Pathway to the Boardroom:
An Exclusive C-Sweet Event
at the New York Stock Exchange
Tuesday, November 14th, 5:00 - 8:00 PM ET
Siebert Hall, New York Stock Exchange
11 Wall St, New York, NY 10005
Mark your calendars for an evening of captivating conversation along with delicious bites and cocktails.
Complimentary for C-Sweet members. Non-member tickets - $79.
Meet the Moderator
Maria Malavenda
Managing Director, Board Member, Co-Chair for NY Chapter of C-Sweet
Maria Malavenda is Global Head of Zenith SGP’s Principal Investors & Private Equity practice which she launched in 2017. She serves on the firm’s Global Executive Committee and is also a member of Zenith SGP’s Operating Committee. Maria has worked extensively with clients in Europe, North America, and Asia, helping transform their businesses. She has also worked with private and public institutional investors around the world. Maria advises clients on all aspects of business strategy, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, operations, and family business and governance. She has also spent a significant amount of time in the broader AI and digital space and is the Board Chair for the firm's Management Consulting business.
Prior to joining Zenith SGP, Maria worked in consulting, media and entertainment, and technology in North America, Europe and Asia where she catalyzed several award-winning high-growth ventures in technology as an executive for companies that include ZoomInfo, Monster Worldwide, Deloitte and Accenture. She has also been a successful founder for startups acquired by Microsoft, Bosch and IMG. Maria has raised over $4B in private, IPO and post IPO financings and achieved considerable returns for investors. In addition, Maria is a passionate advocate and mentor for women founders, and serves on the board for Planned Parenthood, Health Jump (recently acquired by Datavant) and the immersive entertainment technology company Back to Space.
Meet the Panelists
Marty Willis
Board Member & Fortune 100 C-Level Executive
Marty Willis currently serves on the Board of the Sun America Series Trust & Seasons Trust, a $40 billion mutual fund complex managed by Sun America, a subsidiary of Corebridge Financial (NYSE: CRBG). In the past, she chaired the Board of Nuveen Global Mutual Funds, an international mutual fund complex, and served on the Board of OppenheimerFunds Distribution Company. Marty also held the position of Board Chair at the University of the South’s Board of Regents.
Furthermore, she is presently a Senior Advisor in KPMG's Financial Services Consulting Practice, where she collaborates with colleagues, client executives, and boards on distribution, sales & marketing tech stack, risk management, and compliance strategies. Throughout her distinguished 30-plus-year executive career at TIAA, Nuveen, OppenheimerFunds, and Fidelity, Marty has focused on growth strategies, ESG, distribution, product development, digital transformation, marketing, and communications. Notably, she held the role of Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at TIAA, a $42 billion revenue, Fortune 100, global financial services firm. In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in shaping corporate and ESG strategies. TIAA is among the select 136 companies globally recognized by the Ethisphere Institute for their inclusion on the list of the World's Most Ethical Companies.
Laura A. Coffey
CFO, Board Member, Audit Chair, SEC Financial Expert and Omni-Channel Retail Executive
Laura Coffey, is a versatile, operationally focused finance executive, and former CFO of The Vitamin Shoppe. In this role, she led a growth strategy for the business that brought strong financial vision and established record company performance. The Vitamin Shoppe is an omnichannel specialty retailer and wellness lifestyle Company with more than 700 company operated and franchised owned stores with a deeply integrated e-commerce operation. Based in Secaucus, New Jersey, the Company offers a comprehensive assortment of nutritional solutions, including vitamins, minerals, specialty supplements, herbs, sports nutrition, and other health and wellness products.
Prior to joining The Vitamin Shoppe in 2020, Ms. Coffey spent over 20 years at Pier 1 Imports in numerous leadership roles, including the SVP-Chief Accounting Officer, EVP-Planning & Allocations and EVP E-Commerce & Business Development. In addition, Laura launched and managed the operations of Pier1.com, which grew the home-specialty business to a best-inclass omni-channel retailer.
In April 2020, Ms. Coffey joined the Board of Directors of Community National Bank & Trust of Texas as the Audit Committee Chairperson. During 2023, Ms. Coffey became an active member of Extraordinary Women on Boards and serves on the Audit Committee Cohort. Ms. Coffey also presides as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Tarrant County and governs the Executive Committee of the Board. She is a long-serving, active member of Financial Executives International where she has held several leadership roles. Ms. Coffey has recently been honored as 2022 Top Woman in Retail by Women in Retail Leadership Circle were she holds a membership along with holding a membership in Texas Wall Street Women. Laura earned her Professional Directors Certification for Public Company Directors from the American College of Corporate Directors in 2020.
Laura began her career at KPMG auditing public and private companies in the financial institutions, manufacturing and retail sectors. She then joined one of her largest clients, Alcon Laboratories as a Senior Analyst for the International Division. Laura has earned a Bachelor of Business Adminstration in Accounting from University of Texas at Arlington and is an active Certified Public Accountant.
Laura lives part time in New York City and continues to have her main residence with her husband in Fort Worth, Texas. She has two children and enjoys travel, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
Jené Elzie
Business Transformation Advisor, Private & Public Company Board Director
Jené Elzie is a senior leader with over 25 years’ experience in the sports and media industries.
Ms. Elzie currently serves as an advisor to Dunes Point Capital, a private investment firm based in Rye, NY. Her previous experience includes serving as Chief Growth Officer for Athletes First Partners. Prior to Athletes First Partners, Ms. Elzie held leadership positions at the National Basketball Association as well as Comcast/NBCUniversal.
Ms. Elzie received her B.A. in Economics and M.A. in Organizational Behavior, both from Stanford University. Ms. Elzie also serves on a variety private and public boards.
Hosted by the:
Bourbon tasting sponsored by Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey.
Also sponsored by Nutanix.
***Check your calendars and join us! All event fees are non-refundable.***
New to C-Sweet?
C-Sweet is a dynamic global community of female executives dedicated to uplifting and empowering women in the workplace. Our mission is to create an environment that fosters innovation, collaboration, and professional development for women in leadership positions. Our network of accomplished female executives are committed to working with each other, as well as supporting and uplifting each other's careers. Our community provides trusted and confidential avenues for exchanging ideas and developing business strategies. Join us today and be part of a powerful movement that is redefining what it means to be a woman in business.
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