World’s 10 Most Admired Women Leaders in Business to Follow, 2023

1. Vol. 06 | Issue 10 | MAY 2023 1 WOMEN LEADERS in Business to Follow, 2023 www.worldsleaders.com World’s Most Admired ayanthi ayanthi ayanthi Ganapathy J J J Breaking Barriers and Impacting a Million Lives

4. World’s 10 Most Admired Women Leaders in Business to Follow, 2023 Breaking Barriers and Raising Awareness The progress of women in the business world extends beyond specific industries or roles. Women are thriving in diverse fields, such as entrepreneurship, technology, finance, marketing, and more. They are overcoming obstacles, surpassing societal limitations, and achieving remarkable triumphs in traditionally male-dominated sectors. The cover has Jayanthi "Jay" Ganapathy, the courageous and visionary founder and CEO of FinAccurate, has shattered gender and racial barriers to emerge as a successful woman of color and immigrant entrepreneur. Driven by a mission to positively impact the lives of one million employees, one million customers, and one million people, Jay has established FinAccurate as a brand with a purpose. In the realm of entrepreneurship, women are establishing and growing innovative startups, introducing fresh perspectives, and revolutionizing industries. They are utilizing their unique experiences and talents to build prosperous enterprises and leave a lasting impact on the market. Moreover, women are actively shaping brand strategies, devising captivating campaigns, and establishing genuine and meaningful connections with audiences. They possess an in-depth understanding of consumer behavior and play a pivotal role in driving brand success and expanding market reach. But Jay is not just a typical business leader. She is a tireless worker who is committed to achieving her mission through education and spreading happiness to a million people. Her dedication and unwavering focus on her goals have made her a truly exceptional and inspiring leader. World's Leaders latest edition “World’s 10 Most Admired Women Leaders in Business to Follow, 2023” features women business leaders who are not only advocating for the significance of women's leadership but also actively working to dismantle the obstacles that hinder women's progress in attaining leadership positions. Also, while you flip through the pages, don't forget to read the articles created by our in-house editorial staff and industry experts. Let's Begin!

5. CREDIT PAGE Editor-in-Chief Steve Sanchez Managing Editor Jagdish Chincholikar Executive Editor Nicole Williams Assistant Editor Gayatri Bhujbal Art & Design Director Jack Anderson Business Development Manager Nicole Carter Business Development Executive Natalie, Jerrey Associate Designer Kevin Rust Digital Marketing Manager Victor Clarke Sales Manager Casey Simpson, Irfan Shekh Marketing Manager Tom Swann Technical Specialist Barry Jones Circulation Manager Danny Parker MAY 2023 3296 Westerville Rd #250, Columbus, OH 43224, USA Copyright 2023 WORLD’S LEADERS Media Tech LLC, All rights reserved. The content and images used in this magazine should not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from WORLD’S LEADERS Reprint rights remain solely with WORLD’S LEADERS. Follow us on :

6. 08 Cover Story Jayanthi Ganapathy Breaking Barriers and Impacting a Million Lives

7. Anne Rajasaikaran 18 22 Deepika Gupta 26 Denise Sangster Dr. Ankita Singh 30 36 Oksana Kolesnikova Pauline Chau 40 44 Rita Pintavalle Samantha Rincione 50 Susanne Skov Diemer 54

8. C O V E R S T O R Y 08 | MAY 2023

9. Breaking Barriers and Impacting a Million Lives ayanthi ayanthi ayanthi Ganapathy Ganapathy Ganapathy J J J Jayanthi "Jay" Ganapathy, the courageous and visionary founder and CEO of FinAccurate, has shattered gender and racial barriers to emerge as a successful woman of color and immigrant entrepreneur. Driven by a mission to positively impact the lives of one million employees, one million customers, and one million people, Jay has established FinAccurate as a brand with a purpose. But Jay is not just a typical business leader. She is a tireless worker who is committed to achieving her mission through education and spreading happiness to a million people. Her dedication and unwavering focus on her goals have made her a truly exceptional and inspiring leader. worldsleaders.com | 09

