Lead. Coach-to-Lead offers executive leaders a blend of action learning, group and individual coaching and training, using a combination of psychology, spirituality, and leadership competencies, to co-create vision to develop and implement actions aligned with organizational objectives.
Snowden brings knowledge, skill, and wisdom to the table with more than 25 years of experience creating, designing, implementing, and directing professional learning ranging from one-on-one executive coaching to large speaking engagements. She personalizes the coaching and consultation approach by listening first and then collaboratively constructing a path forward. A constant learner, Snowden immerses herself in the current research, policy, and practice literature, and readily applies these new understandings in practical ways.
Previously, Snowden was a senior director at Battelle for Kids. Before that, she was an education pastor at Quest Community Church. Earlier in her career, she worked with Firelands Local Schools as a middle school teacher. Snowden earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Policy and Leadership from Ohio State University, and from Ashland University, she earned a Master of Education in Literacy and an undergraduate degree in education.
36. Amy Koch
Chief Operations Officer, Roof Maxx
Amy Koch, an executive based in Columbus, Ohio, brings over 20 years of leadership experience with Fortune 500 companies. Her career has been distinguished by a focus on coaching teams to peak performance and driving success through strategic operations management, organizational leadership, and sales growth across various industries.
Since 2017, Amy has served as Chief Operations Officer at Roof Maxx, a trailblazing company at the crossroads of roofing and sustainability. Roof Maxx offers the first natural asphalt shingle rejuvenator, a bio-oil product that extends the life of shingles while promoting environmental sustainability. Under Amy’s leadership, Roof Maxx has experienced rapid growth, driven by her passion for sustainability and her expertise in building effective processes for the company’s dealers.
Before joining Roof Maxx, Amy held key leadership roles at Solo Cup and Newell Rubbermaid, where she managed significant revenue streams and large teams. Her ability to craft and execute strategies that consistently exceed targets highlights her results-driven approach.
Amy’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond her professional life. She has aligned herself with organizations that prioritize making the world a safer, better place, including building a fully remote corporate infrastructure. Her work reflects a deep dedication to creating a positive environmental impact and ensuring a better future for generations to come.
Outside of her professional achievements, Amy enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, playing pickleball, and reading. Her personal passions emphasize her belief in a balanced, fulfilling life.
37. Leigh Burnside
Chief Financial Officer, Little Caesars Pizza
Leigh Burnside is the Chief Financial Officer of Little Caesars Pizza. Headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, Little Caesars was founded in 1959 as a single, family-owned restaurant. Today, it is the third-largest pizza chain in the world, with stores in each of the 50 US states and 27 countries and territories.
Burnside has 32 years of experience. Before joining Little Caesars Pizza, she was a senior vice president and chief accounting officer at The Wendy's Company. Before that, she was a director-strategic financial analyst at Wendy's/Arby's Group, Inc. Earlier in her career, she worked with Coopers & Lybrand as an audit senior associate.
Burnside is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting. She has served on the board of directors for The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and is on the board of advisors of the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland-College Park.
38. Laura Kimball
VP, Global GTM Enablement, Simpro Group Software
Laura Kimball is the Vice President of Global GTM Enablement of Simpro Group Software, the total business management software that empowers trade businesses around the world to improve business efficiency and make smarter decisions with one software solution. As a leader, Laura fosters an environment where creativity and autonomy are encouraged, and she is committed to empowering her team members to be “owners of their own business." By investing in Individual Leadership development, Laura ensures that each team member has the experience and confidence to excel, driving both individual growth and collective success. Through years in the ever-changing technology and software landscape, she believes embracing ambiguity, being prepared with “Plan B”, and weaving in a dose of levity can greatly contribute to success.
Kimball has extensive work experience in the field of global revenue enablement. She started her career as a senior account representative at Sterling Software (later Sterling Commerce) in 1994 and held various roles within the company, including sales program manager and manager of field engagement. After the 2010 acquisition by IBM, she was the manager of B2B & Commerce sales programs, before transitioning to become a sales enablement leader within IBM Commerce & Smarter Cities. Kimball moved on to work at NetSuite (Oracle) as global sales enablement manager for the Retail sector. In 2016, she joined Magento Commerce as the director of global enablement, and after the acquisition by Adobe, she was the director and head of global commercial enablement. Kimball worked as a freelance enablement consultant at E4Globe before joining Cart.com as the vice president of GTM enablement.
