Office Hours with David Meltzer

Brady Sticker By age 25, Brady Sticker had built ChurchCandy into a multimillion-dollar agency with over 30 employees, serving more than 1,000 churches and helping connect over 300,000 people to local congregations across North America. An entrepreneur, award-winning marketing expert, podcaster, and author, he blends his background in marketing and theology to craft effective digital strategies for church growth. Through his bestselling books, popular podcast ChurchCandy with Brady Sticker, speaking engagements, and growing social media presence, Brady equips pastors with practical tools for ministry expansion. He is also producing a documentary on church planting and developing new platforms like the Coffee With A Pastor app, continuing his mission to support faith communities through innovative marketing and technology. Eric Hadley Eric, a veteran, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, is the founder of Got Your Six Coffee Co., a mission-driven company that supports veterans, first responders, and healthcare professionals while delivering high-quality coffee. Drawing from his military service and engineering background in the maritime and oil industries, he built a brand that blends craftsmanship with purpose, ensuring each cup contributes to a greater cause. Since founding the company in 2016, Eric has shared insights on mission-driven business, the challenges faced by veteran entrepreneurs, and the role of philanthropy in business, while his travels to 59 countries have enriched his perspectives on culture, community, and coffee—all fueling his dedication to serving those who serve. Matthew Wireman Matthew Wireman is a coach, educator, and author who helps professionals live with greater purpose, clarity, and integrity through his Integrated Coaching approach. Drawing on his background in theology, leadership, and personal development, he guides individuals who feel stuck or overwhelmed to realign their priorities and live more intentionally. The author of My New Rich Life and Pathway to Purpose, Matthew offers practical frameworks for long-term growth that integrate mind, body, and soul. With over a decade of experience as a university professor and workshop leader, he focuses on character formation, leadership, and sustainable personal development, equipping people to build meaningful and balanced lives.

Mitchell Osmond Mitchell Osmond is a trusted advisor, executive coach, and host of The Dad Nation Podcast, a globally ranked show that has grown to over 34,000 monthly listeners in under 40 episodes. He also scaled his first coaching practice to six figures within three months, establishing himself as a sought-after voice for high-performing professionals, entrepreneurs, and executives seeking balance between success at work and fulfillment at home. His journey to this role was born from personal struggle. Once facing dysfunction, debt, and a marriage on the brink of divorce, Mitchell radically transformed his life—losing 60 pounds, restoring his marriage, and paying off over $100,000 of debt. Now, his mission is to help career-driven men reclaim their health, homes, and happiness—without sacrificing their professional success. Lesley Goth, Psy.D. Lesley Goth, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and the owner of Denver Family Counseling Services in Denver, Colorado, with more than 21 years of experience. A survivor of sexual assault herself, she specializes in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for trauma survivors and also works with individuals facing PTSD, CPTSD, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, religious trauma, and substance abuse. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Skidmore College and a Psy.D. from the California School of Professional Psychology. Driven by her own journey, Goth founded her practice to support others in navigating and overcoming trauma. Today, she not only provides compassionate care for survivors but also extends her expertise to CEOs and business leaders, helping them address mental health challenges while balancing the demands of leadership. Her work reflects both professional expertise and deeply personal commitment to healing and resilience. Erik Meltzer Erik Meltzer is a connector, curator, and human rights advocate who has spent over a decade working at the intersection of community, culture, and global leadership. From hosting high-profile events at the National Press Club to fostering trust with diplomats and military leaders at the National Defense University, he has built a career creating spaces where meaningful relationships thrive. Today, he channels this passion into The Salon Circle, a private forum for accomplished entrepreneurs, executives, diplomats, athletes, and cultural figures, while also exploring innovation through ventures like Plutus Properties. At the core of all his work is a mission to bring extraordinary people together in spaces of trust, substance, and opportunity.

