In honor of Women’s Equality Day, Paradigm for Parity® annually recognizes Women on the Rise in our Coalition companies, who are breaking barriers in corporate leadership and showing the value of gender parity, including racial equity in the workforce. In keeping with our dedication to addressing systemic gender and racial gaps and working toward transforming corporate culture so all can thrive, it is critical that Paradigm for Parity be a part of celebrating these women for their powerful accomplishments.
“Being seen and valued for contributions to a company is critical to closing the gender and racial leadership gap,” commented Paradigm for Parity CEO Nadine Bullock-Pottinga. “We are proud to recognize an extraordinary group of women who are rising through their organizations while paving the way for a future where inclusivity drives excellence. This is what it means to be a Paradigm for Parity Woman on the Rise.”
Florence Caperaa, Senior Director of Talent for EMEA & Americas, Otis Elevator Company
Florence Caperaa is the Senior Director of Talent for EMEA & Americas at Otis Elevator Company, a global Fortune 500 company providing high technology products and services for the building industry, boasting over $13.7B in revenue and 70,000+ colleagues. In her role, Florence leads talent, learning & development, and DEI initiatives in these regions, with the goal of fostering an environment where all colleagues feel valued, heard, and respected, and can develop their skills to perform at their best.
With eight years of experience at Otis and a total of 27 years in HR, internal communications, change management, talent, and DEI across the fast-moving consumer goods, retail, and building industries, Florence brings a wealth of expertise to her role. She finds passion and energy in supporting others and draws inspiration and purpose from listening to their voices & helping them to be heard.
Outside of work, Florence is a dedicated volunteer with Nourris’Son, a French nonprofit organization she co-founded, which organizes charity concerts to provide music therapy sessions to premature babies and their parents during their hospital stay. She enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, delving into History and Psychology books, and exploring nature, art, and cultures during her many travels.
Christine Castaneda, Head of Professional Recruitment, Central, LHH, The Adecco Group
Christine Castaneda is a staffing professional with over 20 years of experience with LHH Recruitment Solutions, part of The Adecco Group where she currently oversees a significant portion of the US operations. Beginning her career as a recruiter, Christine quickly showcased exceptional leadership and strategic acumen which accelerated her progression within the organization. Her tenure includes leading staffing initiatives, simplifying recruitment processes, and enhancing client relationships, all of which have driven growth and improved operational efficiency. With a BA in Business from Loyola University Chicago, Christine has consistently used her expertise to drive results and foster a collaborative work environment.
Outside of work, Christine enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and staying active through cycling, running, and walking her beloved Bernedoodle, Pepper. Her dedication to both her career and personal interests reflects her well-rounded approach to leadership and life.
Liberna Charles, Vice President of Talent Management, Development and DEI, Avangrid
Liberna Charles is the Vice President of Talent Management, Development and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Avangrid. Liberna graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a BS in Marketing and Management and went on to earn her MBA from NYU, Stern School of Business. Under Liberna’s leadership in 2023 Avangrid was awarded: The Bloomberg Gender-Equity Index, Index Inclusion Award from Disability:IN in addition her efforts assisted with Avangrid achieving recognition for America’s Most Just 100 and World’s Most Ethical Companies. Liberna’s DE&I programing contributed to Avangrid being recognized in Forbes list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity 2024. Constantly improving to make progress is second nature for Liberna and is reflective of her team’s work: from a Union Scholars Program, seven robust Business Resource Groups, a DEI Executive Council, an annual Diversity Week to an “Inclusion at Work” training course; making inclusion for all a priority.
Marcelle Cortezia, Quality and Regulatory Director & Global Chair DSWomen ERG, Dentsply Sirona
Marcelle Cortezia is a distinguished professional boasting over 25 years of exemplary service within multinational corporations. Currently holding the position of LATAM Quality and Regulatory Director at Dentsply Sirona (DS), she also serves as the Global Chair of DS Women.
