World’s Most Exemplary Female Leaders to Follow in 2023

1. Vol. 10 | Issue 02 | October 2023 www.worldsleaders.com WORLD'S MOST EXEMPLARY FEMALE LEADERS TO FOLLOW iN 2023. UNVEiLiNG THE EMPATHETIC LEADERSHiP BY COMMiTTiNG TO PERSONAL VALUES & PROBLEM-SOLViNG BREAKiNG BARRiERS AND IMPACTiNG A MiLLiON LiVES 36 EMPOWERiNG WOMEN TO SOAR BEYOND LiMiTS 40 A LEADER iN THE MORTGAGE INDUSTRY WHO INSPiRES THROUGH SELFLESSNESS AND EMPOWERMENT CEO CEO Lifestyle Properties Lifestyle Properties 46 IRENA MARKOViC EXQUiSiTE EXQUiSiTE Properties, Properties, PERSONALiZED PERSONALiZED Service Service

4. World's Most Exemplary Female Leaders to Follow in 2023 Leading by Example Today's women are unstoppable, and their influence and power are growing. Women are creating the structures that will allow them to achieve this as they demand a new society that offers them the freedom to do and be anything they choose. But a woman may lead without having a formal position in the company. A genuine leader makes an appearance in their society to have an influence. And regardless of their position or job title, women all throughout the world carry out that activity every day. intelligence, which encompasses self-awareness, empathy, and effective communication. While professional qualifications hold significance, Irena's primary focus lies in assessing these qualifications only after ensuring that the aforementioned components are met. Irena's leadership style centers around understanding and nurturing the authentic essence of individuals within her company. She fosters an environment where problem-solving takes precedence and encourages personal growth among her team members. Here is the most recent edition of World's Leaders "World's Most Exemplary Female Leaders to Follow in 2023" to honor women business visionaries. While inspiring others around them, shattering the glass ceiling, and forging their own paths, these women are also serving as role models for the next generation of female leaders. Also, while you flip through the pages, don't forget to read the articles created by our in-house editorial staff and industry experts. The cover has Irena Markovic, the CEO of Lifestyle Properties, is a leader who truly values problem-solving and strives to comprehend the individuals behind their roles, whether they are customers or employees. She believes in the significance of personal values, visions, goals, and emotional intelligence within her team. Have a Lovely Read! For Irena, it is crucial that her employees align with the company's values and have a clear sense of purpose. She recognizes the immense importance of emotional

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 Grace Nelson 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 OCTOBER 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. COVER STORY 08 Irena Markovic Unveiling the Empathetic Leadership by Committing to Personal Values and Problem-Solving

7. 16 Anna Fedosova Bettina Schaller 20 26 Ellie Shefi 30 Isabela Amie Garcia 36 Jayanthi Ganapathy 40 Maz Schirmer Pamela Verma 46 50 Puja Bhola Rios 54 Tamara Chase

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16. AnnaFedosova Chief Fiduciary Officer Sunstone Trust Company 16 | October 2023

17. Anna Fedosova Fedosova Fedosova Fedosova Anna Anna Anna Serving the Interests of Families and Individuals who Have Immigrated to the United States My English was very limited when I arrived in the Unites States, and it was very challenging at the beginning. “ “ “ “ worldsleaders.com | 17

18. E breaking through opaque boundaries, and never giving up on learning new things. They have big ideas and are excellent storytellers, but they are terrible record-keepers. To serve as a Chief Fiduciary Officer, a person must be able to provide strategic business leadership and direction regarding important tasks related to identifying, assessing, mitigating, and managing risk in the Wealth and Asset Management line of business. They must also guarantee that the necessary platform and product controls are in place. Additionally, it entails monitoring and assessing how well risk management is implemented throughout all company business lines, both individually and collectively. helped high-net-worth clients accomplish their short-and long-term goals thanks to her in-depth understanding of fiduciary matters and her sophisticated estate and trust planning abilities. She is a Registered Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) and a Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA). She serves on a board of directors of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, Orange County Chapter (STEP OC). Anna is a member of the Orange County Estate Planning Council (OCEPC), Women Lawyers Association of Orange County (OCWLA), and Association of Corporate Growth of Orange County (ACG), She speaks fluent English and Russian, in addition to a moderate German, which complements her professional and international background. xcellent leaders, like great financial advisors, are always challenging the status quo, Anna Fedosova, MBA, CTFA, is Sunstone Trust Company's Chief Fiduciary Officer. She has worked for private wealth and trust companies, including U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo, and First Bank, for 20 years as a senior fiduciary and trust manager. A top-ranked financial adviser with an exceptional clientele, Anna has 18 | October 2023

