PRESIDENT

Alicia Schwartz

Manager – Grants

Great Lakes Water Authority

Detroit, MI

Alicia Schwartz has been with Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) since 2016. In her position at GLWA Alicia maintains important relationships and touch points with various government entities. This assists all areas of the entity to understand the financial and operational impact that the other entities’ actions have on the GLWA finances. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University and a J.D. from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Alicia joined the Michigan Women in Finance Board in 2019..

VICE PRESIDENT

Meredith Shanle

Public Finance Management Professional

Vice President

Huntington Public Capital Corporation

Meredith Shanle has served as Vice President at Huntington Public Capital, a division of the Huntington National Bank, which works primarily with municipalities, for four years. Prior to joining Huntington, she was with Municipal Financial Consultants Incorporated for twenty-four years, the last fourteen of which she served as President. Meredith also worked as a paralegal at Axe and Ecklund, P.C. for over twenty years where she specialized in municipal governments. She is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English. Meredith joined the Michigan Women in Finance Board in 2019.

TREASURER

Kristine Griffiths

Senior Managing Consultant

PFM Financial Advisors LLC

Ann Arbor, MI

Kristine Griffiths has been with PFM Financial Advisors since 2015. Prior to that she was with Stauder, Barch and Associates for eleven years. In that time, she has worked on a wide range of public finance projects to meet the needs of municipalities and school districts throughout the State of Michigan. She is also a registered Municipal Advisor of FINRA. Kristine received her Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Michigan University with a major in Computer Science and minors in Mathematics, Accounting and Communication. She joined the Michigan Women in Finance Board in 2019.

SECRETARY

TeAnn Smith

Deputy Executive Director

Michigan State Building Authority

Lansing, MI

TeAnn Smith is the Deputy Executive Director with the Michigan State Building Authority (SBA). She has served many roles in the financing of capital outlay projects for the State and public colleges and universities during her 20 years of service. She performs a wide variety of duties pertaining to the SBA’s issuance of bonds and notes and assists in overseeing, developing and implementing special projects and strategic initiatives. She has been the lead liaison for many of the Authority’s contacts and professional partners including the State Building Authority Board, State Administrative Board, Attorney General’s Office, bond and note counsels, the Department of Management and Budget’s Design and Construction Division and key contacts at the state colleges and universities. TeAnn has been the lead in monitoring project construction activity and worked with note and bond counsels to prepare projects for both short-term financing during construction and long-term financing at project completion. For over forty years, the State Building Authority has financed more than 380 projects for state government and higher education institutions. SBA is a major source for higher education funding, having provided over $2.9 billion to finance construction projects at state universities and approximately $550 million for projects at community colleges. TeAnn received her Accounting degree from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business, graduating with honors. She joined the Michigan Women in Finance Board in 2021.

Kristin N. Angel

Regional Director

Public Trust Advisors, LLC

Dewitt, MI

Kristin N. Angel serves as Regional Director of Marketing for Public Trust Advisors, LLC; serving public agencies in Michigan and representing the Michigan Cooperative Liquid Assets Securities System (Michigan CLASS) local government investment pool. Previously, she served as Business Development Manager for Lansing Community College. Kristin received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University, with a major in Marketing and minors in Management and Communications. She received her Master of Management Degree from Davenport University. Kristin is actively involved with numerous organizations including; the Michigan Government Finance Officers Association, the Michigan Association of County Treasurers, the Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association, and the Michigan School Business Officials. She has participated on a number of executive boards including; the American Council on Education Michigan Women’s Network, Diversity Lansing, and the Michigan State University WKAR Advisory Council. Kristin joined the Michigan Women in Finance Board in 2018.

Banu Colak

Senior Counsel

Dykema Gossett PLLC

Lansing, MI

Banu Colak is senior counsel at Dykema Gossett PLLC’s public finance practice group with a focus on tax advantaged bond issuances and post-issuance compliance. Her representation includes several state departments, authorities, local governments and underwriters in State Aid Note, Local Government Loan Program, School Loan Revolving Fund, Higher Education Facilities projects, Tax Anticipation Notes, Single-Family Mortgage Revenue bonds and commercial paper notes. Prior to committing her full practice to public finance, Banu has represented Michigan Bureau of Investments and Department of Treasury as an Assistant Attorney General. Her past representation also includes local governments and drain commissioners in both transactional and tax controversy matters. A former engineer and a registered patent attorney, Banu has switched paths to tax and finance while still in law school, completing first a joint degree in JD and Tax LLM at Thomas M. Cooley Law School, followed by another LLM in Corporate Law and Finance. Banu is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers and has joined the Michigan Women in Finance Board in 2023.

