Panelists
John M. Bonhomme
Executive Director, Global Strategic Markets JP Morgan
Executive Director, Global Strategic Markets JP Morgan
John M. Bonhomme is an Executive Director in the Global Strategic Markets group at JP Morgan. He was founder and Managing Partner of Bonwick Capital Partners & BWB Bank. Mr. Bonhomme began working on Wall Street in 1998, with J.P. Morgan in the Leverage Finance Department. In 1999, he was hired by Goldman Sachs & Co. in the investment banking division and moved over to the fixed income division in 2000.
Mr. Bonhomme personally managed relationships with a diverse group of institutional investors including private equity funds, hedge funds, mutual funds, banks, corporations, insurance companies and state funds; client base had in excess of $850 billion under management. He generated trade ideas and helped formulate investment strategies in fixed income securities and derivatives; market a broad range of products including U.S. Treasury and Agency debt obligations, distressed bank loan and bonds, corporate bonds, credit derivatives, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and asset-backed securities. He underwrote, closed and funded $3 billion in private equity transactions. Mr. Bonhomme was COO and Board Strategic Advisor to Eagle National Bank.
He serves on First State Community Loan Fund, Cornell Diversity Council, Strath Haven A Better Chance program Board, Colgate’s Alumni Board of Directors, President Club, Regional Director of Colgate’s Alumni of Color Committee and Board of Trustees of Second Baptist Church. His volunteer work includes sponsoring, mentoring, and academic advising students in the A Better Chance program.
Mr. Bonhomme is a federal licensed registered representative holding professional registrations of NASD Series 6, 7, 24, 63, 79 & 99. Mr. Bonhomme received a M.B.A degree from Cornell University’s Johnson School of Management where he was a Robert Toigo fellow and holds a bachelors degree from Colgate University with Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude, Honors in Philosophy and Religion.
Mr. Bonhomme personally managed relationships with a diverse group of institutional investors including private equity funds, hedge funds, mutual funds, banks, corporations, insurance companies and state funds; client base had in excess of $850 billion under management. He generated trade ideas and helped formulate investment strategies in fixed income securities and derivatives; market a broad range of products including U.S. Treasury and Agency debt obligations, distressed bank loan and bonds, corporate bonds, credit derivatives, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and asset-backed securities. He underwrote, closed and funded $3 billion in private equity transactions. Mr. Bonhomme was COO and Board Strategic Advisor to Eagle National Bank.
He serves on First State Community Loan Fund, Cornell Diversity Council, Strath Haven A Better Chance program Board, Colgate’s Alumni Board of Directors, President Club, Regional Director of Colgate’s Alumni of Color Committee and Board of Trustees of Second Baptist Church. His volunteer work includes sponsoring, mentoring, and academic advising students in the A Better Chance program.
Mr. Bonhomme is a federal licensed registered representative holding professional registrations of NASD Series 6, 7, 24, 63, 79 & 99. Mr. Bonhomme received a M.B.A degree from Cornell University’s Johnson School of Management where he was a Robert Toigo fellow and holds a bachelors degree from Colgate University with Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude, Honors in Philosophy and Religion.
Michael Drexler
Senior Director and Head of Investor Industries, World Economic Forum
Senior Director and Head of Investor Industries, World Economic Forum
Michael is based in New York, where he oversees the community of institutional and private investors. He joined the Forum after nine years at Barclays, where he most recently was Managing Director and Global Head of Strategy, Commercial/Investment Banking and Wealth Management. At Barclays, he also held positions in Principal Investments and Finance as well as Chief of Staff to the Chairman. He joined Barclays Capital in 2002 from McKinsey & Company. Prior to that, Drexler was an academic researcher at Stanford University. He holds a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Oxford and an M.Sc. in Electronic Engineering from the Technical University at Munich.
Johnny Wu
Managing Director, Head of Equities & Funds Structured Markets Sales, Americas, Barclays
Managing Director, Head of Equities & Funds Structured Markets Sales, Americas, Barclays
Johnny Wu is a Managing Director and Head of Equities & Funds Structured Markets Sales, Americas at Barclays. Based in New York, he leads a team responsible for developing and providing structured investment solutions to retail and institutional investors in the Americas, across all asset classes. He also oversees the iPath® Exchange Traded Notes business. Previously, Mr. Wu was Head of the Investor Solutions, Americas. He joined Barclays in 2005 and was a key member in building out the firm’s equity derivative business. Before joining Barclays, he was an equity derivative salesperson in the Structured Equity Group at Bear, Stearns & Co.
Panel Moderators
Katherine D. Brandt
Partner, Thompson Hine LLP
Partner, Thompson Hine LLP
Katherine is the partner-in-charge in the New York office and a former leader of the Commercial & Public Finance group. She focuses her practice on the development, negotiation and documentation of complex commercial loan transactions, private debt, equity and mezzanine placements, structured finance transactions, creditors' rights matters and sales and other dispositions of assets. She serves on Case Western School of Law’s Dean’s Advisory Council, Grove City College’s Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee, was formerly on the Board of Directors of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America and the American Red Cross’ Cleveland Chapter.
She was named as one of America's Leading Lawyers for Business in Banking & Finance, Ohio, 2009 to 2011 by Chambers USA, selected for inclusion in New York Super Lawyers magazine for Securities & Corporate Finance and Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights practice areas, was the recipient of the Jack Kennedy Memorial Alumni Achievement Award from Grove City College, 2012, named to Grove City College Athletic Hall of Fame (2010) received the Cleveland YWCA Woman of Achievement Award (2000) and was a Fellow of the Ohio State Bar Foundation (1997), received the Ohio State Bar Foundation Award for Community Service by Lawyers 40 & Under (1997) and the Cleveland YWCA Women of Professional Excellence Award (1995). Kathie is admitted to the bar in the states of Ohio and New York. She has a BS in Engineering from Grove City College and a JD from Case Western Reserve University’s School of Law where she served on the Law Review.