Marcelle is a founding member of DS Women, the most populous ERG within the company. In 2023, she assumed the role of DS Women’s Global Chair. Notable achievements include the inception of the first Elevate Conference, the facilitation of the first in-person international meeting of the DS Women Chapter leaders, orchestrating five global events, and actively promoting the DS Mentor program, serving as both a mentor and mentee. In recognition of her leadership, Marcelle was selected as a panelist during the 2023 CEO and C-level visit to LATAM. Her objective is to amplify the visibility and recognition of the remarkable DS Women, cultivating a supportive network where authenticity and talent are celebrated, thereby enabling everyone to surpass their potential.
Marcelle firmly believes that fostering an inclusive environment is pivotal to an organization’s prosperity, enabling every individual to make meaningful contributions and realize their full potential.
Paula Darbeau, Vice President, Human Resources, Accupac
Paula Darbeau currently serves as the head of Human Resources at Accupac. In this role, she leads the organization-wide strategy and execution of all human resources initiatives including HR operations and business partnership, talent acquisition, talent management, and compensation and benefits. Paula has a wealth of experience in human resources management, talent management, and organization development, and has worked across multiple industries including manufacturing, hospitality/entertainment, utilities, big4 consulting, and large city government.
Paula earned her Master of Science in Industrial Organizational Psychology from San Francisco State University, and her PhD in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University.
Lori Douglas, Head of Productivity, North America, Newmont Corporation
Lori is an accomplished mining industry executive with 23 years of diverse global experience, including prominent roles with industry giants BHP and Newmont. She is recognized for operational turnaround expertise and a proven track record of delivering tangible results. Throughout her career, Lori has demonstrated a keen ability to drive significant business improvements, leveraging her global leadership experience to pioneer innovative strategies that enhance profitability and productivity.
Lori is a steadfast safety and culture champion, prioritizing the well-being of employees and assets. She has consistently fostered an inclusive culture where everyone on the team is motivated to contribute and drive improvement. Lori is also passionate about development of leaders, in particular diverse leaders who can grow into the leaders of the future in the mining industry.
Shawna Edwards, MSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President, Patient Care Services, Saint Mary’s Hospital
Shawna is a vibrant Nurse Executive Leader whose passions include high quality patient care, exceptional patient experiences and the development of the next generation of nurse leaders. Her current professional role is Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) and Vice President of Patient Care Services at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, Connecticut. During her remarkable career spanning 25 years in acute hospital and academic learning centers, Shawna has held many distinct patient care and leadership roles. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Shawna was successful as a leader of clinical and educational strategies needed to navigate the pandemic at Saint Mary’s Hospital.
During her nurse leadership journey, Shawna spent several years at Baystate Medical Center in Western Massachusetts where she was instrumental on work teams that addressed telemetry monitoring best practices for cardiac care, improving protocols of care for surgical patients and developed a regional approach to evidence-based wound care. Shawna’s commitment to the real stories of those that care for patients at the bedside has been exemplified in the many issues of Nurse Exemplars she has facilitated with the nursing teams with which she has worked.
Shawna is currently a Doctor of Nursing candidate at the University of Hartford. She holds a Master’s degree in Nursing Administration & Leadership from the University of Connecticut and a Bachelor of Nursing Science from Saint Joseph College.
Kimberly Gayle, Talent & Organization Managing Director, Accenture
Kimberly Gayle is a seasoned Managing Director in Accenture’s Talent & Organization consulting practice, guiding global clients to unlock talent potential. With nearly twenty years of experience, she focuses on human-centered change initiatives across Life Sciences, Retail, and Financial Services.
A staunch advocate for diversity and inclusion, Kimberly has been key in promoting gender parity and elevating women’s voices globally through programs like the Insight Professional Development Program and the NY chapter of the Lift as you Rise Leadership Program. Her commitment to fostering a culture of equality is anchored in her authentic leadership, inclusive team dynamics, and exceptional client value.
Kimberly’s approach brings execution agility to all teams, ensuring impactful and sustainable results. Residing in central New Jersey, she enjoys exploring nature with her husband and pre-teen son. Her dedication to professional excellence and personal fulfillment makes her an inspiring industry leader.
Geri Gonzalez, Regional Vice President, Talent, RGP
Geri Baldwin Gonzalez (MBA, CPA) is Regional Vice President, Talent for RGP, a global consulting firm, where she is responsible for the strategy and leadership of people and initiatives to attract, hire, manage, develop and retain top consulting talent. Geri is the co-executive sponsor for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council for RGP, and she is executive sponsor of the Multicultural ERG. Geri is known for providing visionary leadership and developing high-performing teams.