Frederick Fisher Frederick Fisher, J.D., CCP, is a distinguished authority in Professional Liability with over five decades of experience advancing client financial security. A founding member and Past President of the Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS) and recipient of its 2019 Founders Award, he has shaped industry standards through leadership, education, and advocacy. Beyond serving as Senior Technical Advisor for the International Risk Management Institute’s Professional Liability Insurance manual for more than 30 years, he has authored 80+ articles, delivered 150+ presentations, and published the 2024 book Claims Made Insurance – The Policy That Changed the Industry. Fisher previously spent 20 years as a Professional Lines Claims Adjuster before founding and leading ELM Insurance Brokers as CEO for two decades. Today, he continues to consult, teach, advise, and testify as an expert witness, renowned for identifying “The Gotchya’s that’ll Getchya™” in Executive Liability and Specialty Lines Insurance. Sam Naficy Sam Naficy is a serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of SaaS and executive leadership experience, having founded multiple companies across pharmaceuticals, retail, restaurants, and technology while raising more than $300 million in funding. He launched Daru Nardin with exclusive Merck and Faulding distribution deals, founded The NORG Group in partnership with 99 Cents Only Stores, and later built DTiQ into the global leader in video-based surveillance and loss prevention, serving over 45,000 customers. A 2013 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Greater Los Angeles, Naficy is also active in philanthropy through organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the National Kidney Foundation, and the Los Angeles Boys and Girls Club, and contributes as a YPO Los Angeles member and past Chapter Chair while continuing to invest in SaaS and tech-enabled businesses. Adiel Gorel Adiel Gorel is a leading real estate investment expert and the founder and CEO of ICG (International Capital Group) Real Estate Investments, based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 1987, he has helped tens of thousands of investors build financial security for retirement, education, and legacy wealth. He is also the author of five books, including the Amazon bestseller Remote Control Retirement Riches. A sought-after speaker and media presence, Adiel has lectured worldwide at companies like Stanford, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta, and has been featured on Fox Business, ABC, NBC, Fortune, and Entrepreneur Magazine. His Public Television program, Remote Control Retirement Riches, is now in its sixth year, further establishing him as one of America’s top voices in real estate and financial freedom.

Michael J. Barbarita Michael J. Barbarita Jr. is a seasoned entrepreneur, award-winning speaker, and co-author with over 40 years of experience across retail, manufacturing, and service industries. After starting as a financial analyst, he led Ski Town USA, growing its revenue from $2.5 million to $8 million in under five years, before founding Next Step CFO in 2007 to help business owners achieve time freedom and consistent profits through innovative financial and business strategies. Today, he serves more than 40 clients worldwide, earning recognition as a thought leader and business innovator, with accomplishments ranging from having a product featured on QVC to building a thriving global client base. Alex Fenton Alex began his career trading emerging market commodities before moving into private equity fundraising for UK scale-ups. At just 25, he founded GapCap, a fintech lending platform that transacted over $500 million under his leadership. As CEO, he successfully scaled the business until its sale to Growth Lending in 2019, a milestone that highlighted his ability to build and grow innovative, technology-driven financial services companies. Since the sale of GapCap, Alex has remained deeply engaged in the investment and business services space. He has taken on key roles at The Legends Agency, FBX Capital Partners, Funding Bay, and Growth Lending, where he has developed expertise in customer service, marketing strategy, leadership, and business development. His journey reflects both entrepreneurial vision and a proven track record in scaling businesses and driving growth. Joe Wolfel Joe Wolfel is the CEO of Terradepth, where he is leading the mission to revolutionize subsea data and exploration through scalable, sustainable technology. A former Navy SEAL who earned the Bronze Star with Valor for heroic achievement in combat, he brings a unique blend of military leadership and technology expertise to his role. Joe previously commanded multinational special operations in Iraq, advised the U.S. Fifth Fleet on strategic planning in the Gulf, and supported counter-terrorism missions in Africa by training and advising partner nations. Today, he applies that experience to driving Terradepth’s growth, forging partnerships, and advancing ocean exploration for industries ranging from energy to environmental science, with a commitment to cutting-edge solutions that address global challenges and transform humanity’s relationship with the oceans.

