Finance and Investing is pleased to announce The Top 25 CFOs of Washington for 2023. Washington, known as the Evergreen State, offers promising opportunities for businesses to flourish, much like greener pastures. Notably, the state’s economy is worth over $668 billion, making it the 14th largest economy in the country. It's also well-known as a tech hub, with the state hosting campuses for huge companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Meta. Moreover, its business-friendly environment, including tax incentives, further enhances the state's appeal as an ideal destination for business ventures. All of this is highlighted by the fact that Washington was ranked second on CNBC's 2022 list of the best states for business. Building on this momentum, this year’s awardees are driving further growth for individuals and families, business owners, entrepreneurs, and foundations in the state and beyond. The immense value of their expertise and insight in wealth management is immeasurable, and their level of dedication is truly remarkable.
Among this year's esteemed awardees is Jeremy Hofmann, the CFO of Zillow Group, the most visited real estate website in the United States. Prior to joining Zillow Group in 2017, Hofmann was at Goldman Sachs in their investment banking division, closing over $40 billion in transactions during his tenure. Also worthy of mention is Regi Vengalil, the CFO for Trax Retail. Vengalil's impressive resume includes serving as CFO of Egencia, Expedia Group’s corporate travel division, where he helped oversee the acquisition of Egencia by American Express Global Travel for nearly $1 billion. Lastly, we have Ravi Thanawala, who is in charge of the overall financial operations at Nike, one of the most recognizable brands on the globe.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 25 CFOs of Washington for 2023.
1. Melanie Canto
Chief Financial Officer, EMEA, Starbucks
Melanie Canto is the Chief Financial Officer of EMEA at Starbucks, the renowned global coffeehouse chain headquartered in Seattle, Washington. With thousands of locations worldwide, it has become an iconic brand synonymous with premium coffee and a welcoming environment. Starbucks offers a wide range of beverages, including various coffee blends, teas, and specialty drinks, catering to different tastes and preferences. Since being founded in 1971, the company has become a cultural phenomenon, serving as a popular meeting place and a symbol of modern coffee culture.
Canto joined Starbucks in 2007 as director of treasury capital markets. Previously, she was a treasury and investor relations director at Captaris. Before that, she served as a senior manager of treasury capital markets at Microsoft Corporation. Earlier in her career, Canto worked with Wells Fargo Bank as an AVP of foreign exchange. She earned a master’s in international business from Seattle University and an undergraduate degree in French and business from the University of Idaho.
2. Eric Hill
Chief Financial Officer, Boeing
Eric Hill is the Chief Financial Officer of Boeing, a leading global aerospace company that develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity.
Hill began his career in 2009. Before joining Boeing, he was an associate at Houlihan Lokey. Hill graduated from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management with an MBA and from Washington University in St. Louis with an undergraduate degree in business administration.
3. Burak Yucel
CFO and Controller, Ericsson US
Burak Yucel began his professional career 11 years ago. Today, he is the CFO and Controller of Ericsson US, a company that enables communications service providers and enterprises to capture the full value of connectivity. The company’s portfolio spans the following business areas: Networks, Cloud Software and Services, Enterprise Wireless Solutions, Global Communications Platform, and Technologies and New Businesses.
Ericsson’s innovation investments have delivered the benefits of mobility and mobile broadband to billions of people globally. Notably, Yucel graduated from Boğaziçi University with an MBA and an MS in electrical and electronics engineering. In addition, he graduated from Yildiz Technical University with an undergraduate degree in electrical, electronics and communications engineering.
4. Ravi Thanawala
Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Nike
Ravi Thanawala is the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Nike. Established in 1964, Nike is a globally recognized athletic footwear and apparel brand headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon. As a market leader in the sports industry, Nike designs, develops, and sells a wide range of athletic footwear, apparel, accessories, and equipment. The brand's iconic Swoosh logo is synonymous with quality and style. Nike sponsors numerous professional athletes and teams globally, solidifying its presence in various sports.
Thanawala joined the company in 2016 as the global VP of retail excellence. Previously, he was a CFO and SVP of corporate operations at ANN INC. Before that, he served as a brand finance manager at Burberry. Earlier in his career, he worked with ANN INC. as a manager of finance. Thanawala earned an undergraduate degree in finance and policy economics from the NYU Stern School of Business.
