Black History Month - 2025
"WCW" - Women Celebrating Women
Northeast Women in Public Finance would like to highlight and acknowledge accomplished Black Women all over our industry who continuously crush goals and glass ceilings. This is our small way to celebrate the contributions of some of the extraordinary Black Women who everyone should know.
For Black History Month we will be highlighting two women per week.
Click on each name to learn their stories.
WEEK ONE
WEEK TWO
DR. MARCHETA EVANS
About me:
I serve as the President of St. Catherine University, where I have the privilege of leading an institution dedicated to empowering women to achieve their full potential. My path to this role has been shaped by my upbringing in Alabama, where I learned the values of resilience, faith, and community, as well as by my experiences as a lifelong educator and advocate for access and equity in higher education.
On being a Black woman in this industry:
To me, being a Black woman in higher education leadership means honoring the shoulders I stand on while carving pathways for others. It’s about bringing diverse perspectives, driving meaningful change, and showing future generations that they belong in every space where decisions are made.
Fun fact:
I met my husband when we were just 7 and 8 years old, and we have now been happily married for 26 years.
Favorite advice:
People enter your life for a reason, season, or lifetime. This mantra reminds me to embrace the lessons each relationship offers and to approach every connection with gratitude and purpose.
ADEBOLA (BOLA) KUSHIMO
About me:
 After completing my graduate program at the University of North Texas, I embarked on my career at Moody’s Ratings. From the outset, I was captivated by the nuances of the public finance market and its diverse sectors. I was also deeply impressed by the camaraderie and culture at Moody’s. Nearly 16 years later, my passion for credit analysis remains as strong as ever, fueled by the increasing breadth and complexity of my portfolio. In October 2024, I was honored to be named the head of the Moody’s Dallas office, where I now oversee a team of 14 analysts and manage the southwest local government portfolio for Moody’s.
On being a Black woman in this industry:
It means that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. It affirms that my self-belief, coupled with hard work and staying true to my values while embracing my unique qualities, can open doors and dismantle barriers that once seemed insurmountable. It also encourages me to celebrate the accomplishments of those who came before me while inspiring those who will follow. We are capable of anything. We can achieve anything.
Fun fact:
I recently completed my first half marathon. It was a crazy idea that took an incredible amount of self-discipline and work but I was proud to be able to accomplish it. Crossing the finish line was rewarding. Now, I keep thinking I should do another one but a part of my brain tells me that I am being foolish.
Favorite advice:
Never give up on your dreams.
PAMELA FREDERICK
About me:
 Prior to my current role as CFO & Treasurer of Battery Park City Authority in NYC, I leadership roles in investment and commercial banking including M&A, Project Finance, Commercial Lending and Fixed Income Derivative Sales & Structuring for over 25 years. I also spent time in Finance at Procter & Gamble where my responsibilities included both credit & accounting as well as logistics & warehouse management.
It is the range of my finance and operational experiences that framed the skillset used in my current role where my responsibilities span all financial operations, from accounts receivables & payables to investment & debt management.
On being a Black woman in this industry:
Public Finance provides valuable contributions to the growth and development of this nation. The opportunity to impact our states and municipalities is a wonderful career opportunity that should be available to all that form the fabric of our society. Being a representative of the diaspora that is my community, it is important to be a role model and to partner with all of my colleagues to ensure that others that follow have a pathway to opportunities to establish themselves as leaders in the Public Finance market.
Fun fact:
I was an elected official in the Town of Greenwich, CT where I served on our town counsel (the RTM) and led the Finance Committee for several years. I am currently a Member of the Board of the Town of Greenwich Retirement Fund, where we have oversight to manage approximately $600 million in pension assets. This along with the $700 million in investment assets of Battery Park City Authority puts me in a position of oversight for $1.3 billion in fixed income and multi-asset investments. This is what I consider fun, but I also read at least a book a month and am currently reading the Neapolitan novels series by Elena Ferrante.