Grant Elliott Grant Elliott, Doctor of Chiropractic, is a clinician and entrepreneur known for his focus on rehabilitation and movement-based health. Before graduating, he built a social media following of over 100,000 that helped launch his #1 online low back program, now used worldwide. Within two years of finishing school, he scaled his practice from a solo operation to a 15-person team, combining hands-on care with innovative digital health education. Influenced by his background in skateboarding and bodybuilding, Elliott brings resilience, discipline, and risk-taking to his work, while also finding fulfillment in fatherhood and sharing his passion for fitness with his three young sons. Luba Patlakh Luba Patlakh is the founder and director of Kidology, Inc., a pediatric practice providing speech, occupational, physical therapy, and ABA services. With over 15 years of experience, she has built a family-centered practice recognized with honors such as the Entreprenista 100 Award, a spot on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list, and inclusion in the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Fast 50 in 2025. Originally trained in broadcast journalism before shifting to speech language pathology, she has combined her expertise, entrepreneurial drive, and role as a mother of three to grow a rapidly expanding business while championing families with diverse needs. Her perseverance and compassion have made her a leading voice in women’s entrepreneurship, child development, and scalable healthcare.

Michael Tchong Tchong is a pioneering entrepreneur, futurist, and five-time founder recognized by The Daily Telegraph as “America’s most influential trendspotter.” An adjunct professor of innovation at the University of San Francisco, he has delivered over 500 talks worldwide and advised global brands such as Apple, Accor Hotels, and Johnson & Johnson. His ventures—including MacWEEK, ICONOCAST, and CyberAtlas—helped shape digital culture, while his book Ubertrends and Ubertrends Academy equip leaders to thrive amid disruption. Most recently, his 2024 white paper Generative AI — Navigating the Artificial Intelligence Revolution underscores his role as a leading voice on foresight and innovation. Ed Rahill Ed Rahill, a Notre Dame graduate and accomplished energy executive, is best known as a cross-continental endurance road race record holder, setting the fastest time from Boston to San Diego. A former CFO of ITC Holdings and founder of GridLiance, later sold to Blackstone in 2021, Rahill combines business success with a lifelong passion for endurance racing inspired by the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. His debut book, One Mile at a Time, chronicles his record-breaking journey while fulfilling a promise to his grandmother to break free from a legacy of unfulfilled dreams. Now based in Atlanta and a proud father of four, Rahill continues to embody perseverance, vision, and inspiration in both life and work. Erik Huberman Erik Huberman is the Founder and CEO of Hawke Media, a $150M marketing consultancy that has helped scale over 5,000 brands and generate $2.9 billion in revenue for clients including Red Bull, Crocs, Verizon, and Casamigos. A serial entrepreneur and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, he sold two e-commerce companies by age 26, launched Hawke Ventures to invest in 50+ startups, and created Hawke.AI, a leading marketing intelligence platform. He is also the author of the USA Today bestselling book The Hawke Method, where he shares the three principles behind his success, and is widely recognized for his bold, practical insights on entrepreneurship, AI, and marketing strategy.

Jeff Umbro Jeff Umbro is the founder and CEO of The Podglomerate, an award-winning podcast company that produces, distributes, and monetizes shows. What began as a bootstrapped venture has grown into a network of more than 70 podcasts with over 30 million monthly downloads. Jeff’s insights on media and podcasting have been featured in outlets such as Bloomberg, Morning Brew, Adweek, Quartz, Hot Pod, Paste, and The Daily Dot. Before launching The Podglomerate, Jeff worked in audience growth and business development for companies including Product Hunt, Serial Box, VotePlz, Talkshow, and Goldberg McDuffie Communications. His background in scaling audiences and building partnerships laid the foundation for The Podglomerate’s success and its impact on the podcasting industry. Sarah Keohane Williamson Sarah Keohane Williamson is the CEO of FCLTGlobal, where she has led since 2016 after more than two decades at Wellington Management as Partner and Director of Alternative Investments. She previously worked at McKinsey & Company, the U.S. State Department, and Goldman Sachs, and now drives FCLTGlobal’s mission to build a global community of CEOs committed to long-term value creation. In addition to her leadership role, Sarah serves on the boards of Evercore and EXL Service and chairs the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research. She is the author of The CEO’s Guide to the Investment Galaxy and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from Williams College, as well as CFA and CAIA designations. Beth Lauren Beth Lauren is a lifelong storyteller whose career spans independent film, writing, and producing the feature Fairytale of New York, creating short films, and authoring her memoir Reeling: Misadventures in Moviemaking, Money and Love. She has also applied her narrative skills in the nonprofit sector, helping organizations communicate their missions effectively. Never one to follow a single path, Beth founded the Well-Tech World Summit, which drew over 2,000 global attendees in its first year, and is now developing a reality series showcasing women relocating abroad. Across all her pursuits, she brings imagination, resilience, and a passion for stories that entertain and inspire.