5. Scott Roddy
Chief Financial Officer, Liberty Mutual Insurance
Scott Roddy is the Chief Financial Officer of Liberty Mutual Insurance. In business since 1912, and headquartered in Boston, today Liberty Mutual is the fifth-largest global property and casualty insurer. In addition, they rank 86 on the Fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the US based on 2022 revenue. As of December 31, 2022, Liberty Mutual had $50 billion in annual consolidated revenue. They employ over 50,000 people in 29 countries and economies around the world.
Notably, Roddy has 20 years of experience. Before joining Liberty Mutual Insurance, he was an audit associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Roddy graduated from Seattle University with an MBA and from Miami University with an undergraduate degree in business administration.
6. Greg Hoffman
EVP & Chief Financial Officer, Providence St. Joseph Health
Greg Hoffman serves as Chief Financial Officer for Providence. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the system’s financial results and leads financial planning: reporting; accounting; treasury; and supply chain. Providence St. Joseph Health is a prominent healthcare organization in the United States. With a rich history dating back to 1856, it has grown into one of the largest not-for-profit health systems in the country. Operating across seven states, including Alaska, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Washington, Providence St. Joseph Health serves millions of patients each year.
In earlier leadership roles at Providence, Hoffman served as chief transformation officer and as group vice president for financial planning and analytics. Before joining Providence, he served as head of corporate finance for Visa. He also served as vice president of customer retention, chief of staff to the CEO, and head of financial planning and analysis at T-Mobile. Earlier in his career, Hoffman held roles at Hewlett-Packard and Deloitte Consulting. He received an MBA from the University of California at Berkeley; a bachelor’s and master’s in engineering from the University of Michigan; and a bachelor’s in liberal arts from the University of St. Thomas.
7. Jacqueline Cabe
Chief Financial Officer, UW Medicine
Jacqueline Cabe began her professional career 24 years ago. Today, he is the Chief Financial Officer of UW Medicine, an integrated clinical, research and learning health system with a single mission to improve the health of the public. Nearly 29,000 UW Medicine faculty, non-faculty practitioners and staff work to improve health for all people through excellence in clinical, research and education/training programs.
As the only comprehensive clinical, research and learning health system in the five-state WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho) region, UW Medicine provides a higher degree of healthcare, ranging from primary and preventive care to the most highly specialized care for the most complex medical conditions. Early in her career, Cabe spent more than three years at Andersen as a Partner. From there, she spent more than 21 years at KPMG US as a Partner, her most recent position prior to joining UW Medicine. Cabe graduated from Walla Walla University.
8. Eric Storwick
Chief Financial Officer, Northwestern Mutual
Eric Storwick is the Chief Financial Officer of Northwestern Mutual, a company that has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. With more than $558 billion of total assets being managed across the company's institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, nearly $35 billion in revenues, and $2.2 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services.
Notably, Northwestern Mutual ranked 111 on the 2023 FORTUNE 500. Storwick first joined the company in 2013 as a staff accountant. Previously, he was a specialist at Apple. Before that, he served as a sales associate at Best Buy. Storwick earned an undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of Washington's Michael G. Foster School of Business.
9. Lorena Hatfield
Chief Financial Officer, Mastercard
Lorena Hatfield is the Chief Financial Officer of Mastercard, a global technology company in the payments industry. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, their innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, they are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.
Hatfield began her career in 2008. Before joining Mastercard, she was a CFO at GE Capital. Before that, she served as a finance manager at KPMG. Earlier in her career, she worked with HSBC as a finance analyst. Hatfield graduated from Harvard University with an undergraduate degree in finance.
10. Harrie Schippers
President and CFO, PACCAR
Harrie Schippers began his professional career 20 years ago. Today, he is the President and CFO of PACCAR, a global technology leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of high-quality light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF nameplates. PACCAR also designs and manufactures advanced diesel engines, provides financial services and information technology, and distributes truck parts related to its principal business.
Schippers got his start in 2003 as a director of finance at DAF Trucks NV, his most recent position prior to joining PACCAR. He graduated from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business and from Tilburg University with an undergraduate degree.