She was named as one of America's Leading Lawyers for Business in Banking & Finance, Ohio, 2009 to 2011 by Chambers USA, selected for inclusion in New York Super Lawyers magazine for Securities & Corporate Finance and Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights practice areas, was the recipient of the Jack Kennedy Memorial Alumni Achievement Award from Grove City College, 2012, named to Grove City College Athletic Hall of Fame (2010) received the Cleveland YWCA Woman of Achievement Award (2000) and was a Fellow of the Ohio State Bar Foundation (1997), received the Ohio State Bar Foundation Award for Community Service by Lawyers 40 & Under (1997) and the Cleveland YWCA Women of Professional Excellence Award (1995). Kathie is admitted to the bar in the states of Ohio and New York. She has a BS in Engineering from Grove City College and a JD from Case Western Reserve University’s School of Law where she served on the Law Review.
Janet C. Salazar
CEO and Founder, IMPACT Leadership 21™
Creator, Conversations with Men™
CEO and Founder, IMPACT Leadership 21™
Creator, Conversations with Men™
Janet C. Salazar, the CEO and Founder of IMPACT Leadership 21™, also serves as the Permanent Representative to the United Nations at Foundation for the Support of the United Nations (FSUN). Janet is also the President and Co-Founder of Maverick Vision International Advisors (MVI Advisors), a New York–based global firm of experts providing highly specialized consulting on multicultural leadership development, strategies and business platforms.
A Leadership Architect for Emerging Global Leaders (EGL), Janet's expertise is assisting leaders in creating authentic, profound, long lasting impact in their organizations and personal lives. She is a confidential advisor and sounding board to top senior and emerging women executives and leaders across the globe. As a Certified Executive and Master Coach Trainer, she trains senior executives maximize their abilities to coach and unleash the potential of emerging leaders.
Janet is the creator of the innovative dialogue series, Conversations With Men™, an executive forum with the mission of engaging men in leadership roles to accelerate women's leadership at the top, and achieving gender equality. Janet also created Conversations With Men™ One on One: Navigating Gender Dialogue in a Woman's World, an intensive executive coaching platform where she advises and trains male leaders on how to effectively handle gender-related challenges in the business environment, and thrive in today's increasingly diverse workplace. She is currently working on her first book around the Conversations With Men™ platform.
Janet holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Baguio, Philippines, graduating with Honors. She also attended Saint Louis University-Philippines, where she pursued Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications. She is on hiatus from the final stage of her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).
A Leadership Architect for Emerging Global Leaders (EGL), Janet's expertise is assisting leaders in creating authentic, profound, long lasting impact in their organizations and personal lives. She is a confidential advisor and sounding board to top senior and emerging women executives and leaders across the globe. As a Certified Executive and Master Coach Trainer, she trains senior executives maximize their abilities to coach and unleash the potential of emerging leaders.
Janet is the creator of the innovative dialogue series, Conversations With Men™, an executive forum with the mission of engaging men in leadership roles to accelerate women's leadership at the top, and achieving gender equality. Janet also created Conversations With Men™ One on One: Navigating Gender Dialogue in a Woman's World, an intensive executive coaching platform where she advises and trains male leaders on how to effectively handle gender-related challenges in the business environment, and thrive in today's increasingly diverse workplace. She is currently working on her first book around the Conversations With Men™ platform.
Janet holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Baguio, Philippines, graduating with Honors. She also attended Saint Louis University-Philippines, where she pursued Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications. She is on hiatus from the final stage of her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).
SPEAKERS
Lucy Chan
Vice President, Growth Markets Business Development & Global Services
IBM Financial Services Sector
Vice President, Growth Markets Business Development & Global Services
IBM Financial Services Sector
As Lucy is responsible for the strategic partnership with New York City based global bank in developing new business in Growth Markets as well as all types of IBM Services across the globe. Specifically, she is leading strategy, solutions, transformation and innovation to grow IBM’s relevance with the banks. In her tenure, Lucy successfully developed strategic relationship by embracing future vision, creating an environment of excellence, innovation and infusing culture of partnership and trust.
In May 2013, she was elected as a member of the IBM Industry Academy, an elite group of experts to drive continued growth of industry eminence and influence both within and outside of IBM.
Lucy is born and raised in Hong Kong. At 16, she traveled to Saskatchewan, Canada, alone to pursue her education. Upon graduation, she entered the IT profession in the United States. Lucy is:
She started her career with IBM 35 years ago. She held assignments in product design and development, business development, product strategy, marketing and sales support, complex systems integration, and professional services. Through IBM she has worked with global companies in Asia, Europe and Americas.
She received numerous Innovation, Quality and Industry awards. In 2005, the first-of-a-kind project with Warner Bros., led by Lucy, has earned IBM its first Emmy Award from the National Television Academy. In 2006, she was named one of the 50 Outstanding Asian Americans in Business by the Asian American Development Center. In that year, IBM also presented her a Global Technology Leadership Award for the transformation of Morgan Stanley to On-Demand Computing.
Lucy is recognized as a Diversity Champion. She is a frequent speaker and panelist on work/life integration and inclusion topics. Lucy is on the Board of Advisors of Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF), a Founding Sister of Asian Women Leadership Network (AWLN), a Founding Member of Womensphere Global Network and on the Board of The Possibility Project.