Bhavandeep Singh Bhavandeep Singh has been instrumental in building the team and is deeply passionate about speaking on mindset and re-writing the stories people tell themselves. He has addressed audiences of more than 5,000, sharing his journey and strategies for overcoming negative, self-defeating thoughts. Braxton Kilgo Braxton Kilgo is an entrepreneur and visionary best known as the founder of I Believe In You (IBIY), a global movement that inspires small acts of kindness through a unique bracelet and mobile app platform. With over a decade of experience leading his consulting firm Hours Global, he has guided more than 1,000 clients—from startups to corporations and personal brands—while generating millions in high-ticket sales and collaborating with top artists, athletes, and celebrities. Today, Braxton is focused on scaling IBIY into a worldwide ecosystem that connects businesses, communities, and causes, all while staying true to his passion for building relationships, serving others, and proving that belief, action, and hard work create lasting impact. Quynh Mai Quynh Mai is the Founder and CEO of Qulture, a globally recognized digital creative agency at the intersection of culture and technology. She helps brands create impactful campaigns that connect with audiences through cultural trends and digital innovation, earning recognition as a trusted industry thought leader. A sought-after speaker at events like Fashion Tech Forum, Melbourne Fashion Week, and EY’s Strategic Growth Forum, her insights have appeared in The Business of Fashion, WWD, Time Magazine, Bloomberg, CNBC, and CBS. Under her leadership, Qulture has won multiple honors, including Clio and Hermes Creative Awards, and she was named to Campaign’s “40 over 40 Digital Innovators.” She is currently working on her first book, Becoming Gen D: Mastering the Digital Age for Self, Career & Family.

Brett Hoogeveen Brett Hoogeveen is the co-founder of BetterCulture, a leadership development and technology firm serving clients from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Over the past decade, he has trained thousands of leaders and partnered with hundreds of organizations to build stronger businesses through better leadership, high-performing teams, and energized workplace cultures. A trained engineer, former healthcare executive, and startup investor, Brett is also an international speaker and Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), known for delivering practical, actionable insights on leadership, company culture, and the keys to lasting success and happiness. Matthew Kim Matthew Kim is the co-founder and CEO of SureCo, where he is transforming the healthcare landscape with innovative, employee-centered solutions. With 20 years of entrepreneurial experience, he has built and exited successful firms in health and technology, including Bayside Insurance, one of California’s largest health insurance agencies. Rising from an entry-level appointment setter to executive leader, Matthew has grown SureCo into one of Inc. Magazine’s 250 fastest-growing private companies, strengthened by strategic acquisitions like Tembi Health and Hixme. Passionate about improving American healthcare, Matthew is reimagining how employers provide benefits by prioritizing flexibility, affordability, and individualized choice. His vision allows employees to select plans tailored to their needs while helping organizations manage rising costs and financial risk—an approach that balances business sustainability with better care and well-being for the workforce. Owen Barrett Owen Barrett is a clean energy entrepreneur who began his career as a Global Energy Manager at a Fortune 500 company, implementing $60 million in clean technology projects. He went on to found lumeo, a fast-growing ESCO that brought energy efficiency and renewable solutions to 40 school districts, before launching ZNE Capital, which acquired and decarbonized $75 million in multifamily real estate. While tackling the challenges of deploying solar in these properties, he developed Shine—a turnkey solar platform that solves billing, measurement, and scalability issues for the multifamily industry. What began as an internal tool at ZNE has grown into a venture with the potential to accelerate solar adoption nationwide.

