Past Speakers

Jack P. Flaherty is a former executive officer, strategic advisor, and Big 4 risk management consultant. Crediting his success to the confident and decisive teams he had built over a twenty-plus-year career, Jack now is a passionate advocate who speaks, writes, and consults on the value and skills required to make critical decisions.

Having conducted thousands of executive interviews he’s found high-level decision-making to be one of the greatest challenges we face on a daily basis, and yet observed many of his clients were never given the requisite training or tools to confidently make effective and productive decisions. A knowledge gap that frequently instills fear and anxiety, as well as contributes to performance issues for individuals, teams, and their organizations.

A reality that became the catalyst for authoring The Decision Switch: 7 Principles of Successful Decision-Making, a proven methodology that transforms individuals into decisive leaders, able to make confident decisions at the speed their role requires.

Ethan Penner is the Managing Partner of Mosaic Real Estate Investors, a Los Angeles based investment manager founded in 2015.  Mosaic specializes in the intersection of structured finance and real estate.

Ethan is a recognized pioneer in the fields of real estate and finance, specializing in real estate, mortgage credit, and financial markets. Ethan is most well-known for his work with Nomura Securities in the 1990’s where he is broadly credited with being the driving force behind the creation of the CMBS industry. With Nomura’s financial backing, he established a real estate finance operation that re-defined the mortgage finance industry, making Nomura the dominant brand in the U.S. real estate finance industry. In recognition of his work Ethan received many awards including being named one of the U.S. Real Estate industry’s 100 icons of the 20th century, being voted the Real Estate industry’s Financial Services Executive of the Year for five consecutive years and being included in Global Finance Magazine’s list of the world’s most powerful people in Finance. In 2011 Real Estate Forum voted him one of the industry’s 65 living legends in their 65th anniversary issue.

Ethan’s career goes back to the earliest days of the mortgage-backed securities industry, including stints at Drexel Burnham and Morgan Stanley, and CBRE.

Ethan has written a book on his philosophy, entitled “Greatness is a Choice,” that will be released by Wiley in the fall of 2023. He has been an adjunct professor at Pepperdine’s Graziadio School of Business since 2017 and before that at University of Southern California, teaching real estate and mortgage finance, capital markets, and global macroeconomics.

Carmi Zlotnik is currently the President of Television at Legendary Entertainment, overseeing the full-service television studio that specializes in financing, developing, and producing quality genre and character-driven projects for multiple platforms. Zlotnik came to Legendary following his time under an exclusive producing and consulting deal at Apple TV+, which evolved into acting as the Head of Operations for the streamer.

Formerly the President of Programming for STARZ, Zlotnik was responsible for development, production and programming strategy for STARZ Originals. Among notable original series are acclaimed scripted dramas include: "Power," "Outlander," "American Gods" and "Vida;" as well as limited series: "The Spanish Princess," "The White Princess" and "The White Queen."

Prior to joining STARZ in 2010, Zlotnik was Head of Operations for IMG Global Media, overseeing the media side of the fashion, sports and entertainment conglomerate. His portfolio included leading U.K. production companies: Tiger Aspect and Darlow Smithson. Zlotnik also oversaw IMG Sports and, in this capacity, helped launch the IPL, a new cricket league in India. Zlotnik successfully restructured all of IMG's entertainment, digital and production businesses.

Zlotnik also enjoyed a storied 20-year career at HBO where he held various management and strategic positions, including tenures as Executive Vice President of New Media Programming and Executive Vice President of Creative Operations, Business Development & New Media. Zlotnik helped initiate HBO's Original Programming strategy. He was also responsible for the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. While overseeing the New Media area, Zlotnik helped pioneer the project that eventually became HBO Go.

As head of Original Programming Production at HBO, Zlotnik supervised production for numerous shows including: "Band of Brothers," "The Sopranos," "The Wire," "Sex and the City," "Six Feet Under," "From the Earth to the Moon," "The Corner," "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "The Larry Sanders Show." Zlotnik also headed production for HBO Independent Productions and supervised shows including "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Martin," "The Ben Stiller Show" and "Roc." In 2002, Zlotnik led the HBO team that received the first interactive Emmy Award for the website supporting "Band of Brothers." In 1989, Zlotnik received a Cable ACE® Award and an Emmy® nomination for his work as co-producer on the HBO Comedy Special "Billy Crystal: Midnight Train to Moscow."