10. persevered through obstacles such as acquiring her first few accounting and taxation clients, ensuring that her business was profitable enough to cover both personal and business expenses, and more. Despite these difficulties, Jay remained resolute in her pursuit of success. North American branch, where she worked as a corporate accountant and manager of accounting operations. The The The Despite her extensive corporate experience, starting her own accounting firm in June 2015 presented Jay with significant challenges and obstacles. She had no prior experience or expertise in navigating the early stages of a start- up venture. Despite this, Jay persevered with unwavering faith, choosing to remain steadfast in her commitment rather than strategizing solutions. The Journey to Achieving Expertise Eventually, her hard work paid off, and she landed a significant international client from Europe, marking a turning point for her business. Since then, her accounting firm has continued to grow and flourish, earning a reputation for reliability, professionalism, and exceptional service. Jay's professional background in accounting began at Philips Electronics, one of the world's leading electronic companies. She held various roles, including assistant manager of financial services at Philips Electronics India. She later moved to the Australian branch of Philips Electronics as a financial accountant before transitioning to the Jay's unwavering determination and commitment enabled her to overcome a myriad of challenges in the early stages of her business. She ““ Supporting Small Business FinAccurate LLC is an accounting firm that is focused on delivering It's important to have the courage to ask yourself what it is that you should be doing now, at this very moment. 10 | MAY 2023

11. business sense. The company is based on the core foundation of helping small business owners understand their critical financial statements and cash flow positions in order to make well informed decisions. This has a positive impact on the growth of the small business through increased cash flow, increased revenue and profitability, and reduced taxes.. Fortune 100 companies receive. Jayanthi Ganapathy founded FinAccurate to bring concepts and best practices used by Fortune 100 companies to SMB owners.It is her mission to help drive profitability and operational efficiencies by offering quality bookkeeping, accounting, and tax advisory services. their best, provide exceptional service, and continuously merge advanced technology with practical applications to enhance their clients' experiences. There are numerous chances to redefine what FinAccurate delivers and improve its ability to advance the accounting industry. Therefore, FinAccurate embraces challenges as growth opportunities and a way to distinguish themselves from their competitors. Making Competition a Way to Excellence At FinAccurate, the team believes that small businesses deserve the same kind of attention to detail and quality accounting services that Jay discovers that competition doesn't scare or disturb the company. Instead, it motivates them to achieve FinAccurate focuses on Accounting & Tax Advisory services and act as a Proactive Partner that helps Small worldsleaders.com | 11

12. Business Owners make strategic, Informed decisions to grow every single year and not staying as a compliance Accounting firm providing only Bookkeeping and Tax Preparation services. It goes above and beyond what is typically offered in the accounting industry by reviewing financials with the small business owner every single month and reviewing their tax situation every quarter, rather than at the end of the year. contribute to the company's ongoing efforts to enhance their services to clients. They urge their team to think innovatively, exploring creative solutions and leveraging emerging technologies to drive progress. The company values and nurtures creativity, striving to provide a work environment where their employees feel a sense of belonging and respect. FinAccurate aspires to foster a culture where employees see their workplace as a second home. "We only groom and retain employees who can fit in with our culture," says Jay. Improving Services FinAccurate's management prioritizes receiving feedback from their employees, empowering them to 12 | MAY 2023