11. Shane Tackett
Chief Financial Officer & EVP of Finance, Alaska Airlines
At Alaska Airlines, Shane Tackett is the CFO, making him responsible for planning and strategy, with a primary focus on driving the financial model and performance across Alaska and Horizon. In his current role, he oversees the financial planning and analysis, commercial analysis and business transformation functions for the company, and is closely involved with driving key revenue and cost initiatives. Tackett also leads Alaska’s customer-facing digital properties, through which over 65% of all sales are transacted. Furthermore, he has responsibility for the labor relations function at Alaska Airlines, emphasizing trusting and transparent relationships with labor leaders from each of our unions. Notably, Alaska Airlines and their regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico.
Tackett joined Alaska Airlines in 2000 as an analyst in the company’s real estate division. Five years later, he moved into Alaska’s corporate financial planning and analysis group as a director. By 2010, he was serving as a vice president of labor relations, building and leading the company’s relationship with its five unions and ultimately negotiating six long-term labor contracts. In 2015 he became responsible for the revenue management and E-commerce functions for Alaska. Tackett attended Pacific Lutheran University, where he majored in Business Administration with a Finance concentration. He also holds an MBA from the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business.
12. Krista Touros
Chief Financial Officer, PeaceHealth
Krista Touro serves as the Chief Financial Officer at the PeaceHealth Northwest network, a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. Based in Vancouver, Washington, it has approximately 16,000 caregivers, a medical group practice with more than 900 providers and 10 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. In her current CFO role, Touros is responsible for all aspects of financial management for the organization’s numerous medical centers.
Touros arrived at PeaceHealth with a proven track record in financial performance and operations management, including Lean process improvement. Previously, she spent 2+ years at Banner Health as its Western Division CFO. Prior to her time at Banner, Touros was with Sutter Health for 19 years. Her last position at Sutter was as CFO for Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland, California. Touros earned a bachelor’s in Business Administration and an MBA degree from the University of Phoenix, in Sacramento, California. Additionally, she received certification as a Lean Leader and Kaizen Facilitator from Rona Consulting.
13. Anna Loomis
Chief Financial Officer, Legacy Health
Since 2018, Anna Loomis has served as SVP and CFO at Legacy Health. With over 20 years in finance leadership and strategy, she is highly regarded for her work achievements, including being recognized as the 2018 CFO of the Year by the Puget Sound Business Journal. Previously, she served as CFO of MultiCare Health System, where she led several transformative efforts to strengthen the organization, including several mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures. Before that, Loomis was at MultiCare, where she served in a variety of roles, including Controller, Vice President of finance, and most recently CFO.
After earning her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in business administration from Pacific Lutheran University, Loomis completed a finance fellowship with The Academy GE Fellows Program. She has also provided leadership to both Pacific Lutheran University and the University of Washington-Tacoma. In addition to her executive experience, Loomis has a strong connection to Portland, having previously lived there. During her career, she has done consulting work for Physician Partners, Inc. and Oregon Health and Sciences University. Loomis is married to University of Portland head baseball coach Geoff Loomis.
14. Russel Williams
CFO Global eCommerce, Pitney Bowes
Russel Williams is the CFO of Global eCommerce of Pitney Bowes, a global shipping and mailing company that provides technology, logistics, and financial services to more than 90 percent of the Fortune 500. Today, small business, retail, enterprise, and government clients around the world rely on Pitney Bowes to reduce the complexity of sending mail and parcels.
Williams first joined the company in 2023. Previously, he was a CFO of North America fulfillment operations and global supply chain at Amazon. Earlier in his career, he worked with General Motors South Africa as an IT systems manager. Williams earned an undergraduate degree in commerce from the University of Port Elizabeth.
15. Taylor Hawes
SVP & Chief Financial Officer, Pacific Dental Services
Taylor Hawes is the SVP and Chief Financial Officer of Pacific Dental Services. Founded in 1994, PDS partners with dentists and clinicians to provide business support to their dental practice. Moreover, PDS has pioneered the concept of modern dentistry to equip dentists with the latest, proven technology, the best operational practices and procedures, highly skilled support staff, and a commitment to ongoing training and education.
