Citywealth Powerwomen Awards USA – 2026
The Citywealth Powerwomen Awards USA brought together leading figures from the private wealth, legal, and financial sectors for an evening recognising women whose influence, leadership and professional excellence continue to shape their industries.
Hosted in New York, the event highlighted individuals and organisations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing gender equality, mentoring future leaders, and driving commercial success.
Opening the ceremony, Citywealth’s Editor and CEO Karen Jones paid tribute to the judges and to the women being honoured. She acknowledged the realities of leadership, its triumphs and its pressures, before inviting attendees to reflect on their achievements and the progress of the wider women’s movement. She emphasised the economic contribution of women across the sector and the importance of supporting the next generation, concluding with a call to celebrate “women past, present and future.”
Below is an overview of a selection of the evening’s honourees.
Award Recipients
Editor’s Choice Award
Gretchen Beall Schumann, Schumann Law
Recognised for her longstanding contribution to the legal profession and her influence as a trusted adviser in family law. Her work exemplifies integrity and intelligence during difficult times with UHNW clients.
Patron of Progress
Joshua Rubenstein, Katten
The Patron of Progress Award recognises contributions to gender equality by an advocate. Timed to coincide with International Women’s Day and month, the award highlights support for women’s advancement through advocacy, resources, and leadership. It aims to acknowledge efforts in promoting a fairer society, emphasising the role of allies in driving change.
Champion of the Year – GOLD
Lisette Cooper, Fiduciary Trust International
Celebrated for her leadership in sustainable investment management and social justice and environmental organizations. Her strategic vision and advocacy have helped shape a more inclusive industry.
Mentor of the Year
Marina Cristiani, JTC Group – SILVER
Acknowledged for her dedication to developing emerging talent and fostering a culture of professional growth for her own staff and throughout the global private wealth industry.
Emily Dreas, Bank of America Private Banking – GOLD
Recognised for her exceptional leadership and mentorship and her role in guiding and including future and current leaders in private banking.
Inspirational Woman of the Year – GOLD
Ronni G. Davidowitz, Katten
Honoured for her distinguished career and her kindness, encouragement and support inside Katten and also throughout the industry. She is a role model and her work continues to inspire colleagues and peers.
Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year
Tara Frater, FT Legal – BRONZE
Recognised for her entrepreneurial success in building a dynamic legal practice spanning wealth management and, Blockchain and the wider FinTech industries.
Anneke Stender, Plumb Bill Pay – SILVER
Celebrated for her innovation with UHNW financial and accounting and for developing new services for family offices and bill paying.
Louise Forlenza, Forlenza CPA Advisory Services – GOLD
Honoured for her leadership and growth in forensic accounting advisory services and governance.
Woman of the Year – Business Growth – GOLD
Kathryn von Matthiessen, Katten
Acknowledged for decades of excellence in planning and navigating tax compliance and strategies for international private clients with USA obligations.
Woman of the Year – Leadership
Maria Pia Buchi, Harneys Fiduciary – BRONZE
Recognised for her commercial leadership in fiduciary services and her expansion of Harneys operations across America.
Bonnie Lynn Chmil, Katten – GOLD
Honoured for her sharp and go-getting mindset and her role in shaping the direction of her practice and the mindset of her team and her clients.
Woman of the Year – Boston – SILVER
Patricia M. Annino, Rimon PC
Celebrated for her distinguished longevity in estate planning and not for profit and her leadership within the Boston legal community including her multiple books aimed at helping women understand estate planning and legacy.
Woman of the Year – Caribbean – GOLD
Ayana Hull, Maples Group
Recognised for her leadership in the Caribbean financial services sector and her contribution to regulatory and legal excellence particularly with the BVI Financial Services Commission.
Woman of the Year – New York – BRONZE
Maria del Pilar Lopez, Citrin Cooperman
Honoured for her influence in accounting and advisory services and her leadership in the arts, music, and entertainment industries with both individuals and corporations.
Woman of the Year – USA – GOLD
Francesca Boschini, Deutsche Bank Wealth Management Americas
Recognised for her kindness, intelligence and humanity, as well as her contributions to wealth management, notably in excellence in team development and her work with insurance strategies for ultra-high-net-worth clients.
Best Employer – Career Progression – GOLD
Katten
Recognised for its commitment to fostering career advancement, supporting women at all levels, and implementing policies that promote long‑term professional growth.
Organization of the Year – Female Leadership
Willow Street – SILVER
Acknowledged for its strong representation of women in senior roles and its commitment to inclusive governance.
Fiduciary Trust International – GOLD
Honoured for embedding female leadership throughout the organisation and demonstrating high gender representation.
Full list of winners are here
Additional Highlights from the Citywealth Powerwomen Awards USA Shortlist
The wider shortlist for the Citywealth Powerwomen Awards USA reflects the depth of female leadership across the private‑wealth ecosystem. Beyond the evening’s winners, shortlisted women stand out for their influence, technical expertise and long standing commitments and contributions to the sector whether private client, trusts and estates or not for profit. An incredible pool of talent that
Inspirational Woman of the Year – Shortlist 2026 – Highlights
Diana S.C. Zeydel, Greenberg Traurig
A leading architect of modern trust and estate planning, Zeydel is known for resolving complex tax controversies and designing sophisticated wealth‑transfer, pre‑nup and post‑nup structures for prominent families.
Michelle Albrecht, Loeb & Loeb
Albrecht is recognised for her detailed command of lifetime‑gifting strategy, advising internationally mobile families on dynasty trusts, intentionally defective grantor trusts and other long‑term planning structures with a clear, methodical approach.
Woman of the Year – Leadership
Christina Baltz, Withers
Baltz is one of the most experienced figures in international private client work, drawing on senior posts at UBS and JP Morgan and earlier roles at Cravath and Cadwalader to advise global families on the governance and structuring of complex wealth.
Rachel Harris, Proskauer Rose
Harris has built a reputation for clear, authoritative judgement on cross‑border estate and tax matters, combining deep experience in US–UK planning with a strong command of California’s uniquely complex income‑tax and trust landscape.
Woman of the Year – New York
Amy E. Heller, Skadden
Heller brings considered depth to international estate and tax planning and is highlighted for the authority she carries from years shaping trust‑and‑estate thinking in academia and national policy circles.
Elizabeth Zabludoff, Anchin
Zabludoff is a heavyweight in family‑office accounting and governance, known for bringing board‑level discipline to multigenerational families and for her ability to run complex wealth operations with the precision of an insider.
For the full shortlist see here
For the photos here
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Citywealth Powerwomen USA Nominees for 2026 – final week for voting!
The online vote is open to peers and clients. Only one vote per category is permitted, and you can’t vote for your organisation or your colleagues (all internal ballots will be removed). Voting closes 6th February 2026.