Women in Finance & Business: Insights for Today’s Professionals

Join us for an engaging event filled of insight, inspiration, and candid conversation with industry leaders in finance and consulting. Whether you're an emerging professional or a seasoned executive, this event is designed to provide meaningful perspectives on career growth, leadership, and the evolving landscape of business and finance.

Our panel features accomplished professionals who have led impactful careers in audit, consulting, and financial leadership across global corporations and mission-driven organizations. They’ll share personal stories, leadership lessons, and professional strategies while offering advice on navigating change, mentoring others, and building a more inclusive future.

This event is centered on the experiences of women in the field, but all are welcome to attend and contribute to this dynamic dialogue.

What to Expect

• Candid insights from women leaders in finance and consulting, sharing real-world experiences and career-defining moments.
• Actionable strategies for career advancement, navigating transitions, and building leadership confidence.
• Meaningful dialogue on mentorship, allyship, and creating inclusive professional environments.
• Opportunities to connect with peers, industry professionals, and potential mentors across all career stages.
• Leadership lessons from professionals in audit, consulting, and finance who have led in both global firms and mission-driven organizations.

Meet our Panelists

Heike Drake-Cavalletti - Audit Partner at KPMG

Growing up in a suburb of Chicago, she went to the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana) and started her career in KPMG’s Chicago office, but has spent time in KPMG’s Frankfurt, Germany, Minneapolis and New York offices. With over 30 years of experience, she has served clients in the United States and Europe and more recently is a partner in KPMG’s national office focusing on technology and audit methodology. She is currently a board and finance committee member of Children's Cancer Research Fund in Minneapolis. Heike married her German pen pal and is also a proud mom of two almost grown, amazing young men.

Uju Akaegbobi – Senior Manager, ESG Accounting, KPMGWith over 14 years at KPMG, Uju specializes in ESG accounting and financial regulatory compliance for multinational firms. A technical leader and advocate for diversity, she serves as a key resource for ESG initiatives in the Houston Business Unit and co-leads the BU Culture Council. Uju is passionate about mentoring future female leaders and supporting inclusive workplace culture. Based in Texas, she balances her career with her role as a dedicated wife and mother.

Monika McCracken – CEO, MMC ConsultingGrowing up in rural Minnesota, Monica was a first-generation college student at the University of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN where she studied accounting and financial economics. Working as a non-profit controller to get through college, Monica went on to public accounting and built a practice where she was able to continue serving the non-profit sector for nearly a decade. Upon leaving public accounting, Monica served as a controller and public company CFO before starting her consulting practice in 2015. Today, Monica leads a 40-person team of professionals providing finance & management consulting services to organizations ranging from non-profit community pillars to leading Fortune 500s. Monica currently resides in Minneapolis with her husband and 2 French bulldogs, Pepe & Petunia. Her 4 adult children visit her frequently, mostly to see the bulldogs.

Ann Gugino - Chief Finance Officer of Lime

Ann Gugino is a transformational financial executive and governance leader with 25+ years of experience driving financial integrity, strategic growth, and enterprise risk management across Fortune 500 companies, high-growth startups, and nonprofit boards. A CPA and Aspen Institute Finance Fellow, she combines deep technical expertise in audit, compliance, and capital markets with a proven ability to lead organizations through complex transitions, including IPOs, acquisitions, and global crises. She is currently the CFO of Lime Micromobility, resides in the twins cities and enjoys spending time with her 3 adult boys.