Manishi G. Parikh
Market Executive / Managing Director
Wells Fargo
Manishi Parikh was raised in Laguna Niguel and completed her undergraduate degree from UCI, and later received her MBA from USC. She then started her career in investment banking with the Silicon Valley Bank Securities up in the Bay Area. She then decided to move back home to Orange County and take on a relationship manager role with Wells Fargo. She moved quickly up the ladder to become a market credit leader and penultimately to a credit approver role for the Orange County and San Diego markets. In 2018, she was promoted once again to the market executive role for Orange County. At Wells Fargo she is now responsible for a group of 30 banking professionals; the team’s mandate is to earn and keep the business of firms in the $20 million to $2 billion in revenue range; the group is agnostic to industry and whether or not a firm is public or private but is geocentric to Orange County.
Over the last few years, Parikh’s team has helped many Orange County firms through the COVID pandemic via PPP and MSL programs and worked with companies through the pandemic-related downturn.
She has stated that her professional pride and joy is the team of outstanding bankers that she surrounds herself with daily and has taken careful steps to cultivate that workplace environment. One of Parikh’s favorite quotes that shape this strategy is, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast!” She believes that happy employees equal, ultimately, mean-happy customers at Wells Fargo. Additionally, she has been able to grow her office at a double digit clip for the last few years while raising two boys, balancing a very demanding job and sitting on three different nonprofit boards in Orange County.
Furthermore, Parikh is a champion for diversity and inclusiveness within Wells Fargo as a mentor for the next generation of talent; and is an avid supporter for women in business as well as other underrepresented minority groups within the firm. She works to create positive social impact in the communities she serves by supporting housing affordability, small business growth, financial health and a low-carbon economy.
EXECUTIVE: LARGE COMPANY FINALISTS
Sirisha Bandla
Vice President of Government Affairs and Research Operations
Virgin Galactic
Sirisha Bandla, vice president of government affairs and research operations at Virgin Galactic, leads legislative relations and research operations. An aerospace engineer and astronaut, she flew on the Unity 22 mission, inspiring young girls in STEM. Bandla orchestrated Virgin Galactic’s inaugural commercial spaceflight, facilitating international collaboration and 13 research experiments. She chairs the Commercial Space Federation and supports California’s community events, including robotics contests and charitable drives. Bandla holds degrees from Purdue and The George Washington University and serves on the boards of the Board of American Society for Gravitational and Space Research and the American Astronautical Society as well as organizes the Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program, an internship and mentorship program that provides summer opportunities to current college students who are passionate about commercial spaceflight.
Shannon Lam
Partner
Knobbe Martens
Shannon Lam stands out as a prominent partner at Knobbe Martens, renowned for her exemplary leadership and expertise in intellectual property law. She played a pivotal role in bolstering the patent portfolio of AcuFocus, Inc., a significant achievement within the industry. Lam’s influence extends beyond her casework; she chairs Knobbe Martens’ Mentor Committee, where she spearheads initiatives to promote associate-integration and mentor engagement, showcasing her commitment to fostering talent within the firm. Widely recognized for her contributions, she is a sought-after speaker, delivering insightful presentations on topics such as “IP Trends in Medical Devices” and “Demystifying Intellectual Property for Artificial Intelligence and Open Source.” Lam has received numerous industry accolades, including being named among the “2023 Women Worth Watching in STEM” by Profiles in Diversity Journal and earning the title of “World IP Leader” by World Intellectual Property Review.
Sharon Battle
SVP & Market Executive – Orange County
Bank of America
Shari Battle, Bank of America’s senior vice president and market executive in Orange County, leads strategic initiatives aimed at fostering community well-being and business growth. With over 25 years in financial services, her leadership encompasses corporate social responsibility, marketing and retail banking. Under Battle’s guidance, Bank of America received prestigious awards, including the Civic 50 Large Business and National Philanthropy Day Outstanding Honoree. Personally recognized for her contributions, Battle received Passkeys’ OC Influencer for Good Award and Cal State Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics Excellence in Executive Leadership Award. In addition to her significant involvement with Orange County United Way, she serves on the Orange County Business Council Board of Directors and co-chairs its Workforce Development Committee. Battle also serves on Chapman University’s Board of Governors and the Passkeys Foundation and is an alumnus of Leadership California.
Monica L. Sparks
EVP & Chief Accounting Officer
Banc of California
Monica L. Sparks, as executive vice president and chief accounting officer of Banc of California, demonstrates visionary leadership and unwavering dedication. Formerly serving in the same capacity at PacWest Bancorp and Pacific Western Bank, her pivotal role in the merger with Banc of California showcased her ability to handle increased workload efficiently. Leading a team of over 50 in the $36 billion organization, Sparks played a key role in PacWest Bank’s significant asset growth from $28 billion to $41 billion during her tenure. She also led financial reporting and contributed to ESG efforts, including a $1.6 billion community development commitment, committing $125 million to solar investing and building a 53% ethnically and racially diverse employee base. With a background in economics and accounting from UCLA, Sparks is a certified public accountant and an active supporter of her children’s sports leagues, embodying professional excellence and personal commitment to family.
