2022 Controller of the Year Awards – Winners Announced

Chicago, IL—February 21, 2023—Winners of the 2022 Controller of the Year Awards have been selected after a nomination period and judging process that began in December 2022. The third annual program is produced by the Controllers Council, a member association and community focused on career development, training resources, research, 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 2022 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 5 categories based on size and type, along with public or private classifications, where applicable.

Category/Classification 2022 Winners Company       Title
Startup/Private/Winner Kelly Hicks Airbase Global Controller
Startup/Private/Runner-Up Winston Dimaano Harness Corporate Controller
Not-For-Profit/Winner          Francisco Gozalo The Miami Foundation Controller
Not-For-Profit/Runner-Up Ana Monzon House of Refuge CFO
Small/Private/Winner Kathleen Bankhead Progressive Commercial Aquatics Controller
Small/Private/Runner-Up Robert Andrews Centage Controller
Small/Private/Runner-Up Richard Bernier The Balmoral Group LLC Controller
Medium/Public/Winner Dinah Chen Atlas Copco Power Technique NA Business Controller
Medium/Private/Winner Ashley Griesshammer Lovevery, Inc Controller
Medium/Private/Runner-Up Kendra Owens Nightingale College VP Finance and Accounting
Enterprise/Public/Winner Christine Gu Clarify Health Chief Accounting Officer
Enterprise/Public/Runner-Up Allyson Grand Taylor Farms Texas Controller
Enterprise/Public/Runner-Up Kevin Coyne EMD Serono, Inc Associate Director, Controller
Enterprise/Private/Winner Daniel Shem-Tov Tipalti Finance Controller
National Winner Christine Gu Clarify Health Chief Accounting Officer

Finally, from the category winners above, a 2022 National Controller of the Year was selected based on the same criteria: Christine Gu, Clarify Health

“Controllers and corporate finance executives continued to demonstrate their significant contributions in 2022, and the Controller of the Year Awards strives to recognize some of these unsung heroes”, states Neil Brown, Controllers Council Executive Director.  

All winners will be notified by email and receive a frame-quality Certificate. The 2022 National Controller of the Year will receive a gold-plated and engraved statuette/trophy manufactured by the makers of the Oscar® Awards.

A “Virtual Red Carpet” event will be broadcast Thursday, April 6, 1 PM CST with interviews of 2022 award winners. Please register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5611485564924100446 

Applications and registration for the 2023 Controller of the Year Awards will begin October 1, 2023 at the following link: https://controllerscouncil.org/recognition/

Get the latest news and important resources sent directly to your inbox: