JeanMarie Lei Anuenue Priola is a portfolio manager at the headquarters of the Air Combat Command of the U.S. Air Force.

This fall, Priola won a Fintech Leadership Award at the 27th annual Women of Color STEM Conference held in Detroit, MI. One of the newest awards presented at the gala, fintech leaders are recognized for their efforts to use emerging technology, such as artificial intelligence, Cloud computing, big data, and blockchain to deliver financial services.

Priola joined the Directorate of Intelligence in 2020, quickly transforming a program of investments and operations into an industry example for proper management.

She oversees $40 to $50 million in innovation funding, filling technical gaps in current U.S. Air Force intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

Priola manages 31 projects across five major commands, totaling approximately $70 million. As a direct result of her exceptional work, the ISR Modernization & Automation Development (IMAD) program morphed into a firm position for increased funding and operational impacts.

IMAD investments provide capabilities in support of NATO and U.S. activities in Ukraine by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into ISR processes.

Priola also provided leadership in implementing and using the COVID-19 health surveillance dashboard for the Air Combat Command Pandemic Working Group.

Josnelly Aponte is the director of revenue requirements and analysis at Consumers Energy. She has represented the company as a rates expert before the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) in electric and gas regulatory proceedings.

An early adopter of data analytics, she is a strong advocate for using technology to provide rate case submissions to the MPSC. Eager to advance, Aponte independently learns about new technologies through the company’s Analytics University and Digital Academy. She was the first and only Rates and Regulations member to complete the program in 2020.

Additionally, Aponte completed the Adult Mental Health First Aid USA Certification in December 2021. She’s demonstrated remarkable leadership with key contributions to the organization’s diversity and inclusion summits addressing unconscious bias, and by being an active mentor for CE's Minority Advisory Panel members.

Outside the company, Aponte is a member of Jackson’s Junior Welfare League, chief administrative officer in the Jackson Preparatory & Early College Board of Governors, and a member of the Jackson Community Foundation Financial Committee.