Kimball has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Business Management from Franklin University, Columbus Ohio. She is a member/patron of The Tim Tebow Foundation, Compassion International, Sandy Hook Promise Organization, Columbus Mid-Ohio Food Bank, Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum Foundation.
39. Renee Tolliver
Executive Partner, Gartner
Renee Tolliver is an Executive Partner at Gartner. Gartner's expert guidance and tools enable faster, smarter decisions and stronger performance on an organization's mission-critical priorities. Their unrivaled combination of expert-led, practitioner-sourced, and data-driven research steers clients toward the right decisions on the issues that matter most.
Tolliver is an accomplished executive with over 25 years of leading technology in the not-for-profit, public, and private sectors. Her executive experience in leading technology has focused on strategic planning, portfolio management, budgets, and integrated business planning within the private sector and state government. She has served in several leadership roles working with executives to utilize technology as a critical enabler to accelerate desired business outcomes. Tolliver served as CIO for the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the third largest cabinet agency in the State of Ohio. Her responsibilities included budgets, programs, and service delivery for six inpatient behavioral health facilities, pharmacy, and agency corporate services.
Previously, Tolliver was a director of data advisory services at Nationwide’s Enterprise Data Office. Before that, she was a senior manager of information technology services at T. Marzetti Company. Earlier in her career, she worked with OhioHealth, Inc. as a senior systems analyst. Tolliver earned an undergraduate degree in communications from Bowling Green State University.
40. Tina Anne Sebastian
VP, Abstrakt
Tina Anne Sebastian is a seasoned tech leader with over a decade of experience in software development, AI innovation, and data engineering. Currently serving as the VP of Engineering at Abstrakt, she leads a remote team from Columbus, OH, where she oversees the development of real-time call guidance AI software that mitigates risk, automates quality assurance, and ensures compliance for enterprise clients.
Before Abstrakt, Tina founded Card Boss, an AI-powered card grading startup, which she successfully grew to 3,000+ users before a successful exit in 2022. Under her leadership, Card Boss introduced an innovative AI system for grading collectible cards, earning her a U.S. patent for her work in AI-driven systems for collectible grading. She has worked as a software engineer at places like Verizon Wireless and Whirlpool over the span of her technology career.
Tina holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. She also earned a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Engineering from the College of Engineering Chengannur.
A passionate educator and advocate for STEM, Tina volunteers with the Microsoft TEALS Program as a computer science teacher and has guest lectured on AI at various institutions. Her dedication to innovation and leadership has earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of the 100 Top Tech Innovators and Influencers by Internet 2.0 Vegas and one of IndustryEra's Most Inspiring Women Leaders of 2021.
Tina is also certified in Quantum Computing and Cybersecurity from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is a Certified ScrumMaster®. In her free time, Tina enjoys spending time with her 10-year-old twin children Aaron and Alyssa, and her 1-year-old twin cats, Sparkle and Tinsel.
41. Gwen Evans
VP, Global Library Relations, Elsevier
Gwen Evans is Vice President of Global Library Relations, at Elsevier. As a global leader in information and analytics, Elsevier helps researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society.
Before joining Elsevier in 2020, Evans spent seven years as the executive director of the state agency and library consortium OhioLINK. She held the position of associate professor and coordinator of library information technologies at Bowling Green State University until 2012. She has extensive experience with all types of academic libraries and institutions, including academic content contract negotiations on the consortial level, statewide affordable textbook initiatives, including OER, and leading, maintaining, and creating shared collaborative services in a technology-driven environment. She was active in the International Coalition of Library Consortia, serving as chair of the Coordinating Committee. Her recent publications include an Ithaka S+R issue brief co-authored with Roger Schonfeld, It’s Not What Libraries Hold; It’s Who Libraries Serve: Seeking a User-Centered Future for Academic Libraries and Creating Diversity in Libraries: Management Perspectives in Library Leadership & Management with Mihoko Hosoi and Nancy S. Kirkpatrick.
Evans graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with an MSLIS in Library and Information Science and from the University of Chicago with an MA in Cultural Anthropology.