13. launching a startup. She continuously engaged in introspection, examining her goals and aspirations, which gave her the strength to persevere. Responsibilities Incorporate with Position Despite her position as a Corporate Accountant, Jay felt constrained by the limitations imposed by her job description and the expectations that came with it. She was determined not to let her education and experience go to waste, especially when it came to helping small business owners. This conviction, along with the wisdom gleaned from the words of Jay's mentor in faith, Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, helped her find the courage to take the plunge and start her own accounting firm. She asserts, "If you summon your courage to challenge something, you'll never be left with regret. How sad it is to spend your life wishing, "If only I'd had a little more courage." Whatever the outcome may be, the important thing is to step forward on the path that you believe is right.” Leading with Values Developing the courage to accept and nurture her authentic self is anchored in Jay's fundamental personal principles. She is willing to challenge the status quo and societal conventions when necessary, trusting her intuition even when it conflicts with rational thinking. She embraces both failures and achievements as valuable learning opportunities. She possesses the skill of self-reflection and regularly evaluates and re- evaluates herself to realign with Jay's core values. She says, "I am empowering other women around me and serving as a role model and inspiration for budding women entrepreneurs." In addition, she emphasizes the importance of having the confidence and determination to say "no" when appropriate. She refuses to impose any constraints or boundaries on her potential and capabilities. "Not setting any ceilings or limits on what I can achieve," says Jay. Jay's unwavering commitment to realizing her vision of making a significant impact on the accounting industry fueled her persistence, despite the apprehension, uncertainty, and obstacles that accompany worldsleaders.com | 13

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15. TRAITS OF A LEADER Jay is a firm believer in the importance of thinking outside the box and being open to constant learning. She believes that these qualities are coachable and trainable and that they can be ingrained within a company's culture. Jay also recognizes the importance of gelling well with other employees and staff as well as having a positive impact on colleagues. For Jay, being highly motivated to better oneself and contribute to the betterment of the immediate work environment is essential. She understands that a positive attitude and a willingness to learn and improve can have a significant impact on the overall success of the company. Jay's approach to work is characterized by a growth mindset, where she sees every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow. She is always on the lookout for new ideas and perspectives, and she is not afraid to take risks and try new things. Her enthusiasm and drive are infectious, and she inspires those around her to strive for excellence and reach their full potential. worldsleaders.com | 15

16. “ Traits of a Leader Jay is a firm believer in the importance of thinking outside the box and being open to constant learning. She believes that these qualities are coachable and trainable and that they can be ingrained within a company's culture. Jay also recognizes the importance of gelling well with other employees and staff as well as having a positive impact on colleagues. For Jay, being highly motivated to better oneself and contribute to the betterment of the immediate work environment is essential. She understands that a positive attitude and a willingness to learn and improve can have a significant impact on the overall success of the company. The important thing is to take that first step. Bravely overcoming one small fear gives you the courage to take on the next. “ Jay's approach to work is characterized by a growth mindset, where she sees every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow. She is always on the lookout for new ideas and perspectives, and she is not afraid to take risks and try new things. Her enthusiasm and drive are infectious, and she inspires those around her to strive for excellence and reach their full potential. Vision to Get Better and Big At FinAccurate, the vision is to become a world-class organization that offers comprehensive accounting and tax advisory services to SMBs. To achieve this, the company aims to leverage human expertise, automation, and technology effectively. In the future, Jay envisions expanding her company's accounting and tax advisory services beyond North America and into new regions, such as Australia and Europe. By doing so, FinAccurate can help even more SMBs optimize their financial performance and achieve their goals. 16 | MAY 2023

17. ““ If you failed yesterday, strive to win today. If you were defeated today, strive to win tomorrow. worldsleaders.com | 17

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19. Anne Rajasaikaran Making Education Affordable And Accessible For All worldsleaders.com | 19