Prior to joining RGP, she served 15 years in a Big 4 firm in a variety of HR/Talent leadership roles including helping to build and lead the internal coaching organization. Earlier experience included finance roles and she began her career in the audit practice of a Big 4 firm.
Geri is a CPA with a B.A. in Accounting from Auburn University and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. She is active in the community and has served on boards of multiple non-profit organizations. She is an active member of the National Association of Black Accountants, a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and a graduate of Leadership Gwinnett. Geri and her husband Lorenzo have two adult children, Loren and Evan.
Courtney Maxwell Greene, Director, External Partnerships and Community Engagement, UnityPoint Health
Courtney Maxwell Greene works as UnityPoint Health’s Director of External Partnerships and Community Engagement and a part time storyteller at WHO-13 News, Des Moines’ NBC affiliate.
Courtney worked for 15 years in television broadcast news as a producer, reporter, and anchor in Des Moines and Kansas City. She spent several years in Iowa state government as the Governor’s press secretary, public information bureau chief and spokesperson for the Department of Public Safety, and communications director and division administrator for Iowa Workforce Development. Courtney has nonprofit and private sector experience in communications and public relations.
She serves as President of the Iowa PBS Broadcasting Board and a member of the Consortium Women’s Business Club, chairing the scholarship committee. She completed McKinsey & Company’s Black Executive Leadership Academy in 2021.
Courtney’s a member of the Wampagnoag Tribe of Gay Head – Aquinnah, and the proud mom of two adult daughters, Rachel and Samantha.
Melissa Hagerman, Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, Genworth
Melissa Hagerman is the Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer for Genworth, a Richmond, Virginia headquartered Fortune 500 provider of products, services, and solutions that help families address the financial challenges of aging. Appointed as CHRO in January 2022, Melissa leads Genworth’s Human Resources functions, including oversight of total rewards, talent acquisition, talent development, DEI, communications, HR data and analytics, community relations, and facilities.
Melissa’s career in Human Resources spans over thirty years, where she has taken on increasing levels of responsibility across a variety of industries including healthcare, insurance, and retail. Melissa’s passion is creating a workforce community where everyone feels that they belong and can thrive to reach their fullest potential. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Richmond and is a certified Employee Resource Group (ERG) Executive Sponsor through ERG Leadership Alliance (ELA). Melissa graduated from the Tuck Global Leadership Program, Dartmouth College, in 2019, completing modules focused on India, China, and the United States.
Becky Hammond, Vice President, Client Service, Employee Benefits Division, Holmes Murphy
Becky Hammond started her career with Holmes Murphy in 2015 as a Client Service Consultant, but her exceptional skills quickly catapulted her into leadership. Currently, Becky is a Vice President of Client Service for our Employee Benefits (EB) division. In this role, Becky serves a client portfolio comprising 16 clients and more than $2 million in revenue. Becky is also the Iowa and Nebraska EB Service Leader, where she is responsible for ensuring exceptional service is delivered to Holmes Murphy clients.
Becky has earned the title of shareholder and was also named a Holmes Murphy Game Changer – an award only given to a handful of service employees each year. Becky currently serves as the co-chair of Women Optimizing Women (WOW), Holmes Murphy’s first employee resource group (ERG), which supports the advancement of women in the workplace.
Becky’s activities within the community are also many. Becky is currently a board member for the Chrysalis Foundation, a classroom parent for Little Friends of Living Faith, a member of Women in Insurance and Finance, and a founding board member of MAEVE Des Moines.
Outside of work and her community involvement, Becky enjoys spending time with her husband, Jordan, and two children, Graeme and Maeve.
Amy Ho, Head of Business Controls, CAO Group, Bank of America
Amy has been working in the Finance industry for 22+ years. She has grown her career from Derivatives Trading to creating investment products for Wealth Management. In her current role as Head of Business Controls for the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Group, she and her team identify, monitor, report and execute risk governance activities across the CAO Group. Amy is an active leader in Diversity and Inclusion efforts and a past recipient of Bank of America’s Diversity & Inclusion Award. She is the current Co-Chair of the Parents and Caregivers Network, a company-wide Employee Resource Group, and sits on the Board of Managers of the Chinatown Branch of the YMCA of Greater New York. Amy resides in New York with her husband and their three children.