Favorite advice:
Be the champion of your own destiny and really take stock of the things most important to you in your life and the things that you truly enjoy. Be active in creating your own opportunities through networking, both within your organization and in professional and community organizations. Let your interests guide your career choices and personal pursuits.
CATHY ANN BELL
About me:
 I am an attorney by training and after beginning my legal career as a litigator specializing in securities and commodities law, I served for six years as the General Counsel of the NYS Financial Control Board for the City of New York. My board was the Governor, the Mayor and both the State and City Comptrollers in addition to three private members. While there, Wall Street came a-knocking and I have worked as an investment banker in public finance ever since.
On being a Black woman in this industry:
As a Black woman I have prided myself for most of my career in public finance in working with Minority and Women-owned Firms that have demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion; practices that may be out of favor in today's political environment but over the years, have well served the issuers and borrowers whom have benefited from the talent, creativity and innovation that these firms have brought to the table.
Fun fact:
I write a little, poetry and short stories mostly, and have actually had a couple of poems and stories published. Also, I was part of the original NEWPF group in the early days of the organization, working with Beth Smayda, JoAnne Kennedy, Freda Johnson, Diane Brosen, Vivian Altman and others to commission the drawing of the logo and set up the Mentor/Mentee program. I recently came across a spreadsheet matching mentors and mentees from November 2008!
Favorite advice:
Don't overly concern yourself with what others will think about what you want to do. People will take their cues from how you show up. Do what you want, just be prepared to face the consequences.
KIMBERLY A. ELLIS
About me:
 I have been employed at DASNY (Dormitory Authority State of New York) for over 25 years, serving in various senior positions within the Finance Division. For the past four years, I have held the role of Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. As the CFO and Treasurer of one of the largest issuers of tax-exempt municipal debt, my overall responsibilities include supervising DASNY's investment program, general accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial reporting functions, and payroll. Additionally, I oversee the development and implementation of financial policies, financial management systems, and internal controls for financial reporting.
On being a Black woman in this industry:
Being a woman, and more specifically a Black woman, in an industry that remains predominantly male, means there is still much work to be done. A guiding principle in my career has been 'To whom much is given, much is required.' I believe it is my responsibility to focus on mentoring and encouraging the next generation of Black women in financial services.
Fun fact:
I am proud to say I am the first person of color and only the third female to serves as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of DASNY.
Favorite advice:
Always stay true to yourself and don't discount the impact you may have on others who may be quietly watching.
KEISHA PALMER
About me:
 I currently chair the public finance practice at Robinson & Cole LLP. I started at the firm as an associate, worked hard, learned my trade, networked, had great mentors and sponsors, and I raised my hand when help was needed. As Colin Powell is credited to have said, “there are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure." I try to learn something new every day.
On being a Black woman in this industry:
The public finance sector of our industry is unique in so many ways but especially because of its size relative to other sectors of the finance industry. Because we are smaller, each player’s role is heightened which is something I keep in the back of my mind. It’s important to me that that how I operate may one day serve as a model to another woman or person of color looking for a path to success in our sector.
Fun fact:
I have a 1-rep max of a 1,000lbs on the foot press.
Favorite advice:
Who knows you is way more important than who you know, and your reputation will always precede you so mind the one you cultivate.
DR. KIM HUNTER REED
About me
 Dr. Kim Hunter Reed is Louisiana’s Commissioner of Higher Education. She is currently the only female in the country to have served as a state higher education leader in multiple states. Reed is a proven advocate for students who has worked effectively at campus, state, and federal levels. She was recognized nationally as the 2020 Exceptional Leader by the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO).
Reed is a nationally recognized student advocate with extensive higher education and government experience. In addition to leading the Colorado Department of Higher Education, she served in President Obama’s administration as deputy undersecretary at the U.S. Department of Education, where she also led the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Collectively, Reed has served in senior leadership roles with four governors across two states. In January 2023, Reed was named as one of the nation’s Top 10 Black higher education leaders by Forbes, which stated “Louisiana’s top higher ed exec is unrivaled, the absolute best among state-level leaders.”
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