by Eva Glassman | Jul 17, 2025 | Blog, Featured
Melissa Witbeck is a VP at Charles Schwab, managing a multi-billion-dollar portfolio and working with many clients navigating the Great Wealth Transfer. Melissa is passionate about women’s financial literacy and the potential economic and philanthropic impact women can have as more wealth passes into their hands. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys outdoor activities and traveling with her family. Melissa has been a C200 Member since 2025.
Eva Glassman: As a VP of Charles Schwab, what are your responsibilities? What are things that you love about what you do, and what are some more challenging aspects?
Melissa Witbeck: I manage a $100 billion portfolio, so it’s very dynamic from day-to-day, from building strategy, leadership, focusing on meaningful impact, to making sure my team and our clients receive the best of Schwab. No two days are ever the same, which definitely keeps me on my feet.
When I wake up every day, I’m grateful to have the ability to shape our vision into reality and see ideas come to life. Watching our teams thrive is incredibly rewarding.
The most challenging part is keeping a fine balance between long-term strategic planning and the day-to-day operational needs of running this kind of portfolio.
EG: Did you always want to go into financial services? Take me through your career journey.
MW: When I was a kid, I actually wanted to be an orthodontist. I was the oldest child, raised by a single mom. When I was sixteen, my grandfather passed away and we received a reasonable inheritance. As the oldest child, my mom would bring me along to the financial advisor meetings for managing the inheritance.
None of the advisors asked us about our goals or what we wanted to accomplish; they just wanted to take this money and get it invested. Even then, I knew that wasn’t right. That was when I knew I had to go to college for finance. I needed to understand how this all works.
To this day, it’s personally important to me to make sure that women are comfortable and understand finances, so that when circumstances change—be it their husbands pass and they’re inheriting the money or unfortunately, they get divorced—they know how to manage the money so they can take care of themselves, their future potential, their children, and/or how they want to donate it.
All that being said, my career path has not been linear, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have taken on different roles within the same industry, because I was always curious and had a desire to solve problems. When I see a problem coming up, I have this strong sense of desire to understand. How did we get there and what can we do to solve it? How can we provide a better experience?
I didn’t imagine I’d be where I am today. It wasn’t something I sought out to do, but each chapter along my journey has prepared me for it. The biggest factor in my success has been a combination of being resilient, being open to change, and surrounding myself with people who challenge and inspire me.
EG: Who are some of those people who have inspired you over the years?
MW: I had no formal mentorships early in my career, but I sought out examples of leaders where I could find them. Over time, I’ve been fortunate to be mentored and supported by strong, thoughtful women who were willing to be authentic with me about their experiences, and in turn, I could share with them what I was experiencing in my career. They gave me the strength to keep pursuing my dreams and the opportunities that were given to me. These women embody courage, clarity, and compassion when they lead. Those are the types of people I’m drawn to and who I want to emulate.
EG: Speaking of seeking out women leaders, how did you discover C200? What made you want to join?
MW: I feel so lucky. I was introduced to C200 through a trusted colleague who knew that I was looking to engage more deeply with a community of senior women leaders. I’ve had the fortune of crossing paths with several C200 Members before joining myself. There are all sorts of networking groups out there, but what stands out to me about C200 is the authenticity and generosity of the Members.
At C200, it’s not about titles or achievements. What’s profoundly different about C200 is the connections, wisdom, and desire to share and lift one another up. All of us are super busy, but all of us are builders and lifters, and will take the time to do so with each other.
EG: You are very involved at Charles Schwab in advancing the next generation of women leaders in the company, and I know that part of your work is in the Great Wealth Transfer. So, what does being a “woman in business” mean to you? How do you apply that thinking to what you do?
MW: A woman in business means embracing both the responsibility and the opportunity to lead with authenticity. It’s about creating an impact and space—not only for yourself, but for others who haven’t always been at the table. In every meeting that I hold, whether it’s hiring decisions or mentoring others, I try and bring in other perspectives or challenge norms that need to evolve.
The reason I’m so passionate about this is because the wealth space is changing. Traditionally, patriarchs have held the money, but in this very moment, the money is transferring to the matriarchs—the women. Men are passing away before their spouses, and the money gets transferred to the women, and then it will pass down to the children.
I’ve traveled across the country to speak with these wealthy families, and I ask the matriarchs, “What are you going to do with the money once it passes to you?” Time and time again, they talk about how they’re going to bring their children into the conversation, and as a family, they’re going to work together. This creates a much different experience than we have seen in the past.
I’m very excited about this shift, because we are already seeing what women do once they have money. They turn around and they help others—not just their own family, but they’re helping for the greater good. Melinda Gates is a clear example of this shift.
