A Chicago-area native and former CPA, Judy has more than 40 years of experience in accounting, real estate development, and property management. She is Chief Financial Officer of Pell Investments, a financial investment advisory firm, and is a partner at Chicago Capital Funds, a construction, development, and property management company. She has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector, serving on the boards of several San Diego organizations, including the La Jolla Art Association and Arts District Liberty Station, the latter with which she served as Board Chair, Treasurer, and co-chair of the $43M capital campaign that made the new Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center a reality in 2025.

She also has volunteered with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Voices for Children, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, Amplified Impact Partners, and local food banks. Judy holds a BS in Accounting and Finance from the University of Dayton (Ohio), MBA from DePaul University, and Certificate in Liberal Education from the University of Chicago.