Leadership

Joce Fenton is a Filipino American who migrated here from the Philippines at the age of 5.  She moved around frequently and was fortunate to have lived in Los Angeles, Toronto, New Jersey, Northern Virginia/DC, Cleveland, Columbus, Ohio, and Tampa.  Constantly moving was challenging, but it taught her adaptability, quick assimilation, and resilience.  Overcoming being the “new person” and, most often, the “only Asian” provided a different perspective on interacting, collaborating, and influencing others through relationship and trust building, transparency, and assertiveness.

From a professional perspective, Joce is a seasoned executive with 30 years of impactful leadership and management consulting experience, driving transformative change across Strategy, People, Process, Data, and Technology.  Her distinguished career spans various industries and roles, consistently demonstrating a profound ability to envision, plan, and execute large-scale initiatives that optimize operations, enhance customer and employee experiences, and elevate overall business performance.

Joce is not just a professional but a perpetual student and a transformative leader. She focuses on nurturing growth in others, encouraging them to embrace their unique strengths and abilities.  She is pursuing her doctorate, focusing on AI and its future implications for work. Her life's work is a testament to her commitment to the community, as she strives to help individuals and businesses achieve their goals. These experiences, she believes, are the catalysts for her personal growth and learning.

When Joce is not immersed in her professional pursuits, she loves to explore new culinary experiences, a passion that takes her to various eateries. She also finds joy in playing Fantasy Football and indulging in a game of bowling.  Her home is in the Indian Rocks Beach area, where she resides with her husband, Jeff, and their three beloved pets, Moxie, Pugsley, and Gilly.

Kristine Contemplacion brings a unique global perspective to financial leadership, shaped by her journey from the Philippines to becoming a trusted accounting executive in the United States. After graduating cum laude from De La Salle University and earning her CPA credentials, Kristine made the bold decision to relocate to the US in 2006, where she quickly established herself at Grant Thornton, one of the world's leading accounting firms.

What sets Kristine apart is her ability to bridge cultures and build strong teams across diverse environments. During her nine-year tenure at Grant Thornton, she progressed from Senior Associate to Audit Director, developing expertise across manufacturing, hospitality, and employee benefit sectors while working with both local businesses and multinational corporations. Her collaborative approach and technical expertise made her a go-to leader for complex audit engagements.

Kristine's transition to corporate roles in 2015 revealed her talent for translating complex accounting standards into practical business solutions. At Refresco Beverages, she successfully navigated major regulatory changes, and later at AAMP in Clearwater, she refined her leadership philosophy around empowering teams to excel.

Today, as Accounting Director at Evolve Vacation Rental, Kristine leads a remote team of eight professionals spanning payroll, revenue, and general ledger functions. Her leadership extends beyond the corporate world as Treasurer for NAAAP Tampa, where she is inspired by the organization's mission to cultivate and empower Asian & Pacific Islander leaders through professional development, community service, and networking. Having experienced firsthand the challenges of building a career as an immigrant professional, Kristine is passionate about creating pathways for other Asian American professionals to thrive and advance in their careers.

Kristine's leadership style emphasizes mentorship, clear communication, and fostering an inclusive environment where team members from different backgrounds can flourish. Her journey from immigrant professional to executive leader reflects her commitment to excellence and her belief in the power of diverse perspectives in driving business success—values she champions both in her corporate role and through her community service.

When she's not accounting, she spends time with family, her husband who is also a NAAAP Tampa member, 2 daughters, and Kristine's parents. She also owns a successful food truck Mama J's Jollijeep, Filipino food loaded with flavor! 

As your Chair for Member Engagement at NAAAP Tampa, I bring a lifelong passion for bringing people together to achieve collective goals. Throughout my career, I've naturally gravitated toward roles that connect individuals and build community—always with an eye toward creating something greater than the sum of its parts.

My experience in corporate citizenship taught me the power of aligning people around shared purpose, while my ongoing service as a US Coast Guard Auxiliarist has deepened my commitment to supporting others and fostering teamwork in diverse environments. These experiences have shown me firsthand how providing the right resources and creating spaces where people feel heard can transform both individual journeys and organizational outcomes.

At NAAAP Tampa, my mission is simple: to ensure every member's voice matters and to connect you with opportunities that elevate your professional and personal growth. I believe that when we truly listen to each other and provide meaningful support, we all rise together.

I promise to work hard to create meaningful engagement opportunities, responsive programs, and a supportive community environment where your needs and aspirations are prioritized.

Have ideas for strengthening our community or looking for resources to advance your goals? I'm here to help turn those conversations into action. Let's work together to make NAAAP an even more vibrant, supportive space where everyone can thrive!