This gives me so much hope for the future. We need to be prepared and ready for a new type of client. Getting ready for the Great Wealth Transfer requires strategy, and I’m very optimistic about where we’re going in the future.
EG: When you are not working with clients and informing people about preparing for the Great Wealth Transfer, how do you spend your time? What do you like to do outside of work?
MW: I love spending time with my family. When we are together, we love to explore the outdoors, be it surfing or hiking or playing baseball.
I’m also very passionate about community initiatives, including youth development. I am part of a local miracle league here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that provides opportunities to children who are physically or mentally disabled to get to play baseball. We are able to provide an opportunity for them that they wouldn’t otherwise get to experience, and that brings a ton of joy to me. I’m also on the board for the American Heart.
Whenever I can, I love to travel and experience new cultures and perspectives. When we can step outside and look at how other cultures do things, I believe that truly makes us better leaders.
EG: Is there a recent trip that you’ve been on that was particularly insightful or inspiring?
MW: I went to Paris right before the 2024 Olympics. What intrigued me was their slower pace of life; over there, it’s totally normal for them to sit in a restaurant for two hours. I was really taken aback by that because, in American business culture, we are “Go, go, go” all the time. The culture in Paris reminded me that, in reality, it’s very important to slow down and build relationships; a two-hour business lunch could make a huge difference, versus cramming everything into an hour. Seeing that really shaped and defined what’s important to me as a leader—and it also reminded me how important it is to spend more time with the people around me.
EG: What is your advice to aspiring women business leaders to advance their careers? What would you say to those looking to join C200 one day?
MW: My advice is to be bold in your ambition but grounded in your values. As women leaders, we have to build real relationships. While we have to advocate for ourselves, we also have to find people who will advocate for us when we’re not in that room.
We have to stay curious; the learning never stops. I’m the first to jump at learning opportunities, because I want to hear other perspectives. It takes real confidence to be open to other perspectives. If a person’s viewpoint is different than mine and has expanded my own, I feel okay to change my answer. When we collectively share our ideas, we create something even better.
For those who are aspiring to join C200, focus on your impact. C200 is more than just success—it’s about how you use your success to elevate others.
EG: It’s just like our motto, Success Shared—people don’t achieve success by themselves. It has to involve a network or community in support of one another.
MW: C200 represents community, leadership, and legacy. It’s a place where extraordinary women come together—not just to network, but to genuinely support and grow one another. It’s a source of inspiration and a call to action to give back, to mentor, and to lead with intention.
As a newer Member, I am most excited about being with women who believe the same as me. It’s rare to be able to connect and engage with people who have similar values to me, and especially these values.
We may not all have similar personalities, but everyone I’ve spoken to is comfortable with hearing others’ perspectives and being confident and open enough to make the changes necessary for the greater good.
by Eva Glassman | Jun 27, 2025 | Blog, Featured
C200 is honored and thrilled to announce the recipients of our 2025 Luminary Awards!
We want to thank our Members and the Luminary Awards Committee for an engaging nomination and voting process. We received a record number of nominations this year, creating a strong selection of individuals who have each made significant impacts for businesswomen in their respective fields. We are proud of this year’s quality turnout and are excited to continue this wonderful tradition that celebrates and funds the advancement of businesswomen around the world.
Our Luminary Award categories are: Entrepreneurial Champion, Corporate Innovator, and Lifetime Achievement. More information about the history of our Luminary Awards, how awardees are nominated and chosen, and detailed descriptions of each award category, can be found here.
Without further ado, here are the winners of each award:
Entrepreneurial Champion: Hannah Kain | ALOM
Hannah Kain is President and CEO of ALOM, a global supply chain company headquartered in Fremont, California.
ALOM operates out of 20 global locations to support its Fortune 500 customers in the technology, automotive, life sciences and regulated industry sectors with brand enhancing supply chain management services and solutions.
Prior to founding ALOM in 1997, Kain held various management and executive positions since 1983, with a wide range of experience in the packaging industry dating back to 1990.
In 2014, Hannah Kain co-founded 2020vet with Erica Courtney, a former combat pilot and disabled veteran.
A global supply chain executive, Kain has established herself as a thought leader, pioneering technology enabled and environmentally responsible supply chain. Kain has changed and impacted the approach to risk-based supply chain management, and pioneered excellence-based thinking in supply chain. She has spoken at international and national supply chain and business conferences, and she is a frequent guest and resource for news media.
Kain holds three university degrees (a B.S. in political science, a M.S. in communications, and a B.Sc./M.B.A. in marketing.). She was a lecturer at Copenhagen Business School. She is a frequent lecturer and speaker and is a published author of a popular textbook on market analysis, now in its 4th edition.