Erica Howard, Managing Director of Strategy Deployment & Governance, TIAA
Erica Howard is a dynamic financial services leader specializing in strategic initiatives and organizational transformation. With over 25 years of experience, she currently serves as the Managing Director of Strategy Deployment & Governance at TIAA. Known for her ability to translate business strategies into actionable plans, Erica excels in executing complex initiatives and optimizing project portfolios to drive stakeholder value. Throughout her career, she played a key role in significant mergers, acquisitions, and compliance projects, driving enterprise-wide change and fostering high-performance cultures.
Erica holds an MBA from Florida State University and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida. Erica also served as a faculty member at the Consumer Bankers Association Executive Banking School and a Program Advisor for Florida International University’s “Women in Leadership” program, which focused on helping more women rise in their careers. Residing in Jacksonville, Florida, Erica enjoys traveling, music, theater, and gastronomy with her husband, Bryan.
Mudra Kapoor, Vice President, Global Specialty and Medical Operations, Medical Affairs and Health Economics Outcomes Research, AbbVie
Dr. Mudra Kapoor is Vice President, Global Specialty and Medical Operations, within Medical Affairs and Health Economics Outcomes Research (HEOR) at AbbVie. She leads the Specialty therapeutic team spanning pipeline to established products, and the Operations team responsible for Publications, Medical Information, Business Systems, Compliance Operations and Project Management. She is also the executive sponsor of the Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EEDI) Research and Development council.
At AbbVie, Dr. Kapoor has held roles of increasing responsibility in Clinical Development and Global/Regional Medical Affairs across geographies including the U.S. and Japan-Asia-Pacific, and across multiple therapeutic pillars including Specialty, Neuroscience and Immunology. Most recently, she led the Global team responsible for launching multiple indications for Rinvoq and Skyrizi as Vice President, Immunology Global Medical Affairs.
Prior to joining AbbVie, Dr. Kapoor practiced medicine as an Urgent Care physician and was partner in a private Family Medicine practice. Sparked by her desire to make an impact in healthcare and patient outcomes at a larger scale, she transitioned to a career in the biopharmaceutical industry and has been pursuing this passion over the last 15+ years.
Dr. Kapoor received her medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, completed her Residency and Board certification in Family Medicine and has since maintained her physician license.
Lillie Louis-Fils, Director, Region Executive, Georgia-Tennessee Region & National Small Business Retirement, Consumer Investments, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Lillie Louis-Fils is the Georgia-Tennessee Region & National Small Business Retirement Executive for Consumer Investments at Bank of America and Merrill. Lillie leads over 150 leaders and advisors across Georgia and Tennessee. She also leads the National Consumer Investments Small Business team of more than 1,000 advisors who provide investment and wealth management strategies to individuals and businesses across the U.S.
Lillie serves on the board of Habitat for Humanity and Covenant House Georgia. She is passionate about volunteering including the Foster Care Foundation, March of Dimes, Operation Hope, Wounded Warriors, Junior Achievement, Year Up, Atlanta Boys and Girls Club and the Mentor Foundation. In 2012, Lillie was honored to participate in the Top 100 Business Leaders Forum at the White House.
Throughout her career, Lillie has been the recipient of numerous awards including, Fairy God Boss and Top 50 Leaders in Finance Women We Admire (2023 and 2024).
Keisha McNeil, Director of DEI and Head of Enterprise Learning, Southern California Edison
Keisha McNeil stands out as a visionary leader at Southern California Edison, where she spearheads the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) and Enterprise Learning & Development (EL&D) initiatives. Her tenure since 2017 has been marked by her commitment to transforming the company’s culture, enhancing inclusivity, and activating engagement through Business Resource Groups. Her strategic approach integrates DE&I with business goals, ensuring an inclusive, equitable, and barrier-free environment for all employees.