20. S College caters to the reasonable expectations of students. Imperium International College Leadership Philosophy With a focus on growing its education industry, MAA Group powers Imperium International College. The driving force behind Imperium International College is its dedication to making sure that its students have access to top-notch instruction and the greatest job possibilities in all industries. The institution offers a wide range of training programs, including diploma, certificate, and degree programs with American and UK degrees. Anne is personable and has a flat leadership style. She prefers to be direct and truthful, and she thinks that everyone has a voice, and regardless of their level, they are free to suggest or express their ideas. She holds that no thought is too small and that everyone can offer something. When she hears from the experiences and viewpoint of her employees, she believes that she derives something valuable from them. Anne has a knack for relating to people and can talk about issues that concern employees. She says, "You could only speak about poverty to people who have experienced it or struggled with it in their lives rather than people who have not experienced poverty, you learn about their hardships or difficulties (e.g., for someone who has only commuted using the bus or taken a loan to study) so that they can tell me what it really feels like or what they really want. You ask the right questions to the right people.” Some leaders rose to prominence as a result of their ability to maintain hope in the face of adversity and go on to accomplish feats so outstanding that people still hold them in high regard decades after their passing. While others remained true to their principles and demonstrated in support of others' rights, doing so even when doing so put their own freedom—not to mention their lives—in danger. Imperium International College has merged outdoor and indoor classroom experiences in order to increase the number of students who engage in interactive hybrid learning. It thinks that's the route Imperium would want to go to make it more interactive: trips to industries, offices under courses, and audits of businesses. However, some leaders have a natural ability to innovate, inspire, and convince others to take significant action that will ultimately alter the world, making them really inspirational and well-respected. One such inspiring leader is Anne Rajasaikaran. She serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Edumaax Group of Companies, which is the parent company of the Imperium International College, St. John's International School, and Pusat Tuisyen Kasturi. To make education more relevant post-COVID, the college emphasizes making learning more exciting and having a higher percentage of graduates and students who actually enjoy practicing what they studied. That's how Imperium International College is revolutionizing education. It is planning to make it as integrated as possible. The college is making it about the student rather than profiting for just business purposes. Words for Young Education Leaders Anne met many young people who had no inspiration and were incredibly young, she wanted to change that. When she graduated from college, she had big plans to transform the world. To motivate students: they lead wonderful lives and are capable of so much more. "Please don't believe you are insignificant," she urges, "because you are the future." Inspiring kids and igniting their enthusiasm for achievement is Anne's main motivation. She is also the Principal Officer of Budimas Charitable Foundation, an NGO that supports impoverished children in Malaysia, and has more than 15 years of expertise in communications and fundraising. She has previously managed a public trust with a 25-year history. Imperium International College has hybrid and face-to-face teaching processes. Its framework and procedures are well maintained, and the teams keep up with students' expectations by interacting with them. Imperium International 20 | MAY 2023

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22. Deepika Gupta A Multi-Disciplinary Expert and Renowned Educator in Corporate Strategy and Policy In this issue “World's Most Influential Business Leaders to Follow in 2023”, World's Leaders shines the spotlight on Deepika Gupta, a trailblazing academician and industry professional who has carved a niche for herself in the field of corporate strategy and policy. 22 | MAY 2023

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24. The Institute IIMV is one of the new generation IIMs, set up by Government of India in September 2015 in line with the Andhra Pradesh Re-organization Act, 2014. Under the IIM Act 2017, effective from 31/01/2018, the Institute has become a body corporate and declared as an Institution of National Importance. The Institute has started its academic operations in the ongoing construction of its word-class campus of approx. 241 acres of land about 25 kilometers from the present (temporary) state-of-the-art campus in the salubrious Andhra University campus in the 'City of Destiny', Visakhapatnam. Even though a new entrant in the Indian Education Sector, set up through statute, IIMV has marked its significance in a span of just 7 years. The factsheet of the Institute confirms the same. Please refer details in https://www.iimv.ac.in/uploads/IIM-Visakhapatnam- Factsheet.pdf With an FPM (PhD) in Corporate Strategy & Policy from Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, Deepika brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. She is also a first-attempt Chartered Accountant and Chartered Secretary, and holds a Masters degree in Financial Services and Management from University of Mumbai. IIMV FIELD a Section 8 Company under the Institute has the following objectives: Ÿ To promote, develop and nurture the culture of entrepreneurship and innovation by way of facilitating, enabling, creating, fostering, supporting, funding/investing, mentoring, managing the entrepreneurial efforts, initiatives, endeavours, and ventures. As if that wasn't impressive enough, Deepika has also qualified UGC-NET in Management, making her a well- rounded and versatile professional. Her almost 12 years of industrial experience working with organizations such as BSE Ltd, and Finanza Capital Services Pvt Ltd, has given her the practical edge to complement her academic achievements. To promote and develop platforms which can provide networking opportunities for prospective and potential entrepreneurs, students, teachers/faculty, researchers, alumni groups, angel investor groups and such other like and to enhance possibilities of mutual learning, sharing of knowledge and experiences; cross-fertilization of ideas; exchange of constructive thoughts and dissemination of best practices among such groups. Ÿ Deepika's contributions to the academic community are equally noteworthy. She has been a reviewer for various national and international conferences and journals such as Academy of Management, Eastern Academy of Management, Indian Academy of Management, and IIMB Management Review. Her expertise in corporate strategy and policy has been widely acknowledged and appreciated in the academic circles. To promote education, research and other programs and activities in creativity, upskilling, re- skilling, re-tooling, incubation, acceleration, innovation, entrepreneurial learning and Ÿ 24 | MAY 2023