She has extensive international management experience, membership and involvement in numerous governmental and educational agencies and business groups. Kain is a board member of the National Association of Manufacturers, WBEC-Pacific, and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) where she also serves as the WBENC Forum Chair. Further leadership roles include board chair of How Women Lead–Silicon Valley, advisory board member with Heritage Bank of Commerce, and former chair of the Silicon Valley board for the Women’s Initiative.
In 2011, Hannah was accepted into the prestigious Committee of 200 (C200), an invitation-only membership organization of the world’s most successful women entrepreneurs and corporate leaders.
She has received numerous industry and leadership awards. Recently Hannah was recognized for lifetime achievement as an SDCE 2024 Supply Chain Pros to Know. Additional awards include the 2023 WBEC-Pacific Pinnacle Award and 2021 WE USA Top WBE CEO. In 2020 she was featured as a Business Insider Top 100 People Transforming Business, recognized as a Top 10 Women in Logistics by Global Trade Magazine, and won the SDCE Women Leaders in Supply Chain award,. Prior awards include the Gold Woman of The Year Stevie, Silver Best Global Woman-owned Business Stevie, Top 25 Champion of Diversity in STEM, Manufacturing Institute STEP Ahead Award, YWCA Tribute to Women Award, and induction into the Silicon Valley Capitol Club wall of fame.
Hannah Kain was born in Denmark where she had a business and political career that included a short time as a member of parliament and a member of several commissions, such as the national foundation for scientific research. She also headed her party’s equal rights commission and was a member of the governing board of her party.
Kain is married to Dr. Jakob Nielsen, retired co-founder of Nielsen Norman Group and a world recognized leader in Web usability, a celebrated speaker and published author. The couple has lived in Silicon Valley since 1994.
C200 is comprised of some of the world’s most accomplished business leaders, and I am truly honored to be recognized by such a distinguished organization. Being an entrepreneur is exciting and fulfilling, especially in a challenging field like supply chain. This award is especially meaningful to me because it celebrates not only my passion for entrepreneurship and for growing my company, but also my commitment to empowering female entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurs drive innovation and shape the future, and women—by bringing unique perspectives, values, and products to the marketplace—are making an ever-greater impact. It is inspiring to witness the remarkable growth of women-founded companies, and I am proud to be part of this movement.
Corporate Innovator: Jan Babiak | Independent Director
Jan Babiak spent 28 years with EY, the last 20 based in London, before starting her ‘portfolio corporate board career’. While EY and its Big 4 competitors, are widely known for audit, tax and traditional consulting advice, Jan did not follow a traditional career path within the firm instead serving as a self-appointed, serial, corporate “intrepreneur”. This began in the 1980s with her involvement in creating a successful and pioneering business in information and cyber security. She even served as lead author of a definitive book on board level oversight of IT and cyber security—’Defending the Digital Frontier: Practical Security for Management’—over twenty years ago, long before it was a top item on the agenda of management and boards the world over.
Once the cyber security business was fully established across Northern Europe, Middle East, India and Africa (NEMIA), she handed it over to a successor and created a Regulatory & Public Policy function within the NEMIA region in response to changes that moved the profession from self-regulated to external regulation with the creation of audit firm regulators (e.g. PCAOB) around the world early in the current century. Once that was working well, she again handed over to her successor, as she created a business case and founded EY’s global Climate Change & Sustainability Services practice in 2008. While building these businesses, she also advised and served the firm’s most prestigious clients in financial services, technology, energy, media, transportation, retail, and more.
Upon leaving EY, she successfully pivoted to a board portfolio serving on corporate boards in five countries, multiple sectors, and public companies ranging from Fortune 20, FTSE 100, and TSX 10 with sales of over $100 billion to assets under management of over $1 trillion to large private equity backed firms and even large employee or family-owned businesses. Her board roles, often as lead director or audit committee chair, include providing experience and insight into global board governance, how digital and legacy technologies impact M&A, business transformation, cyber risk, cyber security, artificial intelligence (AI), strategy, operations, and stakeholder engagement from customers to suppliers to the investor community.
Over a decade ago, Jan became frustrated that corporate boards were identifying candidates through personal networks that favored one demographic rather than seeking the best candidates based on merit and experience. In response, she began to accumulate bios and to actively refer outstanding, qualified candidates for board roles that came to her attention. As a result, more than 65 women (and a few good men) have been appointed to corporate boards through her “Project Starfish”.