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20. BETTINA SCHALLER Offering Key Insights into the Labor Market SVP Head Group Public Affairs The Adecco Group. 20 | October 2023

21. N Enlighten us on how you have made an impact in this industry through your expertise in the industry. the resistance I encountered as I climbed up the ladder was manageable. And I did see the setbacks as an opportunity. I am a risk taker, so I know that some decisions might not lead to success. Therefore, I take any setback in its stride. My background is in government affairs and policy advocacy. Since I joined the private employment services industry in 2010, my focus has been on carving out the value- add of our services and solutions to well-functioning labour markets. We provide prosperity, security, adaptability, work and, importantly these days, a path through the complex landscape of the world of work. In many countries across the globe, there are misconceptions about the role that we play in a country's competitiveness. We are often major employers, taking that responsibility on with pride. So I interact with policymakers at all levels to ensure that we work together to unleash our contribution. One challenge that I've learnt to manage is to navigate my own self-confidence. I learnt early on that my very strong belief in myself can be seen as arrogance, as being over-the- top and bullyish. Still, to this day, these are negative attributes in a female leader. So I learned to use my confidence in controlled doses. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had unleashed that full potential. Nominated three consecutive years (2017, 2018 and 2019) for "Staffing 100 Europe Influencer" and the International 50 of the "Global Power 100 - Women in Staffing", BettinaSchaller is SVP, Head of Group Public Affairs at The Adecco Group. Bettina Schaller oversees the Group Public Affairs activities of the Adecco Group, encompassing regulatory and policy issues, and the Adecco Group's engagement in Employers' Associations and Strategic Partnerships on a global and European scale. Describe Adecco Groups' offerings that address the needs of your customers. The Adecco Group is the world's leading talent solutions and advisory company, driven by a powerful purpose – to make the future work for everyone. It focuses on the full spectrum of HR solutions that businesses and workers need: from flexible and permanent placement to recruitment, outplacement, outsourcing, and, of course, skilling, re- skilling, and upskilling. What are the challenges you and your team at Adecco Group come across in your day-to-day operations? Below are the highlights of the interview conducted between the World's Leaders and Bettina Schaller: Brief our audience about your journey as a female leader. What challenges did you have to face to get where you are today? These days, the main daily challenges revolve around connectivity and engagement. For the most part, we have been remote for the last 2 years, and my team is spread across the world, just as the 35 000 Adecco Group colleagues I had a privileged upbringing, with little hardship. Overall, worldsleaders.com | 21

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23. are. I have heavily increased my bilateral outreach, making sure that I "check in" on colleagues regularly. And I am very aware of my communication style as so much gets done without human interaction. What people, what books, what life factors have influenced and impacted you? I was and still am influenced by people or situations that are "wrong". To a large extent, witnessing a toxic leader do harm and building my resilience and strategy to counter that has shaped me to a large extent. I am very driven by values, so if I see injustice or discrimination being done, I will speak up. And I will remember how not to act since I see the impact such behaviour has on people and organisations, and ultimately on productivity and outcomes. There are, of course, also positive role models. The circumstances and life of Nelson Mandela still inspire me. responsibility, and entrepreneurship. Equally valuable is the importance we place on diversity and equal opportunity for everyone working with or through The Adecco Group. for women's leadership topics and join the movement to break down barriers for women in leadership positions once and for all. What would be your advice to budding Women Leaders? The mix leads to a unique type of colleague, independent of the country from which they operate. Allow me to put forward a few elements of advice – one might resonate particularly. Where do you envision yourself to be in the long run and what are your future goals for Adecco Group? Ÿ Think about where your strength comes from and hone in on that—with that: Be honest about what is important to you. Ÿ Communicate / make yourself heard. Ÿ Always think about how you do / can add value. Ÿ Foster relationships. I look to build on my current role, using my network and expertise to create value for the group and the world of work ecosystem that I operate in. I have been mentoring and supporting young people in and outside the group for the past decade and made the deliberate decision in early 2021 to heavily raise my voice Describe in detail the values and the work culture that drives Adecco Group. At the heart of The Adecco Group's culture are our five core values: team spirit, customer focus, passion, worldsleaders.com | 23