25. entrepreneurship development and allied areas of knowledge as well as interdisciplinary studies and domains. An Inspiring Story of Resilience and Achievement The institute has an inclusive Startup Policy that motivates both faculty and students to participate in entrepreneurial activities. This fosters students' comprehension of the various hurdles faced by startups, including funding, marketing, and logistics. To develop the entrepreneurial ecosystem across the nation and particularly in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana regions, IIMV conducts several Capacity Building Programs. It also secures government funds through various startup programs like TIDE, DST, and others. Ÿ Deepika's family story is one of resilience and achievement. Her father, RavindraKumar Gupta, was a Mechanical Engineer who settled in Mumbai in the early 1970s, while her mother, Shyamwati R Gupta, was a high school-teacher with MA and MEd degrees. They instilled in Deepika and her four sisters a strong sense of discipline, courage, ethics, and integrity, along with the freedom to pursue their dreams with agility, resilience, and flexibility. Deepika attended the Sau Laxmibai English Medium School in Mulund East, Mumbai, where she received a rigorous and focused education. She went on to graduate in Commerce from the Mulund College of Commerce at Mumbai University, earning her Masters in Financial Services and Management with First Rank from Alkesh Dinesh Mody Institute of Management Studies. She excelled academically, clearing the Chartered Accountancy exams on her first attempt and securing the All-India 9th Rank in Chartered Secretary Dec 1998 exams. She received numerous awards and recognitions for her academic and debating skills during her school and college days. Driving Forces behind Joining the Education Sector In the education sector there are no closures and every day is a new learning. There is no end to the limits of knowledge and the Institute provides exactly new avenues to continue these steps forward. There are lot of avenues to innovate and build knowledge base across various disciplines and across sectors. These are major forces that many are inclined to join the education sector. As IIMV is a new Institute, there is always a learning curve and a continuous effort to help employees feel connected to the vision, mission and values of the organization. The employees include both teaching and non- teaching staff who are committed and continuously motivated and incentivized to help the Institute reach its long-term strategic vision. The feedback from various stakeholders is continuously looped in strategy formulation processes to ensure smooth implementation of various decisions taken by the Board. Deepika started her professional career with a Chartered Accountant firm before joining the Bombay Stock Exchange as a Management Trainee. After working for about 12 years, she pursued her Doctoral Programme in the Strategy Area at IIM Bangalore, where she had the opportunity to learn and upskill herself. She went on to work as an Assistant Professor in Strategy Area at the Indian Institute of Visakhapatnam. worldsleaders.com | 25

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27. President & CEO Global Touch, Inc. ® worldsleaders.com | 27

