Best Startup
At Best Startup US we track over 1,000,000 US startups and over 3 million people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United States based President operating in the Association space. If you think a President is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.us.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Julia Hartz
Co-Founder & President of Eventbrite
Julia Hartz hopes to inspire people to live more by building the world’s largest marketplace of live experiences. Since founding Eventbrite in 2006 with Kevin Hartz and Renaud Visage, the company has generated over $3 billion in gross ticket sales, with more than $200 million tickets processed to events and experiences around the globe. A key to this growth and success is the people of Eventbrite (fondly referred to as The Britelings), which has grown to nearly 400 employees in six offices around the world. Julia cultivates and advocates for Eventbrite’s award-winning culture (voted Best Places to Work in the San Francisco Bay Area five years running). She has been honored as one of Inc.’s 35 under 35 in 2014 and Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs in 2013. Julia is also a frequent speaker on live experiences, consumer trends and entrepreneurship, and has been recently featured in Forbes, Fortune, Bloomberg and Inc. Magazine. Previous to Eventbrite, Julia was a TV development executive at MTV and FX Networks.
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About Eventbrite, Eventbrite, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, The Aspen Institute: Eventbrite develops an online platform that lets users find and create events.
Richard Lovett
President of Creative Artists Agency
Richard Lovett is president of Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the world’s leading entertainment and sports agency, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, London, Nashville and Beijing. Lovett’s personal clients are among the world’s most accomplished actors, directors, writers and producers. Lovett began his career in the mailroom at CAA, rising the ranks to become president in 1995. Since then, he has led the company in unprecedented innovation and growth, creating a new model for client representation in the 21st century. In addition to representing many of the most successful professionals working in film, television, music, video games, theater, and digital media, CAA provides a range of strategic marketing and consulting services to corporate clients. Under Lovett’s leadership, CAA has also launched a highly successful investment banking affiliate, Evolution Media Capital (EMC); a private equity firm, Star Avenue Capital; five venture-financed Internet companies, including comedy content creator Funny or Die; and a digital media and consumer technology venture fund. In 1996, Lovett and his partners created the CAA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the agency. Lovett has received numerous awards for his activism, including the Shoah Foundation’s Ambassador for Humanity Award, presented by Steven Spielberg. A native of Milwaukee, Lovett attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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About Creative Artists Agency: Leading entertainment and sports agency
Terry Ledger
Owner & President of Managed IT Services Boston
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About Managed IT Services Boston: Managed IT Services Boston companies can rely on from your local tech experts at Network Coverage.
Michael Strautmanis
Vice President, Civic Engagement of Obama Foundation
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About Lyric Opera of Chicago, Obama Foundation: The Obama Foundation is a start-up for citizenship and an ongoing project for people to shape, together, what it means to be a good citizen.
Charles Knippen
National President of The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS)
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About The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS): The NSLS is the nation’s largest and only accredited leadership honor society with more than 1.5 million members.
Ries Robinson
Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer of Presbyterian Healthcare Services
Ries Robinson co-founded InLight Solutions (formerly Rio Grande Medical Technologies) in 1993 and has served as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of Research for the Company since its inception. InLight Solutions is a world leader in developing light measurement systems for life science applications. The company has a research agreement with LifeScan, Inc. in the field of diabetes and is addressing multiple product opportunities in the medical, food processing, safety, and manufacturing industries. Prior to co-founding InLight Solutions, Ries Robinson initiated research into noninvasive blood chemistry monitoring in collaboration with Ries Philip Eaton of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine (UNM-SOM) and Dr. David Haaland, of Sandia, in 1988. Since that time, he has led Sandia’s and UNM-SOM’s research efforts in this field, and has co-authored several comprehensive U.S. patents and patent applications to which the Company now holds exclusive rights. Ries Robinson has authored several peer-reviewed technical articles, received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the New Mexico Inventor of the Year Program in 1992, and was named the New Mexico Inventor of the Year in 1994. Ries Robinson graduated from Stanford University in 1987 with a BS/MS degree in Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis in controls engineering and received an MD degree from UNM-SOM in 1991, undertaking extensive additional studies in electrical and systems engineering
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About Medici Technologies, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Rodin Scientific: Presbyterian Healthcare Services exists to improve the health of patients, members and the communities they serve.
Joe Biden
46th President of the United States of The White House
At age 29, President Biden became one of the youngest people ever elected to the United States Senate. Just weeks after his Senate election, tragedy struck the Biden family when his wife Neilia and daughter Naomi were killed, and sons Hunter and Beau were critically injured, in an auto accident. Biden was sworn into the U.S. Senate at his sons’ hospital bedsides and began commuting from Wilmington to Washington every day, first by car, and then by train, in order to be with his family. He would continue to do so throughout his time in the Senate. Biden married Jill Jacobs in 1977, and in 1980, their family was complete with the birth of Ashley Blazer Biden. A lifelong educator, Jill earned her doctorate in education and returned to teaching as an English professor at a community college in Virginia. Beau Biden, Attorney General of Delaware and Joe Biden’s eldest son passed away in 2015 after battling brain cancer with the same integrity, courage, and strength he demonstrated every day of his life. Beau’s fight with cancer inspires the mission of President Biden’s life — ending cancer as we know it. As a Senator from Delaware for 36 years, President Biden established himself as a leader in facing some of our nation’s most important domestic and international challenges. As Chairman or Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee for 16 years, Biden is widely recognized for his work writing and spearheading the Violence Against Women Act — the landmark legislation that strengthens penalties for violence against women, creates unprecedented resources for survivors of assault, and changes the national dialogue on domestic and sexual assault. As Chairman or Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for 12 years, Biden played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. foreign policy. He was at the forefront of issues and legislation related to terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, post-Cold War Europe, the Middle East, Southwest Asia, and ending apartheid. “America is an idea. An idea that is stronger than any army, bigger than any ocean, more powerful than any dictator or tyrant. It gives hope to the most desperate people on earth, it guarantees that everyone is treated with dignity and gives hate no safe harbor. It instills in every person in this country the belief that no matter where you start in life, there’s nothing you can’t achieve if you work at it. That’s what we believe.” As Vice President, Biden continued his leadership on important issues facing the nation and represented our country abroad. Vice President Biden convened sessions of the President’s Cabinet, led interagency efforts, and worked with Congress in his fight to raise the living standards of middle-class Americans, reduce gun violence, address violence against women, and end cancer as we know it. Biden helped President Obama pass and then oversaw the implementation of the Recovery Act — the biggest economic recovery plan in the history of the nation and our biggest and strongest commitment to clean energy. The President’s plan prevented another Great Depression, created and saved millions of jobs, and led to 75 uninterrupted months of job growth by the end of the administration. And Biden did it all with less than 1% in waste, abuse, or fraud — the most efficient government program in our country’s history. President Obama and Vice President Biden also secured the passage of the Affordable Care Act, which reduced the number of uninsured Americans by 20 million by the time they left office and banned insurance companies from denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions. He served as the point person for U.S. diplomacy throughout the Western Hemisphere, strengthened relationships with our allies both in Europe and the Asia-Pacific, and led the effort to bring 150,000 troops home from Iraq. In a ceremony at the White House, President Obama awarded Biden the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction — the nation’s highest civilian honor. After leaving the White House, the Bidens continued their efforts to expand opportunity for every American with the creation of the Biden Foundation, the Biden Cancer Initiative, the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, and the Biden Institute at the University of Delaware. On April 25, 2019, Biden announced his candidacy for President of the United States. Biden’s candidacy was built from the beginning around 3 pillars: the battle for the soul of our nation, the need to rebuild our middle class — the backbone of our country, and a call for unity, to act as One America. It was a message that would only gain more resonance in 2020 as we confront a pandemic, an economic crisis, urgent calls for racial justice, and the existential threat of climate change.
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About The White House: The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States.
John Kerry
U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate of The White House
On January 20th 2021, John F. Kerry was sworn in as our nation’s first Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and the first-ever Principal to sit on the National Security Council entirely dedicated to climate change. President Biden announced Kerry would have a seat at every table around the world as he combats the climate crisis to meet the existential threat that we face. In recent years, Kerry was the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s first ever Visiting Distinguished Statesman, following his four years as the 68th United States Secretary of State. As America’s top diplomat, he guided the Department’s strategy on nuclear nonproliferation, combating radical extremism, and the threat of climate change. His tenure was marked by the successful negotiation of the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris Climate Agreement. From 1985 to 2013, he served as a U.S. Senator representing Massachusetts, and was Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 2009 to 2013. Secretary Kerry served in the U.S. Navy, completing two combat tours of duty in Vietnam for which he received a Silver Star, a Bronze Star with Combat V, and three Purple Hearts. He received his undergraduate degree from Yale University and his law degree from Boston College Law School. Secretary Kerry is the best-selling author of A Call to Service, This Moment on Earth with his wife Teresa Heinz Kerry, and his 2018 memoir, Every Day Is Extra, which The New York Times described as “a bittersweet reminder of what the country once demanded of its leaders.” Secretary Kerry was the Democratic Party’s nominee for President of the United States in 2004.
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About The White House: The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States.
Kamala Harris
49th Vice President of the United States of The White House
The first Black and Indian-American woman to represent California in the United States Senate, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris grew up believing in the promise of America and fighting to make sure that promise is fulfilled for all Americans. Harris’ father immigrated to the U.S. from Jamaica to study economics and her mother immigrated from India. Harris’ mother told her growing up, “Don’t sit around and complain about things, do something,” which is what drives Harris every single day. Harris started fighting for working families in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, where she focused on prosecuting child sexual assault cases. From there, she became the first Black woman elected as San Francisco’s District Attorney. In this position, she started a program to provide first-time drug offenders second chances with the opportunity to earn a high school degree and find a job. In 2010, Harris became the first Black woman to be elected Attorney General of California, overseeing the country’s second largest Justice Department after the U.S. Department of Justice. In this capacity, she managed a $735 million budget and oversaw more than 4,800 attorneys and other employees. As California Attorney General, Harris fought for families and won a $20 billion settlement for California homeowners against big banks that were unfairly foreclosing on homes. During her time as a U.S. Senator, Harris has introduced and co-sponsored legislation to help the middle class, increase the minimum wage to $15, reform cash bail, and defend the legal rights of refugees and immigrants. Harris has served on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where she has fought to protect Americans’ civil rights, restore independence and integrity to the Justice Department, and scrutinized nominations coming before the Committee. On the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Harris has dealt with the nation’s most sensitive national security and international threats. She also has served on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee where she has overseen the federal government’s response to natural disasters and emergencies, including the Trump administration’s response to COVID-19. Harris graduated from Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and earned a law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law. Harris has been married to her husband Doug Emhoff for the past six years. She is the stepmother of two children, Cole and Ella, who call her “Momala” and are her “endless source of love and pure joy.”
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About The White House: The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States.
