Facilitators

John T. Childress is an experienced business leader who has excelled at both starting businesses and working within existing businesses to help them grow. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Rutgers University School of Business. John began his career with Domino’s Pizza becoming one of the first African American Franchisees in the 4,000 store chain and consistently ranking at the top of sales in his region. In 2002, John established his own business management consulting firm, Childress Business Consulting, which has helped many small businesses and non-profits increase their revenues and manage their business. CBC specializes in developing strategic direction and implementation for businesses and individuals.

Kevin Collins is resident of KMC Coaching and Consulting Inc, Kevin has a 20+ year record of success and achievement in the Information Technology Industry. KMC Coaching and Consulting Inc leverages that experience to deliver individual, group and organizational results. An experienced executive and manager, Kevin Collins has recruited and built high performance teams and consulting organizations. He has done this by focusing on developing key strategies, attitudes and skills that allow individuals and organizations to adapt to change and seize growth opportunities. Kevin’s combines this capability with the knowledge and experience of successfully introducing and growing a variety of technology based products and services in new markets. Kevin is an Advisor and Executive Coach to the CEO’s and Senior executives of fast growing technology, healthcare and professional service companies.

Stefan Doering consults Fortune 500 executives, entrepreneurs, and intrapreneurs helping them define and achieve their sustainability goals. One of the five companies he has started was Earth General. In 1991 it was one of the first “green” retail stores where in seven years he grew it to being one of the largest in the country. He is an instructor with Columbia University’s Center for Environmental Research and Conservation’s education and training programs, teaching Environmental Entrepreneurism and Environmental Intrapreneurism to professionals in the corporate, financial, government and public sectors.

Dawn Fotopulos is Assistant Professor of Business at The King's College in New York City. She has spent over twenty years as a senior banking executive and serial entrepreneur launching over eighty businesses and product lines in six industries. She earned her Bachelor's of Science Degree from Cornell University and her Master in Business Management with distinction, from New York University.

Lynn Zuckerman Gray is Founder and CEO of Campus Scout, LLC, a provider of strategic campus-recruiting services, Career Coaching for Generation Y and Millennial Management Coaching for employers. Lynn has a long history in real estate finance most recently with Lehman Brothers/Barclays where she served as the Real Estate Group’s Global Chief Administrative Officer. A graduate of Tufts University and Cornell Law School, Lynn serves on the Advisory Board of the Cornell Real Estate Program and is an Adjunct Professor at NYU and Fordham. She has written and lectured extensively on real estate, entrepreneurship and talent management topics.

Sandra Holtzman, founder of Holtzman Communications, is an award-winning creative director and strategist. She’s been working with startups (from entrepreneurs to divisions in Fortune 500 firms) for over 20 years. Her proprietary solutions help companies and products get to market quickly with high ROI. Sandra is the author of Lies Startups Tell Themselves to Avoid Marketing. She is Chair of the NY Chapter of the Licensing Executives Society. In addition to starting her own company, she has founded other companies, one with a successful exit, and organizations including CleanTech Corridor. She speaks extensively about startups worldwide.

Larry Kaplan has 30 years of experience in consulting and sales primarily in the financial services industry. He started his career in large corporations, IBM and Accenture, but was driven to start-ups within those organizations before moving to new ventures. He was Vice President of Sales for two web based consulting firms funded by venture capital that were acquired. He has an MBA from Duke University.

Sevanne Kassarjian supports clients to expand their repertoire. Diverse clients include The Wharton School, HULT International, Miraval Resort, Global Business Network, San Diego Police Department, Learning Annex, Institute for Intelligent Behavior and The Possibility Project. Sevanne has also taught at Brown University, The Taft School and The University of California, San Diego. Facilitating Fast Trac New Venture and Growth Venture at the Levin Institute since the first programs Sevanne continues to work with independent clients around the world.

Marianne Kosits' expertise centers on forming and remediating alliances to reduce friction, foster innovation and create value. Marianne assists start up firms in forming adaptable organizational structures and processes that promote growth and sustainability. She also helps established enterprises adjust their approach to alliance relationships. Her diverse background as founder of three successful entrepreneurial ventures combined with over 30 years experience working with multi-national corporations uniquely positions Marianne to work with enterprises large and small in identifying innovative solutions to contemporary business challenges.

Judith Katz consults with businesses and nonprofits helping them craft the strategies and operational plans vital to achieving their goals. Her expertise in finance, marketing and organizational design provides her with the skills and experience to address a broad range of business issues. Her experience includes positions as a senior corporate manager and as an entrepreneur in diverse industries. Ms. Katz fulfills her passion for transforming education for all students, particularly those who are disadvantaged, through her service on a charter school board.

