2025 Women's Leadership Forum Friday Sessions

Friday, February 28, 2025

8:45 AM - 9:45 AM

Shifting Currents: Women CFOs Driving Change in Finance

Description

"Shifting Currents: Women CFOs Driving Change in Finance" is a 1.25-hour panel discussion featuring three accomplished female CFOs who are leading the charge in transforming the financial landscape. In this session, the panelists will share their unique perspectives on the evolving role of the CFO, innovative strategies for financial leadership, and the challenges and opportunities they have faced in their careers. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into the future of finance, the critical skills required to succeed in this fast-paced environment, and how women in CFO roles are reshaping the industry.

Learning Objectives

Gain insights into the evolving responsibilities and impact of the CFO role in today’s fast-changing financial environment.
Learn strategies for navigating the complex challenges of financial leadership and driving business transformation.
Understand the key skills and traits that successful women CFOs prioritize in their career journeys and leadership practices.

Speaker

Kelli Shomaker, Sr. Vice President for Business and Administration & CFO, Auburn University

Ms. Kelli Shomaker is in her ninth year At Auburn University and serves as the Senior Vice President for Business and Administration and Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Shomaker is a seasoned administrator, having spent over twenty-nine years in higher education, including sixteen years at Texas A&M University. Ms. Shomaker oversees financial reporting, budgets, procurement and payments, cash management, debt management, facilities, real estate, human resources, trademark and licensing, and numerous administrative units on campus. Ms. Shomaker received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Texas A&M University, a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Auburn University and is a Certified Public Accountant. Prior to higher education Ms. Shomaker was the Vice President, Treasurer and Controller for a publicly traded investment company and worked as an auditor for the accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers. Ms. Shomaker serves as a Board member of the Retirement System of Alabama, the Alabama Public Education Employees Health Insurance Plan, and the Treasury Institute of Higher Education.

Ann Bordelon, Executive Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration, University of Arkansas

Ann Bordelon serves as the Executive Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at the University of Arkansas. She was originally appointed to lead the division on July 1, 2020.

Bordelon is a seasoned finance executive with experience ranging from the world's largest company to regional entrepreneurial ventures. A native of Arkansas, Bordelon has spent the majority of her career with Walmart and Ernst & Young. During her nearly 13-year tenure at Walmart, Bordelon served in various executive finance roles including chief financial officer of Sam's Club, chief financial officer of Walmart Asia, and global chief audit executive.

Following her retirement from Walmart, Bordelon worked with a start-up company in the medical diagnostic space and then as the chief financial officer of Mitchell Communications. Professionally, Bordelon is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the National Association of Corporate Directors. Bordelon earned a B.S.B.A. in accounting and information systems from the University of Arkansas and is a certified public accountant.

Moderated by Undria Stalling, Chief Financial Officer & Senior Vice President for Business and Finance, Morehouse College

Undria Stalling serves as the Chief Financial Officer & Senior Vice President for Business and Finance providing strategic leadership for the College’s business and finance functions, as well as for the management of its financial and capital resources. Undria oversees Budget and Financial Planning, the Controller’s Office, Procurement Services, Treasury, Auxiliary Services, Federal Research Compliance, and Student Financial Services.

Within those units lie critical business functions including, but not limited to treasury, payroll, financial reporting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, debt management, general accounting, restricted fund accounting, risk management, tax compliance, endowment management, student financial services, financial aid, parking, bookstore operations, and dining services.

Undria has been at Morehouse College for nine years and served in several progressive roles. Prior to her current role, she served as Vice President Internal Audit & Advisory Services/Chief Audit Officer, Interim Chief Financial Officer, and Vice President and Director of Finance. Undria has over 20 years’ experience in financial management, accounting, operations, audit, and compliance across higher education, healthcare, and banking industries. She has served in leadership positions at Valencia College and Jackson State University.