McNeil’s leadership has been recognized with the 2019 Edison Chairman Award, reflecting her ability to align learning strategies with performance and business outcomes. With over three decades of experience, she has championed strategic HR and DE&I initiatives, supported underserved communities, and mentored the next generation of leaders. McNeil’s academic background includes a bachelor’s in business, Human Resource Management, and a Master of Leadership and Organizational Studies from Azusa Pacific University. Her biography encapsulates her impactful journey and her unwavering dedication to fostering a positive, psychologically safe workplace culture.
Holly Paeper, President, Commercial HVAC, Trane Technologies
Holly Paeper is the President of the Commercial HVAC business at Trane Technologies. Since joining Trane Technologies in 2016, Holly has also held executive roles as the President of Life Science Solutions, Head of Marketing, General Manager for Data Center Precision Cooling, and Head of Strategic Sales & Operations. She has spent over 25 years in the Industrial and Technology markets. Prior to her time at Trane, she held executive leadership roles in General Management, M&A, Strategy, Product Management, and Marketing for Corning, Eaton Corporation, and Intel Corporation. Holly serves on various corporate, industry and non-profit boards including Liquid Stack, METUS, AHRI, and 50/50 Women on Boards. In addition, she is STEM advocate and has received numerous industry awards for driving entrepreneurism, diversity, and sustainability. Holly holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from University of Minnesota – Institute of Technology and an MBA from University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management and Vienna University School of Economics.
Keishla Rodriguez, Community Health Worker, Community Health and Engagement Department, Hartford HealthCare
Keishla’s lifelong dedication lies in supporting others, shaped by her own challenging path towards healing. As a Community Health Worker at Hartford HealthCare (HHC), she actively contributes to the Somos Hispanic CRG, where she works to promote cultural awareness and advocate for the community. Supported by HHC, Keishla leverages her roles as a Certified Community Health Worker and Spanish interpreter to bridge gaps in health literacy.
As a board member of Catholic Charities, Keishla is deeply committed to fostering impactful change through active community engagement. Recently, she spearheaded a medical mission with Hartford Healthcare, providing assistance to over 800 families in need. As a Latina and upcoming graduate of Latinas in Leadership Institute, she is currently writing an article addressing mental health challenges among Latinx teens.
Keishla is pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in human services (graduating in December 2024). She is a recent graduate of the Hartford Leadership Academy with SINA (Southside Institution Neighborhood Alliance), responsible for the renovation of a Hartford community park. Her aspiration is to influence public policy and continue serving her community. She strives for excellence in both her professional endeavors and her personal growth. She is motivated by the unwavering encouragement of her children, and she follows her daily commitment to guiding and educating them.
LaToya Rooker, Technology Director, Energy Delivery and Grid Solutions, American Electric Power
LaToya Rooker is technology portfolio leader of Energy Delivery and Grid Solutions at American Electric Power (AEP). She is responsible for the comprehensive planning, development, and management of information technology supporting AEP’s multibillion-dollar infrastructure investment programs across electric transmission, distribution, and telecommunications.
Rooker most recently served as director of Customer and Regulatory technology, where she led efforts for meter-to-cash, including customer billing, credit, collections, call center and digital interactions. Prior to that, she led a team of data scientists focused on optimizing distribution operations and enhancing customer experience.
Rooker holds an MBA from Franklin University. She serves on the board of New Directions Career Center, an organization dedicated to uplifting and empowering women. In recognition of her leadership and contributions to the energy industry, Rooker was selected as a member of the Edison Electric Institute’s 2024 Emerging Leaders Cohort.
Lauren Roth, President & Co-Founder, Avant Specialty Benefits
Lauren Roth is the President, Co-Founder and Shareholder of Avant Specialty Benefits, a wholly owned subsidiary of Holmes Murphy, dedicated to bringing market leading insurance expertise and innovative resources to brokerage firms and their clients. Lauren holds a Master of Business Administration from Rockhurst University, Helzberg School of Management, and a bachelor’s degree in finance and international business from the University of Kansas. In addition to her education, Lauren earned her Retirement Plans Associate (RPA) and Group Benefits Associate (GPA) designations. Outside of her leadership role at Avant, Lauren enjoys spending time and traveling with her husband Patrick, son Harrison and daughter Olivia, as well as their family dogs Harvey and Ralph.
