Meet the Panelists
Facilitated by Jacquie Ward
Jacquelyn (Jacquie) Ward is an accomplished finance professional with extensive experience spanning corporate finance, private equity, investment banking, and equity analysis. Currently serving as the Chief Financial Officer for Aeromed Group, a global aerospace and defense company, Jacquie brings a strategic and results-driven approach to financial leadership and operational management. With a strong background in mergers and acquisitions, corporate board leadership, and private equity fund management, Jacquie has honed expertise in driving financial performance, optimizing capital structures, and executing strategic growth initiatives.
After graduating with a Bachelor’s in Finance and a Certificate in Integrated Investment Management from Kansas State University in 2011, Jacquie further advanced her education with an MBA from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) in 2016. Jacquie is also a CFA charterholder, underlining a deep commitment to investment management and financial analysis.
Lois Cox
Lois also lends her time and expertise to boards and organizations across campus and the state, including the CBA Finance Advisory Board, of which she served as President in 2015, and was honored as the Joseph L. Searles Finance Executive of the Year in 2023. Lois served as a governor appointee on the Board of Trustees of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System from 2012, and its Chairperson from 2015, until 2018. She was twice named one of Trusted Insight’s Top 30 Endowment CIOs.
Lois and her husband, Jaran, reside in Manhattan and enjoy traveling, fishing, and spending time with their 2 daughters.
Elizabeth Snodgrass
Elizabeth serves as Senior Managing Director for Principal Financial Network of Kansas and Missouri. Formerly a Vice President of National Sales and Marketing at LPL, she brings more than 15 years of Financial Service experience to our team.
As an original member of a Kansas City based RIA, she was deeply embedded in the corporate retirement plan space. Elizabeth has achieved past accolades for recruiting and was an integral part of building support services surrounding M&A, advisor service models, and fee-based solutions. In addition, Elizabeth structured a Financial Wellness Program to arrange coaching and consulting for top producers across the country.
Stephanie Siders
Stephanie Siders, CFA, is a Managing Director with CC Capital Advisors, an investment banking firm advising M&A transactions for family and founder owned companies. She previously held roles at Christenberry Collet & Co. and Hallmark Cards. Stephanie has 17 years of investment banking experience and is involved in sourcing, leading, and executing all phases of the transaction process for CCCA clients across a broad range of industries. Stephanie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and minor in Leadership Studies from Kansas State University and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. She serves on the Kansas City Association for Corporate Growth Board, the K-State Finance Advisory Board, and the K-State Wabash CannonBall Steering Committee and is a graduate of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Centurions program.
Katie Seay
Katie Seay is a University of Georgia Personal Financial Planning graduate and Certified Financial Planner. Katie spent three years with The Ayco Company in Atlanta, Georgia before joining The Trust Company in Manhattan, Kansas in 2012. She now serves as President & Director of Wealth Management at The Trust Company. In this role, she oversees all areas related to client service, investments, branch management, and business development. Katie keeps busy as board chair of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan and a trustee of the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation. Katie is married to Martin, and they have two young sons, Bo and Andrew, who keep them on their toes.