Carmel Honors Four Women in Finance
The second annual Executive Women in Finance Awards recognized local industry leaders on September 30.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Corporate Finance
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Four finance professionals in Central Indiana were honored during the second annual Executive Women in Finance Awards on September 30 in Carmel. The ceremony celebrated individual achievements in leadership, mentorship, and overall professional excellence.
Why it matters
These awards were established to highlight the significant contributions of women within the financial sector and to recognize those who foster supportive environments through active mentorship. By elevating these leaders, the organization aims to promote professional development across the regional finance community.
The awards recognized four distinct leaders from organizations across Central Indiana, including firms with staff sizes reaching 1,000 employees. Honorees bring deep experience, such as a 25-year tenure at KSM, a firm where women currently hold 40 percent of partner roles.
The players
Larissa Fox
She is a finance professional at Old National Bank who received the Emerging Leader Award.
Nichole Rowe
A representative of Indiana Members Credit Union, she received the Excellence in Mentorship Award for her 14-year tenure.
Darlisa Davis
She is a finance professional at First Merchants Bank who was honored with the Career of Excellence Award.
Erin Eberly
She received the Woman of Distinction Award, reflecting her 25-year tenure at the firm KSM.
KSM
This firm is a major professional services entity with 1,000 employees that maintains progressive workplace policies like 12 weeks of paid maternity leave.
The details
The EWF Awards Committee selected the recipients based on their commitment to leadership and their efforts to mentor other women in the industry. The program specifically highlights the career impact of professionals representing banks, credit unions, and accounting firms throughout Central Indiana.
Timeline
The second annual Executive Women in Finance Awards were presented in Carmel on September 30, 2026.
Market Dynamics
This awards program aligns with the financial industry's ongoing push for gender parity in leadership roles, reflecting a broader trend of formalizing recognition for professional development. Such initiatives serve to highlight firms that prioritize internal advancement pathways in a competitive regional market.
The recognition of these leaders provides insight into the management culture of prominent local financial institutions like Old National Bank and First Merchants Bank. Readers interested in stable financial services or employment can use these honors as indicators of institutional stability and talent retention strength.
The takeaway
The second year of these awards demonstrates a continued commitment to formalizing the recognition of female executives in the region. Professionals looking to advance their careers can focus on the leadership and mentorship qualities highlighted by this year's recipients.
Further reading
For more on industry leadership trends, visit the Corporate Finance section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Current Publishing.
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