After more than four decades in the futures and commodities industry, I’m proud to reflect on a career built on integrity, collaboration, and strategic leadership. From my early days at the Chicago Board of Trade to senior roles at HSBC, Prudential, and most recently as Senior Vice President at ADM Investor Services, I’ve been fortunate to work alongside exceptional teams and help shape the evolution of our markets. Serving on the Board of the Futures Industry Association and the Business Conduct Committees of COMEX and NYMEX has been a true honor, and I remain deeply grateful for the relationships and experiences that defined my journey.

I’m a Partner at Brown Advisory, where I manage over \$4.5 billion in discretionary Endowment & Foundation assets as an OCIO portfolio manager. With more than 15 years of experience across investment consulting, credit research, and multi-asset portfolio construction, I’m passionate about helping mission-driven institutions navigate complex markets with clarity and purpose. I enjoy building strong, lasting relationships and leading teams that prioritize intellectual curiosity, collaboration, and client-first thinking.

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.

I’m a commercial real estate finance professional with a passion for connecting people to capital and ideas that drive meaningful development. With experience spanning multifamily lending, real estate investment, and higher education, I bring both analytical strength and client-centered communication to every project. Currently, I support borrowers nationwide through my work at Lument while also serving as a principal at Garrison Capital Partners, where we invest in multifamily assets across Central Ohio. I’m always energized by opportunities to collaborate, solve complex problems, and contribute to communities through thoughtful, strategic real estate solutions.

I'm excited to share my professional journey, encompassing over 15 years of experience in investment management and real estate development across international markets. My work at Habitus Capital and Access Capital Mexico reflects a commitment to strategic growth and impactful investment. Here is my biography.

After decades of working in international finance, academia, and economic strategy, I’ve taken time to reflect on the path that’s shaped who I am and what I continue to offer. From teaching students at Johns Hopkins to advising global financial institutions, and from managing multi-billion-dollar portfolios to sharing my passion for Asian art at the Smithsonian, I’ve remained driven by a love of knowledge, collaboration, and impact. Here is my biography.

Brandon Story is a highly accomplished financial executive with more than 25 years of leadership in capital markets, investment strategy, and mortgage finance. Known for his strategic foresight and results-driven approach, he has held senior roles at Mr. Cooper and Pacific Union Financial, where he led multi-billion-dollar investment portfolios, developed innovative revenue strategies, and guided organizations through complex market landscapes. With deep expertise in asset management, secondary marketing, and business intelligence, Brandon blends technical rigor with collaborative leadership, making him a trusted advisor and impactful voice in the financial services industry.

Michael A. Cacouris is a seasoned financial executive with over 35 years of experience in corporate finance, investment management, and restructuring. With a strong foundation in both fixed income and equity markets, he has led financial turnarounds, scaled businesses, and optimized capital structures across financial services, manufacturing, and technology startups. As a former co-CEO, hedge fund leader, and municipal finance advisor, Michael brings a unique blend of strategic vision, operational expertise, and risk management acumen to organizations seeking growth and stability. Fluent in French and Greek with international experience in Europe, he is a dynamic leader committed to driving financial and operational excellence.

I’m excited to share my professional executive biography, which highlights my experience in finance, risk management, executive leadership, and strategic business development. Over the years, I’ve worked with global institutions, academia, and corporate executives, helping organizations navigate financial complexities while mentoring the next generation of finance professionals.

I’m excited to share my professional journey and the impact I’ve been fortunate to have in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. With over 30 years in financial services and a deep commitment to nonprofit governance, I strive to bring strategic leadership and financial expertise to every organization I serve. Here is my biography.

Girish Iyer is a seasoned business executive with over 25 years of global experience across sectors such as automotive, industrial, energy, facilities maintenance, and home services. As a Partner at AR2 LLC, a Michigan-based investment and management firm, he has been pivotal in acquiring and managing U.S.-based manufacturing and business services companies, including the notable acquisition of Screen Works in January 2018. In addition to his role at AR2 LLC, Girish serves as Chief Growth Officer at Oorja Growth Partners, a Detroit-based firm dedicated to accelerating growth and enhancing equity value for small to mid-sized businesses. His extensive career also encompasses significant leadership positions at Cummins Inc., where he excelled in marketing, business development, regulatory affairs, and product planning. Girish's academic background includes an MBA in General Management from Oakland University and an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University. Fluent in Hindi and possessing basic proficiency in Spanish and Mandarin, he brings a multicultural perspective to his professional endeavors, further enriched by his international experience in markets such as China, India, Brazil, and South Korea. Beyond his executive roles, Girish contributes strategic guidance as a board member at Screen Works and maintains personal interests in reading and golf, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning and personal development.

Adam S. Plotkin is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in financial services, investment management, and compliance. A strategic leader with a strong focus on regulatory oversight, risk management, and client engagement, Adam has successfully guided organizations through growth, operational improvements, and industry challenges. His expertise spans RA money management, SEC evaluation, and portfolio oversight, making him a trusted advisor in the investment sector. Beyond his corporate achievements, Adam is a dedicated mentor and community leader, actively serving on boards and committees, particularly within the Jewish community. A passionate advocate for fostering creativity and empowering others, Adam is now seeking board and advisory roles where he can leverage his deep expertise to help organizations evolve and thrive.

I’m excited to share my professional biography as I explore new opportunities to serve on for-profit boards. With over 30 years of leadership experience in financial services, investment management, and corporate strategy, I am eager to bring my expertise to organizations seeking strong governance and strategic direction.

I’m excited to share my executive biography, highlighting my journey in investment management, fiduciary leadership, and financial strategy. With over 20 years of experience in institutional investing, portfolio risk management, and nonprofit board governance, I am committed to helping organizations build sustainable financial futures.

Joe Grabowski is a distinguished financial services executive with over two decades of expertise in corporate finance, commercial real estate, and asset management. As the fractional chief financial officer of Blue Jay Investments LP and managing member of The Afton Group, LLC, he provides strategic financial consulting, forecasting, and cost analysis services. His career includes leadership roles at Regions Bank and Wells Fargo, where he managed large portfolios, optimized risk management strategies, and drove financial growth. A dedicated community leader, Joe has served on multiple nonprofit boards and holds an MBA from Azusa Pacific University. His strategic vision and financial acumen make him a trusted leader in the industry.

Ted Nash is a seasoned corporate director, strategist, and financial professional with a career spanning over 30 years. Renowned for his expertise in mergers, acquisitions, and corporate governance, Mr. Nash has guided both public and private companies through transformative growth and strategic initiatives. Currently serving on several corporate boards, including Pizza Pizza Royalty Corporation and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, he is recognized for his leadership in risk management, audit oversight, and operational strategy. As the founder of Nash & Company Capital Managers, Mr. Nash has successfully revitalized businesses such as Rent-a-Son and Celco Inc., applying innovative strategies to drive expansion and sustainability. His earlier tenure at CIBC featured notable achievements, including managing acquisitions and divestitures worth over $2.5 billion and leading award-winning M&A transactions valued at $225 billion. Beyond his corporate pursuits, Mr. Nash is a dedicated community leader, contributing to charitable organizations like Prostate Cancer Canada and Covenant House Toronto. A Wharton School graduate and a Chartered Professional Accountant, he is fluent in English, French, and Spanish, bringing a global perspective to his work.