Notably, PDS has been on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America 14 times, exceeding cumulative revenues of over $2 Billion for the first time in the company's 28-year history in 2021. Hawes began his career in 2003. Before joining Pacific Dental Services, he was a general manager of global real estate and facilities at Microsoft. Hawes graduated from the USC Marshall School of Business with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
16. Kathy Dahmen
Chief Financial Officer, Washington State University
Kathy Dahmen began her professional career 41 years ago. Today, she is the Chief Financial Officer of Washington State University, a nationally recognized land-grant research university, founded in Pullman in 1890. WSU’s statewide system includes campuses in Pullman, Spokane, Everett, Tri-Cities and Vancouver, with extension and research offices in every county of the state, and a nationally ranked online program.
WSU is well known for its programs in veterinary medicine, agriculture, engineering, architecture, global animal health, food science, plant science, business, human health, pharmacy, neuroscience, communications, biofuels, sleep, business, education, energy. Dahmen graduated from Washington State University with an undergraduate degree in business administration.
17. Chris Work
Chief Financial Officer, Zumiez
Since August of 2012, Christopher Work has served as Chief Financial Officer for Zumiez, a leading specialty retailer of apparel, footwear, accessories and hardgoods for young men and women who want to express their individuality through the fashion, music, art and culture of action sports, streetwear, and other unique lifestyles. They operate under the names Zumiez, Blue Tomato and Fast Times.
Work has been with the company since 2007, having last served as Zumiez’s Vice President, Controller. Previously, from 2002 to 2007, he was an employee of Ernst & Young LLP, obtaining the level of Manager. He received a Master of Professional Accounting from the University of Washington and a BA in Accountancy from Western Washington University. Notably, Work is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Washington.
18. Brandt Crider
Chief Financial Officer, CliftonLarsonAllen
Brandt Crider is the Chief Financial Officer of CliftonLarsonAllen, a company committed to helping clients achieve their objectives through a range of comprehensive services. With their experience and expertise, they offer tailored solutions to address the unique needs of each client. Whether navigating complex tax regulations, optimizing financial performance, implementing effective business strategies, or ensuring compliance, CLA leverages innovative approaches to deliver measurable results.
Crider has been part of CLA since 2019. Previously, he was a controller at Bergstrom Aircraft Inc. Before that, he served as an accounting assistant at Tri City Sign & Barricade. Crider earned an undergraduate degree in accounting from Washington State University.
19. Jeremy Hofmann
Chief Financial Officer, Zillow
As Chief Financial Officer of Zillow Group, Jeremy Hofmann oversees the company’s finance and accounting, treasury, investor relations, capital markets, corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, government relations, corporate social responsibility and economic research functions. Hofmann previously served as senior vice president of corporate development and strategy, leading the company’s redefined Housing Super App strategy in early 2022.
As the most visited real estate website in the United States, Zillow and its affiliates help people find and get the home they want by connecting them with digital solutions, great partners, and easier buying, selling, financing and renting experiences. Prior to joining Zillow Group in 2017, Hofmann was a vice president at Goldman Sachs in their investment banking division, covering technology, media and telecom sectors across private and public companies, closing over $40 billion in transactions during his tenure. Hofmann earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on finance from Georgetown University, where he graduated cum laude.
20. Charlie Wickers
Chief Financial Officer, Rover.com
Since 2022, Charlie Wickers has served as CFO for Rover Group (NASDAQ: ROVR), which is the world’s largest online marketplace for pet care. Wickers brings over 16 years of technology company experience in financial operations, financial planning and analysis, and business analytics. Most recently, he served as Rover's VP of Finance. During his tenure at Rover, Wickers has led FP&A and strategic finance; and has been part of the executive leadership team.
In addition, Wickers serves as a leading member of Rover’s investor relations team including involvement in roadshows, conferences, and earnings communications. Prior to joining Rover, he held leadership roles at several enterprise software companies. He was also a member of the team that took Clearwire public and through its eventual sale to Sprint, now T-Mobile. Wickers graduated from Western Washington University with an undergraduate degree.
21. Torque Zubeck
Chief Financial Officer, Mesa Airlines, Inc.
