Speakers

Dawn Alston

Dawn Alston is the senior vice president for Business and Financial Affairs and chief financial officer and treasurer at Spelman College. This appointment in 2019 marked a new chapter in her distinguished 20-year career at the institution. In this significant role, Alston oversees the Division of Business and Financial Affairs, ensuring the College’s financial health and operational excellence.

A native of Washington, D.C., Alston has been with Spelman since 1999, initially joining as a research technician in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry. Over her 17-year tenure in the Division of Business and Financial Affairs, she was responsible for budgetary oversight of Administrative Support and auxiliary services. In her new role, she manages Facilities Management and Services, the Office of Human Resources, and the Office of the Controller. She also shares oversight of Public Safety and Dining Services with the Division of Student Affairs.

Before her tenure at Spelman, Alston served as a compliance officer at the Department of Defense and worked as an adjunct biology instructor at Wofford College and Tri-County Technical College. Her diverse background and extensive experience within Spelman have uniquely prepared her for this leadership role. Alston’s strategic vision and financial expertise are expected to drive Spelman College towards achieving its strategic goals, ensuring the institution’s continued growth and success. Her leadership is instrumental in upholding the College’s mission of supporting stellar students, faculty, and staff, and fostering an environment of excellence.

Denise Lucas

Denise Lucas is Vice President & Assistant Controller, Responsible Business and Technology at IBM, where she oversees the Responsible Business controllership as well as AI governance for IBM Finance & Operations. Her team manages mandatory environmental, social, and governance reporting, partners with key stakeholders, and drives a strong management system for IBM’s responsible business activities and non-financial reporting. She also leads efforts to operationalize AI governance requirements and embed responsible technology principles into IBM’s culture and daily execution.

With almost 20 years of finance and accounting experience, Denise previously served as ESG Assistant Controller and Director of Accounting Policy & External Reporting, where she managed global accounting policies and SEC filings. She also worked within Investor Relations, led IBM Accounting’s role in the $34B acquisition of Red Hat, and assisted in the implementation of various accounting standards, including ASC 606 and ASC 842 standards.

Earlier in her career, Denise spent nine years at Deloitte. Beginning her career in the assurance practice, followed by two years in Deloitte's National Office Accounting Services group focusing on revenue, leases, and leading the business combinations team.

Carmelina Pagliero

Carmelina is a Certified Public Accountant with over 25 years of valuable business experience in both public and corporate accounting. She has experience in the application of US GAAP to client contracts, financial statements, and internal and external/SEC reporting. She leads innovation and change in financial processes through technology and data analytics. Carmelina fosters creativity and collaborative thinking across the organization.