Undria earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from the University of Southern Mississippi and her MBA from Columbia College. She serves on the board of the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers (SACUBO) and as a Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Finance Peer Evaluator.

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10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Rising Tides: Mentorship That Makes Waves

Description

"Rising Tides: Mentorship that Makes Waves" is a dynamic and engaging one-hour panel session featuring four influential female leaders. In this session, panelists will share their personal experiences and insights on the power of mentorship in building careers, creating lasting impact, and empowering future generations of women. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies for cultivating meaningful mentorship relationships, navigating challenges in leadership, and leveraging mentorship to drive personal and professional growth. This session highlights the importance of lifting each other up, creating a ripple effect of change that will inspire waves of progress for women in all fields.

Speaker

Elaine Kim, Senior Vice President, Bank of America

Elaine Kim is a senior relationship manager specializing in Healthcare, Higher Education and Not for Profits (HENFP). In addition, she leads the HENFP Executive Council for Bank of America and is a member of the LEAD for Women business resource group, serving on the Community Outreach committee. She joined Bank of America from J.P.Morgan where she gained over 15 years of experience working in various capacities including leadership, relationship management, leveraged finance, strategy, and business management.

In addition, Elaine served on the Healthcare, Higher Education, and Not for Profits Council and the Georgia Market Leadership team. Elaine’s responsibilities focused on delivering thought leadership nationally, while creating rewarding experiences for clients and employees, and enriching our community. Elaine was formerly a member of the Women’s Bond Club and a 2017 recipient of their Rising Star Award. Elaine lives in Atlanta with her husband, two children, and doodle.

Mela Fezzey, CEO and Senior Managing Partner, Tru Consulting

Mela Fezzey is the CEO and Senior Managing Partner of Tru Consulting, a trusted partner to higher education institutions seeking strategic financial and operational excellence. With over 25 years of campus leadership experience, Mela is dedicated to empowering institutions to navigate complexity and transform strategic goals into actionable outcomes.

Under her leadership, Tru Consulting has become a leader in serving Higher Education institutions, delivering tailored solutions that optimize financial management, enhance operational efficiency, align strategic goals, and drive long-term institutional success. Mela's commitment to building trusted partnerships and leveraging industry best practices has positioned Tru Consulting as a driving force in higher education transformation.

Prior to Tru Consulting, Mela spent 23 years with the University of California system, including her role as the founding Director of Finance and Business Operations at the UC Riverside School of Medicine. She provided strategic leadership across budgeting, financial modeling, faculty compensation planning, and revenue forecasting, overseeing an $100M+ annual budget and implementing transformative financial and HR systems.

Mela is passionate about mentoring future leaders and fostering collaboration to advance the evolving needs of higher education. Her deep expertise, combined with a strategic and people-centric approach, continues to shape institutions’ ability to achieve operational excellence and financial sustainability.

Sarah Lynch, District Manager, Compass Group

Leader in food service industry for 24 years guiding diverse professionals to achieve their career goals.

Moderated by Antrameka Knight, Assistant Vice President, Budget and Planning, Kennesaw State Universiy

Antrameka Knight currently services as the Assistant Vice President of Budget and Fiscal Planning of Kennesaw State University. She received her undergraduate degree in Economics at Dartmouth College and her Master of Business Administration from Cornell University. Prior to working at Kennesaw State University, she worked with local governments leading capital projects, annual budget planning, utility financial operations and strategic planning.

In addition to being a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), Ms. Knight is a 2023 graduate of the University System of Georgia’s Executive Leadership program. She current serves as a board member for SACUBO (Southern Association of Colleges and University Business Officers) and is the chair for the Comprehensive & Doctoral Institutions Constituent Committee.

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11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

President Session

Description

Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, the seventh President of Norfolk State University, will deliver an inspiring keynote address focusing on leadership, student success, and institutional innovation. Drawing from her extensive experience as a nationally recognized higher education leader and psychologist, she will share insights on navigating challenges in higher education, fostering student achievement, and building strategic partnerships that strengthen universities. Dr. Adams-Gaston will highlight Norfolk State’s transformative progress, including enrollment growth, financial sustainability, and national recognition, while emphasizing the evolving role of professional staff in driving student success, inclusivity, and institutional resilience.

