Age: 39
Occupation: Vice president, finance operations, Memorial Health
Email: zentefis.amanda@mhsil.com
Education: Bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in accounting, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Family: Husband, Todd; children, Kaylyn, Evelyn and Rosalyn
Affiliations/community activities: Illinois CPA Society, Healthcare Financial Management Association
What is your guiding principle in life?
Lead with empathy and choose kindness.
What led you to your career?
I chose a career in accounting because it aligned closely with my strengths as an analytical and detail-oriented person. I enjoy analyzing numbers, understanding the story they tell and translating those financial insights into operational performance. Memorial Health gave me the opportunity to combine that with a meaningful mission. Being part of a healthcare organization allows me to contribute in a different way — supporting a strong system that ultimately helps deliver quality care and positively impacts the community.
What is your greatest hope for Springfield?
I hope Springfield continues to grow its economy by investing in small businesses, helping them succeed, expand and create opportunities for all members of our community.
What would you like your life to look like in five or 10 years?
I hope to continue growing within Memorial Health, contributing to its mission and making a meaningful impact. I hope I have also continued to balance that with my desire to watch my young children grow and enjoy family life together.
What do you wish your younger self had known when you started on this path?
I would remind myself that maintaining a positive perspective during challenging moments is so important to your wellbeing and professional growth. Stay committed to learning at every opportunity.
What app on your phone are you embarrassed to say you use?
I would be embarrassed if anyone looked at my history on Maps and knew how often I still use it to get around town after living here 16 years.
This article appears in July SBJ 2026.