Franne McNeal, Significant Business Results Coach, helps entrepreneurs increase sales, improve cash flow, reduce expenses and enhance profits. Over 6000 small business owners have grown their businesses based on her proven coaching techniques (85% of her clients have gained 3 new clients within 90 days coaching). Franne's clients have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Inc Magazine, Business Week, and the New York Times. Franne provides informed coaching, strategic thinking and proven process expertise. Franne McNeal is a serial entrepreneur, business author, international keynote speaker, and business plan competition judge. Franne McNeal earned a BA from Princeton University.

Jeri Quinn is President of Driving IR, a firm that works with stuck or inspired organizations and individuals to develop the Improved Results they seek in long term profitability, employee engagement, market dominance, and competitive advantage. As an author, speaker, coach/consultant, business owner, therapist and educator, she has been developing potential in individuals and organizations for nearly 40 years, accumulating knowledge of more than 30 industries. She uses metaphors such as the Dance of Business™ and the Dancing/Driving Duality™ to reinforce concepts and engage participants. Jeri graduated from Lycoming College Magna Cum Laude, and received her Masters Degree from New York University.

Gregory Reaves is high level business leader and Principal, Managing Member of Mosaic Development Partners. He has over 20 years of executive level management experience in the Pharmaceutical and Real Estate industries. He has expertise in Community Relations, Media Relations, Government Affairs, Sales and Marketing, Commercial Real estate development, and recruiting. Mr. Reaves currently is a managing partner for a successful commercial development company, and in the past has served as Vice President of Operations, Marketing, Leasing, Public Affairs and New Business Development for The Goldenberg Group, a large Philadelphia based real estate development company. He also served as Vice President, Communications and Policy, MERCK & CO., INC, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world and led worldwide media relations for the company.

Steve Roehm is an executive education, facilitation, and strategic innovation consulting expert who has helped business leaders in all parts of the globe integrate innovation, strategy, and execution to help their organizations achieve greater success. As founder of his own company, in his work as an IBM line operations executive, and as a senior consulting faculty member of IBM’s Executive Business Institute, Steve brings real-world practicality to his consulting. His framework for discussing, evaluating, and selecting successful innovative products, services, and business models has been used worldwide to help clients both small and large achieve greater success.

Wendy Scharfman is a professional speaker, communication coach and trainer. She is the founder of Coaching for Effective Communication, a business she created to help her clients become dynamic, confident speakers who can inspire action by delivering a message that matters for all public forums. Wendy specializes in Leadership Training and Team Building, Public Speaking Competencies, Message Refinement and Media Training. She received her M.Ed. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her M.F.A. from the Asolo Conservatory.

Alan Siege, owner and founder of Small Business Management Consulting, has been assisting small businesses and non-profit organizations for over 20 years. SBMC helps companies grow by helping them tell their business story better. Along with his consulting practice – through which he has helped over 100 companies increase their revenue - he is a Kaufman Foundation for Entrepreneurship Certified Facilitator in the Fast Trac Program an adjunct professor in business at the Borough of Manhattan Community College and New York University. He has an MBA in Entrepreneurial Studies from Pace University. Finally, Alan Siege is a professional storyteller and is developing a new business story site featuring the tales of entrepreneurs.

Geri Stengel is president of Ventureneer.com, an online education and peer support service for small businesses making a social impact, including social enterprises and nonprofits, and Stengel Solutions, a strategic planning and marketing firm. She taught Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise at The New School, NYC, co-founded Women’s Leadership Exchange, headed marketing for Dow Jones Information Services and launched Physicians' Online. Geri is a past Vice Chair of Governance Matters, and a past board member of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)-NYC. She currently serves on the board of Praxis Housing Initiative. She is a frequent speaker about entrepreneurship and social enterprise.

Derrick B. Webster, President of Vanguarde Consulting Group is a results-driven entrepreneur holding expertise in the areas of brand management, online marketing, and financial growth planning. In his career, Webster has worked as an innovator and change agent for for-profit and nonprofit organizations alike. From 2003-2006, Webster helped raise several million dollars in public and private funds as an administrator for a NYC-based nonprofit. In the same period, Webster served as board member for several startup firms and was integral in initiating capital raises of $250k or more. His leadership in business and nonprofit service eventually garnered (2) Congressional Awards for Pioneering Technology within Urban Communities (2004 and 2005).