Lucy received her Bachelor of Science from University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. She is married, both her husband and son are also IT professionals.
In May 2013, she was elected as a member of the IBM Industry Academy, an elite group of experts to drive continued growth of industry eminence and influence both within and outside of IBM.
Lucy is born and raised in Hong Kong. At 16, she traveled to Saskatchewan, Canada, alone to pursue her education. Upon graduation, she entered the IT profession in the United States. Lucy is:
- Open-minded and flexible in thought and tactics;
- Resilient, resourceful, optimistic and energetic;
- Capable in dealing with ambiguity and complexity;
- Authentic and engenders trust;
- Recognized for her technical, business, managerial and leadership expertise.
She started her career with IBM 35 years ago. She held assignments in product design and development, business development, product strategy, marketing and sales support, complex systems integration, and professional services. Through IBM she has worked with global companies in Asia, Europe and Americas.
She received numerous Innovation, Quality and Industry awards. In 2005, the first-of-a-kind project with Warner Bros., led by Lucy, has earned IBM its first Emmy Award from the National Television Academy. In 2006, she was named one of the 50 Outstanding Asian Americans in Business by the Asian American Development Center. In that year, IBM also presented her a Global Technology Leadership Award for the transformation of Morgan Stanley to On-Demand Computing.
Lucy is recognized as a Diversity Champion. She is a frequent speaker and panelist on work/life integration and inclusion topics. Lucy is on the Board of Advisors of Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF), a Founding Sister of Asian Women Leadership Network (AWLN), a Founding Member of Womensphere Global Network and on the Board of The Possibility Project.
Lucy received her Bachelor of Science from University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. She is married, both her husband and son are also IT professionals.
Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury
Former UN Under-Secretary General and High Representative
Former UN Under-Secretary General and High Representative
Ambassador Chowdhury has devoted many years as an inspirational champion for sustainable peace and development and ardently advancing the cause of the global movement for the culture of peace that has energized civil society all over the world. As a career diplomat, Permanent Representative to United Nations, President of the UN Security Council, President of UNICEF Board, UN Under- Secretary-General, and recipient of the U Thant Peace Award, UNESCO Gandhi Gold Medal for Culture of Peace, Spirit of the UN Award and University of Massachusetts Boston Chancellor’s Medal for Global Leadership for Peace, Ambassador Chowdhury has a wealth of experience in the critical issues of our time - peace, sustainable development, and human rights.
His legacy and leadership in advancing the best interest of the global community are boldly imprinted in his pioneering initiatives at the United Nations General Assembly in 1999 for adoption of the landmark Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace and in 1998 for the proclamation of the “International Decade for Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World (2001-2010)”. Equally pioneering is his initiative in March 2000 as the President of the Security Council that achieved the political and conceptual breakthrough leading
to the adoption of the groundbreaking UN Security Council Resolution 1325 which for the first time recognized the role and contribution of women in the area of peace and security. He served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York from 1996 to 2001 and as the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations, responsible for the most vulnerable countries of the world from 2002 to 2007. He has been the Chair of the International Drafting Committee on the Human Right to Peace, an initiative based in Barcelona, Spain.
He is among the five-member Board of Trustees of the New York City Peace Museum and a member of the Advisory Council of the National Peace Academy in the US. He is the founding Co-Chair of the International Ecological Safety Collaborative Organization (IESCO). He has been decorated by the Government of Burkina Faso in west Africa with the country’s highest honour “L’Ordre Nacionale” in 2007 in Ouagadougou for his championship of the cause of the most vulnerable countries. Dr. Chowdhury has structured curricula and taught courses on “The Culture of Peace” at the Soka University of America and the City University of New York in 2008 and 2009. He also served as an Adjunct Professor at the School of Diplomacy, Seton Hall University of the United States.
His legacy and leadership in advancing the best interest of the global community are boldly imprinted in his pioneering initiatives at the United Nations General Assembly in 1999 for adoption of the landmark Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace and in 1998 for the proclamation of the “International Decade for Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World (2001-2010)”. Equally pioneering is his initiative in March 2000 as the President of the Security Council that achieved the political and conceptual breakthrough leading
to the adoption of the groundbreaking UN Security Council Resolution 1325 which for the first time recognized the role and contribution of women in the area of peace and security. He served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York from 1996 to 2001 and as the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations, responsible for the most vulnerable countries of the world from 2002 to 2007. He has been the Chair of the International Drafting Committee on the Human Right to Peace, an initiative based in Barcelona, Spain.
He is among the five-member Board of Trustees of the New York City Peace Museum and a member of the Advisory Council of the National Peace Academy in the US. He is the founding Co-Chair of the International Ecological Safety Collaborative Organization (IESCO). He has been decorated by the Government of Burkina Faso in west Africa with the country’s highest honour “L’Ordre Nacionale” in 2007 in Ouagadougou for his championship of the cause of the most vulnerable countries. Dr. Chowdhury has structured curricula and taught courses on “The Culture of Peace” at the Soka University of America and the City University of New York in 2008 and 2009. He also served as an Adjunct Professor at the School of Diplomacy, Seton Hall University of the United States.
MacDella Cooper (Emcee)
Founder, MacDella Cooper Foundation
Founder, MacDella Cooper Foundation
Born in Monrovia, Liberia in the late 1970s, MacDella Cooper was one of the thousands of refugees who fled Liberia after the eruption of a civil war in 1990. After leaving the war-torn Liberia and residing in Ivory Coast, at the age of 16, Ms. Cooper and her two older brothers landed in the embattled streets of Newark, New Jersey where Cooper attended Barringer High School. Graduating 3rd in a class of 1,200 students, Ms. Cooper received a full academic scholarship to The College of New Jersey, despite her rough past and hard road.
