Susan Wright Pope is a dedicated higher education and nonprofit leader with a passion for service, mentorship, and strategic program development. With over 40 years of experience, she has led impactful initiatives across student affairs, career services, and community engagement, bringing a values-based leadership style rooted in ethics, empathy, and inclusion. Known for her collaborative spirit and strong communication skills, Susan has inspired students, colleagues, and organizations alike through her work at institutions such as The Citadel, Clemson University, and the Foothills Family YMCA. Her commitment to lifelong learning and servant leadership continues to shape her involvement on advisory boards and in service-driven networks, where she seeks to foster meaningful change and empower the next generation of leaders.

Excited to share my executive biography—a reflection of over 21 years of building agile teams, designing transformative learning strategies, and empowering leaders to reach their full potential. I'm passionate about driving organizational success through people-first solutions and always open to new board opportunities where I can make a strategic impact.

Helene Combs Dreiling, FAIA, is a visionary leader and licensed architect whose career is marked by integrity, empathy, and a commitment to cultural transformation within the architectural profession. With deep expertise in strategic planning, organizational change, and professional development, Helene has successfully led initiatives that redefined governance structures, enhanced operational efficiency, and fostered inclusivity. Known for her ability to bridge diverse generations, genders, and cultures, she communicates with clarity and inspiration, driving impactful initiatives that leave lasting legacies. Through her leadership, Helene has advanced the architectural field while empowering individuals and organizations to thrive.

Rina Bethany is a seasoned executive and transformational leader with over four decades of experience in the manufacturing industry. Renowned for her ability to cultivate high-performing teams and drive operational excellence, Rina has led large-scale mill operations across the U.S. and Canada, consistently delivering results through strategic planning, Lean implementation, and people-first leadership. Her passion for mentoring, combined with a deep understanding of both financial and operational systems, makes her a unique force in guiding organizations toward long-term success. Grounded in integrity and purpose, Rina continues to inspire the next generation of leaders while championing the critical role of manufacturing in shaping a sustainable economic future.

With over 15 years of leadership in athletic operations, education, and strategic program development, I’m excited to leverage my experience to contribute to impactful board roles. My approach emphasizes strategic growth, inclusive excellence, and community engagement—here is my biography.

Laura Bluem is a visionary leader renowned for her integrity, expertise, and strategic acumen in transforming organizational learning. With deep knowledge in instructional design, eLearning, and AI-driven solutions, she excels at creating innovative, business-aligned learning strategies that deliver measurable results. Known for her exceptional communication skills, Laura bridges the gap between technical teams and stakeholders, fostering collaboration and driving seamless project execution. Her ability to inspire teams, optimize performance, and implement impactful improvement programs underscores her commitment to excellence and organizational growth.

Andrea Burns is a versatile leader whose career spans market research, wellness education, and creative consulting, unified by a passion for translating complexity into clarity. As Director of Client Solutions at CMI, she bridges the gap between data and decision-making, delivering insights that drive strategic growth. At the same time, through her wellness consultancy, Chronic Health, Andrea empowers individuals to understand their bodies and make informed choices, drawing from her own transformative health journey. With expertise in visual communication, health science, and client strategy, she brings heart, intellect, and innovation to every endeavor—whether analyzing consumer behavior, designing wellness programs, or inspiring curiosity through creative expression.

Andrew Vanderburg is a strategic sales and business development executive with a proven track record in scaling sales channels, driving ARR growth, and optimizing operations across the security, AI, and remote monitoring industries. With expertise in go-to-market strategy, channel partnerships, and revenue expansion, he has led multimillion-dollar initiatives that have positioned businesses for acquisition and long-term success. His leadership at Hakimo, Global Guardian, Securitas Electronic Security, and Stanley Security has resulted in industry-low client attrition rates, high-impact security solutions, and substantial revenue growth. Recognized as one of **Security System News’ 40 Under 40**, Andrew continues to shape the industry through innovation, strategic market positioning, and operational excellence.

