Sip & Strategize: Insights from Top Houston CFOs

Join us for an engaging and relaxed afternoon at the Briar Club, where we’ll be hosting a special Happy Hour Panel Discussion featuring three of Houston’s top CFOs. Enjoy delicious light bites and a curated selection of wines as our distinguished panelists share candid insights into their experiences accessing and working with various finance service providers.

This event is designed to foster open conversation in a welcoming atmosphere, offering attendees the unique opportunity to hear firsthand how leading CFOs approach partnerships, make decisions, and what they look for in financial service relationships. Whether you’re a finance professional, service provider, or simply interested in the evolving role of CFOs, you’ll leave with valuable perspectives to help shape your future interactions and strategies.

Event Highlights:

• Panel discussion with three top Houston female CFOs
• Honest Q&A on working with finance service providers
• Networking in a relaxed, upscale setting
• Complimentary light bites and wine

Come ready to connect, learn, and enjoy an afternoon of meaningful conversation!

Laura Thompson

Laura E. Thompson is a Certified Public Accountant and the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at Platform Partners LLC, a Houston-based Private Equity Fund. Laura began her career at Ernst and Young in the Houston audit practice where she spent 10 years prior to moving in house to Platform Partners. She graduated magna cum laude from The University of Texas at Austin Red McCombs School of Business with her BBA in Accounting and Finance and an MPA in Accounting. Laura has been an active member of The Junior League of Houston since 2010, serving in various leadership roles, including serving as the Financial Vice President and a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors in 2023 – 2024, the Board of Directors in 2023-2024 and 2022-2023 and the Junior League of Houston Foundation Board for 2022-2023. Laura has served on the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston since 2022 and is currently serving as the Treasurer and a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. Laura is a native Houstonian, an involved Aunt to six nieces and nephews and Mom to her toy poodle, Jacques.

Jennifer Whalen

Jennifer Whalen is serving as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer for the Bristow Group Inc. beginning in June 2020. The CFO role is responsible for overseeing our Information Technology department, company accounting, decision support, financial reporting, internal audit, investor relations, strategy and M&A, tax, and other financial functions of the Company.

Previously, she served as the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, for Era Group Inc. since February 2018. Jennifer served as the Company's Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer since August 2013 until her appointment as Vice President, Acting Chief Financial Officer in June 2017. Jennifer joined the company as Controller in April 2012. From August 2007 to March 2012, Jennifer served in several capacities at nLIGHT Photonics Corporation, a supplier of high-performance lasers, including as Director of Accounting. Prior to these roles, Jennifer served as the Manager of Accounting at InFocus Corporation for over two years. After serving in the U.S. military, Jennifer started her career in public accounting in the assurance practice group at PricewaterhouseCoopers for approximately five years. She received a B.S. in Accounting from Alabama A&M University and a master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Southern California.

Rebekah Le

Rebekah Le is a people and strategy-focused executive with over twenty-five years of diverse experience spanning financial, strategic, administrative, and operational leadership across organizational scales and complexities, including publicly traded, private equity (PE), nonprofit, client-service, and global environments. She has a demonstrated ability to lead in a range of commercial environments and service models, from EPC/Construction to Power Delivery to Industrial Services to Healthcare. Rebekah’s expertise lies in developing and executing strategic plans, driving talent and culture-focused initiatives, fostering high-performing teams, optimizing business operations, and forging cross-functional partnerships. She is adept at crafting change management strategies and communications tailored to various business environments, from distressed to high-growth scenarios, and has successfully overseen high-profile special projects, including technology implementations. Her leadership extends to championing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives, underscoring her commitment to social responsibility. As a Certified Public Accountant and a CoachRice Certified Coach, Rebekah is agile in her ability to lead teams, both technical and nontechnical, leading from a place of genuine curiosity and empowerment.

Currently serving as Chief Strategy & Financial Officer for Legacy Community Health, Rebekah oversees various functions, including Finance, Revenue Cycle Management, Supply Chain, Project Management, and Strategy. Her strategic and collaborative approach is instrumental as she works to develop roadmaps for financial sustainability, fostering growth, optimizing returns and cash flow, and transitioning to data-centric tools. Rebekah has partnered across the organization to expand financial acumen and ownership to drive year-over year improvements, including a net positive budget with significant cost improvements and operating model efficiencies embedded. Her focus on process enhancement, scalability, sustainability, and adoption of innovative technologies reflects her dedication to driving operational, financial, and strategic excellence.