2021 Controller of the Year Awards – Winners Announced
Chicago, IL—February 21, 2022—Winners of the 2021 Controller of the Year Awards have been selected after a nomination period and judging process that began in December 2021. The second annual program is produced by the Controllers Council, a member association and community focused on career development and resources, peer interaction, and recognition.
Corporate Controllers and related titles that have Controller responsibilities including VPs, Chief Accounting Officers, CFOs and related are eligible to enter. Applicants can self-nominate or be nominated by a colleague via a brief online survey that requests anonymous information on 2021 financial performance, work experience, volunteer or philanthropic activities, and educational background. Entry is complimentary to both members and non-members.
All nominations were screened by an algorithm, and then judged by Controllers Council Board Members. Winners and Runners-Up are announced for 6 categories based on size and type, along with public or private classifications, where applicable.
| Category/Classification | 2021 Winners | Company | Title |
| Startup/Private/Winner | Jon Mazzanti | Cameo | Controller |
| Startup/Private/Runner-Up | Andrew Sparling | Strike | VP Finance/Controller |
| Not-For-Profit/Winner | Jessica McClain | Girl Scouts (Nation’s Capital) | CFO/Controller |
| Not-For-Profit/Runner-Up | Jonathan Spackman | Brigham Young Univ. | IT CFO/Controller |
| Small/Private/Winner | Jessica Lopez | IDX | VP/Corp. Controller |
| Small/Private/Runner-Up | Jason Lin | Centage | CFO/Controller |
| Medium/Public/Winner | Paul Henderson | Tipalti | Global Controller |
| Medium/Public/Runner-Up | Joe Steinmetz | Chesapeake Utilities | VP/Controller |
| Medium/Private/Winner | Faisal Rusho | Medable, Inc. | Controller |
| Medium/Private/Runner-Up | Zach Blaine | Expel, Inc. | VP/Corp. Controller |
| Medium/Private/Runner-Up | Jennifer Beougher | Ruby Slipper (Rest.Group) | CFO/Controller |
| Enterprise/Public/Winner | Brenna Albert | Cresco Labs | EVP/Controller |
| Enterprise/Public/Runner-Up | Kevin Coyne | EMD Serono (Div. Merck) | Controller |
| Enterprise/Public/Runner-Up | Melanie Lazzari | S&T Bancorp, Inc. | EVP/Controller |
| Enterprise/Private/Winner | Aimee Moore | Spartronics, LLC | Corp. Controller |
| Government/Winner | Nita Nigam | HUD | Asst. CFO/Accounting |
| Government/Runner-Up | Kristin Brunetto | Blackfeet Tribe | Controller |
| National Winner | Brenna Albert | Cresco Labs | EVP/Controller |
Finally, from the category winners above, a 2021 National Controller of the Year was selected based on the same criteria: Brenna Albert, Cresco Labs.
All winners will be notified by email and receive a frame-quality Certificate. The 2021 National Controller of the Year will receive a gold-plated and engraved statuette/trophy manufactured by the makers of the Oscar® Awards.
“Once again, Controllers and corporate finance executives proved their importance in 2021, and the Controller of the Year Awards brings much deserved recognition to these hard-working individuals”, states Neil Brown, Controllers Council Executive Director. “The Controllers Council is proud to be support the corporate finance industry during these challenging and unprecedented times.”
A “Virtual Red Carpet” event will be held Wednesday April 27, 1 PM CST to meet and interview award winners, register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1893767363081859600
Registration for the 2022 Controller of the Year Awards will begin December 1, 2022 at the following link: https://controllerscouncil.org/recognition/
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