Danielle Smith, Senior Marketing Manager, Lippe Taylor and /prompt.
Danielle Smith is a Senior Marketing Manager at Lippe Taylor and /prompt., a creative marketing and communications agency. Throughout her diverse career, Danielle has gained valuable experience at PR and communications agencies, a Fortune 500 company, and various creative organizations. She began her professional journey in the fashion industry as a merchandiser at Moda Operandi, later working with brands such as The Gap and Reese Witherspoon’s Draper James.
Leveraging her deep understanding of consumer behavior, data analytics, and market trends, Danielle transitioned into marketing, first at the esteemed PR agency Lippe Taylor and now at /prompt., which encompasses both Lippe Taylor and the purpose-driven digital PR agency twelvenote. In her current role, she combines data-driven insights with innovative thinking to develop and execute successful marketing campaigns that span digital marketing, agency brand activations, internal communications, programming, and integrated support for production and creative design.
Danielle is also proud to co-lead the agency’s Black Employee Resource Group, The Inkwell, where she collaborates with colleagues on initiatives aimed at fostering diversity and inclusion within the organization and beyond.
When she’s not driving marketing initiatives at /prompt, Danielle indulges in her love for visual storytelling. Her creative pursuits extend beyond her professional life, allowing her to explore new mediums and express her artistic side through photography, dance, and content creation.
Beth Spain, Vice President, Associate General Counsel, Litigation & Risk, Signet Jewelers
Beth Spain is Vice President, Associate General Counsel, Litigation & Risk at Signet Jewelers, which is the world’s largest retailer of diamond jewelry, operating jewelry brands such as Kay, Jared, Zales, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, and others. In this role, Beth and her team are responsible for managing the employment, litigation, and insurance functions within Signet’s Legal Department. Prior to joining Signet, Beth held in-house roles at Ascena Retail Group, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and Honda. Prior to going in-house, Beth was a litigation associate at the law firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP.
Beth and her husband, Joe, have three very active children – a son and two daughters ages 16, 15, and 12. Beth spends most of her time outside of work in the car driving to her kids’ golf tournaments, basketball games, and swim meets.
Joanne H. Tetsill, Vice President, Embedded and Safety Critical Systems, Otis Elevator Company
Hailing from Scotland, Joanne’s journey spans two continents, evolving from an Aeronautical Engineering graduate at The Queen’s University in Belfast to VP of Embedded Systems and Software at Otis. Her engineering experience started in Goodrich Engine Controls, moving from software verification to design, and later to project engineering across four different Rolls Royce aircraft engines. Transitioning to Health Usage Management software on helicopters led her to Vermont, USA.
Joanne attained a Master’s in Engineering Management from Clarkson University in 2015. After leading the software team, She was promoted to engineering director for Collins Aerospace in Vermont. After three years as a director, she pursued a new challenge as a Senior Director at Otis, specializing in Embedded Systems and Software. She is also an executive sponsor of Women in Technology (WIT) at Otis, a global ERG powered by the passion of our female engineering workforce.
She and her wife love engaging in their Burlington, Vermont, community, where they have both coached youth sports teams. Joanne loves cooking and travel, and her kids, Mariella (10) and Harris (8), are always up for the next trip!
Ruth Thompson, DE&I Analyst, Avangrid
Ruth is an analyst for Avangrid’s DE&I team. She is an impactful leader, difference maker, inclusionist, and ally to all. Her connection to advocacy and DE&I stems from her personal commitment to make our communities more equitable. Ruth has served as Deputy Major for the Village of Scottsville, and as an Elder and President for the Lions Club. As founding member of the Pride@Avangrid BRG, her allyship helps to shift the culture across her company. In 2023, Ruth was instrumental in growing membership for Avangrid’s BRGs to 18 percent of all employees. Ruth is the Program Manager for Avangrid’s Annual Diversity Week, which fosters inclusion and belonging. Ruth enjoys quality family time, gardening and visiting the Caribbean. She is committed to raising others up while assisting them to be self-sustainable and reach their fullest potential. Ruth is a Woman on Rise who leaves no one behind. Her signature line says it all: Be Kind, Be Safe, Be Well, Be You!