Speakers

Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, President, Norfolk State University

Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston is the seventh President of Norfolk State University. She began her tenure on June 24, 2019. As President, she is committed to ensuring that Norfolk State University fulfills its mission as an HBCU for the modern world, a university grounded by its heritage, focused on the future, and deeply committed to student success. Her vision is opportunity, access, affordability, growth, sustainability, and student excellence. A strong advocate for collaboration and developing strategic partnerships with local, regional, and state and national stakeholders, Dr. Adams-Gaston is committed to cultivating strong connections in the university, among alumni and in the community. Under President Adams-Gaston’s leadership, Norfolk State University has successfully achieved the status of a U.S. News and World Report Top Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) designation for the last five years.

The university attained a 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation by its major accrediting body, The Southern Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This reaffirmation underscores the University’s strength, stability, and forward momentum. Enrollment increased to a six-year high in Fall 2023 and was exceeded again in Fall 2024 to over six thousand students. The University realized record high operating revenues 104% above projection, the highest in the history of Norfolk State. Dr. Adams-Gaston has been successful in acquiring multiple donations including a transformational gift of over $40 million from Mackenzie Scott, the largest single donor gift in the history of NSU. The University has also raised over $11 million for 2022 and $8.7 million in 2023 calendar years to support student initiatives.

Since President Adams-Gaston’s arrival, Norfolk State University has also expanded its online academic program curriculum to include a master’s degree in Cybersecurity and has been recognized nationally by a recent visit by the National Cyber Director, Mr. Harry Coker and designated as a Department of Defense Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity and Department of Energy Cybersecurity Consortium Leader. Under her leadership, the online master’s degree in Cyber Psychology, the first in the nation, launched in Fall 2020 in connection with Academic Partnerships. The university has secured grants of more than $53 million for scholarships and financial support to enhance student success during her tenure.

Her strategic planning has also helped to secure transformational partnerships with the Sentara Healthcare- Public Health Program, Appalachian School of Law 3+3 program, Academic Partnerships, Dominion Energy, Micron Technology, Inc., Landmark, Netflix, 2U, Apple, Amazon, USAA, and the Pharrell Williams Black Ambition Prize, Mighty Dream, Langley Federal Credit union, Chartway Credit Union, Dollar Tree, Inc., Bank of America, Virginia Natural Gas, Westminster Canterbury, Hampton Roads Community Foundation, Hibel Foundation, Lockheed Martin and many others. A recognized higher education leader, President Adams-Gaston is an invited speaker nationally and internationally.

Her appointments and honors have included: President Biden’s Appointment to the Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, United States Department of Commerce Industrial Advisory Committee, NCAA Board of Governors, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Board of Trustees, Greater Norfolk Corporation Board of Directors, in addition to numerous other boards. President Adams-Gaston is a higher education professional and scholar with more than 35 years of experience at nationally known research one universities. Prior to joining Norfolk State University, Dr. Adams-Gaston served as senior vice president at The Ohio State University and led forty departments in the Office of Student Life annually impacting over 66,000 students.

Trained as a psychologist, Dr. Adams-Gaston spent more than twenty years in private practice. She also served as a member of the graduate faculty at the University of Maryland College Park and Johns Hopkins University, and an affiliate assistant professor at The Ohio State University. Dr. Adams-Gaston earned a Ph.D. in psychology at Iowa State University. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

She considers her greatest achievement to be her family. She is married to Dmitri Gaston, MCRP, who served as a planner and management analyst in Washington, D.C. for over 25 years and as a planner, including creating diversity and inclusion education at The Ohio State University. He presently serves as a Planner/Grants Writer. They have three adult children, and they are extremely proud of them.