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30. Isabela Amie Garcia I A Seasoned and Skilled Attorney with Unwavering Commitment to Her Clients and Her Community Isabela Amie Garcia is a highly respected attorney who represents prestigious clients, including entrepreneurs, physicians, lawyers, professional athletes, and public servants. Being bilingual, she can offer legal services to clients who speak both Spanish and English. With an impressive seven-year track record, she is recognized as one of the top family law attorneys in Texas. 30 | October 2023

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33. Isabela specializes in family and divorce law, and before founding Garcia-Windsor, P.C., she worked as a legal and judicial intern as well as a legal research assistant for several years. As the leader of her team, her role is to lead by example, establish high standards for professionalism and customer service, and keep communication channels open with all clients. The most enjoyable aspect of her day involves using her creativity to develop and manage various tasks. Isabela and her team have plans to broaden their presence in Texas by expanding their offices and establishing international partnerships that will enhance the firm's ability to serve its clients. Ms. Garcia asserts, "While the idea to open my own firm came out of necessity due to a scarcity of available jobs in boutique firms at the time, my inspiration was fuelled by the mentors around me that made space for me, and I felt encouraged by the fact that I, in turn, am making space for other attorneys." Devoting Life to a Purpose Isabela grew up in Mexico and pursued a career as a professional tennis player, competing in numerous tournaments throughout Latin America, Mexico, and the United States. Although she achieved success on the tour, she ultimately discovered her passion for law and enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin, where she graduated with honors in philosophy and business. She then continued her education at the University of Oxford, where she focused on international tax law, European Union law, and international constitutional law. Isabela went on to earn her Juris Doctorate with an emphasis on Sports Law, Corporate Law, and International Law from the Southern Methodist University School of Law. worldsleaders.com | 33

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37. 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 | 37

38. 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. 38 | October 2023

39. 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 worldsleaders.com | 39

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46. Vice-President, CFO | Lend At Ease Vice-President, CFO | Lend At Ease 46 | October 2023

47. Pamela Verma A Leader in the Mortgage Industry Who Inspires Through Selflessness and Empowerment I earned her a reputa?on as a leader who goes above and beyond in everything she does. n the world of the mortgage industry, where challenges and obstacles are the norm, Pamela Verma, Vice-President, CFO at Lend At Ease, stands out as a shining example of hard work, persistence, and confidence. Her unwavering dedica?on to her clients and her team has Pamela's work ethic can be traced back to her childhood, where she learned the value of pu?ng your best effort into everything you do. It's this belief that has driven her to become one of the most trusted and respected mortgage brokers in the industry. Her extreme confidence in her abili?es and her unwavering belief that she can help in almost any situa?on have earned her the trust of clients and colleagues alike. worldsleaders.com | 47

