ANNISTON, AL, April 16, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Janene E. Smith, senior financial analyst, business unit controllership, for Voya Financial, was selected by Marquis Who's Who for a prominent feature in the April 2026 Atlanta, Georgia, regional issue of The New Yorker.

Now approaching 20 years of esteemed work, Ms. Smith has established herself as a reliable leader in her field. Initially unsure of what she wanted from her professional journey, she planned to pursue law and business in college. After taking her first accounting classes, Ms. Smith realized she really enjoyed the subject and found herself drawn to stick with it. Her career started properly in 2008 when she joined Honda Manufacturing of Alabama as an accounting intern.

After completing that internship, Ms. Smith was brought into the same organization full-time, beginning as a capital projects and cost accounting analyst. She devoted more than 12 years to her work with Honda Manufacturing of Alabama. During that time, Ms. Smith was promoted to cost accounting lead and managerial reporting analyst. Her final role before leaving the company in 2021 was managerial reporting lead.

Eager to embrace new opportunities, Ms. Smith accepted the position of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) reporting accountant at Voya Financial in 2022. After nine months of contract work, she was recognized for her contributions and hired as a full-time financial analyst, followed by a promotion to senior financial analyst in the company's business unit controllership. Ms. Smith oversees regulatory filings, quarterly and annual financial analysis and reporting, and process improvements. She has built a reputation for her willingness to ask questions and continually learn new skills.

Further demonstrating her growth as a leader, Ms. Smith will soon assume the responsibilities of treasurer for an employee-led council focused on developing the company's next generation of talent. She expresses excitement at participating in initiatives to empower colleagues. Ms. Smith has also volunteered on Voya Financial councils dedicated to women, African Americans, Hispanic and Latino employees and LGBTQ+ employees, showcasing her commitment to diversity.

When she's not working, Ms. Smith relaxes through travel, poetry, writing and art. She looks forward to future opportunities to gain more knowledge and expertise. Ms. Smith plans to stay with Voya Financial, where she feels her skills are properly valued, and has considered shifting into a management role.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Ms. Smith's performance in the field was born of her academic journey. She earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Jacksonville State University, graduating cum laude in 2007. Additionally, she is a lifetime member of Beta Gamma Sigma, an international honor society exclusive to the top 5% of business school programs.

ADAPTING TO CHANGE
One of Ms. Smith's greatest strengths is her fearlessness in exploring and implementing new ideas. She points to one experience where she spearheaded the creation of a new monthly profit and loss report as a highlight of her professional life. Most recently, Ms. Smith has been leading the way in learning and teaching others how Voya Financial can safely and ethically utilize artificial intelligence technology. She intends to continue investigating this while maintaining a clear understanding of the need to protect sensitive information.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who's Who in America® and Who's Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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