Stephen Miller
Senior Advisor to the President of The White House
Stephen Miller is an American far right political activist who serves as a senior advisor for policy for President Donald Trump. He was previously the communications director for then-Senator Jeff Sessions. He was also a press secretary for Republican Representatives Michele Bachmann and John Shadegg.
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About The White House, The White House: The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States.
James Han
Co-Founder, President, COO of SeedInvest
James co-founded SeedInvest after founding his own startup but encountering a number of difficulties when raising capital on more conventional paths. Prior to pursuing entrepreneurship, James was an investor at Francisco Partners, where he focused on equity investment opportunities in the technology sector. James also spent time in Morgan Stanley’s technology investment banking group, Riot Games and Cisco in various roles. James brings to SeedInvest his love for technology and propensity to play basketball and video games whenever given the chance. James received an MBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurial Management from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and holds a BS in Economics from the Wharton Undergraduate Program as well as a BAS in Computer Science from the University of Pennsylvania.
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About SeedInvest: SeedInvest is an equity crowdfunding platform that connects investors with startups.
Jane Wales
Vice President, Philanthropy and Society of The Aspen Institute
Jane Wales is Vice President, Philanthropy and Society of the Aspen Institute and Executive Director of its Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation. She is the Founder of the Global Philanthropy Forum, President of the World Affairs Council and host of the nationally syndicated weekly National Public Radio show “WorldAffairs”. Ms. Wales held senior positions in the Clinton and Carter Administrations, serving as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director of the National Security Council, Associate Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State. In the philanthropic sector, Ms. Wales chaired the international security programs at the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the W. Alton Jones Foundation, and directed the Project on World Security at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. She was Acting CEO of The Elders, chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and founded by Nelson Mandela. Ms. Wales is a member of the board of directors for the Center for a New American Security and FSG.
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About The Aspen Institute, The Global Philanthropy Forum: The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC.
Elliot Gerson
Executive Vice President Of Policy And Public Programs, International Partners of The Aspen Institute
Elliot Gerson is an executive vice president at the Aspen Institute, responsible for its Policy Programs, its Public Programs and its relations with international partners. The Institute’s more than 30 Policy Programs focus on both domestic and international issues. They provide neutral venues, do nonpartisan analysis, foster candid dialogue among leaders, advocate new policy and promote best practices. The Institute’s public programs – including the Aspen Ideas Festival and many smaller programs across the country – open the Institute’s doors to a broader audience and further both its educational goals and its hopes that thought will lead to action. The Institute has international partners in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Romania, and Spain. Gerson also administers the US Rhodes Scholarships. He was a Rhodes Scholar, a US Supreme Court clerk, practiced law in government and privately, held executive positions in state and federal government and on a presidential campaign, and was president of start-ups in health care and education, and of two leading national insurance and health-care companies. He has served on many non-profit boards, especially in the arts.
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About Rhodes Scholarship Trust, The Aspen Institute: The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC.
James Spiegelman
Vp, Chief External Affairs Officer; Deputy To The President of The Aspen Institute
As Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer, Jim Spiegelman serves as the chief spokesman for the Aspen Institute. Jim is responsible for engaging both internal and external audiences in Institute programs and activities. He manages relations with the public and news media and provides strategic communications counsel to senior colleagues throughout the Institute. He oversees the Institute’s Communications Department which manages the organization’s website, produces the triannual Ideas: The Magazine of the Aspen Institute, as well as the online Aspen Journal of Ideas and its Five Best Ideas of the Day email. The Department also designs and produces most of the Institute’s publications, including the Annual Report, and produces or oversees the video collection archived on AspenInstitute.org, AspenIdeas.org and on YouTube. He organizes both the monthly Washington Ideas Roundtable Series and the Alma and Joseph Gildenhorn Book Series, and provides support and guidance to the Institute’s myriad public programs, including the Aspen Ideas Festival. As deputy to the President, Jim is a member of the Institute’s senior management team and serves as President and CEO Walter Isaacson’s point person on a wide variety of programmatic and creative initiatives. In this role, he serves as the President’s right hand and confidant. Jim joined the Aspen Institute in January 2001. He previously was a consulting editor at BusinessWeek magazine, where he designed and managed global conferences on economic, political, and business topics. He has also been chief of staff at the United Nations Association of the USA; an analyst for a global hedge fund; special assistant to financier/philanthropist George Soros; deputy policy director for the 1992 Presidential campaign of then-US Senator Bob Kerrey; research/program director at Georgetown University’s School of Business; and a foreign affairs fellow at the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress. His articles have appeared in numerous publications. He received a BA in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania and an MA in International Affairs from the School of International Service at American University.
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About The Aspen Institute: The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC.
Namita Khasat
Executive Vice President: Finance And Administration of The Aspen Institute
Namita Khasat provides executive leadership to the national and global financial and administrative functions for the Institute including oversight of Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources, general office administration, legal, and real estate. As a Board member she also serves as the Corporate Treasurer for Service Year Exchange organization chaired by General McChrystal. Namita has served at executive levels since 1985 as Chief Financial Officer/Chief Information Officer/Chief Administrative officer in various nonprofits in the philanthropic space – Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, in government and in healthcare. Prior to starting at the Aspen Institute she was the Chief Financial Officer for Delaware Hospice, a statewide organization with offices in Delaware and Pennsylvania, providing leadership to all its financial and administrative functions for all inpatient and home-based healthcare services.
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About Democracy Works, Service Year, The Aspen Institute: The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC.
Cristal Logan
Vice President, Aspen, And Director Of Aspen Community Programs of The Aspen Institute
Cristal Logan, Vice President, Aspen and Director of Aspen Community Programs at the Aspen Institute, is responsible for creating and overseeing year-round public programs for the Aspen community. During her tenure at the Institute, Cristal has expanded the number of community events exponentially. The Aspen Community Programs hosts a variety of events including the McCloskey Speaker Series, the Hurst Lecture Series, The Murdock Mind Body Spirit Series, the Hurst Student Seminars for Middle School, and High School Students; Great Books and Great Decisions Discussion Series’, Fireside Chats, Teen Socrates, the Sharing Shakespeare and Athens to Aspen Series, as well as a host of diverse offerings throughout the years. Under Cristal’s leadership, the Aspen Community Programs hosts over 60 program days each year for local residents, visitors, and teens. Prior to joining the Institute in 1999, Cristal worked in Administration at Aspen Valley Hospital; and in Finance at the Aspen Skiing Company. A fourth generation resident of the Roaring Fork Valley, Cristal has been a committed member of the community by serving on the board of the Aspen Hall of Fame, participating as a member of Leadership Aspen Class of 2000, and as one of the inaugural members of the Aspen Community Foundation Spring Board. She is Vice Chairman of the Board of the Aspen Chamber Resort Association, and served on the Aspen Valley Hospital Community Advisory Committee (2006-2016) and the Colorado Mountain College Community Advisory Committee (2008-2016). Cristal is married to Mark Logan, Principal at Cadence Brand Marketing, and they have a wonderful son.
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About The Aspen Institute: The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC.
Eric Motley
Executive Vice President, Institutional Advancement And Corporate Secretary of The Aspen Institute
Eric L. Motley, Ph.D., is an executive vice president at the Aspen Institute, responsible for Institutional Advancement and governance. He previously served as Vice President and Executive Director of National Programs and prior to that he served as Vice President and Managing Director of the Henry Crown Fellows Program from January 2007 until April 2014. In addition to managing the Henry Crown Fellowship Program, he served as the Executive Director of the Aspen-Rockefeller Foundation’s Commission to Reform the Federal Appointments Process, an independent, nonpartisan effort to evaluate the Federal government’s vetting and clearance procedures. Prior to joining the Aspen Institute, he served as the Director of the U.S. Department of State’s Office of International Visitors within the bureau of Public Diplomacy. In 2003, he became Special Assistant to President George W. Bush for Presidential Personnel, where he managed the appointment process in the White House for over 1,200 presidentially-appointed advisory board and commission positions. He joined the White House staff as Deputy Associate Director, Office of Presidential Personnel in 2001. Eric is a Henry Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute, Class of 2003. He has written and lectured on the intellectual and political contributions of Scottish-born American Founding Father, James Wilson. He is currently engaged in developing a collection on the scholarship of the eminent Greek scholar Sir Kenneth Dover, including copies of all his books, personal papers and various items from his personal catalogue. In October 2006 he published his first volume of poetry Luminaria. His civic involvement includes the Cosmos Club of Washington, DC; Grolier Club of New York City; Board of Directors of Young Concert Artists; Samford University; and the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. He serves on the Board of Directors of Barry-Wehmiller Companies, the Library Cabinet for the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington, The Smithsonian American Art Museum’s National Council, and the Chapter Board of the Washington National Cathedral. He is a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary International Foundation. Eric is an avid book collector of first editions and rare books with a concentration on the English writer and lexicographer Samuel Johnson. Eric earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Philosophy from Samford University in 1996. As a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, he earned a Master of Letters in International Relations and a Ph.D. in International Relations as the John Steven Watson Scholar.
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About The Aspen Institute: The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC.
Kitty Boone
Vice President of The Aspen Institute
Kitty is responsible for oversight of a broad array of public facing programs and events at the Aspen Institute. She is the primary executive in charge of the Aspen Ideas Festival, a week-long conference that is hosted by the Institute and The Atlantic magazine each summer in Aspen, and also supports and works with colleagues on numerous additional programs which the Institute partners in or manages, including Spotlight Health, Aspen Abu Dhabi Ideas Forum, City Lab, Vanity Fair New Establishment Summit, and various smaller initiatives. Kitty has worked at the Aspen Institute since 2003. Prior to joining The Aspen Institute, where she also had responsibilities for seminar programs, Kitty served as Vice President, Marketing and Sales at Aspen Skiing Company, where she worked for 11 years. A native of San Francisco and a graduate of Stanford University, Kitty began her career in Washington DC as an intern for a national environmental group, ultimately coming to Aspen in 1989, after stints in the public and private sector and earning her Masters in Public and Private Management at Yale School of Management. She is the proud mom of college-bound twins, sits on two boards in Aspen, and is passionate about education.
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About The Aspen Institute: The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC.
Ross Wiener
Vice President of The Aspen Institute
Ross Wiener is a vice president at the Aspen Institute and executive director of the Education and Society Program. In this role Ross leads professional learning networks for urban school district leaders and senior Congressional Education staffers. The program assists policymakers and education leaders in strengthening human capital systems, supporting implementation of Common Core State Standards, and strategically reallocating financial resources. In addition to facilitating networks, the Education & Society Program hosts public conversations as well as off-the-record workshops, and publishes original research and commentary. From 2002 to 2009, Ross worked at the Education Trust, a national, non-profit organization dedicated to raising standards and closing achievement gaps in public education. As policy director and then as vice president for program and policy, Ross managed the Education Trust’s research/data analysis, policy development, conference programming, and technical assistance to educators and policymakers in both K-12 and higher education. Prior to Education Trust, Ross served for five years as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Educational Opportunities Section, where he represented the United States in cases dealing with desegregation, harassment, and the adequacy of services to limited-English proficient and disabled students.