Prior to founding MCF in 2004, Ms. Cooper was the Marketing and Events Coordinator for Jones Apparel Group, where she alongside the Creative Services team developed comprehensive marketing strategies for the Ralph Lauren, Anne Klein, Jones New York and several other fashion brands including Eredi Pisano and Duca Sartoria. She also directed the marketing and event planning initiatives for the New York Independent Film and Music Festival and started the MacDella Cooper Foundation, a non-for-profit charity that provides educational opportunities and basic necessities for abandoned children in Liberia. In 2010, Cooper opened the MCF Academy, a boarding school for orphans in Liberia. The MCF Academy is the first tuition-free boarding school that houses up to 200 students. The Academy provides a better quality of living in an environment that is safe, secure and conductive for learning. Ms. Cooper hopes the Academy will raise future leaders who take pride in their nation and themselves.
Ms. Cooper sits on the Board of Directors for several charities including the Segal Family Foundation and Red Cross Tiffany Circle. She has received several awards for her philanthropic efforts including The College of New Jersey Humanitarian Award, The Victor E. Ward Community Service Award, The Momentum Women’s™ Award, The Spirit of Friskies Award, and The Archbishop of Michael K. Francis Achievement Awards. Ms. Cooper currently lives in Manhattan with her partner, Thomas, and two children, Ella and Mateo.
Prior to founding MCF in 2004, Ms. Cooper was the Marketing and Events Coordinator for Jones Apparel Group, where she alongside the Creative Services team developed comprehensive marketing strategies for the Ralph Lauren, Anne Klein, Jones New York and several other fashion brands including Eredi Pisano and Duca Sartoria. She also directed the marketing and event planning initiatives for the New York Independent Film and Music Festival and started the MacDella Cooper Foundation, a non-for-profit charity that provides educational opportunities and basic necessities for abandoned children in Liberia. In 2010, Cooper opened the MCF Academy, a boarding school for orphans in Liberia. The MCF Academy is the first tuition-free boarding school that houses up to 200 students. The Academy provides a better quality of living in an environment that is safe, secure and conductive for learning. Ms. Cooper hopes the Academy will raise future leaders who take pride in their nation and themselves.
Ms. Cooper sits on the Board of Directors for several charities including the Segal Family Foundation and Red Cross Tiffany Circle. She has received several awards for her philanthropic efforts including The College of New Jersey Humanitarian Award, The Victor E. Ward Community Service Award, The Momentum Women’s™ Award, The Spirit of Friskies Award, and The Archbishop of Michael K. Francis Achievement Awards. Ms. Cooper currently lives in Manhattan with her partner, Thomas, and two children, Ella and Mateo.
Leslie Grossman
Chair, VISTAGE Private Advisory Boards for CEOs, Executives & Business Owners
Chair, VISTAGE Private Advisory Boards for CEOs, Executives & Business Owners
Leslie is a leadership and business/career development expert, and advocate for women leaders. Grossman created and co-founded Women’s Leadership Exchange, a national organization that produced more than 100 conferences and events, with a mission of creating more women leaders in the world by building leadership, relationship building and business skills. Previously, she led an integrated marketing agency, Communications/Marketing Action, whose clients included many national brands in the fashion, entertainment and business worlds.
She is author of Link Out: How to Turn Your Network into a Chain of Lasting Connectors (Wiley, 2013), and Sellsation: How Companies Can Capture Today’s Hottest Market: Women Business Owners and Executives (WPE Press, 2005). Recently Grossman toured Japan on behalf of the U.S. Embassy, speaking to women about the opportunities of entrepreneurship, and was rated as “one of the best speakers of the year.” Her workshops and keynotes on entrepreneurship and leadership integrate her philosophy of achieving success by creating life-long connections, building one’s personal brand and developing leadership skills.
Grossman is past president and founding international chair of the National Association of Women Business Owners, has served on many boards, including her present role on the board of Unleashed, a nonprofit that transforms middle school girls into leaders and social change agents, and vice chair of IMPACT's Global Advisory Council. She been a professional speaker and trainer for over 12 years, speaking and leading workshops at associations, universities like Cornell, NYU and University of Maryland, and corporations, like JP Morgan Chase, MetLife, IBM, Aetna and Northwestern Mutual.
She is author of Link Out: How to Turn Your Network into a Chain of Lasting Connectors (Wiley, 2013), and Sellsation: How Companies Can Capture Today’s Hottest Market: Women Business Owners and Executives (WPE Press, 2005). Recently Grossman toured Japan on behalf of the U.S. Embassy, speaking to women about the opportunities of entrepreneurship, and was rated as “one of the best speakers of the year.” Her workshops and keynotes on entrepreneurship and leadership integrate her philosophy of achieving success by creating life-long connections, building one’s personal brand and developing leadership skills.
Grossman is past president and founding international chair of the National Association of Women Business Owners, has served on many boards, including her present role on the board of Unleashed, a nonprofit that transforms middle school girls into leaders and social change agents, and vice chair of IMPACT's Global Advisory Council. She been a professional speaker and trainer for over 12 years, speaking and leading workshops at associations, universities like Cornell, NYU and University of Maryland, and corporations, like JP Morgan Chase, MetLife, IBM, Aetna and Northwestern Mutual.
Tod Murphy
President, Silver Maple Group
President, Silver Maple Group
As a fourteen-year old entrepreneur, Tod built a skateboard park in his backyard where kids from his hometown and neighboring communities gathered every afternoon. Little did he know this was the beginning of a life of service to creatively, collaboratively and energetically bring people and ideas together to create the best life we dream of living. Studying at the Yale Divinity School resonated with his deeper spiritual values and inquisitive nature providing a greater understanding of humanity and history as witnessed through the lens of world religion. The foundation of leadership is the guiding ability to listen to others and value their goals and aspirations.