Daniel Blake Daniel Blake, Founder and General Manager of One 11 Brands, is building innovative functional beverage brands rooted in resilience and renewal, starting with its debut brand PHX, inspired by his own journey through adversity. Before launching One 11, he spent over a decade at Anheuser-Busch leading iconic brands like Bud Light, Budweiser, and Busch Light, where he drove top-selling innovations such as Naturdays, Busch Light Apple, and Bud Light Chelada Tajin, generating hundreds of millions in revenue. Known for pairing creativity with business impact, he oversaw award-winning campaigns, forged partnerships like Busch Light’s work with Farm Rescue, and delivered four straight years of brand growth. An entrepreneur at heart, Daniel launched his first successful business while at George Washington University, scaling a grocery startup to 45 employees and $2 million in annual revenue. Alex Blackwood Alex Blackwood, a former Goldman Sachs real estate investor, is the co-founder of Mogul, a fast-growing platform making real estate investing accessible through fractional ownership. Inspired by his own frustrations with the industry’s outdated processes, he explored blockchain during his “garden leave,” ultimately launching Mogul in 2021 to let everyday investors buy into residential properties with ease and earn rental income without the barriers of large down payments or landlord responsibilities. Alongside co-founder Joey Gumataotao, Alex navigated a scrappy startup journey—pitching from a rented WeWork during a snowstorm, stretching their last dollars to attend Tim Draper’s summit, and even facing moments with less than $1 in the bank before securing crucial early funding. Their persistence paid off, driving 157% year-over-year revenue growth and positioning Mogul as a leader in fractional real estate investing.

Alexa DePaolo Alexa DePaolo is a nationally recognized mortgage broker, business strategist, and keynote speaker known for her authentic, no-fluff approach to growth. Rising from poverty and single motherhood, she built a thriving 16-year career in lending and has become a sought-after voice in real estate and business. She empowers professionals, entrepreneurs, and sales teams to master their mindset, implement sustainable systems, and create businesses they genuinely love. She is also the founder of The Ripple Effect, a high-energy event that brings together top producers, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs from across the country. Through her work on stage and in business, Alexa champions the power of mindset, streamlined systems, and authentic relationships as the foundation for long-term success. Dr. Jeffrey Egler Dr. Jeffrey Egler, Chief Medical Officer at Noom and co-author of The Food As Medicine Revolution, is advancing research that reframes nutrition as a key driver of workplace productivity and long-term health. His findings reveal that improved diets can reduce sick days, sharpen focus, and lower healthcare costs—estimated at $50 billion annually from poor nutrition—while employees with unhealthy eating habits are 66% more likely to experience productivity loss. As Gen Z increasingly values health over salary, the Food as Medicine movement is gaining momentum, positioning food not just as sustenance but as a powerful tool for preventing disease, enhancing well-being, and even managing or replacing prescriptions for chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and obesity. Marc Nudelberg Marc Nudelberg is a former NCAA Division I football coach turned business leader who now serves as president of On the Ball, a family-founded sales and leadership coaching firm recognized as a Seminole 100 honoree for its rapid growth under his leadership. After more than a decade coaching at powerhouse programs like Florida State, Cincinnati, and Florida—where he became one of the youngest coordinators in Division I by age 27—Marc has translated his expertise in discipline, teamwork, and performance into the business world. A dynamic speaker known for his energy and candid storytelling, he helps CEOs, executives, and sales teams focus on resilience, relationships, and steady improvement, embodying his philosophy of getting “1% better every day.”

Zach Shefska Zach Shefska is the Co-Founder and CEO of CarEdge, a platform he built with his father, Ray, to simplify and transform the car-buying experience. Through tools, market insights, and resources like the CarEdge Research Center, Rankings, Reviews, and a robust library of YouTube content, CarEdge helps consumers research, negotiate, and purchase vehicles with greater transparency and confidence. Guided by a commitment to fairness and trust, Zach combines his tech-driven vision with Ray’s industry expertise to deliver innovative services such as CarEdge Concierge, CarEdge Insights, and the AI Negotiator, ultimately empowering millions of shoppers and inspiring retailers to adopt a more transparent, consumer-friendly approach. Pam Meissner Pam Meissner, CFO and COO of Cathcap, is known as a “profitability detective” who helps entrepreneurs and CEOs uncover hidden profit opportunities while building systems that drive clarity, cash flow, and growth. A CPA who took an unconventional path beyond traditional accounting, she has spent decades guiding leaders across industries with a practical, strategic approach that enables sustainable scaling and financial breakthroughs. Resilient and purpose-driven, Pam balances her professional impact with personal milestones, including celebrating her son’s college graduation and supporting her daughter’s marathon fundraising for autism research. Beyond finance, she brings creativity and innovation as an award-winning baker, avid reader, and self-taught fashion designer—qualities that reflect her adaptability, problem-solving mindset, and inspiring leadership. Gina Osborn Gina Osborn began her career in the U.S. Army as a Counterintelligence Special Agent, where she investigated high-profile espionage cases during the Cold War. She later spent 22 years with the FBI, leading major investigations into Asian Organized Crime, counterterrorism operations in Southeast Asia, and significant cyberattacks, including the Sony Pictures Entertainment breach. Rising to the role of Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Cyber and Computer Forensics in Los Angeles, she built a reputation for handling some of the nation’s most complex threats. After retiring from the FBI, Gina reinvented herself as an international keynote speaker, leadership consultant, and host of the Making Maverick Moves podcast. Today, she helps leaders and organizations navigate uncertainty, embrace bold decision-making, and lead with confidence in times of chaos and change.