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About The Aspen Institute: The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC.
Ross Wiener
Vice President of The Aspen Institute
Ross Wiener is a vice president at the Aspen Institute and executive director of the Education and Society Program. In this role Ross leads professional learning networks for urban school district leaders and senior Congressional Education staffers. The program assists policymakers and education leaders in strengthening human capital systems, supporting implementation of Common Core State Standards, and strategically reallocating financial resources. In addition to facilitating networks, the Education & Society Program hosts public conversations as well as off-the-record workshops, and publishes original research and commentary. From 2002 to 2009, Ross worked at the Education Trust, a national, non-profit organization dedicated to raising standards and closing achievement gaps in public education. As policy director and then as vice president for program and policy, Ross managed the Education Trust’s research/data analysis, policy development, conference programming, and technical assistance to educators and policymakers in both K-12 and higher education. Prior to Education Trust, Ross served for five years as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Educational Opportunities Section, where he represented the United States in cases dealing with desegregation, harassment, and the adequacy of services to limited-English proficient and disabled students.
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About The Aspen Institute: The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC.
Mickey Edwards
Vice President of The Aspen Institute
Mickey Edwards is Board of Directors Emeritus at The Constitution Project.
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About The Aspen Institute: The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC.
Clay Johnson
Vice President for Medical Affairs – Dell Medical School of The University of Texas at Austin
Since March 2014, Clay Johnston has served as the inaugural Dean of the Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin. His ambitious vision includes building a world-class medical school by creating a vital, inclusive health ecosystem that supports new and innovative models of education and healthcare delivery – all with a focus on improving health and making Austin a model healthy city. He is also a neurologist, specializing in stroke care and research.
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About The University of Texas at Austin: University of Texas is an educational institution that provides undergraduate, graduate, and research programs.
William D. Hansen
President and Chief Executive Officer of Strada Education Network
William D. Hansen, also known as Bill, serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer at United Student Aid Funds, Inc. William Hansen has been a Consultant of Scantron Corporation. He served as Senior Managing Director at Chartwell Education Group, LLC. He served as the President of Scantron Corporation, a subsidiary of Harland Clarke Holdings Corp and served as its Chief Executive Officer. He served as the Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Affiliated Computer Services’ Education Services Business. He served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Chartwell Education Group. William Hansen held various leadership positions at Chartwell Education Group, an education-related consulting firm. William Hansen serves as chairman of Madison Education Group, a Washington, D.C., consulting firm. William Hansen served as the Chief Executive Officer of Madison Education Group, LLC, an education-related consulting firm. He also serves as president of Policy Impact Communications, a Washington, D.C., public relations and government affairs firm. , he served as the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, also served as its Chief Operating Officer. he served as the President of the Education Finance Council. he served as an Assistant Secretary for Management and Budget and Chief Financial Officer, of the U.S. Department of Education. As chief executive officer of Strada Education Network, William Hansen manages a company portfolio of $1.4 billion. He also served Senior Executive Positions at the United States Departments of Commerce and Energy. William Hansen serves as a Board Member of Jefferson Education Accelerator LLC. Serving as the principal executive officer of several education-related companies, William Hansen was responsible for the success and growth of those companies. He has also served as a director on multiple education-related companies, both public and private, over the past 15 years. William Hansen served for 15 years in the federal government, most of which was at the Department of Education where he served in key leadership positions overseeing the financial, regulatory and policy operations of the Department. He serves as a Director at the University of Phoenix, Chela Financial and the Student Loan Finance Corporation. He serves as a Member of Board of Trustees at Rocky Vista University. William Hansen serves on the board of directors of First Marblehead, Performant Financial, Student Loan Finance Corporation, Everspring, Graduation Alliance, Argosy University and South University. He served as Chairman of the Board of Scantron Corporation. William Hansen served as the Chairman of Advisory Council of First Marblehead Corporation and its Member of Advisory Council. He has been an Independent Director of The First Marblehead Corporation. He has been a Director of Performant Financial Corporation and serves as its Lead Independent Director. He has served on numerous state and national boards and commissions on reforming elementary and secondary schools and increasing access to higher education, including the National Commission on the Cost of Higher Education. William Hansen holds B.S. degree in Economics from George Mason University.
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About Scantron, Strada Education Network: Strada Education Network is a non-profit company that promotes student access to postsecondary education.
William Naylon
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of PriceSmart
William J. Naylon has been Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since January 2002. Naylon served as Executive Vice President – Merchandising of the Company from July 2001 until January 2002 and as Senior Vice President of the Company from March 1998 until July 2001. From September 1995 through February 1998, Naylon was Managing Director for the Company’s licensee warehouse club operation in Indonesia. Prior to joining the Company, Naylon was a General Manager for Costco and had served in various management roles for TPC.
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About PriceSmart: PriceSmart, Inc. (NASDAQ: PSMT) is the largest operator of membership warehouse clubs in Central America and the Caribbean
John Hildebrandt
Executive Vice President – Operations of PriceSmart
John D. Hildebrandt has been Executive Vice President – Operations since February 2010, having served as Executive Vice President – Central America and Trinidad Operations since March 2009. Hildebrandt served as Executive Vice President – Central America Operations from August 2003 until February 2009, served as Executive Vice President – Caribbean and Asia Operations from July 2001 until July 2003 and served as Senior Vice President of the Company from September 2000 until July 2001. Hildebrandt previously served as Vice President of the Company from September 1998 until August 2000, overseeing operations in Central America. Hildebrandt served as the Company’s Country Manager in the Philippines and Panama from August 1997 until August 1998, and as PEI’s Country Manager in the Philippines and Panama from 1996 until the Company was spun off from PEI in August 1997. Prior to joining PEI as Country Manager in 1996, Hildebrandt was a Senior Operations Manager of Costco from 1994 through 1996, and had served in various management roles for TPC since 1979.
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About PriceSmart: PriceSmart, Inc. (NASDAQ: PSMT) is the largest operator of membership warehouse clubs in Central America and the Caribbean
John Heffner
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of PriceSmart
John M. Heffner has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since January 2004 after having served as a consultant to the Company on financial matters from September 2003 through December 2003. From February 2000 until August 2003, Heffner was Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Kyocera Wireless Corp. Heffner’s previous professional experience was with Digital Equipment Corporation where he held a variety of financial management roles over a 20 year period, and more recently with QUALCOMM Incorporated, where he was a Vice President of Finance from July 1998 until February 2000.
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About PriceSmart: PriceSmart, Inc. (NASDAQ: PSMT) is the largest operator of membership warehouse clubs in Central America and the Caribbean
Frank Diaz
Executive Vice President – Distribution and Logistics of PriceSmart
Frank Diaz has been Executive Vice President of Distribution and Logistics since November of 2015 and served as Senior Vice President of Distribution and Logistics from February of 2010 after joining Pricesmart in September of 2008 as Vice President of Logistics. Prior to joining the company, Diaz worked more than 20 years in progressively responsible positions in the areas of operations, strategic planning and commercial development with top-tier logistics companies including UPS, FEDEX and CS Integrated LLC. In more recently working with DHL, Diaz was head of tranformational programs involving international tradelane development and improved customer experience. Diaz has a Bachelors of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and a Logistics Management Certification from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
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About PriceSmart: PriceSmart, Inc. (NASDAQ: PSMT) is the largest operator of membership warehouse clubs in Central America and the Caribbean
Rodrigo Calvo
Executive Vice President – Real Estate of PriceSmart
Rodrigo Calvo has been Executive Vice President of Real Estate since June 2015 and served as Senior Vice President of Real Estate from February 2009 after joining PriceSmart in October 2004 as Director of Real Estate. Before coming to the company, he led Grupo Promerica’s real estate development division; previously he worked for McDonald’s Corporation’s real estate area and for CSU (now Walmart Central America) in special projects. This combined background allowed him to develop a deep understanding of the commercial real estate field along Central America and the Dominican Republic. He holds a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Costa Rica and an MBA from INCAE Business School.
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About PriceSmart: PriceSmart, Inc. (NASDAQ: PSMT) is the largest operator of membership warehouse clubs in Central America and the Caribbean
Clinton O’Brien
President & Chief Operating Officer of Engaging Networks
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About Engaging Networks: Engaging Networks is the technology used by many of the world’s leading charities to power their digital strategies.
Scott Michael
President & CEO of United Motorcoach Association
Scott Michael serves as President and CEO for AMSA. He has served as the industry’s primary liaison to the Department of Defense, GSA, and other government customers of the moving and storage industry. He was previously AMSA’s Vice President for Membership and has held other positions with AMSA and the American Movers Conference over the past two decades. Scott also serves as a vice president of the National Defense Transportation Association, an organization of transportation providers which works in support of the military. He lives in Alexandria, Va. with his wife and three daughters.
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About United Motorcoach Association: United Motorcoach Association is a group of professional bus and motor coach companies.