42. Morgan Polen
Marketing & Product Director, B'laster Holdings
Morgan Polen is a marketing executive with over 12 years of experience in developing and executing robust marketing strategies that have a powerful impact. She currently acts as a Marketing and Product Director for B'laster Holdings, as well as senior marketing consultant for KeyBank.
Polen has built a career in managing the market strategy for several brands across different industries. As her focus is on growth marketing, she helps establish and manage an e-commerce presence, develops and executes marketing communications, and acts as a product marketing expert. Polen combines data-driven insights with artistic vision to optimize campaigns across channels and platforms, leveraging generative AI and omnichannel marketing techniques.
Polen’s passion for marketing stems from her curiosity and creativity, and her desire to communicate effectively and persuasively. She holds an MBA with a focus on Strategic Marketing from the University of Akron and a BA in Communication Studies from Kent State University. She is an award-winning marketer, a mentor for aspiring marketers, and a member of various university advisory boards. Her goal is to help businesses grow through thoughtful, strategic marketing, and to build brand trust and loyalty with customers.
43. Kendy Miller
VP, Global Sourcing, EXPRESS
Kendy Miller is the Vice President of Global Sourcing of EXPRESS. Grounded in a belief that style, quality, and value should all be found in one place, Express is a brand with a purpose that creates confidence. They inspire self-expression, powered by a styling community. launched in 1980, express has been a part of some of the most important and culture-defining fashion trends.
Miller is an experienced sourcing VP with a demonstrated history of working in the retail industry. She is a strong operations professional skilled in trend analysis, retail, sales, store management, and team building. She started at EXPRESS as a production coordinator. From there, she was promoted to senior production coordinator for women's woven products, where she managed women's woven bottoms, jackets, dresses, and skirts. She landed her first director role in 2009 and was promoted to the C-suite in 2020.
Miller started her career in 1989 as a store manager at Limited Brands. She graduated from The University of Akron with an undergraduate degree in business administration and marketing.
44. Tami Chapek
CEO, Founder & Executive Leadership Coach, WeInspireWe
Tami Chapek, the Founder and Head Coach of WeInspireWe, has 20+ years of corporate experience in team and individual coaching, strategic performance management and operations, as well as communications. Tami is a seasoned leadership and career coach committed to supporting authentic leadership development for all, regardless of title or tenure, age or gender, or any other qualifier.
Tami holds her Professional Certified Coach credentials through the ICF and Certified Professional Coach and a Master Practitioner for the Energy Leadership Index through the Institute for Professional Excellence (iPEC). Tami is also a Certified Diversity Coach from Out of the Box Coaching and has received numerous awards for her coaching expertise and offerings. In addition, Tami has served organizations such as Google, Novartis, Fifth Third Bank, MediData, American Electric Power, Uber, Havas, Syneos Health, Taysha Gene Therapies, Medtronic, and more.
In 2017, Tami founded WeInspireWe based on the belief that everyone has the right to be a great leader and by leaning into individual strengths, wrapped with fundamental leadership principles, can stretch beyond their current level and unleash their true potential – making a transformational impact in the environment around them. Tami believes that most organizations develop leaders to reach the status quo, but Tami believes that by defying the ordinary, you can unleash true potential. Because of that, Tami developed the Leadership reDEFYned™ platform to ensure success for all individuals defying traditional leadership standards. Tami empowers her clients to identify their strengths to reach leadership goals, overcome barriers to success, and own their development paths and successful futures.
In addition to coaching, Tami also brings real-world leadership and career concepts to life with hands-on leadership development and career advancement training, customized workshops, employee-resource group leadership initiatives, as well as motivational keynote speaking engagements. Tami is also passionate about serving women and underrepresented groups like LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities providing a keen focus on empowerment and leadership growth offerings to corporations to expand their diversity and inclusion footprint beyond numbers alone.
45. Julia Volino
AVP, Division Director, Robert Half Finance & Accounting
Julia Volino is the AVP and Division Director at Robert Half Finance & Accounting. Robert Half, the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm, connects opportunities at great companies with highly skilled job seekers.
Volino started at Robert Half in March 2016 and added her current responsibilities in August 2017. She is also the founder and partner of Capital V Consulting, LLC, which provides expert and tailored solutions in marketing and human resources.
Previously, Volino was the director of marketing at Brookside Golf & Country Club. She graduated from Capital University with an MBA in Marketing and an undergraduate degree in psychology.
