Ascend Charlotte - 2026 Inspiring Across Generations: Forward with Purpose

Daniel Wang

Assistant Controller, Barings | VP, Programs, Ascend Charlotte

Daniel Wang is an Assistant Fund Controller at Barings, where he manages financial operations for private debt funds. He began his career in public accounting at Grant Thornton before transitioning into his current role in asset management.

Originally from China, Daniel reached a major personal milestone last year by becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen. Beyond his professional work, he is deeply involved in the Charlotte community, serving as a Deacon at his local church, Grace One, and as a mentor for the Charlotte Angels program for local youth.

Jenifer Mauney          

VP, Technology Solutions - Business Development, Robert Half

Jenifer Mauney, VP, Business Development on the Managed Technology Solutions team at Robert Half, bringing over two decades of leadership, strategic insight, and client-focused innovation to the role.

Jenifer began her career with Robert Half in 2000 in the Worthington, Ohio office. Her talent and drive were quickly recognized, leading to a series of progressive leadership roles including Practice Director, Branch Director, Metro Market Director, and Vice President in Strategic Accounts. She is a multiple-time recipient of both Pinnacle and Premier awards for excellence in sales and leadership and will celebrate her 26th anniversary with the company in December.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University and is committed to community service. Jenifer previously served on the board of Angels on Horseback, a nonprofit dedicated to providing therapeutic equine-assisted activities for individuals with mental, physical, or emotional disabilities, empowering growth through the unique bond between horse and human.

Cait Liddell

VP, Strategic Accounts, Robert Half

Bio coming soon.

Meghan Greene

Managing Director, Human Resources, Barings

Meghan Greene (Managing Director) is responsible for leading the global Experienced Hire and Employee Relations teams at Barings and also serves as the HRBP for HR. She is committed to partnering with leaders to foster a differentiated employee experience that inspires high performance, engagement, and belonging.

Prior to joining Barings in 2021, Meghan was an HR Business Partner at TIAA and Nuveen and delivered transformation efforts to a range of functional areas, including public investment, product management, and digital and technology teams. Meghan started at TIAA as a Business Manager for Talent Management and focused on strategic projects. 

Prior to joining TIAA, Meghan worked at BlackRock in a variety of HR roles in Talent Acquisition and Talent Management in New York.  She holds a Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of New Haven (CT) and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Immaculata University (PA).

Majid Qaiser

Senior Talent Acquisition Sourcing Consultant, Wells Fargo

Majid Qaiser is a Sr. Talent Sourcing Consultant within Wells Fargo’s Wealth & Investment Management division, specializing in identifying, engaging, and attracting high‑impact talent across complex and competitive markets. With more than a decade of experience in sourcing, recruiting, marketing, and talent intelligence, Majid is known for his advanced search strategies, Boolean expertise, and relationship‑driven approach to candidate engagement.

He partners closely with hiring leaders to deliver market insights, compensation guidance, competitive landscape analysis, and strategic recommendations that strengthen decision‑making and accelerate hiring outcomes. Majid’s work has earned multiple awards recognizing his performance, collaboration, and leadership across the organization.

Passionate about elevating the craft of sourcing, he blends data, storytelling, and human connection to create meaningful experiences for candidates and business partners while shaping the future of talent acquisition within the wealth management industry.

Henry Beards

COO, Urban League of Central Carolinas

Henry Beards, MBA, SHRM-CP, serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Urban League of Central Carolinas, where he leads organizational operations, human resources, compliance, finance, and strategic initiatives that advance workforce and community development across the region.

Prior to joining the Urban League, Henry retired from UPS after a distinguished 38-year career as a senior executive in Human Resources and Operations, leading large-scale teams, developing leaders, and driving organizational excellence across complex business environments.

Henry is the author of four leadership books, including How to Know When to Go and Reclaiming Fatherhood: A Black Man's Journey. His work reflects a passion for leadership, personal growth, mentorship, and helping individuals navigate change with purpose and integrity. A sought-after speaker, he shares practical insights on leadership, workforce development, culture, and legacy.

Henry, married for 35 years, is the proud father of two married children, and enjoys spending time with his three grandchildren.

Solomon Roberts          

Sales Executive, Suddath

Solomon Roberts is a business development and operations leader with experience spanning technology, hospitality, logistics, and entrepreneurship. His career began with six years of service in the United States Air Force as an aircraft machanic and has since taken him across industries, cultures, and international markets, shaping his approach to leadership, business, and people.

At the heart of Solomon’s work is a passion for inclusivity. Drawing from a diverse personal and professional background, he believes everyone has a story, and that understanding those stories creates stronger teams, better leaders, and more connected communities.

Today, Solomon works with Suddath, a corporate relocation and logistics company, where he focuses on business development, relationship building, and helping organizations navigate complex operational needs. He is also pursuing his MBA and serves as Vice President of Community Engagement for the Ascend Leadership Charlotte Chapter.

Yuan He

Senior Director, FP & A, TIAA | VP, Programs, Ascend Charlotte

Finance professional with accounting and finance background.

Mike Tran

Senior Managing Director, Deputy Chief Auditor, TIAA | Chapter Advisor, Ascend Charlotte

Mike Tran is a Senior Managing Director and Deputy Chief Auditor within TIAA Internal Audit Services.  Mike has over 29 years of experience in risk management, capital markets, finance/accounting, and process improvements.  In his current role, Mike leads the Audit Team that is responsible for Internal Audit Services’ (IAS) coverage of Retirement Solutions, Insurance Solution & New Markets, Client Services, and Corporate Functions (i.e. R&C, Legal, OCFO, OCAO, People Team, M&C). Additionally, he leads the Innovation & Technical Integration team.

Christina De Guzman

Risk Consultant, EY

Christina De Guzman is a Financial Risk Management Consultant with over two years of consulting experience, specializing in large-scale transformation and integration initiatives within the financial services industry. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, with concentrations in Management Information Systems and Supply Chain Management. Christina's experience spans program management, operational transformation, and strategic execution, where she partners with cross-functional teams to drive complex business initiatives and organizational change.

Chitra Deshpande          

AVP, Audit Manager, Synchrony

Chitra Deshpande is an AVP and Audit Manager with more than 10 years of professional experience, including over 8 years at Synchrony and 6 years in Internal Audit and SOX testing. She leads and supports risk-based audits across Growth, Risk Management, Credit, and Operations, with a strong focus on control design, operating effectiveness, and issue validation. Chitra brings a data-informed perspective through close partnership with Data Analytics and a customer-impact lens shaped by experience in Fraud Operations and Customer Service. Her earlier background in software development and teaching Computer Science strengthened her analytical thinking and communication skills. Chitra is recognized for her collaborative leadership, process improvement mindset, and commitment to community engagement through Synchrony Employee Resource Groups and other local non-profit organizations.