Robert W. Peters
General Counsel & President Emeritus of Morality In Media
Robert W. Peters is General Counsel and President Emeritus of Morality in Media (MIM). Mr. Peters joined MIM in 1985 as a staff attorney, and in 1987 he was named Assistant Director of the National Obscenity Law Center, a law project of MIM. He was appointed President of MIM in September 1992 and served in that capacity until March 2011, when he was appointed General Counsel and also named President Emeritus. Mr. Peters has drafted amendments to state obscenity laws and testified before legislative bodies in support of these laws. He has also written amicus briefs in support of state and federal obscenity laws. In 2003, the Senate by unanimous consent enacted Senate Concurrent Resolution 77, which was drafted by Mr. Peters and which expressed the will of Congress that Federal obscenity laws be “vigorously enforced.” That year, President Bush also issued a “Protection from Pornography Week” proclamation in response to a letter requesting a Proclamation, which was written by Mr. Peters and signed by many national, state and local leaders. In 1992, he also testified at a public hearing of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in support of the Pornography Victims Compensation Act. In 1992, Congress enacted legislation patterned after a proposal submitted by Mr. Peters to curb indecent programming on cable TV leased access channels. The Supreme Court later upheld this law. He has prepared Comments to the FCC on the broadcast indecency and V-Chip ratings issues, and in 2000 he testified at a public hearing of the FCC on the subject of TV violence. Mr. Peters has also authored amicus briefs in support of federal laws prohibiting or regulating indecent material on TV and in other media. Mr. Peters’ articles and panel presentation remarks have also been published in various law journals: “It will take more than parental use of filtering software to protect children from pornography on the Internet” (31 N.Y.U. Rev. L. & Soc. Change 829, 2007); COMMENTARY: “Expansion of Indecency Regulation” (60 Fed. Comm. L.J. 1, 2007); “Once Again, U.S. Supreme Court thinks it knows better than Congress” (10 Nexus J. Op. 5, 2005); “‘Marketplace of ideas’ or anarchy: What will cyberspace become?” (51 Mercer L. Rev. 910, 2000); SYMPOSIUM: “Art, Distribution & the State: Perspectives on the National Endowment for the Arts” (17 Cardozo Arts & Ent. L.J. 705, 1999); SYMPOSIUM: “First Amendment & the Media” (8 Fordham Intell. Prop. Media & Ent. L.J. 395, 1998); “There is a need to regulate indecency on the Internet” (6 Cornell J.L. & Pub. Pol’y 363, 1997); and “Information superhighway or technological sewer: What will it be?” (47 Fed. Comm. L.J. 333, 1994). Mr. Peters has also been a speaker at conferences, workshops, panel discussions, and other events. He has been interviewed by local, national and international print media, including theAtlanta Journal-Constitution, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Chicago Tribune, Dallas Morning News, Detroit Free Press, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, New York Times, N.YDaily News andNewsday, New York Post, Philadelphia Inquirer, San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Post, Washington Times, and USA Today. He has also been interviewed on hundreds of local, national and international radio programs and by nationally syndicated radio news networks. Mr. Peters has also appeared on numerous TV news and commentary programs such as: CNN’s “Larry King Live”; CNN Headline News’ “Glenn Beck”; Fox News Channel’s “Hannity & Colmes” and “The O’Reilly Factor”; MSNBC’s “Hardball with Chris Matthews”; CNBC’s “Power Lunch”; BBC America’s “Talking Movies”; PBS’ “The News Hour with Jim Lehrer”; C-SPAN’s “America & the Courts”; “ABC Evening News” and “Primetime”; “CBS Evening News” and “48 Hours”; and “NBC Nightly News” and “Today.” During the heyday of daytime talk shows, he was also a guest onDonahue, Geraldo and many other shows. Mr. Peters was born in LaSalle, Illinois in 1949 and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1971. While at Dartmouth, he co-captained Dartmouth’s 1970 undefeated football team and also spent a semester teaching at a Catholic elementary and high school that served Clarksdale, Mississippi’s black community. He graduated from New York University School of Law in 1975 and was admitted to the New York Bar in 1976. Following law school, Mr. Peters spent a year representing indigent tenants in Manhattan’s landlord-tenant court and later worked in a non-legal capacity with a New York City nonprofit organization to curb the decline in morality. For this work, he received an Effective Citizenship Award from John Cardinal O’Connor for translating “concern for the welfare of children into effective action on their behalf.”
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About Morality In Media: Morality In Media The leading National Organization opposing pornography and indecency through public education and application of the law.
Patrick Trueman
CEO & President of Morality In Media
Patrick Trueman is a former Chief of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Criminal Division, U. S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. from 1988 to 1993. While there, he supervised the prosecution of child sex crimes, child pornography, and obscenity. He managed an office of twenty of prosecutors and support staff, and worked with the nation’s ninety-three United States Attorneys to initiate and coordinate federal prosecutions. Among his duties at MIM, Mr. Trueman directs the War on Illegal Pornography, a national coalition effort involving dozens of national, state and local groups that are educating the American public on the great harms of pornography and calling for vigorous enforcement of federal laws against illegal pornography. During his 34 years as a lawyer, he has litigated cases at all levels of the federal system, including in the United States Supreme Court. He has been an advisor to many municipalities on First Amendment law and has helped draft ordinances to end or curb the impact of sexually oriented businesses such as pornography shops, strip clubs, and related establishments. In 2010 he founded the website, Pornography Harms, http://pornharms.com, dedicated to providing the most accurate peer-reviewed research on the harm from pornography. The site has a companion YouTube channel, http://www.youtube.com/PornHarms, and a Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/PornHarms?ref=ts. A recognized international expert, Trueman has traveled to Europe, South American, the Middle East, and other areas to speak and train on the issue of human trafficking or deliver papers on the effects of television sex and violence on the family. A sampling of his training, advocacy, legal briefs and presentations includes: Nicaragua: Trueman led the training of Nicaragua’s state police in the recognition and apprehension of perpetrators of human trafficking. Qatar: Trueman authored and delivered, “The Harm from Sex and Violence on Television: Practical Solutions to Protect Society,” to the Forum on the Cable Television Channels to the Moral Challenge for Gulf Youth sponsored by Her Highness, Sheikha Mozah, wife of the ruling leader of Qatar. Romania: Trueman authored and submitted a legal brief to Romania’s Parliament in opposition to the legalization of prostitution and incest. The paper, “Legalized Prostitution & Incest Will Harm Romania,” was used to successfully counter a policy recommendation by Romania’s Ministry of Justice (the equivalent of our US Department of Justice) that would have legalized incest and prostitution in the country. Mr. Trueman served as chief of staff to a Member of the United States Congress. From 1976 to 1982, he was Executive Director and General Counsel to Americans United for Life, a national public interest law firm in Chicago. He lives just outside Washington, D.C., is married to Laura Clay Trueman, and has three children, Patrick, Claire, and Elizabeth.
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About Morality In Media: Morality In Media The leading National Organization opposing pornography and indecency through public education and application of the law.
Gary Shapiro
President & CEO of Consumer Technology Association
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About Consumer Technology Association: CTA brings a strong, collective voice to advocate on behalf of the entrepreneurs, technologists and innovators.
Michael Bergman
Vice President, Technology and Standards of Consumer Technology Association
Mike Bergman is vice president of technology and standards at the Consumer Technology Association, where he leads association work on cybersecurity and internet standards. Mike has been involved with the electronics industry for more than 30 years, in chip design, embedded systems, wireless communications and wireless digital multimedia.
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About Consumer Technology Association: CTA brings a strong, collective voice to advocate on behalf of the entrepreneurs, technologists and innovators.
Doug Johnson
Vice President & Emerging Technology of Consumer Technology Association
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About Consumer Technology Association: CTA brings a strong, collective voice to advocate on behalf of the entrepreneurs, technologists and innovators.
Veronica Lancaster
Vice President & Standards Programs of Consumer Technology Association
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About Consumer Technology Association: CTA brings a strong, collective voice to advocate on behalf of the entrepreneurs, technologists and innovators.
Romy Newman
President and Co-Founder of Fairygodboss
Romy Newman is the Co-Founder at Fairygodboss since June 2015. Previously, Romy was the Head of Strategic Partner Development at Chartbeat until April 2015. Until October 2014, Romy was Head of Digital Advertising for The Wall Street Journal, overseeing sales, marketing and operations for The Wall Street Journal Digital Network. Previously, Romy held several management roles at The Wall Street Journal including General Manager of Print, Conferences and Radio, Vice President of Multi-Media Sales and Vice President of Sales Strategy and Operations. During her tenure at The Journal, Romy was proud to be involved in several extremely successful new product development efforts, including WSJ. Magazine, WSJ Weekend, Greater New York and the original groundbreaking WSJ iPad app. Before joining The Journal, Romy held marketing positions at Google and Estee Lauder and was also a strategy consultant for a boutique media firm called Kannon Consulting, where she advised top management for Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post. Romy graduated with a B.A. in American Studies from Yale University and an MBA in Strategy, Finance & Marketing from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
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About Fairygodboss: Fairygodboss is the largest career community for women. Free for women, we help employers recruit and hire women.
Joe T. Stough
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Infirmary Health
Joe Stough dedicates his time building and managing a strong team of experienced healthcare professionals that lead the day-to-day operations of Mobile Infirmary, Thomas Hospital and North Baldwin Infirmary. Additionally, Joe is responsible for cultivating a culture of high reliability and patient safety while implementing new integration strategies for Infirmary Health. He earned a BS degree from the University of Alabama. He later earned a MBA and a MS in Health Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Joe is an experienced, results oriented healthcare executive with accomplishments in senior management positions within healthcare delivery systems. His expertise is in physician relations, clinical and non-clinical hospital operations, process improvement, construction project management and financial management. Amongst his accomplishments are: Tenet of Excellence Award in 2005 and 2006 – the award acknowledged the performance excellence for service, financial performance and quality outcomes. As a team member, he developed and implemented initiatives at North Fulton Medical Center, South Fulton Medical Center and Atlanta Medical Center. Also, he was named team leader to implement C2Q initiatives at Frye Regional Medical Center. Joe’s professional affiliations are as follows: American Heart Association, Organizational Leader, 2007; Kid One Transport, Board Member, 2007 – 2008; Fellow, Tenet Executive Acceleration Program, 2006; Birmingham Business Journal, Top 40 Under 40 recipient, 2006; Alabama Hospital Association, Birmingham Regional Council, 2006; Alabama Foundation for Oncology, 2006 – 2008; March of Dimes, Board Member 2006 – 2007; Adjunct Faculty Member, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2006 – 2008, etc. He currently serves on the board for LifeSouth, and served as the Chairman for the 2014 March for Babies campaign for the March of Dimes in Mobile and Baldwin counties.
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About Infirmary Health: Infirmary Health is the private employer in mobile and the non-governmental healthcare system in Alabama.
Barre Sanders
Executive Vice President Physician Practices of Infirmary Health
With more than 30 years experience in healthcare management, Barre Sanders is currently responsible for Infirmary Medical Clinics, which includes 15 clinic subsidiaries with 25 locations and 112 physicians. He joined Infirmary Health System in 1992 as director of Diagnostic and Medical Clinic. Sanders started his career at Birmingham’s Hillcrest Hospital, a 130-bed acute-care psychiatric hospital, as Business Manager and later Assistant to the Vice President of Finance. In 1982, he joined the staff of Community Hospital in Birmingham. Majoring in Business Administration, Sanders attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Alabama at Huntsville.
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About Infirmary Health: Infirmary Health is the private employer in mobile and the non-governmental healthcare system in Alabama.
Sheila C. Young
Vice President Human Resources of Infirmary Health
Sheila Young is Vice President of Human Resources for Infirmary Health where she has strategic and operational responsibilities for the system’s human resources function. Her avocation includes: benefits and compensation administration; recruitment and retention; employee relations; human resources information system administration; payroll; employee health and wellness for 5,100 system employees and therapy services. A native of Mobile, Sheila received a BA, Administration from the University of Mobile where she became a member of Alpha Sigma Lambda. Sheila has been employed with Infirmary Health for over 30 years. She is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management and the American Society of Healthcare Human Resources Administration. She also serves as a board member for the United Cerebral Palsy, a member of various other civic organizations and is a graduate of the Leadership of Mobile, 2007.
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About Infirmary Health: Infirmary Health is the private employer in mobile and the non-governmental healthcare system in Alabama.
