Andrea Klein
Founder & CEO
Rand Technology
Andrea Klein is the CEO and founder of Rand Technology. In 1992, using the extensive knowledge, passion and drive she developed as a consultative sales leader, she launched Rand to support global tier one, tech-centric companies that were working to launch and modernize the first widely distributed desktop PCs. Klein was one of very few female leaders participating in that space; now, over 30 years later, she is well-known to technology executives as a trusted advisor and a resource for industry insights.
These guiding principles have been the foundation upon which Rand Technology has grown into the venerated, industry-leading, global supply chain company it is today. Rand supports Fortune 500 companies with sales, purchasing, engineering, testing and logistics from offices across five continents. As a tier one global sourcing and supply chain solutions provider, Rand offers a comprehensive suite of services to support new product introduction (NPI), production and global services that empower clients to achieve bottom line growth in all market conditions.
Klein is also respected as an entrepreneur and advocate for the advancement of technology in general. As a visionary and humanitarian, she privately supports the people and organizations she believes in and sponsors annual company food drives and other philanthropic activities which the entire Rand team enjoys. With her passion for technology and vision of a better, greener planet, she built the company based on trust, integrity and an unwavering commitment to superior product quality, leading-edge innovation and customer satisfaction.
Klein hopes to inspire women to continue to break barriers that may have traditionally limited their professional opportunities. She encourages young women to follow their hearts and pursue career paths that fulfill their passions. Klein makes frequent presentations to young women and girls at schools, civic organizations and charitable events urging them to follow their hearts and pursue career paths that fulfill their passions. She has also participated in UCI’s Junior Achievement program, a nonprofit that prepares young people for success.
Considering her company’s remarkable success as the first 100-percent woman-owned, global independent distribution company, it is perhaps an understatement to say Klein is a trailblazer well ahead of her time.
CEO / PRESIDENT FINALISTS
Andrea Brenholz
CEO & President
ATR International, Inc.
Andrea Brenholz, the dynamic CEO and president of ATR International since 2007, drives staffing excellence with industry foresight and innovation. Committed to ATR’s mission of enhancing experiences for businesses and professionals, she pioneers the integration of emerging technologies. Recognized as one of Staffing Industry Analysts’ 2018 Global Power 150 – Women in Staffing, Brenholz mentors women and minorities and advocates for their advancement. She extends her influence by sitting on the National Board for Latinx Professionals. Her podcast, “Unicorn in the Boardroom,” echoes her encouragement of minority groups to reach their potential. As a STEM champion, she inspires local girls and women and volunteers as a board member and instructor for First Tee Silicon Valley (FTSV). Brenholz’s multifaceted leadership, mentorship and community engagement reflect her transformative impact on the staffing industry and society at large.
Laura Khouri
President
Western National Property Management
Laura Khouri, as president of Western National Property Management, has profoundly impacted the multifamily real estate industry. With nearly four decades of experience, she epitomizes both warmth and efficiency in leadership by managing a portfolio of 175 apartment communities and overseeing a team of 750 associates. Khouri’s philanthropic endeavors extend to organizations like Laura’s House and Rise Financial Pathways, underscoring her commitment to community welfare. Her outstanding achievements have garnered prestigious accolades, including the Robert A. McNeely Trailblazer Award and recognition from GlobeSt. and Connect CRE. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her compassionate leadership ensured the well-being of her team and residents, with initiatives providing over $7 million in rental assistance. Notably, Khouri spearheaded a groundbreaking sponsorship campaign with the Anaheim Ducks, showcasing her ability to forge impactful partnerships.
Heather Falcone
Chief Executive Officer
Thermal-Vac Technology, Inc.
Heather Falcone is a seasoned servant leader with over 20 years of experience in the heat treating, brazing and chemical processing sectors, driving remarkable growth, innovation and recognition within companies. She assumes a pivotal role in directing strategic vision, operations and financial performance while fostering a culture of excellence, equality and social responsibility. Having immersed herself in the family-owned business from a young age, Falcone assumed the CEO role in 2019, guiding the company through pandemic challenges towards a new era of success and engagement. She champions diversity and inclusion, ensuring over 54% of the team at Thermal-Vac Technology represents underrepresented communities. She led significant corporate initiatives, including a four-day workweek, transitioning to clean energy solutions and achieving notable industry accreditations. Falcone’s achievements have garnered numerous accolades, including the Master Craftsman Award and OC Visionary recognition.
Lindsay A. Oglesby
Chief Executive Officer
Tax Relief Advocates
Lindsay Oglesby’s journey from education to the tax industry led her to TRA, where she rose from settlement officer to chief operating officer, driving the company’s growth from 20 to 360 employees in four years. Under her leadership, TRA achieved notable recognitions like Inc 5000’s No. 1 Fastest Growing Company in the Pacific Region and No. 10 in the nation in 2022, as well as the BBB Torch Award for Ethics in 2021. Oglesby’s commitment to ethical business practices and community involvement, including partnerships with Feeding America in providing over 24,000 meals and participation in events like the OC Walk to End Alzheimer’s, underscore her transformative leadership. Her appointment as CEO in July 2022 marked a milestone as the first female CEO of a tax resolution firm, cementing her legacy as a driving force behind TRA’s continued success.