28. E swimming. She finished her postgraduate studies in the US, Europe, and Asia. helps the clients push the envelope and deliver on consumption era readiness so they can accomplish their most ambitious goals with the help of top-tier, lucrative partners. Denise didn't want to just work for one company; she wanted to do something a little different. Building a consulting firm that was at the forefront of or close to market shifts was something she wanted to do in order to participate in the larger market. Having in-depth, first-hand market knowledge and extensive industry relationships that factor into numerous indicators with a focus on growth, profitability, and partner leverage are the only ways to spot these shifts. Many of her former sales colleagues in Europe and Asia encouraged her to start a consultancy company to aid them with their companies when she was considering switching to a post at Microsoft or Apple. Global Touch launched its blog series IT Wondrous Women™ in February 2021 with the goal of showcasing the many outstanding women who work in the IT sector. It has been so successful at highlighting women with a variety of talents and showcasing the plethora of rising female abilities in a male-dominated industry. Every day, physical and chemical changes take place all around you. Change enables us to advance in life and take part in novel and interesting experiences. Life might become stagnant if you don't actively strive to grow. Changes that you never realized were possible can be brought about by being open to change, picking up new talents, or working on your inner self. Making substantial changes to the way a corporation or organization operates is referred to as "business transformation." Personnel, procedures, and technology are all included in this. Organizations that undergo these changes are better able to compete, become more efficient, or completely change their strategic direction. Denise Sangster, President & CEO of Global Touch, ® Inc. , works hard to meet her objectives and deal with everyday changes. Denise and her team at Global Touch are true partners! They can interact with them and comprehend their issues and new prospects thanks to their extensive industry contacts. As CEO, it is her responsibility to make sure the business keeps supporting the success of its clients, and she keeps them one step ahead of the dynamic market competition. Additionally, Denise consistently looks for ways to bring value to the clients' businesses and treats them like lifelong customers. Denise seized this chance with both hands and never looked back. She has counselled the most cutting-edge technology companies in the world for more than 25 years, assisting and motivating them to create disruptive next-generation partner ecosystems that produce predictable and sustainable revenue, growth, and profitability that are in line with necessary customer business outcomes. Her vast field expertise in more than 100 nations, her global contact network, and her natural curiosity are some of her strongest suits. The most crucial aspect of each customer engagement is information transfer. Global Touch, Inc. Global Touch is a strategy and go-to- market transformation consulting company for the hybrid and consumption eras that focuses on partners. They take great satisfaction in the fundamental "step-ahead" concept, which is infused with ground-breaking innovation. Denise From the Beginning Denise Sangster graduated from Cal, the University of California, Berkeley. She began her studies at Cal as a math major before switching to a business administration and computer science major. She also received "varsity" letters in two NCAA Division 1 sports, rowing and Thrive on Change There have been a lot of surprises, detours, and turns throughout Denise's path. The most significant lesson she has gained from her journey is that change is a given; as a result, it's necessary to keep your eyes on the horizon. 28 | MAY 2023

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41. Pauline Chau An Expert in Investment Transac?ons, Fund Management, and Resolving Startup Financing Challenges Pauline Chau, who had been employed as a corporate lawyer in a leading French law ?rm for a period of 5 years, subsequently joined Breega. Her role at Breega involves overseeing all legal, regulatory, and ?nancial affairs pertaining to the management company, its funds, its portfolio, and its subscribers. At present, she serves as the company's chief ?nancial o?cer. Below are highlights of the interview conducted between World's Leaders and Pauline Chau: Describe your background and what did you do before you joined the company? I started my career as a corporate lawyer in a tier-1 law firm, advising VCs on the legal part of their investments. I loved being in an expert position but I somehow missed a project of my own, since the lawyers' job ends at closing one deal. After 5 years of practice, I have been recruited by one of them to serve both its legal and financial needs, at a time when Breega managed only 45M€. I was the third employee of an early stage VC co-founded by 3 entrepreneurs who I happen to share some strong values with, operating like a startup, but with very high financial expectations. Now, after 6 successful years and 90+ companies financed, Breega manages 500 million euros split across 5 vehicles and operates across 5 offices. I am truly happy to monitor our financial performance and be in charge of operations, both on the finance part and on the legal and regulatory part. This double expertise is complementary, and I am convinced that having the legal and regulatory worldsleaders.com | 41