Joseph L. Denton
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Adminstrative Officer of Infirmary Health
Joe Denton was named Chief Financial Officer of Infirmary Health System in 2007, after working in the same capacity at the Health Care Authority for Baptist Health in Montgomery. Denton, whose hometown is Mobile, graduated from the University of South Alabama with a degree in accounting. He earned his CPA certification in 1989 and later received a master’s degree in business administration from Maryville University in St. Louis, Mo. A graduate of Leadership Mobile, Denton participates in a number of Alabama Hospital Association initiatives, including the Task Force for the Future of Medicaid in Alabama. In addition, he formerly served as treasurer of Alabama Maternity, Inc., in Birmingham. He formerly served on the board of Hands on South Alabama and is currently a member of Mobile’s Senior Bowl committee.
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About Infirmary Health: Infirmary Health is the private employer in mobile and the non-governmental healthcare system in Alabama.
Mark Nix
President & Chief Executive Officer of Infirmary Health
Mark Nix leads Infirmary Health in serving the healthcare needs of 11 counties and more than 600,000 residents along the Gulf Coast of Alabama and Mississippi. As President and Chief Executive Officer for Mobile’s largest private employer and the largest nongovernmental, not-for-profit healthcare system in Alabama, Nix embraces the history of the 100-year-old institution while seeking the most advanced technology and innovative services. Nix joined Infirmary Health in 1987. Prior to assuming his current role in 2009, he also served as president and chief operating officer of the system, executive vice president and chief financial officer, vice president of real estate and vice president of Infirmary Medical Clinics. A native of Russellville, AL, Nix graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in accounting. Nix currently serves as a Director on numerous organizational Boards including Mobile Arts and Sports Association (MASA), Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, Regions Bank-South Alabama, UMS-Wright Preparatory School, Leadership Alabama (past Chair), VHA-Southeast and Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center. Nix has previously served on the Board of Directors of Leadership Mobile, Presbyterian Retirement Corporation, Mobile Works, Celebrities for Children, United Way, Mobile Area Water System (Chair) and Boy Scouts of Greater Mobile.
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About Infirmary Health: Infirmary Health is the private employer in mobile and the non-governmental healthcare system in Alabama.
William Admire
Vice President Chief Medical Officer of Infirmary Health
William Admire, D.O., is the Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for Mobile Infirmary and has served Infirmary Health in multiple capacities since joining the organization in 2013. In addition to Chief Medical Officer responsibilities, Dr. Admire continues to work with Infirmary Occupational Health and iHealthy, Infirmary Health’s external wellness program. Dr. Admire holds a Bachelor of Arts from Susquehanna University and Doctor of Osteopathy from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed an internship at Delaware Valley Medical Center and an internal medicine residency at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Penn. Dr. Admire is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. In 2016, Dr. Admire participated in the Institute for Physician Leadership program through the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Admire has numerous professional accomplishments and affiliations including serving with the Mobile Police Department as the police surgeon for 20 years, ProAssurance board member, Infirmary Health physician advisor and claims committee member, Spanish Fort High School team physician, Gulf Coast and SeaBreeze Nursing Home director, Mobile Infirmary and Thomas Hospital ACOM medical director, and as the Alabama Hospital Association physician representative. In his spare time, Dr. Admire enjoys basketball, bicycling and the outdoors.
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About Infirmary Health: Infirmary Health is the private employer in mobile and the non-governmental healthcare system in Alabama.
Steven Tallarida
President & CEO of Primo Medical Group
Mr. Steven J. Tallarida, Steve is a General Partner at Makaira Venture Partners. Mr. Tallarida is a Partner at STD Med, Inc. and serves as its President and Chief Executive Officer. He co-founded Spirus Medical, Inc.(alternate name Olympus Endo Technology America Inc.) in 2005 and serves as its President and Chairman of the Board of Directors. He co-founded Cardiosolutions, Inc. in 2006 and serves as its Chairman and President. He is a Co-Founder of Arthrosurface, Inc., and served as its President. He has experience and is expertise from over 18 years of manufacturing medical products. He serves as the Chairman of Arthrosurface, Inc. He co-founded AngioLink Corporation and serves as a Director. He serves as a Director of Saphena Medical, Inc. He has been named on 12 patents in the fields of cardiology, orthopedics, oncology and hematology. Mr. Tallarida graduated from American University in Washington, D.C. in 1984.
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About Primo Medical Group: Primo Medical Group is a company dedicated to the development and manufacture of medical devices.
Jon Tallarida
Sr. Executive Vice President & Partner of Primo Medical Group
Mr. Jon Tallarid serves as Senior Executive Vice President and Partner of STD Med, Inc. and served as its Vice President. Mr. Tallarida oversees special projects and the procurement department. He joined STD Med, Inc. in 1980.
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About Primo Medical Group: Primo Medical Group is a company dedicated to the development and manufacture of medical devices.
Ronald Murphy
Vice President Investor Relations of Primo Medical Group
Ronald (Ron) Murphy is the C.E.O. at Theromics Inc.
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About Primo Medical Group, Theromics: Primo Medical Group is a company dedicated to the development and manufacture of medical devices.
Andrea Patisteas
Sr. Executive Vice President of Primo Medical Group
Andrea Patisteas, Director. Ms. Patisteas, one of the founders of Cardiosolutions, is currently Senior Executive Vice President at Primo Medical Group, Inc. Ms. Patisteas has worked in the medical device design and manufacturing field for over 27 years. Ms. Patisteas is on the Board of Directors of The Ocular Immunology Foundation an organization dedicated to finding cures for ocular inflammatory disease. She also sits on the Board of Overseers for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay. She holds a B.S. Ed from BSU, and a M.S. in Counseling/Business Support from Northeastern University. Ms. Patisteas is also The CEO and co-founder of Versago Vascular Access, a co-founder of Angiolink, and a co-founder and Director at Arthrosurface Incorporated, Spirus Medical Inc. and Saphena Medical.
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About Arthrosurface, Primo Medical Group, Versago Vascular Access: Primo Medical Group is a company dedicated to the development and manufacture of medical devices.
LeAnn Born
Vice President Supply Chain of Fairview Health Services
LeAnn Born serves as vice president of supply chain for Fairview Health Services. In this role, she has responsibility for the centralized administration of the sourcing, contracting, value analysis, logistics, procure-to-pay, instrument sterilization, vendor management and business enterprise system (PeopleSoft) support teams. Born joined Fairview in 2010 with more than 16 years of experience in health care operations and supply chain leadership roles. Most recently, Born served as vice president of custom contracting services for Novation, the contracting services company of University HealthSystem Consortium, VHA and Provista. In this role, she had responsibility for the company’s custom and regional contracting services, which provided flexible contracting options for individual members or groups of members. In other roles at Novation, Born provided oversight for the organization’s contract process and related work-flow technology, led the member council and task force activities, and had programmatic responsibility for the contracting and program development in laboratory, respiratory, anesthesia, support services, and capital. Prior to joining Novation, Born held several leadership positions during her 12 years of service at Allina Hospitals & Clinics in Minneapolis, including interim vice president of supply chain. She served in other corporate roles as director of material operations, resource manager, standardization consultant, and in operational roles as clinic manager in the Allina Medical Clinic and as administrative fellow and director of Materials Management at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. Prior to joining Allina, Born marketed senior housing options at Walker Methodist. Born holds a master of healthcare administration degree from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and a bachelor of business administration degree in marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
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About Fairview Health Services: Fairview Health Services is an award-winning nonprofit health care system with more than 21,000 employees and 2,300 aligned physicians.
Kenneth Wooden
President Emeritus of Child Lures Prevention
Long before Ken Wooden was known as a child safety expert, he was heralded as a champion for children. During his years as an investigative reporter for network television, Ken’s work consistently focused on issues affecting children, particularly sexual exploitation. Feeling frustrated after years of merely reporting on the problem, Ken decided to proactively search for solutions. A published author with a background in education, he devised a plan to interview convicted sex offenders and abductors. During hundreds of such interviews, Ken uncovered the diverse and imaginative strategies used by sexual predators to entrap their victims. These “lures,” coupled with Ken’s proven prevention techniques, constitute the foundation of all Child Lures Prevention educational materials. Ken recently semi- retired to the role of President Emeritus and is also Child Lures Prevention’s Ambassador for International Child Safety Efforts. He recently visited South Korea, Japan and Ireland to speak and lobby on behalf of children’s safety. Ken works tirelessly to make his vision of a safer world for children a reality.
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About Child Lures Prevention: The nation’s leading child personal safety program. Our mission is to help ensure the personal safety of children.
Rosemary Webb
Co-President of Child Lures Prevention
For the past three decades, Rosemary Wooden Webb has dedicated herself to Primary Prevention efforts – preventing abuse before it happens. As a teen, she lobbied Congress to watch a CBS “Sixty Minutes” segment on child pornography. The piece was based on the investigative reporting of her father, child advocate Ken Wooden, and led to creation of the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation Act of 1977. This was the first federal legislative effort to regulate child pornography and provide funding for survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation. Following college, Rosemary co-founded Child Lures Prevention with her father, Ken Wooden and sister, Jennifer Mitchell in Shelburne, Vermont. Together, they created the Think First & Stay Safe School Program, based on Ken Wooden’s groundbreaking interviews with hundreds of convicted child molesters and the family’s subsequent work in countless classrooms across the country. Rosemary also co-authored the program’s Parent Guide and Student Workbook, which are widely used, both with the school program and independently. The turn-key Think First & Stay Safe™ School Program was the sole prevention program featured at the most recent White House Conference on Missing, Exploited and Runaway Children. It is currently used in thousands of schools and faith-based organizations, as well as by child advocacy centers, youth groups and other child-serving organizations. Rosemary collaborates with these groups, as well as with countless survivors, to bring primary prevention efforts to their communities. She regularly presents at conferences and provides in-service training for school districts.
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About Child Lures Prevention: The nation’s leading child personal safety program. Our mission is to help ensure the personal safety of children.
Norma Lerner
President of The Lerner Foundation
Lerner married Alfred Lerner, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MBNA Corporation, and former Owner and Chairman of the Cleveland Browns, in 1955. They were married 47 years before his passing in 2002. In addition to her role as Director of the Cleveland Clinic, Norma is the Co-Founder of the Lerner Research Institute, Founder of the Cleveland Clinic Lerner School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, Honorary Chair of the Cleveland Clinic Digestive Disease Center Leadership Board and Honorary Member of the Cleveland Clinic Brain Tumor Institute Leadership Board. Norma is the Honorary Chair of the Board of Directors of the Musical Arts Association (Cleveland Orchestra) and a Founding Member of the Marine Corps Heritage Museum. In April 2006, Norma was appointed by President George W. Bush as a Member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, to a five-year term that expired in January 2011. In 2007, Norma was also selected to serve on the United States Holocaust Memorial Council Executive Committee.
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About Case Western Reserve University, Lerner Research Institute, National Museum of the Marine Corps, The Lerner Foundation: The Lerner Foundation supports efforts to raise the post-secondary school aspirations of Maine students.