Helen Ye Plehn Helen Ye Plehn, founder of Helen Creates Beauty and creator of the Aura Color Wheel, is a visionary educator, author, and spiritual guide dedicated to helping people discover their soul’s purpose. Her new book, The Aura Color Wheel: What Your Soul Aura Reveals About Your Soul Gifts, Wounds, and Lessons (Hay House Publishing), expands on her system, which readers can explore further through a free quiz on her website and her exclusive Aura Color Wheel Circle community. She is also the author of Flowing with My Rainbow Chakra Affirmation Deck and creator of the Flowing with Your Rainbow Course, recognized by MSN.com. With expertise spanning aura reading, intuitive painting, crystal healing, angel channeling, Feng Shui, yoga, Ayurveda, Vedic astrology, and Theta healing, Helen combines spiritual wisdom with creative expression—including her passion for Flamenco dance—in pursuit of her mission to help one million people live their soul’s purpose with joy and fulfillment. Sean “Hollywood” Hamilton and Kevin Sharpley Sean “Hollywood” Hamilton is a National Radio Hall of Fame inductee with over four decades of experience in broadcasting. He has hosted top-rated shows at Z100 and KIIS-FM in Los Angeles and is currently the host of the morning show at 103.5 KTU, The Beat of New York. Kevin Sharpley is an award-winning filmmaker and Sundance Institute Fellow whose work spans film, animation, and multimedia. He directed the animated version of iHeart Radio’s War of the Roses, the film Embrace the Legacy with Wesley Snipes, and the documentary Sove Nou narrated by Danny Glover and featuring Wyclef Jean. His projects have premiered at major festivals, including the Miami Film Festival and Slamdance, earning multiple awards. Kevin was inducted into the Miami Dade College Hall of Fame for his contributions to the film and entertainment industry as well as his community work.

Rodger Mort Rodger Mort is the Chief Operating Officer and partner at Packaging And Crating Technologies (PACT), a global leader in sustainable corrugated packaging for commercial, industrial, and military use. With 40 years of experience, he rose from hourly employee to COO, specializing in cost-effective, patented solutions like LiftVans, PleatWrap, and custom packaging for industries from aerospace to fine art. Mort has also driven the development of safety innovations such as PACT Thermo Shield®, which suppresses lithium-ion battery fires, and PACT Lion-X, a liquid-to-foam solution that extinguishes extreme fires in seconds. Under his leadership, PACT has become a preferred vendor for the U.S. Department of Defense, earned a special shipping permit from the Department of Transportation, and established itself as a trusted voice in key industry organizations. Jonathan Lowenhar Jonathan Lowenhar is a seasoned entrepreneur and executive with nearly 30 years of experience leading businesses through growth, turnaround, and exit. He has managed a $1B division of a public company, revitalized a distressed $100M+ business, co-founded and sold a venture-backed startup, and helped scale a fintech startup to a near-$1B acquisition by SAP. In 2015, he founded Enjoy The Work, where as CEO he has guided nearly 200 startup leaders representing more than $13B in enterprise value. Drawing on his background in hospitality, fintech, analytics, and operations, Jonathan and his team provide hands-on mentorship to help founders become successful CEOs and scale their companies with clarity and confidence. Michael Ioffe Michael Ioffe is the CEO and founder of Arist, a $16M-backed platform transforming workforce education through AI-built, text-based micro-courses that now serve 3.9 million employees at organizations like HP, Pfizer, Ford, Amazon, and the State of California. Inspired as a teenager working with students in Yemen, Michael realized SMS could deliver learning where internet access was unreliable, sparking his mission to make education more accessible. A lifelong innovator, he founded 15, became Oregon’s youngest high school teacher at 17, and, after hundreds of investor rejections, launched Arist in 2019. Today, the company is scaling 3–4x annually, winning Fortune 500 clients, and proving the power of persistence, vision, and simple tools to unlock global access to education.