Abby Fakhoury

Assurance Manager

Plante Moran

Detroit, MI

Abby Fakhoury is an assurance manager at Plante Moran in Detroit, MI. With more than eight years of experience, she serves primarily not-for-profit clients with financial statement audits, single audits, and benefit plan audits. Her current role includes managing engagement teams in the completion of these audits, providing consulting services to clients on accounting technical matters, and working closely with client’s management teams and Board of Directors to present audit results, findings and suggested improvements to internal controls. She also serves as an Engagement Quality Reviewer for the not-for-profit industry group at Plante Moran, performing technical reviews for nonprofit Organizations outside of her own client base. In addition to her work as an Engagement Quality Reviewer, Abby also is involved in the Plante Moran Women in Leadership group and has also previously served as the “Work Life Balance” Champion for the Detroit office. Abby holds a B.A. in Accounting from Michigan State University and a M.S. in Accounting from the University of Michigan – Dearborn. She obtained her Certified Public Accountant accreditation in the state of Michigan in 2015. Abby is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and joined the Michigan Women in Finance Board in 2023.

Tamara Flake

Vice President, Government Banking Sales Officer

Mercantile Bank

Troy, MI

Tam Flake is a Performance-Driven and Accomplished Financial Service Industry Professional with a successful 25-year career history of directing consumer banking, risk management, and account management. As part of the Government Banking Team at Mercantile Bank she builds relationships with municipal clients and executes sales strategy while maintaining exceptional customer satisfaction at all professional levels. Respected as a leader and collaborator, Tam provides transparent feedback to influence positive change with peers, senior and executive level leaders.

Tam holds an Associate of Science, Business Management Degree from Davenport University, an Advanced Certified Public Funds Investment Manager (ACPFIM) certification, and a National Diversity Council Certified Diversity Professional (CDP) certificate. Tam has received several awards and recognition for her DEI and Community work and gives freely of her time leading Business Resource Groups, volunteer projects in her community through work and personal commitment.

Additionally, Tam is an Alopecia Awareness Advocate and uses her iRockitBald platform to inspire, encourage, motivate, and uplift individuals living with or loving someone with hair loss. Tam is a published author, skilled moderator, talk show host, print and runway model. She has been featured on multiple radio shows, podcasts, magazines, documentaries, and fashion shows.

Tam joined the Michigan Women in Finance Board in 2023.

Mackenzie D. Flynn

Associate Attorney

Thrun Law Firm

East Lansing, MI

Mackenzie Flynn is an Associate Attorney at the Thrun Law Firm in East Lansing, where she represents Michigan school districts and municipalities on business, finance, and election matters. In addition to advising clients on matters generally relating to school law, Mackenzie acts as bond counsel, where she represents school districts and underwriters in issuing municipal borrowings. Mackenzie is a graduate of Central Michigan University (B.S., summa cum laude, 2018) and Michigan State University College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2021). Mackenzie is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers, the Bond Club of Detroit, the Council of School Attorneys, and the State Bar of Michigan. Mackenzie joined the Michigan Women in Finance Board in 2022.

Aimee Kornowicz

Vice President, Municipal Banking

Southern Michigan Bank and Trust

Kalamazoo, MI

Aimee Kornowicz has served as Municipal Banking Officer with Southern Michigan Bank and Trust for the past year, where she works daily with our Public Funds and School portfolio. Prior to joining Southern, she was the Municipal Banking Relationship Manager with Chemical Bank/TCF Bank for the past 6 years. Aimee is an Advanced Certified Public Funds Investment Manager, a Certified Financial Educator and currently serves on the Board of the Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association as the Associate Director. She is also an active member of Michigan Association of County Treasurers, Michigan Government Finance Officials Association, Michigan School Business Officials, as well as the City of Portage Investment Committee.