Adrienne Ropp
Vice President of Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation
Mrs. Ropp has been actively involved with her family’s philanthropy for over a decade, and currently serves as the Vice President of the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation, an organization founded by her grandparents. The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation works to address large-scale sustainability issues in the state of Texas. She also serves on the advisory board for the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts at the University of Houston, an innovative program committed to cultivating collaboration among the performing, visual, and literary arts. For many years, Adrienne was also a member of The Philanthropy Workshop’s Energy Collaborative, a group of donors who worked together to promote sustainable energy services for poverty alleviation in the developing world; this work sparked a passion for supporting social entrepreneurs. Previously, she worked as the Program Director for the Alliance of Civilizations Media Fund and for Cinereach, two organizations committed to promoting cross-cultural understanding through the power of film. Prior to her work in the non-profit sector, she had a career as an actor, working at many top theatre companies, including The Old Globe, Yale Rep, Milwaukee Rep, The Huntington Theatre, The Wilma Theatre, Santa Fe Stages, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, and Theatre for a New Audience. Adrienne received her MFA from the Yale School of Drama in 1999, and holds both a BFA in Acting and a BA in French Literature from Boston University.
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About Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation: The foundation is undergoing a transition and is in the midst of a vigorous planning process that will span the next few years
Joseph Kinnarney
President-Elect of American Veterinary Medical Association
Dr. Joseph H. Kinnarney is a mixed animal practitioner in Reidsville, N.C. and president of the Reidsville Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Kinnarney has been a North Carolina resident since he graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1980. He served as the District lll representative on the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Executive Board from 2007-2013 representing veterinarians in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Dr. Kinnarney’s interest in taking a leadership role in his profession started while he was studying at Cornell. He was the president of the Cornell Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) chapter and president of the national SAVMA. During his time as the national SAVMA president (1979-1980), SAVMA didn’t have a vote on the AVMA House of Delegates (HOD). During his service as North Carolina’s alternative delegate on the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) House of Delegates (HOD) from 1990-1999, he worked to help secure a HOD vote for SAVMA. In 1999, Dr. Kinnarney began serving the first of two terms as AVMA vice president during which time he served as a liaison with veterinary students and recent graduates. He has also served as vice president of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association from 2001-2007, and was 1991 North Carolina Veterinarian of the Year. From 2002 to 2007, Dr. Kinnarney served as North Carolina’s delegate to the AVMA HOD. He was named North Carolina distinguished veterinarian in 2006. Dr. Kinnarney’s love of animals is not restricted to his work as a veterinarian or in service to the AVMA. He has also made headlines for his other interests, which include raising and showing purebred Arabian horses, purebred miniature schnauzers and Scottish terriers. In 1995, a Scottish terrier Dr. Kinnarney co-owned won best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Dr. Kinnarney is also active in his local Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, the Annie Penn Memorial Hospital and church. Dr. Kinnarney has two sons, Joseph William and Jeffrey Patrick.
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About American Veterinary Medical Association: American Veterinary Medical Association is a non-profit association.
Rebecca Stinson
Vice President of American Veterinary Medical Association
Rebecca Stinson is Vice President @ American Veterinary Medical Association.
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About American Veterinary Medical Association: American Veterinary Medical Association is a non-profit association.
Richard Haass
President of The Council on Foreign Relations
Richard Haass is president of the Council on Foreign Relations, a position he has held for more than a decade. The Council on Foreign Relations is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher dedicated to being a resource for its members, government officials, business executives, journalists, educators and students, civic and religious leaders, and other interested citizens in order to help them better understand the world and the foreign policy choices facing the United States and other countries. Haass is the author or editor of twelve books on American foreign policy and one book on management. His most recent book is Foreign Policy Begins at Home: The Case for Putting America’s House in Order. Haass was the independent chair of the official multi-party panel established in 2013 to address some of the most divisive political issues affecting Northern Ireland. For his efforts to promote peace and resolution there, he received the 2013 Tipperary International Peace Award. From January 2001 to June 2003, Richard Haass was director of policy planning for the Department of State, where he was a principal adviser to Secretary of State Colin Powell. Confirmed by the U.S. Senate to hold the rank of ambassador, Haass also served as U.S. coordinator for policy toward the future of Afghanistan and U.S. envoy to the Northern Ireland peace process. For his efforts, he received the State Department’s Distinguished Honor Award. Haass has extensive additional government experience. From 1989 to 1993, he was special assistant to President George H.W. Bush and senior director for Near East and South Asian affairs on the staff of the National Security Council. In 1991, Haass was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal for his contributions to the development and articulation of U.S. policy during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Previously, he served in the Departments of State (1981–85) and Defense (1979–80) and was a legislative aide in the U.S. Senate. Haass also was vice president and director of foreign policy studies at the Brookings Institution, the Sol M. Linowitz visiting professor of international studies at Hamilton College, a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a lecturer in public policy at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and a research associate at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. A Rhodes scholar, Haass holds a BA from Oberlin College and Master and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Oxford University. He has received honorary degrees from Hamilton College, Franklin & Marshall College, Georgetown University, Oberlin College, Central College, and Miami Dade College. Richard Haass was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1951. He lives in New York City with his wife and two children.
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About The Council on Foreign Relations: Council on Foreign Relations operates as a non-partisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher.
Steve Vairma
Western Region Vice-President of Teamsters
Steve Vairma is Secretary-Treasurer of Local 455 in Denver, President of Joint Council 3 and Western Region Director for the Teamsters Warehouse Division. He has been a Teamster since 1982.
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About Teamsters: Teamsters mission is to organize and educate workers towards a higher standard of living.
Tyson Johnson
International Vice President- South of Teamsters
Tyson Johnson has been a proud Teamster since 1967. During that time, he has served as steward, business agent and an officer of Local 745 in Dallas. He got his first Teamster job in 1967 on the dock at Yellow Freight. He became a business agent for Local 745 in 1979. He served as an officer, including Secretary-Treasurer, of Local 745 from 1985 until 2003. Since then, he has devoted all his energy to his duties as an International Vice President and as the Director of the Teamsters Freight Division and Trustee of the Southern Region Pension Trust.
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About Teamsters, Teamsters: Teamsters mission is to organize and educate workers towards a higher standard of living.
John Murphy
Vice-President of Teamsters
John Murphy has been an Eastern Region Vice President since 1998. He spearheaded merger negotiations with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes and now serves as Director of the Rail Conference. Murphy has also been the Secretary-Treasurer of Local 122 in Boston since 1980. Murphy also serves as union co-chair of the Teamsters National 401(k) Plan and a Trustee on the union’s employee benefit funds. He has been a Teamster since 1969.
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About Teamsters: Teamsters mission is to organize and educate workers towards a higher standard of living.
Rome Aloise
International Vice President- At Large of Teamsters
Rome Aloise has been a dedicated Teamster since June 1968, having served in multiple positions of leadership. He serves as Secretary-Treasurer of Local 853 in San Leandro, Calif., Chairman of the Teamsters Health and Welfare Fund in California, Trustee of the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust Fund and President of Joint Council 7 in San Francisco.
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About Teamsters: Teamsters mission is to organize and educate workers towards a higher standard of living.
Kevin Moore
President of Teamsters
Kevin Moore is President of Local 299 in Detroit, Trustee of Joint Council 43 and Director of the Local 299 Political Action Committee. He has been a Teamster since 1982.
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About Teamsters: Teamsters mission is to organize and educate workers towards a higher standard of living.
Ferline Buie
International Vice President- At Large of Teamsters
Ferline Buie, who has been a Teamsters since 1966, has built a reputation for integrity and hard work. Her leadership skills have led to her repeated election as President of Local 922 in Washington, D.C. and President of Joint Council 55. She previously was a shop steward for 22 years at Hertz Rent-A-Car. She is also an advisor to the Teamsters Human Rights Commission.
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About Teamsters: Teamsters mission is to organize and educate workers towards a higher standard of living.
James Hoffa
General President of Teamsters
James P. Hoffa has been on a mission—to build the Teamsters Union into the strongest, most powerful voice in North America for working families—and he is well on his way to achieving this goal. Under Hoffa’s leadership, the Teamsters Union is winning industry-leading contracts, engaging in vigorous contract enforcement and organizing the unorganized. Teamster positions on the issues of the day—from unsafe Mexican trucks to misguided trade policies—now hold sway in Washington’s power corridors. Hoffa has spent a lifetime preparing for the challenge of running the Teamsters Union. He knows, first-hand, what Teamsters can accomplish when they are united. He is leading a Union that is a credit to its proud history. Hoffa is recognized as one of the foremost authorities on Union issues. As the most visible and outspoken critic of government trade policies and anti-worker corporate agendas, Hoffa is recognized as a leader on issues that affect working people. James P. Hoffa grew up on picket lines and in union meetings. He is the only son of James R. Hoffa, former General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Prior to becoming Administrative Assistant to Michigan Joint Council 43, Hoffa was a labor lawyer in Detroit for 25 years. This year, he will pass his father as the second-longest serving Teamsters General President. Hoffa was elected to his third term in 2011.
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About Teamsters: Teamsters mission is to organize and educate workers towards a higher standard of living.
James Hoffa
General President of Teamsters
James P. Hoffa has been on a mission—to build the Teamsters Union into the strongest, most powerful voice in North America for working families—and he is well on his way to achieving this goal. Under Hoffa’s leadership, the Teamsters Union is winning industry-leading contracts, engaging in vigorous contract enforcement and organizing the unorganized. Teamster positions on the issues of the day—from unsafe Mexican trucks to misguided trade policies—now hold sway in Washington’s power corridors. Hoffa has spent a lifetime preparing for the challenge of running the Teamsters Union. He knows, first-hand, what Teamsters can accomplish when they are united. He is leading a Union that is a credit to its proud history. Hoffa is recognized as one of the foremost authorities on Union issues. As the most visible and outspoken critic of government trade policies and anti-worker corporate agendas, Hoffa is recognized as a leader on issues that affect working people. James P. Hoffa grew up on picket lines and in union meetings. He is the only son of James R. Hoffa, former General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Prior to becoming Administrative Assistant to Michigan Joint Council 43, Hoffa was a labor lawyer in Detroit for 25 years. This year, he will pass his father as the second-longest serving Teamsters General President. Hoffa was elected to his third term in 2011.
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About Teamsters: Teamsters mission is to organize and educate workers towards a higher standard of living.
William Karol
President & CEO of KODA Enterprises Group
William Karol is a President & CEO at KODA Enterprises Group.
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About KODA Enterprises Group: KODA Enterprises Group acquires companies which are or have the potential to be market leaders.
Beverly Jones
Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of ASPCA – American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
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About ASPCA – American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, University of Florida: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing cruelty towards animals.