Valerie Greenberg Valerie Greenberg is a national lifestyle expert, pop culture personality, and television host who inspires confidence and authenticity through her brand, #YouveBeenVALidated. A University of Florida graduate, she has appeared on Good Morning America, E! News, Extra!, Inside Edition, and more, while also serving as a spokesperson for leading lifestyle brands. Her experience spans television hosting, acting, writing, and motivational speaking, making her a trusted and versatile voice. With her new book releasing September 16th, Valerie shares practical tools and insights to help others overcome social anxiety, build meaningful connections, and cultivate lasting confidence. Adam Gillman Adam Gillman is a serial entrepreneur and brand builder, best known as the President and Co-Founder of Hiya Health, the fastest-growing kids’ wellness brand in America. What began as a mission to clean up children’s vitamins has grown into a trusted platform of products including probiotics, iron, greens, and sleep supplements, leading to a majority stake sale to Usana in 2024 for $205 million. Renowned for pioneering creator-driven marketing, Adam blends creativity with sharp business fundamentals—leveraging storytelling, supply chain strategy, and profitability to scale authentic, impactful brands. Beyond business, he is a devoted husband and father of two, sharing weekly life lessons with his sons that weave together stoicism, business insight, and love. Dr. David Spiegel Dr. David Spiegel, Founder of Reveri and the Willson Professor and Associate Chair of Psychiatry at Stanford School of Medicine, is one of the world’s foremost experts in hypnotherapy with over 45 years of clinical experience. Following in the footsteps of his father, Herbert Spiegel, who popularized hypnosis, he has authored 13 books and more than 450 research papers, advancing the science of clinical hypnosis while treating thousands of patients for chronic pain, insomnia, mental illness, eating disorders, and addiction. Reveri is the culmination of his life’s work—making scientifically rigorous, evidence-based hypnotherapy widely accessible to people everywhere.

Heather Spilsbury Heather Spilsbury is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Marketing Officer of 50/50 Women on Boards, where she leads global brand strategy and oversees operations to drive the campaign’s growth. A seasoned marketing strategist and business development leader, she specializes in creating multichannel campaigns that turn audiences into advocates, raise capital, and drive acquisitions, while also educating stakeholders on industry trends. Before joining 50/50 Women on Boards, Heather served as VP of Marketing and Strategy at a Los Angeles creative agency, where she scaled the business from $3 million to $26 million in under three years and launched its marketing division. She also serves on the board of HPRLA and is a senior consultant at Brilliant. Deeply committed to service, Heather has long supported under-resourced communities, from tutoring math in minority schools to volunteering with Everytable and The Fulfillment Fund. Martha Lawrence Martha Lawrence is a veteran book editor and the executive editor at Blanchard, where she has collaborated with Ken Blanchard for more than 20 years on bestselling works, including their co-authored book Trust Works!, winner of the San Diego Book Award. Over her career, she has edited hundreds of titles—among them multimillion-copy bestsellers and #1 New York Times releases—and worked with some of the world’s leading voices in business and personal development. In addition to her editorial achievements, Martha is the author of an award-nominated mystery series featuring private investigator Elizabeth Chase, which earned recognition from the Edgar, Anthony, Agatha, and Shamus awards. A graduate of UC Santa Cruz with additional studies in creative writing at The New School, she has also served as a founding faculty member of The La Jolla Writers Conference and reviewed books for The San Diego Union-Tribune. Known for her belief in leading with kindness and purpose, Martha combines literary expertise with a passion for empowering others through words. Scott Empringham Scott Empringham is the CEO of Empringham Media Group and a marketing leader who knows firsthand what it means to face loss and rebuild stronger. In 2018, he lost his 8-figure marketing agency—along with 40 employees, national clients, and the accolades that once defined him—overnight. Instead of walking away, Scott picked up his phone, began sharing his story on social media, and leaned into the power of AI and content. Within just 88 days, he rebuilt his business from the ground up, proving that resilience and storytelling can turn setbacks into comebacks. Since then, Scott has helped OEMs, dealerships, and entrepreneurs multiply their leads, sales, and impact using the same playbook that transformed his own life. Through Empringham Media Group, he and his team combine AI, storytelling, and smart strategy to help businesses scale quickly while authentically connecting with their audiences.

