The financial function has never carried more weight in the boardroom. Controllers are advising on strategy. CFOs are shaping culture. And the leaders steering these functions, at every level, are being asked to do more than manage numbers; they're being asked to lead people, influence decisions, and set the tone for how their organizations respond to change.
That kind of leadership doesn't happen by accident. It's built, often through years of navigating ambiguity, advocating for a seat at the table, and making judgment calls that don't come with a formula. It's also a skill set that benefits from being shared.
That belief is the foundation of FEI's ICONS series, which continues with 2026 ICONS: Women of Note – Atlanta, a hybrid program taking place September 9 at the St. Regis Atlanta, with a virtual attendance option for those joining from anywhere.
This program features women in financial leadership roles across a range of organizations and industries, brought together to talk candidly about how they lead, what they've learned, and how those lessons apply to financial professionals at every stage of their careers.
Leadership Lessons from Across the Profession
This program features:
- Dawn Alston – Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer, Spelman College
- Ashley Ensley – Partner, Financial Services National Sector Leader, Forvis Mazars
- Doreen Levine – Partner, EY
- Denise Lucas – Assistant Controller, Responsible Business & Technology, IBM Corporation
- Ellie May – Senior Vice President, Controller, and Chief Accounting Officer, The Coca-Cola Company
- Carmelina Pagliero – Managing Director, Controllership, Accenture
- Christine Tammara – SVP & Controller, PepsiCo
Each speaker brings a distinct vantage point, spanning higher education, global consumer brands, professional services, and enterprise technology, and the throughline is the same: leadership in the financial function requires both technical credibility and the ability to influence beyond the numbers. Attendees can expect a grounded, practical conversation: how to build trust with cross-functional partners, how to make decisions under uncertainty, and how to mentor the next generation of financial talent.
Why This Matters Beyond the Room
ICONS is a working session for anyone who wants to sharpen how they lead, whether that means managing a team, influencing a budget conversation, or simply getting better at making a case for a decision. The program is open to all financial professionals, and the goal is for every attendee to walk away with something they can apply the next day.
For those in the Atlanta area, the in-person setting at the St. Regis offers a chance to connect face-to-face with peers navigating similar challenges. For everyone else, the virtual option makes the same conversations accessible without the travel.
Details at a Glance
2026 ICONS: Women of Note – Atlanta September 9, 2026 | St. Regis Atlanta | Earn up to 3.5 CPE credits | In-person and virtual attendance available
Learn more and reserve your seat, in Atlanta or online.