ANNA RICARDO
CFO
MERICAL
WHY: Known as a corporate turnaround specialist with her latest fix at MeriCal, where she has served as chief financial officer since 2023.
IN THE NEWS: Won a Business Journal Women in Business Award this year for her work at the contract manufacturer of dietary supplements in Anaheim. Her fix-it strategy involved recruiting new talent, including a controller and a data analytics team to establish accurate reporting and internal controls. Also cut the company’s bloated payroll by aligning staffing levels with actual production needs.
NOTABLE: Quit a job after her former employer pressured her to manipulate financial results.
QUOTABLE: On the rush of fixing companies: “That’s kind of my bailiwick — turnaround. It’s my adrenaline. I love it. Maybe I’m short-sighted and I want instant gratification, but I can always see the low-hanging fruit.”