Ben Kvalo Ben is a seasoned leader in the gaming and entertainment industry with over 100 published titles to his name. His career spans major roles at Netflix, 2K, and Blizzard, where he contributed to blockbuster films like Bird Box and Extraction as well as iconic game franchises including NBA2K, Borderlands, and BioShock. Originally from Wisconsin and a graduate of UW–Green Bay, he is also the founder of Midwest Games, the first video game publisher in the Midwest, which recently launched a pioneering for-hire publishing services model. Recognized as a top voice in gaming on LinkedIn, Ben blends industry expertise, entrepreneurial drive, and his perspective as a leader with ADHD to help shape the future of video games.

Tony Smith Tony Smith is the CEO and Co-founder of Restaurant365, a fast-growing SaaS company transforming the restaurant industry with its all-in-one, cloud-based platform for accounting, store operations, and workforce management. From the early days, Tony played a hands-on role in designing and creating the product to address industry challenges, and today he leads the company’s vision, culture, growth, and long-term strategy. Under his leadership, Restaurant365 has become a disruptive force, helping restaurants boost productivity and profitability every day. Before founding Restaurant365, Tony served as Director of Services at Dynamic Methods, a software consulting firm specializing in accounting and operations solutions. With a career focused on using technology to solve real-world business problems, he has combined deep technical expertise with a passion for the restaurant industry, positioning R365 as a vital partner for operators navigating today’s competitive landscape. James Jiang James Jiang, 27, is an entrepreneur, investor, and the CEO of Limitless Financial Solutions, a consultancy focused on credit repair, funding, and building passive income streams. He leads a skilled team of credit repair attorneys, funding specialists, e-commerce experts, and media professionals, all dedicated to helping clients overcome financial challenges and achieve lasting financial freedom. Under his leadership, Limitless Financial Solutions has transformed the futures of more than 1,000 clients and earned James recognition in CEO Weekly as a pioneering force in the U.S. credit repair industry. With expertise in credit repair, funding strategies, and scalable income models, he continues to empower individuals and entrepreneurs to build wealth and long-term financial stability.

Zane Stoddard Zane Stoddard launched the NBA’s Los Angeles office with the backing of Commissioners David Stern and Adam Silver, and has since built a 30+ year career at the intersection of sports, business, and media. He has held leadership roles with the NBA, Nike, NASCAR, and an NBA team front office, while managing both the NBA and NASCAR’s LA offices for nearly two decades. Featured in USA Today, LA Times, People, Sports Illustrated, Variety, and ESPN, Zane is also a sought-after speaker at top universities and industry summits. Today, he advises aspiring sports professionals, sharing insider strategies to help them break into and succeed in the competitive sports industry.

Ross Buhrdorf Ross Buhrdorf is the co-founder and CEO of ZenBusiness which offers business products and services that help business owners in starting, running, and growing a business. The company has raised over $70 million from top-tier investors, drawn backing from investors like Mark Cuban, and grown to help more than 850,000 business owners. Prior to ZenBusiness, Ross was the founding CTO of HomeAway which was acquired for $3.9 billion. Jim Eckes With decades of experience in telecom, Jim Eckes is the leader of TieTechnology, where he focuses on building custom VoIP phone solutions to help businesses better serve their customers. He has built a career on creating meaningful partnerships and leveraging his expertise to bring legacy telecom systems into the future. Jim is also reinventing the customer experience by integrating telecom with AI in a way few have considered. His approach challenges long-standing industry norms, emphasizing that AI is only effective when the foundation—the phone system itself—is modern, reliable, and built to support innovation.