Through his 20’s and 30’s Tod continued on an entrepreneurial path building regional and national businesses, managing deals that brought high net worth individuals together with businesses. Pursuing a career in the world of Mergers and Acquisitions seemed a natural fit for his keen business savvy. However, he realized this was not a good fit for his nurturing-nature.
His entrepreneurial spirit and nurturing nature found expression in the creation of the first, affordable for everyone ‘farm-to-table’ diners in the country. At this time he also rescued Vermont Smoke & Cure and founded one of the largest sheep dairies in Vermont. Sustainable food and farming taught him the critical skill of seeing the interconnectedness of our work, dreams, values and choices. He learned how to take existing tools and put them together in new ways to build vibrant and healthy economies.
After two decades building businesses and communities Tod retuned to his home state to care for his grandmother and be close to his ailing father. He witnessed firsthand a financial services industry rarely focused on building a systematic approach to meeting the changing financial needs of clients. An industry that falls short in bringing a holistic approach to caring for the financial needs of elders and their families.
Tod has built Heirloom Financial to serve the community with a nurturing and holistic approach to life and finances. He has walked through a half century wearing many hats, each one uniquely preparing him to help clients manage critical decisions and plan for their future. He brings his tremendous knowledge, patience, care and attention to help clients achieve their best financial life.
Constance J. Peak
CFO, Chief Strategist Co-Founder, IMPACT Leadership 21™
Co-Founder, Maverick Vision International Advisors
Through his 20’s and 30’s Tod continued on an entrepreneurial path building regional and national businesses, managing deals that brought high net worth individuals together with businesses. Pursuing a career in the world of Mergers and Acquisitions seemed a natural fit for his keen business savvy. However, he realized this was not a good fit for his nurturing-nature.
His entrepreneurial spirit and nurturing nature found expression in the creation of the first, affordable for everyone ‘farm-to-table’ diners in the country. At this time he also rescued Vermont Smoke & Cure and founded one of the largest sheep dairies in Vermont. Sustainable food and farming taught him the critical skill of seeing the interconnectedness of our work, dreams, values and choices. He learned how to take existing tools and put them together in new ways to build vibrant and healthy economies.
After two decades building businesses and communities Tod retuned to his home state to care for his grandmother and be close to his ailing father. He witnessed firsthand a financial services industry rarely focused on building a systematic approach to meeting the changing financial needs of clients. An industry that falls short in bringing a holistic approach to caring for the financial needs of elders and their families.
Tod has built Heirloom Financial to serve the community with a nurturing and holistic approach to life and finances. He has walked through a half century wearing many hats, each one uniquely preparing him to help clients manage critical decisions and plan for their future. He brings his tremendous knowledge, patience, care and attention to help clients achieve their best financial life.
Constance J. Peak
CFO, Chief Strategist Co-Founder, IMPACT Leadership 21™
Co-Founder, Maverick Vision International Advisors
Constance is a public speaker, businesswoman and serial entrepreneur and also the Chair of the Global Advisory Council of IMPACT Leadership 21. She is active at the United Nations as the Director of Program Development and Support, United Nations Headquarters, New York City, of an international non-governmental organization (NGO), Foundation for the Support of the United Nations (FSUN-UNO), and Observer in General Consultative Status with United Nations ECOSOC. She serves on the Advisory Board of Unleashed NY, which empowers girls through puppy rescue.
Constance is a Master Certified Coach Trainer (MCCT) and has extensive experience internationally in corporate communications training, English proficiency training, personality development training, and professional presentation. She is sought after for her expertise in coaching business owners and executives of multi-national companies on strategic positioning for positive growth, and personal branding through Perceptual and Behavioral Development. Constance teaches an independent course at Columbia University School of International Public Affairs (SIPA) on Gender Attunement and Tenacity as part of the IMPACT Framework.
Constance is passionate about rights to education, women’s economic and socio-political empowerment, philanthropy, diversity and inclusion and LGBT equality. She is a strong advocate of environmentally sustainable practices and encourages support for social entrepreneurship. Constance is the creator of FSUN-UNO women’s initiative, the Special Women’s Economic Empowerment Training for Success (SWEET Success), to increase the presence of female entrepreneurs, currently in development with a consortium of entrepreneurs from across the globe. She is the founder of MVI Sustainable Technologies, focusing on water conservation, efficient cookstoves/heating designs, and sustainable initiative consulting.
She is Vice President of BioCleaner Inc., a green tech company that does water treatment worldwide. Constance speaks regularly on perceptual influences and transitional thinking as The Tune-Up Coach and writes about them in her popular blog, MoreLemonsPlease.com, inspiring her listeners and readers to make life altering changes.
Gail M. Romero
CEO, Collective Changes and MBA Women International
Editor, Gender Economics - World Report News
Advisor, Technology Partners Network - Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Constance is a Master Certified Coach Trainer (MCCT) and has extensive experience internationally in corporate communications training, English proficiency training, personality development training, and professional presentation. She is sought after for her expertise in coaching business owners and executives of multi-national companies on strategic positioning for positive growth, and personal branding through Perceptual and Behavioral Development. Constance teaches an independent course at Columbia University School of International Public Affairs (SIPA) on Gender Attunement and Tenacity as part of the IMPACT Framework.