42. working for our portfolio and paid by our management company, without charging any fee to our portfolio. This positioning was very unique when Breega was launched 8 years ago, and now we see the benefits of this investment in the growth of our portfolio. What are the most important aspects of a company's culture? What principles do you believe in and how do you build this culture? Our company's culture is all about being very demanding, but with true care. All our investor actions derive from that: being founder- friendly, acting like a team and with transparency, being agile, and being solutions-oriented. We care a lot about these values when recruiting and promoting people, and try to illustrate them in every internal communication. What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time? My advice to someone going into a leadership position for the first time is: don't be afraid, and don't feel like an impostor. We all started somewhere. Just try your best, be humble, and always learn and improve. And try to attract talents, including people who can be better than you at what they do, because they are the ones that will build your company's success for tomorrow! knowledge is not only a cost-saving feature, it is also helpful to setup funds, measure the technical constraints of some operations, implement divestments, distributions, etc. My role in the success of this organization has been to act like the linchpin of this hypergrowth, being very pragmatic in the processes and execution that needed to be put in place and making them constantly evolve according to our needs and staffing. I see myself as a facilitator for the investment teams, and believe my job is done greatly when it is paradoxically not felt by the business teams or when I bring technical solutions to the table. What are your responsibilities as the Broker / Principal of the company? What is the happiest part of your daily routine? I don't have a daily routine; I am lucky that my days are not the same. I like to start my day by checking my mailbox for new requests I have to handle and therefore reprioritize my day. One of my great strengths is that I am naturally organized and in control, which is key for a CFO role. My other core values are reliability, transparency, consistency, and always going the extra mile—values that I instill within my team. I often say that it is not because we have never done something that we will not do it. I like to meet new challenges and build innovative setups that have never been tried before. Give us your opinion on; do organizations rely heavily on individual heroics or team processes? In my opinion, early-stage organizations rely heavily on individual heroics to build the first milestones, but when an organization reaches scale, it needs to rely on team processes to have sustainable growth. That is exactly the turning point at which we are at Breega. Which are the major services of the company and how do the company to get ahead in the competition? What value-added services does the company provide? Breega stands out among its competitors with a very entrepreneurial approach to the VC mission, all members of the investment team being former founders themselves. This entrepreneurial mindset has also pushed us to create, years ago, a scaling team, gathering experts in recruitment, marketing, growth, and business development, fully 42 | MAY 2023

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44. Rita Elrod Pintavalle Showing the Signi? cance of Leadership Abilities for an Administrator by Guiding and Motivating Individuals 44 | MAY 2023

45. Side Passion: Lead Up mentoring and consulting I have been in Public Education since 1991. I originally started my college journey intending to be a child psychologist, and ended up with a BSEd from Baylor University. I started teaching English and Coaching sports, and never thought of doing anything else outside of the schoolroom doors. Once you begin to see the impact through education, it is difficult to step away for any amount of money or enticing offer. Students matter, teachers matter, education matters. I grew up playing sports, and that was a great bonding piece with my father Sonny Elrod. I played volleyball and softball at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, OK my freshman year, but then transferred to Baylor my sophomore year to play softball only. My older sister, Lana, was already attending Baylor and was an Education major, so I just kind of followed her. We even ended up getting our Masters in Education together as well through the University of North Texas a decade later. Our mother Martha Elrod had taught us to care about other people before ourselves, and that servant leadership followed us into education. R teaching, coaching, serving as an assistant principal, campus principal, and director of discipline and grants. In her view, an effective administrator should possess both strong organizational skills and excellent leadership abilities. To manage the administrative aspects of the job, it's crucial to have a thorough understanding of the relevant laws, policies, and procedures. On the other hand, to lead a team successfully, one must possess an innate talent for guiding and motivating individuals to discover and utilize their unique strengths and talents, thereby enhancing the collective strength of the team. ita Elrod Pintavalle, the principal of Brazoswood High School, has a diverse professional background which includes Connections to others is what makes any workplace or business successful. As a High School Principal, it is important to keep your staffulty informed and find ways to connect them together. People enjoy being in a workplace where they feel connected to the mission and the vision while enjoying days with people they consider friends. I enjoy watching others have a good time in a nurturing environment. As the Principal of a large campus (2400 students and 200+ staffulty) I oversee the day-to-day operations, budgets, discipline, academic achievement and climate/culture of the campus as a whole. I am the constant that keeps the campus worldsleaders.com | 45