Jacqueline E. Hallberg
President & Chief Executive Officer of Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin
In May 2012 the Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin (Goodwill) selected Jacqueline (Jackie) Hallberg to succeed John L. Miller as Goodwill’s next President and CEO. She assumed those duties on January 1, 2013. Goodwill is a non-profit organization with a mission to provide training, employment and supportive services to individuals with disabilities and disadvantages that are seeking greater independence. Goodwill’s service territory includes southeastern Wisconsin and the metropolitan Chicago area. In 2017, Goodwill had operating revenue of $312 million and over 6,200 employees. Jackie has more than twenty years experience developing and implementing innovative workforce development programs and leading large-scale operations that provide employment, training and advancement for individuals with disabilities and disadvantages. Jackie has a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Jackie joined Goodwill in 1990 as the Manager of Programs and Administrative Operations in Kenosha and Waukesha Counties. In 1996 she was promoted to Director of Kenosha County, WI and Lake County, IL Programs and played a key role in the development and oversight of Goodwill’s operations at the nationally recognized Kenosha County Job Center, the nation’s first one-stop job center.
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About Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin: Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin’s mission is to provide training, employment and supportive services for people.
Joan B. Farrell
Vice President & General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin
Senior Vice President, Chief Risk Officer at CoVantage Credit Union.
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About CoVantage Credit Union, Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin: Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin’s mission is to provide training, employment and supportive services for people.
Greg Kahn
CEO & President of Internet of Things Consortium
Greg is President & CEO, Internet of Things Consortium (IoTC), which is comprised of leading hardware, software and analytics companies – in areas including home automation, wearables, virtual/augmented reality, connected cars, smart cities and 3D printing – dedicated to the growth and sustainability of the IoT marketplace. Greg is also founder and CEO of IoT strategic advisory firm GK Digital Media. A 20-year media industry veteran at companies such as Meredith, Viacom, Publicis Groupe, and Omnicom, Greg has been honored with both Advertising Age’s Media Maven and Mediaweek’s All-Star awards. He earned his MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He lives in Princeton, NJ with his wife and two children.
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About GK Digital Media, Guggenheim Museum, Internet of Things Consortium: Premier IoT trade association connecting a global ecosystem of leading companies building the Internet of Things
René Grossrieder
Senior Vice President, Global Sales (Membership) of TSIA
René Grossrieder is the senior vice president, global membership and partner development for TSIA. He is responsible for new membership acquisition, sales operations, and works closely with TSIA’s marketing department to create additional value for existing members and provide the best overall user experience. René has more than 25 years of high-tech experience working for both global Fortune 500 companies and emerging technology companies. Prior to joining TSIA, he served as the executive vice president, worldwide sales for a notification software company with responsibilities that included both global direct and channel sales, as well as operations. He has also held a variety of executive positions, including the vice president of sales, global marketing and channels for Twisted Pair Solutions, a VoIP software company acquired by Motorola Solutions, as well as the vice president of sales for DecisionPoint Software, a data analytics software company that has since been acquired by Teradata. Previously, he held sales and management positions in the medical device firm US Surgical and for the computer systems firm NCR Corporation. He holds an MBA from MIT’s Sloan School of Management and a B.A. in business from the University of Washington. René also holds certificates from programs at Stanford University that include finance and accounting, as well as the executive program for growth companies.
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About MIR3, TSIA: TSIA is a research and advisory firm on a mission to help technology companies strategically leverage services to drive profitable growth.
John Ragsdale
Distinguished Researcher, Vice President of Technology Ecosystems of TSIA
John Ragsdale is vice president of technology and social research for the Technology Services Industry Association (TSIA). His area of expertise is in creating strategies for improving the service operations and overall customer experience by leveraging innovative technology. Ragsdale drives TSIA’s highly regarded technology research agenda, delivering insightful, thought-leadership research and analysis on the most pressing business issues facing services leaders to enable them to better plan and execute their service strategies. Prior to joining TSIA, Ragsdale spent over six years at Forrester Research as vice president and research director. During his career, he has held product management and marketing positions at various service and support technology vendors, including Clarify, Answer Systems, Platinum Technologies, and Nortel Networks. He has been involved in customer service throughout his career, including over 10 years managing both the internal and external customer support organizations for a global retailer. In 2012, Ragsdale released his first book, Lessons Unlearned, which chronicles his 25-year career inside the customer service industry. Filled with best and worst practices, insider gossip, and sometimes-shocking real-world stories, Lessons Unlearned helps support managers, company executives, and even customers improve service interactions.
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About TSIA: TSIA is a research and advisory firm on a mission to help technology companies strategically leverage services to drive profitable growth.
Bo Di Muccio
Vice President, PS Research and TSIA Advisory Delivery of TSIA
Bo Di Muccio, Ph.D., is the vice president of research and advisory services for the Technology Services Industry Association (TSIA), and the chairperson of the TSIA Professional Services Advisory Board. Previously he served as the senior director of research and advisory services for TPSA. Di Muccio is responsible for developing and delivering research and advisory programs that are focused on helping executives to build and optimize professional services in many of the world’s leading technology companies. He has nearly 15 years of experience in technology industry research, analysis, and consulting, including experience in hardware, software, and services. Prior to TPSA, he was the program manager for consulting services research at International Data Corporation (IDC). He also had a lengthy tenure at Deloitte Consulting, where he served several business units in a variety of roles, including services strategy and marketing, market research, competitive intelligence, and client service. He also held market research roles at AltaVista Company and Compaq Computer Corporation prior to his tenure at Deloitte. Di Muccio earned his masters and doctoral degrees in international political economy from the School of International Relations at the University of Southern California and was a tenure-track faculty member of the University of Florida’s Department of Political Science prior to beginning his career in the technology sector.
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About TSIA: TSIA is a research and advisory firm on a mission to help technology companies strategically leverage services to drive profitable growth.
John Ragsdale
Distinguished Researcher, Vice President of Technology Ecosystems of TSIA
John Ragsdale is vice president of technology and social research for the Technology Services Industry Association (TSIA). His area of expertise is in creating strategies for improving the service operations and overall customer experience by leveraging innovative technology. Ragsdale drives TSIA’s highly regarded technology research agenda, delivering insightful, thought-leadership research and analysis on the most pressing business issues facing services leaders to enable them to better plan and execute their service strategies. Prior to joining TSIA, Ragsdale spent over six years at Forrester Research as vice president and research director. During his career, he has held product management and marketing positions at various service and support technology vendors, including Clarify, Answer Systems, Platinum Technologies, and Nortel Networks. He has been involved in customer service throughout his career, including over 10 years managing both the internal and external customer support organizations for a global retailer. In 2012, Ragsdale released his first book, Lessons Unlearned, which chronicles his 25-year career inside the customer service industry. Filled with best and worst practices, insider gossip, and sometimes-shocking real-world stories, Lessons Unlearned helps support managers, company executives, and even customers improve service interactions.
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About TSIA: TSIA is a research and advisory firm on a mission to help technology companies strategically leverage services to drive profitable growth.
Jeff Hemphill
Vice President & Chief Technical Officer of Schaeffler Group
Jeff Hemphill is Vice President and Chief Technical Officer of the Schaeffler Group in North America. He is responsible for new product development, analysis and testing of transmission, engine, chassis, and industrial components and systems for conventional and hybrid vehicles as well as consumer products and industrial machine products. A member of SAE International since 1998, Mr. Hemphill has a BSME from The University of Akron, which he earned while working as a machinist and cooperative education student. He also earned an Executive Certificate in Strategy and Innovation from MIT which has proven useful in leading innovation efforts for the Schaeffler Group in NA. His product development experience covers 25 years and includes manufacturing engineering, product design, testing, and vehicle development experience. Mr. Hemphill has more than 70 patents filed or issued.
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About : The Schaeffler Technologies is a privately owned major manufacturer of rolling element bearings for automotive.
Sundaram Ramesh
Vice President of Educational of Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers
Sundaram Ramesh is Member of the Board of Director & Vice President of Educational at IEEE in 2016.
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About California State University, California State University, Northridge, Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers: IEEE is a professional association of engineers focused on advancing technological innovation and excellence.
Karen Bartleson
President-Elect of Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers
Karen Bartleson is President-Elect at IEEE. She is Member of the Board of Directors at IEEE from 2016.
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About Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers: IEEE is a professional association of engineers focused on advancing technological innovation and excellence.
Sheila Hemami
Vice President of Publications Products and Services of Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers
Sheila Hemami is Member of the Board of Directors & Vice President of Publications Products and Services at IEEE in 2016.
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About Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Triple Ring Technologies: IEEE is a professional association of engineers focused on advancing technological innovation and excellence.
Wai Wong
Vice President of Member & Geographic Activities of Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers
Wai Wong is Member of the Board of Directors & Vice President of Member & Geographic Activities at IEEE in 2016.
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About Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers: IEEE is a professional association of engineers focused on advancing technological innovation and excellence.
Jose Moura
Vice President of Technical Activities of Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers
Jose Moura is Member of the Board of Directors & Vice President of Technical Activities at IEEE in 2016.
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About Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers: IEEE is a professional association of engineers focused on advancing technological innovation and excellence.
Jose Moura
Vice President of Technical Activities of Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers
Jose Moura is Member of the Board of Directors & Vice President of Technical Activities at IEEE in 2016.
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About Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers: IEEE is a professional association of engineers focused on advancing technological innovation and excellence.
Amos Wilnai
President of Amos & Ruth Wilnai Foundation
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About Amos & Ruth Wilnai Foundation: Amos & Ruth Wilnai Foundation
Diane Ott Whealy
Co-founder & Vice President of Seed Savers
Diane Ott Whealy co-founded Seed Savers Exchange with Kent Whealy in 1975. She has been a national leader in the heirloom seed movement and a strong advocate for the protection of the earth’s rare genetic food stocks for over 36 years. In 1986 she helped develop Heritage Farm, SSE’s scenic 890-acre headquarters near Decorah, Iowa to maintain and display endangered varieties. Today she is a featured speaker at garden shows and botanical gardens throughout the country. In June 2011, she published “Gathering: Memoir of a Seed Saver”, which tells the story of how SSE has grown from a small coterie of passionate gardeners to one of the most active and effective seed saving organizations in the world.
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About Seed Savers: Seed Savers Exchange is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), member supported organization.
Leyla Ahari
Executive Assistant to the President of Simons Foundation
Leyla Ahari joined the Simons Foundation in 2013, bringing with her experience in both the corporate and academic research worlds. Previously, Ahari served as executive assistant to the CEO and founder of Humanscale Corporation. Before that, Ahari worked at Rockefeller University in New York as executive assistant to Paul Greengard, head of the Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience. Ahari holds a B.A. from Barnard College.
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About Simons Foundation: Simons Foundation is a private foundation funding research in mathematics and the basic sciences.
