Tag: Entrepreneurship

Derek Distenfield: Bold Operator, Global Strategist, and Builder of Businesses That Matter

I’m a mission-driven executive passionate about building businesses that matter—whether through real estate development, global venture investing, or supporting veteran entrepreneurs. From leading combat deployments as a U.S. Army Captain to co-founding a cross-border accelerator and scaling startups across multiple industries, my journey has been rooted in service, strategy, and growth. Today, I lead DDB Capital Fund, where we focus on transformative developments that create long-term value for communities and investors across the Southeast.

Dawn Hryshko: Strategic Growth Architect and Tax Expert with Over 30 Years of Impact

I’m Dawn Hryshko, a CPA, MT, and CEPA with over 30 years of experience helping businesses grow, thrive, and transition with clarity and confidence. As Founder and CEO of Orsa Consulting, I partner with business owners to deliver strategic financial guidance, exit planning, and tax solutions that drive long-term success. My background spans Big 8 public accounting, leadership in a \$23B real estate enterprise, and years of boutique advisory work—always with a personal touch and a focus on turning numbers into meaningful business stories.

Gary Sheradsky: Multifaceted Aviator, Engineer, Author, and Strategic Business Leader with a Passion for Safety and Innovation

Gary Sheradsky is a multifaceted professional with over a decade of experience spanning aviation, engineering, construction, and business leadership. As a certified airline pilot, flight instructor, and former CFO of a clean-energy startup, Gary brings a unique blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and hands-on problem-solving. His career is defined by a commitment to safety, mentorship, and innovation—anchored in a personal mission to share his knowledge and positively impact the future.

John Olivieri: Building Legacies, Brick by Brick

I'm proud to share my executive biography, which captures the journey I've taken through architecture, construction, and real estate over the past 45 years. From starting my first business at 17 to leading three companies today, my career has been built on a foundation of integrity, innovation, and community service.

Emmanuel Hernández-Agosto, DBA

I’m thrilled to share my executive biography, a reflection of my journey as an educator, entrepreneur, and advocate for inclusive economic development. Over the past 18 years, I’ve been honored to lead programs that blend innovation with community impact and help learners and leaders alike discover new possibilities.

Brock Panos: Mission First, Integrity Always

After years of leadership in the military and federal contracting space, I’m excited to share my professional biography. This document reflects the journey I've taken—from the Marine Corps to entrepreneurship—and highlights the values and strategic perspective I bring to any mission.

Keith Southard: Board-Savvy Growth Strategist and Resilient Business Builder Across Energy and Emerging Markets

I’m a passionate business builder and board advisor with a career rooted in launching, scaling, and transforming companies across the energy and industrial sectors. From founding and selling multi-million dollar ventures to leading global expansions and turnarounds, I’ve thrived on helping organizations grow with purpose and resilience. I’ve also had the privilege of serving on boards where I contribute to strategic planning, governance, and long-term value creation. Whether I’m leading a team, navigating a crisis, or guiding a new venture, I’m driven by clarity, collaboration, and results.

Steve Mitas: Driving Innovation, Delivering Impact, Leading with Purpose

After more than three decades in technology, business leadership, and service to the public sector, I’m proud to share this executive biography that reflects my journey, values, and the experiences that have shaped my work. I’ve always believed that innovation, collaboration, and a people-first approach are essential to creating meaningful impact.

Mark Jacobsen: Empowering Entrepreneurs to Achieve Sustainable Growth Through Innovation, Insight, and Experience

Mark Jacobsen is a visionary brand and business strategist with over 30 years of experience guiding entrepreneurs and organizations toward sustainable growth. A serial entrepreneur with nine start-ups to his name, he blends practical, real-world insight with deep strategic acumen to help businesses thrive in competitive markets. From founding innovation-driven consultancies to advising some of the world’s most iconic brands—including Starbucks, Amazon, Microsoft, and Costco—Mark’s work is rooted in cultural relevance, human-centered design, and evidence-based strategy. His leadership continues to shape the future of work, brand development, and entrepreneurial success across industries.

Robert S. Chandler: Strategic CFO & Transformational Leader Across Industries

Robert S. Chandler is a seasoned financial executive with more than 30 years of experience driving growth, efficiency, and transformation across diverse industries. Known for his servant leadership style and people-first philosophy, he has led high-impact initiatives ranging from ERP implementations and operational restructurings to mergers, acquisitions, and successful business exits. His career highlights include scaling DRB Systems to a \$130 million enterprise, uncovering over \$2.5 million in efficiencies at Lynxis LLC, and navigating a \$2 million retail startup to profitability during the pandemic. With a strong foundation in both corporate finance and entrepreneurship, Robert combines strategic vision with hands-on execution, empowering organizations to adapt, grow, and lead with purpose.

McKenna Riggles: Business Development Strategist & Early-Stage Growth Expert

McKenna Riggles is a globally minded business development strategist recognized for her ability to scale early-stage startups through strategic partnerships, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration. With experience spanning the U.S., U.K., and South Africa, she has led transformative initiatives in AI, education, logistics, and consumer products. From architecting high-impact alliances to optimizing go-to-market strategies, McKenna blends analytical rigor with creative vision to deliver measurable growth and lasting impact for emerging ventures.

Five Years Later

When New York shut down in March 2020, my $10 million dry cleaning and textile restoration business lost 90% of its revenue overnight. What followed was a masterclass in crisis leadership, adaptability, and human resilience. With over 100 employees, nine locations, and clients who vanished in an instant, we had no choice but to rethink everything—from furloughing staff and negotiating leases to revamping our business model into a contactless pickup and delivery service. This is a story of radical transformation, forged in chaos, where survival meant shedding the old playbook and rebuilding a leaner, more agile operation—one personal phone call, one improvised role, and one cleaned garment at a time.

John J. Annunziata: Profits with Purpose, Growth with Integrity

After more than three decades of experience in finance, real estate development, franchise ownership, and community leadership, I’ve taken the time to reflect on my journey and capture it in a detailed executive biography. From building businesses to building relationships, every chapter has shaped who I am as a leader.

Malique Papailler: Championing Impact Through Strategic Insight and Human Connection

I’ve always believed that success is not only about performance but also about purpose. From working across investment banking and cross-asset sales to contributing to causes like Make-A-Wish, I’ve grown into a leader who values strategy, adaptability, and connection. I’m excited to share a more detailed look into my journey, the values I live by, and the impact I aim to create. Here is my biography.

Samah Damanhoori

I'm excited to share my professional journey, from my roots in Saudi Arabia to founding Madina Papel in California. This biography encapsulates my experiences in storytelling, activism, and innovation. Here is my biography.

Ed Jones: Global Financial Strategist and Operational Innovator in Real Estate and Hospitality

Ed Jones is a seasoned global executive with a distinguished track record in financial leadership, governance, and operational transformation across the real estate and hospitality sectors. With decades of experience overseeing complex, multi-billion-dollar portfolios spanning North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, Ed has led major initiatives in financial reporting, audit and risk oversight, capital planning, and systems modernization. Known for his ability to drive enterprise-wide efficiencies, guide international teams, and navigate regulatory frameworks, he brings a strategic, ESG-aligned perspective to both corporate and board leadership. A former senior director at Tishman Speyer and co-founder of a successful boutique hospitality venture, Ed combines deep industry knowledge with entrepreneurial insight, making him a valuable asset to forward-thinking organizations and boards seeking strong financial and operational stewardship.