2023 Founders' Award Recipients Announced!

May 3, 2023:

Following the opening events of the VGFOA Spring Conference, the Virginia Women in Public Finance held their annual Founders' Awards Reception at Waterman's Surfside Grille in Virginia Beach.  Sarah Frey, one of the VWPF  Chapter Founders, presented the recipients with the awards.  

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Laura Rudy.


Laura Rudy has served Stafford County as their elected Treasurer, since 2008. Prior to becoming the elected Treasurer Ms. Rudy had a 28-year career in the retail banking industry. Laura served as Assistant Vice President in her role as Branch Manager at the National Bank of Fredericksburg from 1998 to 2007. Her banking career provided her with a solid foundation of knowledge and experience in operations, investments and management, allowing her to successfully fulfill the role and responsibilities as Stafford County Treasurer.


As Treasurer, Laura was awarded with the Treasurers’ Association of Virginia Presidents Award in 2021 and the Treasurers’ Associations Commonwealth Award in 2022.


Both professionally and personally, she has been a leader in her community as a founding member of the Stafford Education Foundation in 2006. Laura currently sits on her church Finance Council at St. William of York Catholic Church and is a Board of Trustee for the Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center.


Laura Rudy has an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration – Public Management and has obtained several certifications from a variety of government finance associations to include; the Treasurer’s Association of Virginia, VGFOA and other National Treasurer Associations.


When she is not working, Laura enjoys golf, traveling or enjoying time with her grandchildren.

Rising Star Award

The Rising Star Award was awarded to Mary Helou. 


Mary has been working in the public finance field since 2017 after joining the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority as a compliance accountant. Her intelligence, skills and work ethic were quickly noticed, and she was asked to join the debt management team as the debt analyst. While serving as debt analyst, she was a quick learner, rapidly soaking in knowledge about toll roads and airports, the municipal market, bond issuance process, municipal regulatory requirements and compliance, finance plans, rating agency and underwriting relationships, investor relations and everything in between. She excelled in her role and did it with utmost enthusiasm, professionalism, and attention.


Mary was recently promoted to the debt manager position and is successfully overseeing a multi-billion dollar debt portfolio, leading multi-million dollar bond transactions, and managing large working groups.


Mary holds both, Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Accounting from George Mason University and an Associate’s Degree in Business Management from Northern Virginia Community College. Mary aspires to become a CPA and is a candidate for the Uniform CPA Examination.


In her personal time she is a busy mother of two young children and contributes her time and efforts to school, sports and neighborhood activities. She is also an avid baker and enjoys delivering sweet treats to family and friends.




2023 Founders' Award Recipients

Lifetime Achievement 

Laura Rudy

Rising Star 

Mary Helou

Prior Founders' Award Recipients

Lifetime Achievement 


2022   Ann Shawver, Ann Harrity Shawver, CPA,PLLC

2021   JoAnne Carter, PFM

2020  Pat Welling, US Bank

2019   Michelle Attreed, Prince William County

2018   Janet Aylor, VA Department of Treasury

2017   Stephanie Hamlett, VRA

2016   Bonnie France, McGuire Woods

2015   Cindy Hendren, McGuire Woods

2015   Barbara Donnellan, Arlington County

2014   Manju Ganeriwala, VA Department of Treasury

2013   Evie Whitley, VA Department of Treasury 

Rising Star


2022   Anne Curtis Saunders, McGuire Woods

2021   Rashida Reneau, Wells Fargo

2019   Katie Bailey, Stafford County

2017   Giedre Ball, MWAA

2016   Kathleen Bowe, PFM

2014   Stephanie Jones, VRA

2013   Kristy Choi, PFM  

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