CHICAGO CFO OF THE YEAR®
presented by financial executives international chicago chapter
2025 Chicago CFO of the Year® Awards on Thursday, November 20th
14th Annual Chicago CFO of the Year® Awards
Thursday, November 20, 2025 | Marriott Magnificent Mile, Chicago.
FEI Chicago Chapter’s Chicago CFO of the Year® Awards is a celebration recognizing and honoring Chicago Financial Leaders who have made exceptional contributions to their organizations. Recipients are selected from a group of finalists and awards are presented in Public, Private, and Not-For-Profit categories.
2025 Public Company Finalists

Joan Bottarini
Hyatt

Ryan Glenn
Paylocity

Jeanne Jones
Exelon

Vicki L. Villacrez
TDS Telecom
2025 Private Company Finalists

Nick Parfitt
Stern Pinball

Ashley Swidnicki
RSHC

James Walsh
Health Care Service Corporation

Rich Wright
V&V Supremo Foods

Heather Bridges
SRAM

Ellen Brislin
Smithbucklin

Kevin Diamond
Seabury Asset Management

Tim Elberfeld
Jet Support Services

Andy Klemm
PremiStar
2025 Not-for-profit Company Finalists

James Baldwin
Metropolitan Family Services

Boaz Blumovitz
Jewish United Fund

David Burns
Brookfield Zoo

Gavin Farry
Rosalind Franklin University

Christina Fisher
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

Sharon W. Maxwell
Aurora University

Lizveth Mendez-Witt
New Moms

Rena Solano
Lincoln Park Zoo

Otis B. Fisher
Blessings In A Backpack
ABOUT FEI CHICAGO CHAPTER’S CHICAGO CFO OF THE YEAR® AWARDS
Financial Executives International (FEI) is the premier association for financial leaders in the United States and Canada. FEI Chicago Chapter’s Chicago CFO of the Year® Awards are an annual celebration to recognize and honor Chicago Financial Leaders who have made exceptional contributions in their organizations. Award recipients have distinguished themselves with remarkable talent and leadership. They are among the best in the profession.

Celebrating our sponsors
The CFO of the Year Awards is made possible through the support of our prestigious sponsors
who partner with FEI annually to celebrate the very best of Chicago’s finance leaders.




CHICAGO CFO OF THE YEAR® MISSION STATEMENT
Bringing the Chicago area business community together to honor and celebrate excellence in financial leadership.
CHICAGO CFO OF THE YEAR® DIVERSITY STATEMENT
The FEI Chicago Chapter recognizes and embraces a diverse, inclusive and equitable society and affirms its commitment to strive for achieving this vision. For its part, FEI Chicago actively encourages and engages with relevant networks to bring about the most diverse pool of candidates possible for the prestigious and coveted Chicago CFO Of the Year® Awards. FEI Chicago values differences and believes our greatest opportunities for innovation and creativity are achieved by fostering and promoting participation for all.
OUR FOCUS
Connections
Connect with 300 financial leaders locally and over 9,000 nationally through various events and our online community.
Recognition
Celebrate exceptional financial leadership through our annual Chicago CFO of the Year® Awards.
Programming and Advocacy
Learn from exceptional keynote speakers and leaders who advocate for the views of corporate financial management.