In 2024, Corporate Board Member magazine included her in the “Top 20 Value Creating Directors in America”. In 2017, she was named by NACD Directorship magazine as one of the most influential people in the boardroom community. Agenda, a Financial Times publication for board members, named her in their ‘International 100: Top Board Candidates with Global Skills’ and the Confederation of British Industry named her as their inaugural First Woman of Technology.
Over the last quarter of a century, I have consistently found myself in awe of the extraordinary leadership, energizing spirit, and unwavering encouragement present in the C200 Sisterhood – but never more so than each year when we celebrate the phenomenal women honored in the various Luminary Awards. As such, I could not be more surprised or humbled to have been told I was the 2025 recipient of the Corporate Innovator Luminary Award.
For now, my main goal is to resist the tidal wave of Imposter Syndrome washing over me, as I know that is the one thing that will never be tolerated by this amazing and supportive group of women!
Lifetime Achievement: Nancy Peterson-Hearn | Peterson Tool Company
Photo by Hatcher & Fell
A nationally recognized business entrepreneur and Nashville community leader, Nancy Peterson-Hearn was the longstanding chairman and chief executive officer of Peterson Tool Company, Inc. Under her leadership, the company made exponential gains in sales, production and reputation, and is ranked among the world’s premier designers and manufacturers of custom insert tooling. Peterson Tool has earned numerous quality and certification awards including General Motors’ Targets for Excellence Award and Caterpillar’s coveted Certified Supplier of Quality Materials awards. Since her retirement, she has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors. The first American to earn the prestigious Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year Award (1990), Ms. Hearn has a distinguished leadership record that includes roles on some of the most prestigious boards in the nation.
Ms. Hearn is passionate about mentoring other women entrepreneurs and finding gateways for their success. She has dedicated much of her impressive career to supporting organizations and groups that provide opportunity for women leaders. She has served as Vice Chair of the Foundation, Southeast Region chair and Membership Chair for C200, a national organization for leading women executives. C200 established the Nancy Sanders Peterson Scholars Award in her honor. She chaired the C200 Auction from 2000 to 2008, and her efforts have helped to raise several millions of dollars for the C200 Foundation. Ms. Hearn has also been awarded the prestigious Women of Influence award from YWCA, Nashville.
A proud native of Nashville, Tennessee, Ms. Hearn’s longstanding record of community activism includes roles in Leadership Nashville, the Tennessee Workforce Development Board, the Tennessee Council on Vocational Education, and has been recognized by The National Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth. Among her numerous awards are: Woman Business Owner of the Year by Nashville Business Journal; Small Business Executive of the Year by Nashville Business Journal and Shining Star Award from C-200 Foundation
Ms. Hearn has also served on the board of The Society of International Business Fellows, the Aquinas College Board of Governors, the Mississippi University for Women’s National Board of Distinguished Women, International Women’s Forum, Nashville Symphony, Parthenon Conservancy, Cheekwood and Nashville Ballet Boards.
Ms. Hearn is the mother of six adult children, two of whom are presently involved in Managing Peterson Tool Company, Inc. She was married to the late Billy Ray Hearn, founder of Sparrow Records.
Receiving the 2025 C200 Lifetime Achievement Luminary Award is my greatest honor from my dearest organization. C200 matters so much to me because of our critical mission to support and foster the success of other women entrepreneurs.
I have experienced this firsthand. My lifelong friends at C200 have been unbending in their support. They are my advisors, mentors, and often partners in crime, supporting my wildest dreams for Peterson Tool, during good times and really tough ones. I am forever humbled and grateful.
The Luminary Award was a complete surprise, and I am most appreciative to accept it as we continue to build for the future of this incredible organization.
Join us in supporting our 2025 Luminary Awardees and C200’s mission to inspire, educate, support, and advance current and future women entrepreneurs and corporate-profit center leaders.
Congratulations to Hannah, Jan, and Nancy for this remarkable achievement. We’re proud of the work you each have done over the course of your careers and the influence it has had for women in business worldwide.
Celebrate with C200!
Our award recipients will be honored and celebrated on the evening of Friday, October 17, 2025, at our Luminary Awards Ceremony during the Gala Dinner at our 2025 Annual Conference in Nashville, TN. Individual tickets, tables, and sponsorship opportunities for the Gala Dinner are available for purchase at our Conference website.
Click here for more info.
Note: If you have registered for the 2025 C200 Annual Conference, your registration includes a ticket to our Gala Dinner.
Donate to C200!
Your support of our award recipients raises critical funds for C200’s larger mission and vision to advance businesswomen worldwide. Together, through the celebration of these incredible women, we can make a big impact in the business landscape by creating more opportunities, spaces, and time for women in business to connect with, inspire, and help one another succeed in male-dominated spheres and set examples for the next generation of women leaders.
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