Constance is passionate about rights to education, women’s economic and socio-political empowerment, philanthropy, diversity and inclusion and LGBT equality. She is a strong advocate of environmentally sustainable practices and encourages support for social entrepreneurship. Constance is the creator of FSUN-UNO women’s initiative, the Special Women’s Economic Empowerment Training for Success (SWEET Success), to increase the presence of female entrepreneurs, currently in development with a consortium of entrepreneurs from across the globe. She is the founder of MVI Sustainable Technologies, focusing on water conservation, efficient cookstoves/heating designs, and sustainable initiative consulting.
She is Vice President of BioCleaner Inc., a green tech company that does water treatment worldwide. Constance speaks regularly on perceptual influences and transitional thinking as The Tune-Up Coach and writes about them in her popular blog, MoreLemonsPlease.com, inspiring her listeners and readers to make life altering changes.
Gail M. Romero
CEO, Collective Changes and MBA Women International
Editor, Gender Economics - World Report News
Advisor, Technology Partners Network - Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Gail Romero has worked for numerous organizations throughout the world to build successful gender based missions and enhance visions with social, political and economic impact. She is the founder and CEO for Collective Changes. The company provides the #1 technology platform to business mentors for women’s SMEs in developing nations in conjunction with World Bank/IFC SME Toolkit, Chronus Mentor Software and Concero Connect, a Grameen Social Business. Gail has spent the last two decades creating and directing the development and integration of innovative economic ideas, campaigns and strategic alliances with politicians, policy makers, academics, educational communities, associations, media, community leaders, foundations and corporations to raise resources, awareness and support for numerous organizations with a passion to advance women in leadership worldwide.
Gail is also the founder and Senior Advisor for MacKenzie-Romero Consulting and former Executive Producer for Rainmakers TV. Her clients have included the State Department, Landesa, National Bureau of Asian Research, and numerous global NGOs. As an author, opinion writer and often quoted media analyst, she has been looked to as a “Shesource” for commentary by Financial Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, US News and World Report, CBS Radio, EU Media outlets, Media Online, Online MBA and CNN. Gail currently serves as an advisor to Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation TPN Program, Centre for Gender Economics and Innovation, Gender Editor for World Report New, Vice-Chair of Seattle University’s Albers School of International Business and Economics, former instructor and Advisory Council for iLEAP Fellows and past advisory board for Global Give Back Circle.
She has held numerous corporate board positions for start-up companies and guided new social venture partnerships. She has served as a visiting professor and international speaker and presenter on social justice, women’s issues, gender economics, business and leadership education. Gail was nominated for the TED Prize and a Schwab Fellow in 2013. Romero was a 2014 TED Prize nominee for her work to leverage technology to grow women’s business skills and is endorsed by David Stephens, Advisor to Professor Mohammad Yunus, Grameen Technology Founder, Helene Gayle of CARE, former Ambassador for Women and Girls Melanne Verveer and Leo Hindery Jr., retired CEO of AT&T Broadband along with numerous other corporate leaders from Fortune 500 companies.
She currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Advisory Council for Seattle University’s Albers School of Business and Economics, Advisory Council for iLEAP Fellows, Advisory Board for "Hey Sister, Get Clued UP” a CGIU program through Global Give Back Circle and is a judge for the Global Social Entrepreneurs Competition at the University of Washington. She has served as a visiting professor and international speaker and presenter on social justice, women’s issues and education. She is a Paul Harris Fellow, Seattle University Alumni member and is a graduate of Northpark University’s Graduate School of Nonprofit Management and Certification and University of Wisconsin’s Madison School of Business, Madison Institute- AHP program. She received her CFRE confirmation in 2005.
Jeanne M. Sullivan
Co-Founder, StarVest Partners
Gail is also the founder and Senior Advisor for MacKenzie-Romero Consulting and former Executive Producer for Rainmakers TV. Her clients have included the State Department, Landesa, National Bureau of Asian Research, and numerous global NGOs. As an author, opinion writer and often quoted media analyst, she has been looked to as a “Shesource” for commentary by Financial Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, US News and World Report, CBS Radio, EU Media outlets, Media Online, Online MBA and CNN. Gail currently serves as an advisor to Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation TPN Program, Centre for Gender Economics and Innovation, Gender Editor for World Report New, Vice-Chair of Seattle University’s Albers School of International Business and Economics, former instructor and Advisory Council for iLEAP Fellows and past advisory board for Global Give Back Circle.
She has held numerous corporate board positions for start-up companies and guided new social venture partnerships. She has served as a visiting professor and international speaker and presenter on social justice, women’s issues, gender economics, business and leadership education. Gail was nominated for the TED Prize and a Schwab Fellow in 2013. Romero was a 2014 TED Prize nominee for her work to leverage technology to grow women’s business skills and is endorsed by David Stephens, Advisor to Professor Mohammad Yunus, Grameen Technology Founder, Helene Gayle of CARE, former Ambassador for Women and Girls Melanne Verveer and Leo Hindery Jr., retired CEO of AT&T Broadband along with numerous other corporate leaders from Fortune 500 companies.
She currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Advisory Council for Seattle University’s Albers School of Business and Economics, Advisory Council for iLEAP Fellows, Advisory Board for "Hey Sister, Get Clued UP” a CGIU program through Global Give Back Circle and is a judge for the Global Social Entrepreneurs Competition at the University of Washington. She has served as a visiting professor and international speaker and presenter on social justice, women’s issues and education. She is a Paul Harris Fellow, Seattle University Alumni member and is a graduate of Northpark University’s Graduate School of Nonprofit Management and Certification and University of Wisconsin’s Madison School of Business, Madison Institute- AHP program. She received her CFRE confirmation in 2005.