48. Woman on a Mission The Empowering Work Culture stressful situations, and her clients know that she will always have their best interests at heart. With a passion for helping others and a drive to maximize the career development of her team, Pamela is a force to be reckoned within the mortgage industry. But it's not just about business for Pamela. She also believes in giving back to her community through volunteering and fundraising initiatives. Her ultimate goal is to make others happy, and she does so with a benevolent attitude that endears her to many. According to Pamela, Lend At Ease is committed to investing in its people and supporting them in achieving their full potential. Lend At Ease's innovative solutions and processes have helped numerous clients in Ontario achieve their home finance goals. In an industry where the demands are high and the challenges are many, Pamela's hard work and persistence have made her a true success story. She is a role model for anyone looking to achieve great things through dedication, commitment, and a never-give-up attitude. Lend At Ease strives to cultivate a culture of inspiration and motivation and upholds its values of excellence, dedication, and involvement by providing exceptional service to its clients. The company's guiding principles include absolute integrity, in-depth expertise, sound market knowledge, highly trained agents, and putting clients first. Lend At Ease conducts business with the utmost integrity and ensures that its agents are equipped with the expertise and market knowledge necessary to serve clients effectively. The company's focus is always on putting the needs of its clients first. Simplifying the Process Pamela and her business partner Nick aim to simplify the mortgage transaction process for all their clients and differentiate themselves from other companies by offering exceptional service. Having recently immigrated to Canada, Pamela was familiar with the challenges that many people face in understanding the intricacies of the mortgage process and managing home financing. At Lend At Ease, they offer a range of services, including home purchase, refinancing, renewal, debt consolidation, home equity lines of credit, commercial financing, credit cards, and secured and unsecured personal loans. Private lending is also available. Pamela's career began at United Airlines, where she was responsible for ensuring top-notch customer service for high-end clients in London, England. Her commitment to going above and beyond the call of duty made her a top performer in her category, and she brings that same drive to support Lend At Ease mortgage brokers and mortgage agents. Pamela's motivational skills empower professionals both inside and outside of the industry. But Pamela's impact extends beyond the workplace. She loves to celebrate major festivities and birthdays in a special fashion, demonstrating her caring nature and ability to connect with others on a personal level. It's no wonder that Pamela is regarded as a selfless and inspiring leader, whose dedication to others is nothing short of extraordinary. At the firm, innovative ideas are highly valued as they are essential for the company's growth and demonstrate a commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest trends. This not only helps to solidify the company's reputation, but also provides clients with a wider range of options to meet their financial needs. In the ever-evolving mortgage industry, companies must avoid complacency and strive to continuously grow and evolve, which is why Lend At Ease places such great emphasis on innovation. Lend At Ease embraces the corporate identity of "Empowering Solutions," which embodies its philosophy and core values of trust, expertise, and accessibility. The brand identity sets it apart from the competition by emphasizing its focus on customer relationships, friendly service, and innovative products. Through its partnership with clients, the company empowers them to improve their lives, families, finances, relationships, and futures. The Success Mantra As a Mortgage Broker, Pamela understands the importance of building strong relationships with clients and lenders. It's this ability to connect with others on a personal level that sets her apart from the rest. She has a unique way of making people feel at ease, even in the most 48 | October 2023 Believing in Teamwork According to Pamela, team processes are the most crucial aspect for organizations. Success is not solely

49. dependent on one individual, but rather on the collective efforts of many individuals working together. It is important for each team member to focus on their own personal development, as well as supporting the growth and development of their colleagues. facilitating the training and onboarding of all agents and brokers. Pamela's daily routine begins with entering the office and greeting her staff and business partner, Nick, which provides positive energy and sets a productive tone for the day. She then meets with Nick over a cup of tea to review and outline new innovative strategies for the company. Pamela believes that starting each day with a positive attitude and a productive meeting is essential for boosting team morale and productivity, which are crucial to the success of the company. To further drive growth within the organization, innovative ideas are necessary, but it is equally important to involve many individuals in the evaluation and implementation processes. Every Lend At Ease team member is encouraged to contribute their unique perspectives and ideas to help the company evolve and succeed. Pamela's advice for aspiring leaders is to have courage and pursue their passion. She encourages others to not let anything hinder their path towards success. As an immigrant to Canada, Pamela faced difficulties adjusting to a new country but was able to achieve success as an entrepreneur due to her determination, perseverance, and enthusiasm. She believes that with the same qualities, anyone can attain success in their chosen field. Responsibilities that Come with Leadership As the Vice President of Lend At Ease, Pamela has several key responsibilities, including supervising the operations of the mortgage brokerage, ensuring that all brokers and agents adhere to industry regulations and requirements, managing the finances of the company, overseeing marketing initiatives and ensuring compliance and aesthetics of new campaigns, and worldsleaders.com | 49

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