46. anchored, but I do it with a vision of connectedness. It is important to have the input of student voice, teacher ingenuity and administrative oversight. We use rewards and awards to keep us going, and that in turn leads to positive influence in our daily operations. Our campus has been a Capturing Kids Hearts National Showcase Campus multiple times as well as a Jostens Renaissance Platinum level school. These programs validate that we are doing what is good for children. Utilizing the pieces of both of these organizations (CKH and Renaissance) we have been able to build a positive campus culture of kindness, inclusivity and community spirit of pride. Through these organizations, I have done many public speaking engagements to foster collaboration and provide roadmaps to other schools to be effective stewards of kindness and culture. These experiences have led me to recently create a framework for LEAD UP LLC to provide my experience to schools or organizations on how to lead with a positive focus. expectations, not taking others down to meet an average existence. Positive is always better than negative, but many times is more difficult to achieve in today's society of negativity and social media microscopes. Connecting people so they focus on building each other up rather than tearing each other down is a task in itself, but a mission that is admirable. This framework is what I work off of daily to seek motivation. I am a firm believer in strength-based leadership. Let those that are strong in an area, take control and use those gifts in a positive way. The happiest parts of my job as a High School Principal are seeing others succeed. I prefer to put the spotlight on the areas where people shine so they understand their worth. Nothing compares to seeing smiling, happy people. Brazoswood has an incredible set of Administrators functioning together with strong teachers, counselors, classroom aides, office staff, custodial and cafeteria management that come together to offer a caring atmosphere that allows students to grow in their education and their creativity. What are some of the best things in your personal life? I have served on the Executive Board and as the President of the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP), the Nation's largest School Principal Organization. That experience afforded me the opportunity to visit many campuses and to mentor Principals and Assistant Principals across the state of Texas. I have also served on steering committees for the Texas Education Agency and been named one of the top 50 Female LEAD UP focuses on the things that I believe should matter most to an organization. I utilize the mindset of “you have to LIVE UP to LEAD UP”. You must Live Up to the expectations you seek for others in order to ask them to Lead Up daily. It is important to teach Students and Staff how to STAND UP for what they believe is right and provide the tools to SPEAK UP for those things correctly in order to STAY UP and not back down. Finally they must be able to STEP UP and volunteer or take the lead when needed. These are skills that can be taught and focused to keep a positive atmosphere that others have collaborated to build. Being informed takes research and time to be connected to your campus or your business organization. The framework for LEAD UP focuses on the belief that you should Lead to lift others Up not Lead in a way that brings others Down. It is all about bringing others up to high Which are the major offerings of Brazoswood High School? What value-added services does the school provide? Brazoswood High School is a part of Brazosport ISD. We offer a wide curriculum that focuses on the whole student in preparation to be future ready. Students can choose multiple academic focus areas of the educational environment and extracurricular experiences. We have a vast array of Athletics, Fine Arts, Clubs and Organizations. We have incredible Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways as well that provide them with practical experience to enter the workforce right after high school or prepare them for future careers. 46 | MAY 2023

47. Leaders in Houston by The Women We Admire Organization. I have been honored as the Principal of the Year for Region XI, Secondary Principal of the Year for Brazosport ISD, Top 25 Educator for HEB Excellence in Education, and received a Lifetime Award of Achievement for Texas PTA. In my spare time, I also work at MLSBC as a cruise port agent at the Port of Galveston. I assist in debarkation and embarkation of guests for Carnival Cruise Ships. This is a positive atmosphere where you are helping others go on vacation with family and friends. It is a rewarding customer service experience. I enjoy reading mystery novels, watching true crime shows and traveling with my husband Joe Pintavalle. I also enjoy helping my husband with his passion of growing hot peppers. We make spicy treats and spice blends using home grown hot peppers under the name Pintapeppers for competition and gifts. I have one daughter, Carson Campbell (a Medical Terminology teacher and High School Coach), and 3 bonus children Lauren Pintavalle Story (a Nurse Practitioner in Neurology Oncology), Brianne Pintavalle Burton (an RN and Medical Billing Associate) and Joe Pintavalle (a Regional Flooring specialist). We also have a delightful pet Tortoise named Lucy. worldsleaders.com | 47

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