Jeanne M. Sullivan
Co-Founder, StarVest Partners
Jeanne has more than 20 years of private equity experience and has spent 28 years in the technology sector encompassing both extensive operating and investing experience with technology companies. Over the past 20 years as a founding principal of StarVest and previously with Olivetti Ventures, Ms. Sullivan has served on the boards of multiple private and two public companies and has extensive experience creating “go to market” plans for expansion stage companies. Her expertise also includes strategy, an understanding of the technology landscape and industry trends. From 1981 to 1990, Ms. Sullivan was with AT&T, serving in a variety of product management and business-to-business marketing roles, and was the Product Director for a Bell Laboratories internal venture business unit. The product, a high-end parallel processor with graphics and scientific imaging libraries. Her prior experience in marketing and advertising with Bozell Worldwide (1971–1978) gave Ms. Sullivan the business foundation for creating and developing marketing programs and plans for many businesses.
She was part of the founding group for the New York New Media Association Angel Investors Program, one of the first Angel groups in NYC and this is the predecessor to the current New York Angels. She is active with the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC), a nonprofit New York City-based organization that lobbies for environmental reform, and established the New York area Environmental Entrepreneurs group comprised of business and technology leaders.
Jeanne serves on the board of the New York Venture Capital Association (NYVCA) and has a passion for supporting and mentoring rising stars as entrepreneurs and investors and is a member of the Astia Board of Trustees. Astia is a global not for profit committed to the success of women high-growth entrepreneurs. She is also active with Springboard, Women in Mobile (WIM), Womensphere, The Pipeline Fund, Golden Seeds and Women 2.0. Jeanne is also a newly appointed member of the Leadership Council of the College of Media for University of Illinois. She was recently cited by Forbes magazine as one of the "Women Changing the World" in her role as an influencer grooming the next generation of female VCs. Jeanne is a sought-after industry speaker on the subject of investing in and building technology companies and has served as an adjunct professor of marketing at the graduate level. Jeanne holds a BS from the University of Illinois and a JD from Creighton University School of Law.
Cheryl Benton
Board Member, US National Committee for UN Women
Founder and Publisher, The Three Tomatoes
She was part of the founding group for the New York New Media Association Angel Investors Program, one of the first Angel groups in NYC and this is the predecessor to the current New York Angels. She is active with the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC), a nonprofit New York City-based organization that lobbies for environmental reform, and established the New York area Environmental Entrepreneurs group comprised of business and technology leaders.
Jeanne serves on the board of the New York Venture Capital Association (NYVCA) and has a passion for supporting and mentoring rising stars as entrepreneurs and investors and is a member of the Astia Board of Trustees. Astia is a global not for profit committed to the success of women high-growth entrepreneurs. She is also active with Springboard, Women in Mobile (WIM), Womensphere, The Pipeline Fund, Golden Seeds and Women 2.0. Jeanne is also a newly appointed member of the Leadership Council of the College of Media for University of Illinois. She was recently cited by Forbes magazine as one of the "Women Changing the World" in her role as an influencer grooming the next generation of female VCs. Jeanne is a sought-after industry speaker on the subject of investing in and building technology companies and has served as an adjunct professor of marketing at the graduate level. Jeanne holds a BS from the University of Illinois and a JD from Creighton University School of Law.
Cheryl Benton
Board Member, US National Committee for UN Women
Founder and Publisher, The Three Tomatoes
Cheryl Benton, Founder and Publisher of The Three Tomatoes, has served as the President of the Metro New York Chapter of the U.S. National Committee for the past four years. In this role, she has served as the lead on the volunteer-run board of directors, and the liaison between the US National Committee and UN Women, ensuring that their goals and work are in line with UN Women and its mission. She first became interested in UN Women six years ago after reading an issue of the New York Sunday Times by Nicholas Kristof about the plight of women around the world. Cheryl views the U.S. National Committee as essential to helping UN Women to achieve its goals through three main roles: by raising awareness in United States about UN Women and its mission, by advocating to the U.S. government to increase support and funding for UN Women, and, and by acting as the main fundraising arm in the U.S. for UN Women. Cheryl is currently on the Board of the U.S. National Committee and is co-chair of the Private Sector/Partnerships Committee.
After a successful thirty-year career in the New York City advertising agency business, Cheryl conceived The Three Tomatoes concept because, “Living and working in New York City in the land of size zero twenty-somethings, I was truly starting to feel like an invisible woman,” says Benton. “Since no one else was noticing us, it became apparent we were just going to have to take charge ourselves.” Cheryl also operates her own marketing consulting firm, 747 Marketing, which serves start-ups as well as Fortune 500 companies. She is also one of the co-authors of Leading Women: 20 Successful Women Share Their Secrets to Leadership, Business, and Life.
Cheryl is a graduate of Adelphi University and a recipient of the “Distinguished Alumni Award;” She is also a board member of the US National Committee for UN Women, a United Nations NGO, and past president of the Metro NY chapter; a board member of the New York Women’s Agenda (NYWA), and a board member of California Women’s Conference. She was inducted into the Business Marketing Hall of Fame and is a frequent speaker on marketing to women, and on women’s global issues. A wife, mother and grandmother, she resides in New York with her husband and two dogs.
After a successful thirty-year career in the New York City advertising agency business, Cheryl conceived The Three Tomatoes concept because, “Living and working in New York City in the land of size zero twenty-somethings, I was truly starting to feel like an invisible woman,” says Benton. “Since no one else was noticing us, it became apparent we were just going to have to take charge ourselves.” Cheryl also operates her own marketing consulting firm, 747 Marketing, which serves start-ups as well as Fortune 500 companies. She is also one of the co-authors of Leading Women: 20 Successful Women Share Their Secrets to Leadership, Business, and Life.