Cairo Amani is a seasoned customer success executive, tech industry thought leader, and career coach dedicated to transforming customer engagement through strategic leadership and data-driven decision-making. With over a decade of experience spanning customer success, sales, and recruitment, she has built and led high-performing teams that drive retention, loyalty, and business growth. Passionate about mentorship and inclusion, she co-founded ThriveNetwork to support women and gender nonconforming professionals in navigating careers centered on customer relationships. Amani’s expertise in customer advocacy, team development, and market research has made her a sought-after leader in the tech industry, continuously shaping innovative programs that elevate customer experience functions and empower professionals to succeed.

Surya Krishnan is a seasoned finance and strategy executive with over two decades of experience in corporate development, M&A, valuation, and strategic planning. He has led over $25 billion in transactions, managed $150 million in revenue, and advised C-level executives on financial strategy and business growth. With a strong background in corporate finance, venture capital, and financial consulting, Surya has played a key role in high-profile acquisitions and investment initiatives. In addition to his leadership in corporate finance, he is committed to mentorship and professional development, guiding MBA students and emerging business leaders through financial strategy and career growth. His expertise in data-driven decision-making, market analysis, and corporate advisory continues to shape the future of finance and business strategy.

Robert Bacchioni is a seasoned financial and operations leader with over 10 years of experience in retail, technology, and finance. Currently serving as Manager II, Marketplace Risk at Walmart, he specializes in financial planning, risk management, and business technology integrations to drive operational efficiency and revenue growth. With a strong background in pricing strategy, marketplace performance, and financial forecasting, Robert has successfully led cross-functional teams to develop scalable solutions that enhance platform integrity and business sustainability. A data-driven strategist with a collaborative leadership style, he is now seeking board and advisory roles where he can leverage his expertise to help organizations optimize financial health, risk mitigation, and strategic growth initiatives.

Cynthea Johnson Amason is a mission-driven executive whose career reflects a profound dedication to people, purpose, and positive transformation. As Chief Culture and Communications Officer at Cadet Portfolio, LLC, she blends strategic insight with compassionate leadership to shape organizational culture and elevate client engagement. With over 40 years of experience spanning nonprofit leadership, higher education, public relations, and ministry, Cynthea is known for her ability to build trust, lead with authenticity, and inspire meaningful change. Whether mentoring staff, overseeing complex initiatives, or representing organizations in the public eye, she leads with integrity, clarity, and an unwavering commitment to service.

Elizabeth Bessey is a transformative HR executive and certified professional coach with over 30 years of experience driving strategic people initiatives across seven industries. Known for her expertise in talent management, leadership development, and culture change, she has consistently guided organizations through growth, transformation, and sustained success. A trusted partner to executive teams and boards, Elizabeth combines strategic insight with a deep understanding of human potential to build high-performing teams and future-ready leaders. Her work is grounded in authenticity, purpose, and a passion for helping individuals and organizations thrive.

I'm excited to share my executive biography with you. With over 20 years of experience in training, curriculum design, leadership development, and public speaking, I’ve had the privilege of helping organizations grow their people and performance. I’m now exploring board opportunities where I can bring this experience to a strategic level.

Roland Richardson is a respected technology leader and community advocate known for building high-performing engineering teams and advancing innovation in the automotive and ADAS sectors. With over 37 years of experience at Chrysler and Qualcomm, he has led complex powertrain and autonomous driving software projects while fostering inclusive, collaborative work environments. Roland blends technical mastery with emotional intelligence, drawing on his engineering and management education to align teams, inspire growth, and deliver results. His people-first approach and passion for mentorship continue to shape the next generation of engineers and community leaders in Detroit and beyond.

Marcus Johnson is a strategic and adaptable operations leader with a strong foundation in both technology and communication, uniquely positioning him to support growing businesses through change. As a partial LLC owner and Assistant Manager at Reference Recordings, he oversees staff coordination, customer service, and project execution with a data-driven, people-first approach. Backed by a BA in English and Computer Science from Sonoma State University, Marcus combines analytical thinking with creative problem-solving to improve processes and drive results. His experience managing databases, navigating fast-paced environments, and leveraging tools like Excel, Asana, and Slack reflects his commitment to efficiency and excellence. Known for his clear communication and collaborative leadership, Marcus is constantly seeking growth—for himself, his team, and the businesses he supports.