46. Jackie Downing
Senior Human Resources Business Partner, Vertiv
Jackie Downing is a Senior Human Resources Business Partner at Vertiv. She first joined the team in 2021 as a senior human resources generalist. Vertiv brings together hardware, software, analytics, and ongoing services to enable its customers’ vital applications to run continuously, perform optimally, and grow with their business needs.
Previously, Downing was a senior clinical talent acquisition partner at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Earlier in her career, she worked with Columbus Zoo and Aquarium as a human resources assistant.
Downing earned an undergraduate degree in communications from Wittenberg University, where she was on the women's tennis team and in Chi Omega.
47. Rebekah Marette
VP, Compensation & Total Rewards Practice, Lockton Companies
Rebekah Marette is the Vice President of the Compensation and Total Rewards Practice of Lockton Companies. Lockton is an American company that provides insurance, risk management, and employee benefits. It is the world's largest privately held insurance brokerage firm.
Marette is experienced in designing and optimizing career frameworks, base pay compensation structures, short-term incentive programs, and executive compensation programs to help clients successfully attract, retain, and engage their employees. She partners with clients to build and lead change management initiatives in support of organizational transformation and is skilled in helping clients optimize both talent and technology. Marette’s consulting style leans into listening and being curious about an organization’s culture and goals and she becomes a strategic partner in developing creative solutions that are customized and developed in collaboration with each client.
Marette started her career in 2007 as a compensation analyst II at Tween Brands, Inc. From there, she went on to EXPRESS, before eventually rising to director of career practice at Buck, her most recent position before joining Lockton Companies. Marette graduated from The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business with an undergraduate degree in human resources.
48. Martha Patzer
Senior Director, Experiential Marketing, Vox Media
Martha Patzer is the Senior Director of Experiential Marketing at Vox Media, the leading independent modern media company. Known for building the best media brands and the technology that enables them, they are committed to building a better future for the industry and getting the future of media right.
Patzer has 19 years of experience. Before joining Vox Media, she was the head of community at Neeva. Before that, she was the head of product operations at Exasol. Earlier in her career, she worked with South Bend Tribune as a copy editor and features writer.
Patzer is a member of Community Built and the founder of Hired Puns LLC, where she works with founders and startups in New York, the Bay Area, and Columbus, Ohio. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in English, English language, and literature and letters.
49. Cindy Reynolds
Wealth Management Advisor, Senior Vice President, Merrill Lynch
Today, Cindy Reynolds is the Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Vice President of Merrill Lynch. Reynolds provides high-net-worth clients across the country with sophisticated wealth management strategies designed to help them achieve their goals while managing risk. Her holistic approach encompasses multiple aspects of a client's financial life, including higher education savings, retirement planning, tax minimization strategies, trust and estate planning services, asset and liability management, cash-flow analysis, and wealth transfer. A strong communicator, Reynolds works closely with a client's external tax and legal advisors, as appropriate, to help ensure that a client's financial components are working together as efficiently as possible.
Reynolds has extensive experience assisting corporate executives with concentrated stock positions while implementing disciplined diversification strategies. She offers an in-depth understanding of employer benefit services, including 401(k)/403(b), deferred compensation, and defined benefits, as well as stock option awards and their taxation. Her knowledge and insight differentiate her ability to support clients in advancing steady progress toward their objectives and long-term aspirations.
Reynolds began her career with Merrill in 1993 as an annuity, insurance, and estate planning specialist in the Dayton, OH, office. In 1998, she relocated to Columbus to join the Cenname Team. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Communication from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation.
50. Lauren Krasnodembski
Senior Director, Privacy, McKesson
Lauren Krasnodembski is the Senior Director of Privacy at McKesson. As a global healthcare company, McKesson leaders empower their people to lead with a growth mindset and deliver excellence for their customers, partners, and the well-being of people everywhere.
Krasnodembski has 13 years of experience. Before joining McKesson, she was a privacy officer and compliance leader at CoverMyMeds. Before that, she was a senior counsel at Cardinal Health. Earlier in her career, she worked with the Ohio Attorney General's Office as an assistant attorney general in labor relations.
Krasnodembski graduated from Ohio Northern University’s Claude W. Pettit College of Law with a JD in Law and from the University of Dayton with an undergraduate degree in psychology and criminal justice.