Corporate Fast Track winners of w2wlink’s first Ascendancy Awards- women making a difference in their careers, personal lives and the lives of others through their dedication to ensuring the emotional, professional and financial well-being of working women everywhere.

Jacqueline Akerblom
San Francisco
National Managing Partner of Women’s Initiatives and Programs
Grant Thornton

”We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” –Gandhi

Jacqueline Akerblom is the National Managing Partner of Women’s Initiatives and Programs for Grant Thornton and works to recruit, retain and advance women at the firm. She has served on the Board of Governors for Grant Thornton International and was named “Woman of the Year,” by the American Society of Women Accountants in 2008. Jacqueline’s dedication in working toward the success of women and mentoring to younger women at Grant Thornton resulted in the implementation of the Leading Women’s Mentoring Network for senior women managers at the firm.

Kim Stevenson
Dallas/FW
Vice President, U.S. Communications, Media & Entertainment
HP (Hewlett-Packard Company)

"Grow your perspective proportionally with your skills.  Perspective beyond your specific responsibilities and the ability to apply it will set you apart from your peers."

Kim Stevenson directs the communication, media and entertainment industry for Hewlett-Packard where she has restored and revitalized many of the company’s segments by employing innovative ways to renegotiate contracts and attract new clients. Kim also is the executive sponsor and a founding member of the EDS Global Women’s network, which has 2,500 members. The organization provides newsletters, network meetings and a website all with information to help the women of EDS develop and strengthen the skills they need to advance professionally. Because of her various achievements at EDS, Kim was recently invited to join the HP diversity council.

Natalie Corridan-Gregg
Boston
Principal Product Manager
EMC Corporation

"There is a vitality, a life-force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique."

Natalie Corridan-Gregg served as President of the Women’s Leadership Forum, WLF, for six years with a mission to expand the networking possibilities for women within the EMC Corporation. Now an advisor to the WLF, Natalie continues to infuse her enthusiasm for women-advancement initiatives at EMC where she recently spearheaded a book titled, “The Working Mother Experience.” For the book she gathered testimonials from working mothers at EMC who detailed the delicate balance of managing a home life and a career. Natalie’s mentorship includes taking on three new-hire mentees each year to help initiate a network within EMC and aid women in reaching their full potential.

Linda Descano
New York
President and Chief Operating Officer
Women & Co./Citi

During her career in the investments industry and specifically over the past decade within Citi, Linda Descano has managed to keep her passions, fiscal responsibility for women and environmental management, at the forefront. Today she serves as the President and Chief Operating Officer for Women & Co., which is a financial program within Citi designed to help women retrieve information and solutions most relevant to their financial lifestyle. Linda’s mentorship not only focuses on ensuring a secure financial future for women by providing access to resources but also on how to mentor other women through her positions on the New York Board of Step Up Women's Network and Financial Literacy Committee of Dress for Success. She is also a member of the CFA Institute and the New York Society of Security Analysts.

Career highlights, in-depth stories and inspirational quotes from our award winners will be on w2wlink.com all year long.

w2wlink.com is the premier community dedicated to professional women, helping them get to where they’re going – faster. w2wlink.com provides expert knowledge, tools to meet challenges, and connection with others in online networking groups. w2wlink.com was  named by MORE Magazine, along with LinkedIn and Facebook, as one of the top three online sites for networking.