Cheryl is a graduate of Adelphi University and a recipient of the “Distinguished Alumni Award;” She is also a board member of the US National Committee for UN Women, a United Nations NGO, and past president of the Metro NY chapter; a board member of the New York Women’s Agenda (NYWA), and a board member of California Women’s Conference. She was inducted into the Business Marketing Hall of Fame and is a frequent speaker on marketing to women, and on women’s global issues. A wife, mother and grandmother, she resides in New York with her husband and two dogs.
Mike Paul
The Reputation Doctor®
Reputation Doctor LLC
Mike is a top strategic public relations, reputation, corporate communications, crisis management and litigation-support PR expert known worldwide by the registered brand name, the Reputation Doctor® at Reputation Doctor LLC. With over 25 years experience in public relations, Mike helps build, maintain and repair the leading reputations and brands of global and national corporations, governments, NGOs, as well as famous people & public leaders in both good times and bad. He is listed among the world's top crisis PR experts by PRWeek Magazine, called "the Master of Disaster" by Business Week, "Mr. Fixit" by Sports Illustrated and named one of the Top 100 Thought Leaders in Trustworthy Business Behavior in the U.S. in both 2012 and 2013 by Trust Across America™. Mr. Paul provides global consulting and counseling services to leading organizations and public figures worldwide. Some of the clients Mike has counseled over the years include Citicorp, Callaway, United Airlines, Verizon, Timberland, Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, Nuveen, Pfizer, Samsung, Hitachi, Toyota, Baxter Healthcare, Manor Care, Dunkin Donuts, Kraft Foods, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Rodney Hampton, Phil McConkey, Mark Gastineau, Freeman McNeil, Kerry Rhodes, Jim Leyritz, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Aretha Franklin, American Red Cross, FEMA, NEA, the 4As, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, Jesse Jackson, GM, Mercedes Benz, Cancer Vixen Fund, Trinidad & Tobago Petroleum Co., The People's Republic of China, Kim Zolciak, GetGlue, The Soufan Group, Soho Health NY, Balyasny Asset Management, DMK Enterprises, BugLab ID, JadenLam.com & many others.
Mike is also a global TV, radio and print news commentator regarding all types of reputations in crisis. You've seen him weekly on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, ABC News, NBC News, MSNBC, CBS News, CNBC, BBC, truTV, ESPN and Bloomberg TV to name a few. Previously, Mr. Paul was president and senior counselor at MGP & Associates PR, executive vice president of communication, branding and advertising for NYC Economic Development Corporation under former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, global managing director of communications, marketing and advertising at MCI Systemhouse, vice president and senior counselor of public affairs at Hill & Knowlton and senior associate in the Aviator Management Training Program at Burson Marsteller. Mike was also a former aide to former U.S. Senator Alfonse D'Amato and a former aide to several elected officials in the New York State Legislature. Mike resides in New York and he is very active in the global philanthropic and charitable communities. Mike currently sits as the chairman of the board of the Cancer Vixen Fund and he is an advisory board member of Roots and Wings. He is also writing his first book.
The Reputation Doctor®
Reputation Doctor LLC
Mike is a top strategic public relations, reputation, corporate communications, crisis management and litigation-support PR expert known worldwide by the registered brand name, the Reputation Doctor® at Reputation Doctor LLC. With over 25 years experience in public relations, Mike helps build, maintain and repair the leading reputations and brands of global and national corporations, governments, NGOs, as well as famous people & public leaders in both good times and bad. He is listed among the world's top crisis PR experts by PRWeek Magazine, called "the Master of Disaster" by Business Week, "Mr. Fixit" by Sports Illustrated and named one of the Top 100 Thought Leaders in Trustworthy Business Behavior in the U.S. in both 2012 and 2013 by Trust Across America™. Mr. Paul provides global consulting and counseling services to leading organizations and public figures worldwide. Some of the clients Mike has counseled over the years include Citicorp, Callaway, United Airlines, Verizon, Timberland, Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, Nuveen, Pfizer, Samsung, Hitachi, Toyota, Baxter Healthcare, Manor Care, Dunkin Donuts, Kraft Foods, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Rodney Hampton, Phil McConkey, Mark Gastineau, Freeman McNeil, Kerry Rhodes, Jim Leyritz, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Aretha Franklin, American Red Cross, FEMA, NEA, the 4As, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, Jesse Jackson, GM, Mercedes Benz, Cancer Vixen Fund, Trinidad & Tobago Petroleum Co., The People's Republic of China, Kim Zolciak, GetGlue, The Soufan Group, Soho Health NY, Balyasny Asset Management, DMK Enterprises, BugLab ID, JadenLam.com & many others.
Mike is also a global TV, radio and print news commentator regarding all types of reputations in crisis. You've seen him weekly on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, ABC News, NBC News, MSNBC, CBS News, CNBC, BBC, truTV, ESPN and Bloomberg TV to name a few. Previously, Mr. Paul was president and senior counselor at MGP & Associates PR, executive vice president of communication, branding and advertising for NYC Economic Development Corporation under former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, global managing director of communications, marketing and advertising at MCI Systemhouse, vice president and senior counselor of public affairs at Hill & Knowlton and senior associate in the Aviator Management Training Program at Burson Marsteller. Mike was also a former aide to former U.S. Senator Alfonse D'Amato and a former aide to several elected officials in the New York State Legislature. Mike resides in New York and he is very active in the global philanthropic and charitable communities. Mike currently sits as the chairman of the board of the Cancer Vixen Fund and he is an advisory board member of Roots and Wings. He is also writing his first book.