Aimee graduated from The State University of New York at Buffalo, with a Bachelors Degree in Business and Communication

Tahsha Mitchell

Senior Managing Consultant 

PFM Asset Management

Detroit, MI

Tahsha Mitchell is a Senior Managing Consultant at PFM Asset Management, she focuses exclusively on Governments, School Districts, and various Authorities in Michigan. Tahsha’s primary role is to assist governmental clients with the management of financial assets (Bond Proceeds, Operating Funds, State Aid, Pension Funds...etc..) via Local Government Investment Pools (MILAF+/GovMic), Separately Managed Investment Accounts, P Card and additional resources.

Tahsha was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She’s been employed with PFM Asset Management for 3 years. She’s worked in the Finance Industry for over 18 years and held various roles throughout her career. Prior to joining PFM Asset management, she worked as Vice President at JP Morgan Chase (10 years), Private Wealth Manager and Vice President at Citizens Bank Wealth Management (5 years). She’s also a Registered Representative with FINRA and holds Series 6 and 63 Licenses.

Tahsha is a charismatic person that loves people. Her favorite quote is by Eleanor Roosevelt “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent”. Tahsha believes that as women we’ve played small way too long and now is our time to shine! Lastly, Tahsha is a proud mother of 2 beautiful children, and she’s been a member of MWIF since 2019 and a board member since 2022.

Courtney Nicholls

Finance Director/Deputy Treasurer

Delta Charter Township

Lansing, MI

Courtney Nicholls is the Finance Director/Deputy Treasurer for Delta Charter Township. She is responsible for overseeing all accounting and finance functions of the Township. For over 20 years she has held various roles in local government including Deputy City Clerk and City Manager. Courtney earned a Master of Public Administration Degree and an Accounting Certificate from Wayne State University and became a licensed CPA in 2022. She is currently a member of the Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association, Michigan Government Finance Officers Association and the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants. She joined the Michigan Women in Finance Board in 2023.

Kari Shay

Partner

Clark Hill PLC

Birmingham, MI

Kari Shay has over 20 years of experience representing Michigan public school districts, colleges and other governmental entities on business and finance matters. Prior to working with public school districts and other municipalities, Kari worked as a tax consulting specialist with Arthur Anderson/Anderson Consulting LLP. Kari has extensive experience as bond counsel, where she has represented school districts and underwriters in the issuance of municipal borrowings. She has a unique expertise in advising clients on funding issues, in particular the use of public funds, grants, and donations with a focus on advising districts regarding student activities, booster clubs and other parent support organizations. Kari graduated from Michigan State University, (B.A., cum laude, 1993) and Wayne State University (J.D., with honors, 1996) and is currently enrolled in Harvard Business School online program for certification in Financial Accounting. Kari lives in Lyon Township and enjoys spending her free time with her two children, currently attending South Lyon Community Schools.

Whitney Swanson

First Vice President

Independent Bank

Troy, MI

Whitney Swanson joined the Independent Bank Treasury Management team in August 2021. In her current role, Whitney is responsible for commercial and public funds business development along with managing the day-to-day operating needs of these clients, while cultivating meaningful relationships that allow for opportunities to help clients reduce operating costs and increase efficiencies. Whitney started her banking career in 1998. During her banking career Whitney has worked in various positions with the banking industry. Whitney obtained her certification as a Certified Public Funds Investment Manager (CPFIM) in 2019. Whitney is active in various municipal and financial associations, including Michigan Government Financial Officers Association, Michigan Association of County Treasurers, Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association and Michigan Bankers Association. Whitney joined the Michigan Women in Finance Board in 2020.

Bethany Verble, CPA

Manager

Maner Costerisan

Lansing, MI

Bethany Verble is a manager at the Lansing-based CPA firm Maner Costerisan, providing auditing, fraud investigation and consulting services in the firm’s government and education niches. She also chairs the firm’s Employee Engagement committee, focusing on enhancing and improving the employee experience. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Fraud Investigation from Davenport University in 2015. Bethany earned her Certified Public Accountant accreditation in 2016 and her Certified Fraud Examination accreditation in 2017. She is a member of Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and Lansing Chapter of ACFE. She currently serves as Vice President of the Lansing ACFE. Bethany joined the Michigan Women in Finance Board in 2022.