Patricia Weisenfeld
Vice President of Special Initiatives of Simons Foundation
Patty Weisenfeld’s work at the Simons Foundation involves working with the board, grantees and members of the community to manage and enhance the impact of the Simons family’s philanthropic efforts and the discretionary grant making of the foundation. Weisenfeld brings a broad range of experience in not-for-profit management with a focus on women’s health and organizational development. Prior to joining the staff in March 2008, she spent ten years in Southeast Asia on assignments for Pathfinder International, Planned Parenthood, the Asian Development Bank, the World Health Organization and the United Nations. Previously, she had served as vice president of operations at Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic. Weisenfeld holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and a master’s degree in public administration from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service.
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About Simons Foundation: Simons Foundation is a private foundation funding research in mathematics and the basic sciences.
Marion Greenup
Vice President of Administration of Simons Foundation
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About Simons Foundation: Simons Foundation is a private foundation funding research in mathematics and the basic sciences.
Marilyn Simons
President of Simons Foundation
Marilyn Hawrys Simons is the president of the Simons Foundation. Under her leadership the foundation has grown rapidly since its inception in 1994 to become one of the country’s leading private funders of basic scientific research. Simons also has more than 25 years of experience actively supporting nonprofit organizations in New York City and Long Island. In addition to her work to advance basic science research, Simons has been involved in K-12 education for underserved communities. Simons is vice president of the board of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, an outstanding U.S. research facility specializing in molecular biology and genetics.She is treasurer of the board of the LearningSpring School, a New York City school for children ages 5-14 with diagnoses on the autism spectrum. She is also a member of the board of trustees at the East Harlem Tutorial Program, an after-school program in New York City. Simons received a B.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from The State University of New York at Stony Brook.
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About Simons Foundation: Simons Foundation is a private foundation funding research in mathematics and the basic sciences.
Neil Jacob
Executive Vice President of Oxford Properties Group
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About Oxford Properties Group: Oxford’s team of 1,700 individuals takes a hands-on approach to the investment, development and management of our global property portfolio.
Rick Anderson
Executive Vice President of Global Media of PGA TOUR
Rick Anderson is a Executive Vice President of Global Media at PGA TOUR.COM.
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About PGA TOUR: The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main professional golf tours played primarily by men in the United States and North America.
Mark Malaspina
President of CFY
Mark is responsible for driving CFY’s program innovations and research agenda and for deepening CFY’s relationships with school districts, software partners, and education organizations. Since joining CFY in May 2009, Mark has led the development of PowerMyLearning, CFY’s new K-12 learning platform, and he has overseen major enhancements to the Digital Learning Program, CFY’s partnership program with high poverty middle schools. As the former President of The Grow Network, an education company he co-founded in 2000 and sold to McGraw-Hill in 2004, Mark brings strong experience in education to this role. Under Mark’s leadership, Grow served more than 20 million students in the U.S. and internationally and demonstrated its impact in differentiated instruction and parent engagement through studies by nationally recognized research organizations, such as the Consortium for Policy Research in Education and the Center for Children & Technology. At Grow, Mark helped develop a patented analytical system that infers students’ strengths and needs in order to support effective instruction. Mark also has broad experience working with low-income communities. As a Skadden Fellow at the Lawyers Alliance for New York, Mark provided guidance to local organizations developing innovative economic development programs in low-income neighborhoods. Since 2000, he has served on the board of the New York City Financial Network Action Consortium, a CDFI Intermediary that supports community development credit unions. Previously, Mark has worked with public housing tenant organizations in Atlanta and New Haven and helped establish small business lending programs in Chicago. He served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Coto Brus, Costa Rica, and is fluent in Spanish. After receiving his J.D. from Yale Law School, Mark clerked for Judge Phyllis Kravitch on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He also has an M.P.A. in Economics and Public Policy from Princeton University and a B.A. from Yale College, where he received the Hadley Prize for outstanding scholarship in the Social Sciences.
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About CFY: CFY is a national nonprofit organization that helps students, teachers and parents use digital learning to improve educational outcomes.
David Anderson
President SEMI Americas of SEMI
As President of SEMI Americas, David Anderson leads SEMI’s activities in the Americas. Anderson has P&L responsibility as well as ownership of all Americas region programs and events, including SEMICON West. He is responsible for establishing industry Standards, advocacy, community development, expositions, and programs. He manages and nurtures relationships with SEMI members in the region as well as with local association and constituents in industry, government, and academia. Anderson has held leadership positions at Fairchild Semiconductor, National Semiconductor, the Semiconductor Industry Suppliers Association, and SEMATECH, where he helped launch the global ISMI (International SEMATECH Manufacturing Initiative) effort. Most recently, Anderson was CEO and chairman of Novati Technologies, a specialty manufacturing fab and provider of semiconductor and related process technology development and commercialization services. Prior to that, he held executive leadership positions for development foundries ATDF and SVTC Technologies. Anderson has a BS MSE from Purdue University and an MBA from Nasson College with advanced Doctoral studies in Industrial Engineering at Arizona State University.
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About SEMI: SEMI is the global industry association serving the manufacturing supply chain for the micro- and nano-electronics industries
Elsa Berry
President of the Board, NY Chapter of French American Chamber of Commerce
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About French American Chamber of Commerce, Vendome Global Partners: French-American Chamber of Commerce in New York is a member of the Union des Chambres de Commerce.
Flore Kanmacher
Board Member, Vice President and Secretary of French American Chamber of Commerce
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About FaBB, French American Chamber of Commerce: French-American Chamber of Commerce in New York is a member of the Union des Chambres de Commerce.
Leticia Towns
Senior Vice President – Chief Administrative Officer of Regional One Health
Leticia Towns is Senior Vice President of Advocacy and External Relations with Regional One Health (Memphis, Tennessee). Leticia has more than 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors, beginning her career in State Government with the Tennessee Departments of Human Services and Health. Leticia began her career in healthcare management in the early 1990s and has served in senior executive roles in community not-for-profit, rural and urban academic delivery settings in Illinois, Georgia and South Carolina. Leticia has a strong background in healthcare management and leadership. Leticia’s administrative responsibilities have included: support services operations, human resources management, medical staff services, guest services, pastoral care and community and government relations. A Memphis native, Leticia received her Bachelor’s degree from Tennessee State University and her Master’s degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Certified in healthcare management, Leticia is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), Delegate on the American Hospital Association (AHA) Regional Policy Board 4 and Member of ACHE’s Management Series Editorial Board and Memphis Rotary. Leticia’s past service includes Chair, ACHE Examination Committee, 2009 ACHE Service Award Recipient, UAB Programs in Health Administration Board of Directors and AHA Metropolitan Hospitals Governing Council Nominating Committee.
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About Regional One Health: Non-profit, philanthropic organization creating awareness and financial support for the Regional One Health family of healthcare services.
Troy Flanagan
Vice President of State & Local Government Affairs of American Hotel & Lodging Association
Troy Flanagan is Vice President of State & Local Government Affairs at American Hotel & Lodging Association.
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About American Hotel & Lodging Association, American Hotel & Lodging Association, American Hotel & Lodging Association: AH&LA is the sole national association representing all segments of the 1.8 million-employee lodging industry.
Brian Crawford
Executive Vice President & Departmental Head, Government Affairs of American Hotel & Lodging Association
Brian Crawford is Vice President of Government & Political Affairs at American Hotel & Lodging Association.
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About American Hotel & Lodging Association, American Hotel & Lodging Association, American Hotel & Lodging Association: AH&LA is the sole national association representing all segments of the 1.8 million-employee lodging industry.
Rosanna Maietta
EVP Communications & Public Relations (AHLA); President & CEO AHLA Foundation (AHLAF) of American Hotel & Lodging Association
Rosanna Maietta is Senior Vice President of Communications & Public Relations at American Hotel & Lodging Association.
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About American Hotel & Lodging Association, American Hotel & Lodging Association: AH&LA is the sole national association representing all segments of the 1.8 million-employee lodging industry.
Chandler Smith
Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Communications of American Hotel & Lodging Association
Chandler Smith is Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Communications at American Hotel & Lodging Association.
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About American Hotel & Lodging Association: AH&LA is the sole national association representing all segments of the 1.8 million-employee lodging industry.
Katie Moore
Vice President, Conventions & Events of American Hotel & Lodging Association
Katie Moore is Director of Conventions & Events at American Hotel & Lodging Association.
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About American Hotel & Lodging Association: AH&LA is the sole national association representing all segments of the 1.8 million-employee lodging industry.
Jacob Hornberger
Founder and President of The Future of Freedom Foundation
Jacob G. Hornberger is founder and president of The Future of Freedom Foundation. He was born and raised in Laredo, Texas, and received his B.A. in economics from Virginia Military Institute and his law degree from the University of Texas. He was a trial attorney for twelve years in Texas. He also was an adjunct professor at the University of Dallas, where he taught law and economics. In 1987, Mr. Hornberger left the practice of law to become director of programs at the Foundation for Economic Education. He has advanced freedom and free markets on talk-radio stations all across the country as well as on Fox News’ Neil Cavuto and Greta van Susteren shows and he appeared as a regular commentator on Judge Andrew Napolitano’s show Freedom Watch.
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About The Future of Freedom Foundation: The Future of Freedom Foundation was founded in 1989 by FFF president Jacob Hornberger with the aim of establishing an educational
Bart Frazier
Vice President of The Future of Freedom Foundation
Bart Frazier is program director at The Future of Freedom Foundation.
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About The Future of Freedom Foundation: The Future of Freedom Foundation was founded in 1989 by FFF president Jacob Hornberger with the aim of establishing an educational
Manipal Dhariwal
President of Startup Accelerator Chamber of Commerce
A first generation entrepreneur, a regions success story, an inspiration to many young aspiring and established entrepreneurs, Manipal Dhariwal is a Serial entrepreneur who has really created a footprint of excellence in the IT business in Chandigarh & Punjab region. Employees over 1500 employees indirectly in India/USA. An NRI, who moved back to his soil with an intent to see the region grow to its maximum potential. With contributing business investments of over 50 crores in the region, Mr. Dhariwal successfully created over 400 direct jobs and around 2000 indirect jobs. Along with his ongoing business, Mr. Dhariwal is steering the SACC India Chapter as its serving President.
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About Netsmartz, Startup Accelerator Chamber of Commerce: A group of like minded, selfless entrepreneurs, professionals committed to bring a change in developing the Startup eco-system in Punjab.
Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet
Co-Founder & Vice President of Program Development and Training of My Digital TAT2
Gloria has been a school social worker, educator, and program developer since 1981. She has served as a lecturer in the Graduate Program of Social Work at San Jose State University for 20 years. Gloria is a strong believer in the importance of working with educators, parents, and students to create safe, inclusive environments online and offline. Gloria has worked in educational settings advocating for children and families throughout her career. Gloria is bicultural and the parent of three sons.
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About My Digital TAT2: My Digital TAT2 is to facilitate conversations that inspire thoughtful and ethical online behavior by teaching educators, parents.