Torque Zubeck is a 20-year airline industry veteran who currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for Mesa Airlines, Inc., the holding company of Mesa Airlines, a regional air carrier providing scheduled passenger service to 105 cities in 42 states. It also operates in the District of Columbia, the Bahamas, Cuba, and Mexico – as well as cargo services out of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. As of March 31, 2023, Mesa operated or leased a fleet of 109 aircraft with approximately 325 daily departures and 2,388 employees.
Prior to Mesa, Zubeck worked for Alaska Airlines, serving in several senior executive roles in the last 10 years leading the Financial & Strategic planning group, Audit Programs, the Virgin America Integration Management office, and the Cargo business unit. Zubeck holds a bachelor’s from Stanford University and an MBA with honors from Eastern Michigan. On top of that, he has completed several executive education programs in leadership and negotiations facilitated by University of Washington Business School faculty.
22. Regi Vengalil
Chief Financial Officer, Trax Retail
Regi Vengalil is the Chief Financial Officer at Trax Retail, a leading global provider of computer vision solutions and analytics for retail. Prior to Trax, Vengalil served as CFO of Metromile, a publicly traded auto insurance technology company, where he was responsible for financial management, investor relations, and corporate development. He helped lead the process to sell Metromile which resulted in its eventual acquisition by Lemonade. Vengalil also served as the CFO of Egencia, Expedia Group’s corporate travel division, where he led the global finance team of more than 100 professionals; and was responsible for the division’s financial planning and operations, controllership, and commercial finance. He also helped oversee the acquisition of Egencia by American Express Global Travel for nearly $1 billion.
Before joining Expedia Group, Vengalil was head of strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and business operations at LendingClub. Earlier in his career, he led teams advising companies on growth strategy at McKinsey & Company. He is also currently the lead independent director of Porch Group, a publicly traded home services vertical software company. Vengalil holds an MBA and a BS in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
23. Thadd Stricker
Chief Financial Officer, INRIX
Thadd Stricker began his professional career 24 years ago. Today, he is the Chief Financial Officer of INRIX. Founded in 2005, INRIX pioneered the intelligent mobility category by transforming big data from connected devices and vehicles into mobility insights. This revolutionary approach enabled INRIX to become one of the leading providers of data and analytics into how people move worldwide. INRIX provides cities and road authorities with a leading on-demand analytics platform for making data-driven decisions and managing mobility to keep the world moving smarter, safer, and more efficiently.
Stricker first got his start in 1999 as an SPG accounting and reporting manager at Harland Clarke. From there, he went on to SCH, Ltd., before eventually rising to director of accounting transformation at Tesoro Corporation, his most recent position prior to joining INRIX. Stricker graduated from Central Connecticut State University with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
24. Jeff Gregory
Chief Financial Officer, Timber Products
Jeff Gregory began his professional career 32 years ago. Today, he is the Chief Financial Officer of Timber Products. Founded in 1918, Timber Products produces a diversified range of wood products. Best known for its hardwood plywood, the company is committed to environmental sustainability and offers a fully integrated approach to manufacturing with 8 manufacturing facilities, an import division, and a nationwide logistics and transportation division.
Gregory got his start in 1991 as an audit manager at KPMG Peat Marwick. From there, he went on to Schnitzer Steel, before eventually rising to global corporate controller at GreenWood Resources, Inc., his most recent position prior to joining Timber Products Company. Gregory graduated from Washington State University with an EMBA and from Oregon State University with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
25. Michael Nesland
Chief Financial Officer, Burkhart Dental
Michael Nesland is the Chief Financial Officer of Burkhart Dental, a reputable company specializing in providing dental supplies and equipment to dental practices across the United States. Established in 1888 and headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, Burkhart Dental has grown to become one of the largest privately held dental supply companies in the nation. They offer a wide range of products, including dental instruments, materials, technology solutions, and office essentials.
Notably, Nesland has 23 years of experience. Before joining Burkhart Dental, he was a corporate controller at Hydraulex Global. Before that, he served as a controller at Hydraulic Repair & Design. Nesland graduated from the University of Washington’s Michael G. Foster School of Business with an MBA in finance and accounting.