Charlene Vance, APU General Manager, Trane Technologies
Charlene Vance is the APU General Manager for Trane Technologies, overseeing product growth strategy and new product development. She is dedicated to developing innovative, reliable and sustainable APU products that meet the evolving needs of the transportation sector. With 23 years of strategic P&L leadership at Fortune 100 companies, her expertise spans sales, marketing, portfolio management, strategy, and Lean Six Sigma operations. She also leads the Trane Technologies Women’s Employee Network and serves on the Minneapolis/St. Paul community board for the Jeremiah Program.
Charlene holds a B.S. in industrial design from Georgia Tech and an MBA from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. She and her husband Victor live in Saint Paul, MN, with their daughters, Devan and Erin.
Pamela West, Portfolio Manager, Impact Investing, Nuveen Real Estate
Pamela leads the real estate impact investment strategy within Nuveen Real Estate. She is a seasoned real estate professional with 25+ years of experience and has executed over $15B of transactions in acquisitions, dispositions financing and asset management within the U.S. She currently oversees the sourcing, execution and portfolio management of Nuveen’s impact investing housing platform.
Prior to joining the Impact team, Pamela was the Regional Head of Acquisitions and Asset Management for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region for TH Real Estate, a subsidiary of Nuveen. She began her career in real estate at CBRE where she focused on multifamily investment sales in the southeast region of the US.
Pamela serves on numerous boards. She is a member of the ULI Affordable Workforce Housing Investors Council, WX – New York Women Executives in Real Estate, 100 Women in Finance and the Real Estate Roundtable’s President Council.
Pamela received a bachelor’s degree in English Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and an MBA in Real Estate and Finance from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Kelsey Williams, Vice President, Client Services, Pontoon Solutions, The Adecco Group
Kelsey is an energetic and value-focused contingent workforce leader with more than 15 years of experience implementing and delivering strategic talent solutions for global customers. With expertise in Financial Services & Technology, Kelsey has a passion for building top performing teams across three coveted global MSP clients. Throughout her tenure, Kelsey has consistently demonstrated responsible growth and driven innovation and strategic insights for her organization and clients. Kelsey is an influential leader contributing to operational excellence, supplier partnerships & global governance standards. Kelsey is also involved in mentoring and collaboration with partners & leaders throughout the staffing industry.
Kelsey Williams is active through The Adecco Group US Foundation supporting charitable giving through organizations such as Dress for Success, Girls Who Code & Veterans Bridge Home. Passionate about women in leadership, she is also a graduate of the engAGe 2023 Women’s Leadership Development Program. Kelsey is also proud to sponsor ERG groups throughout her extended teams of nearly 100 colleagues, driving engagement and participation in charitable causes & volunteerism.
Ebony Yeboah-Amankwah, Vice President, Associate General Counsel, Ethics, Compliance, Enterprise Risk Management, Signet Jewelers
Ebony Yeboah-Amankwah is Vice President, Associate General Counsel, Ethics, Compliance, Enterprise Risk Management at Signet Jewelers, which is the world’s largest retailer of diamond jewelry, operating jewelry brands such as KAY, Jared, Zales, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, and others. Ebony has nearly 20 years of experience specializing in areas of commercial finance and leading legal teams dedicated to managing securities, mergers and acquisitions, commercial litigation, labor and employment, real estate, tax, and state and federal energy law.
She earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Philosophy from Washington & Jefferson College and her Juris Doctorate degree from Washington and Lee University. Ebony is a Northeast Ohio native and currently serves on the Boards of the Development Finance Authority of Summit County, Business Volunteers Unlimited, Crown Point Ecology Center, and Project GRAD Akron.
Ebony and her partner, Asuama, have two children, and are actively involved in their church and community.
In honor of Women’s Equality Day, Paradigm for Parity® annually recognizes Women on the Rise in our Coalition companies, who are breaking barriers in corporate leadership and showing the value of gender parity, including racial equity in the workforce. In keeping with our dedication to addressing systemic gender and racial gaps and working toward transforming corporate culture so all can thrive, it is critical that Paradigm for Parity be a part of celebrating these women for their powerful accomplishments.
