She came for dinner and walked away as an award winner.
When Kate Nguyen arrived at the Business Journal’s 2026 CFO of the Year event, she thought she was just in for a nice, pleasant meal and an evening honoring and networking with other finance professionals.
But by the end of that night, Nguyen walked away with the Business Journal’s Rising Star Award.
“I was very surprised because I did not expect it, to be honest,” said Nguyen, vice president and corporate controller at Onterris Inc., previously known as Montrose Environmental Group.
“I remember looking and seeing a lot of very experienced and talented professionals around me.” Nguyen told the Business Journal. “I honestly just wanted to enjoy the dinner, so [the award] caught me very, very surprised.”
Nguyen, who joined the environmental solutions company in 2024, was recognized at Irvine Marriott event, which honors financial leaders and up-and-coming executives throughout Orange County.
She was one of five chosen from 75 nominees representing some of Orange County’s most well-known companies and nonprofits.
Team Leader
For Nguyen, reflecting a few days after the award, it meant more than just personal success.
“It’s both an encouragement and an acknowledgment of the impact that my teams and I have been able to make throughout my career,” she said. “I don’t think anyone can reach this point alone.”
Nguyen, a graduate of the University of California, Irvine, thanked her mentors, company leaders and her team for shaping her career during her speech.
She also said the award will help her build stronger ties in Orange County’s business community.
Nguyen said that while finance executives are often associated with spreadsheets and reports, her job goes well beyond handling numbers.
“I view myself and my team as a partner to the operations function in the company,” she said. “We translate financial data into actionable insights that help the organization move faster and make better decisions.”
Building Trust
At Onterris, which has expanded through acquisitions, Nguyen said one of the main challenges has been maintaining operational consistency while growing quickly.
She said that many of the companies they acquire use their own manual systems, so finance leaders have to improve reporting and help new teams integrate into the larger organization.
Nguyen said her team has worked to improve automation, ensure they are ready for audits and strengthen teamwork across departments to help the company grow smoothly.
Even though she is now seen as one of Orange County’s rising finance leaders, Nguyen said her progress has been steady over time, not the result of one big moment.
“At first I focused on being very technical and being able to execute at a high level,” she said. “Over time, I realized leadership is more about building trust, developing people and helping organizations navigate uncertainty.”
Nguyen said her curiosity keeps her moving forward in her career and she often looks to other leaders in the company for inspiration. She looks forward to learning from those more experienced around her, she said.
Nguyen encouraged younger professionals, especially women aiming for leadership, to be consistent, adaptable and confident.
“Don’t be afraid to take space at the table,” she said. “Sometimes growth happens before we have the confidence for it.”