A native of Germany, Sascha brings with him 18 years of experience in leading brand- and commercial operations for some of the world's most thought-after premium and luxury brands in automotive & mobility in North America, including: Automobili Lamborghini, Automobili Pininfarina, Audi, Faraday Future, and J.D. Power & Associates.

He brings with him a unique skillset across three areas of expertise: (1) Establishing and evolving premium & luxury brands across all commercially-relevant functions with a rigorous focus on profitable growth. (2) Evolving traditional automobile business models for increased competitiveness during fundamental macro-shifts towards digitization, electrification, and mobility. (3) Driving change in culturally diverse organizations both in traditional corporate-, as well as start-up environments.

Most recently, Sascha established US operations for Automobili Pininfarina and is currently leading the North American market developments as an advisor. Pininfarina – an iconic, 92-year old Italian design firm – is globally known for designing some of the most famous vehicles in automotive history – including Ferrari designs for 67 years. Now, having established it's own sustainable-luxury car brand, Automobili Pininfarina has recently started the production and delivery of its first model 'Battista' – the fastest accelerating production vehicle of our time (zero-to-60 mph in 1.79 seconds). 1,900 hp. Fully electric. Starting at $2,2MM. No more than 150 will ever be made.

Prior to joining Automobili Pininfarina, Sascha drove the turn-around of Automobili Lamborghini's brand and business operations in North America over a period of 7 years and various responsibilities including: Strategy & Finance, Network Operations, Marketing, and Business Development. Over his tenure, growth performance tripled leading to a strong expansion of brand desirability through today.

With the onset of electrification, Sascha further lead the development of innovative and technology-driven distribution strategies and consumer experiences with Faraday Future. He also became a Co-Founder and CEO of MODOS Technologies Inc., a fully-digital mobility platform providing on-demand mobility solutions. Think: Drive any vehicle. For as long as you want. Delivered. Right on your phone!

In his earlier career, he spent significant time with J.D. Power & Associates in various automotive research and consulting roles across a wide portfolio of OEM clients and functional topics.

Sascha holds an MBA from Pepperdine University's Graziadio School of Business and Management.

Rachel Ingel-Champion leads Global Talent Practices for NIKE, Inc. A dynamic talent, culture, and organization strategy leader, Rachel brings deep experience in organization and talent strategy, operating model and culture transformation, leadership development, and learning. She draws upon her diversified experiences and education to help organizations realize their potential through the effectiveness of their people, ensuring that both employees and organizations are equipped to thrive in today's rapidly changing environments.

Rachel provides expertise in assessing organizational opportunities for transformation and evolution in:

Organization & Talent Strategy
Operating Models that Enable Enterprise Performance
Culture Enrichment & Transformation
Leadership & Team Effectiveness
Organization Effectiveness & Development Practices

Rachel has worked with a variety of industries including Media & Entertainment, Sporting Goods, Retail, Consumer Products, Mobile Telecommunications. She is driven by a demonstrated fervor for human behavior, digital innovation, and the creative arts. Rachel earned a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California Irvine, an MBA from Pepperdine University's Graziadio School of Business and Management and a PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Alliant International University. In her spare time, she enjoys travel, cooking, and helping others build careers rooted in their passions.

A 35-year technology-industry operating executive, René Bonvanie has had a front-row seat for most of tech's major transition points, working in senior executive roles at Silicon Valley companies including Ingres, Oracle, Business Objects, SAP, Salesforce and Palo Alto Networks. Most recently, René—who got his start in technology when he founded a software business in his home country of the Netherlands in 1983—was a co-founder of cybersecurity company Palo Alto Networks. He served as chief marketing officer for over 10 years, growing the company from a tiny startup to one with nearly $3 billion in annual revenue when he retired in 2020. René also played a key role in the company's initial-public offering in 2012. Over the years, René has also carved out a niche as a go-to advisor to VC's such as Battery Ventures and Cyberstarts, startups such Armis, Acronis, Collibra, Guardsquare, Odigo, and Nexthink, and Dutch entrepreneurial efforts such as ScaleNL and Holland in the Valley.

Mr. Kolbrenner is a member of Houlihan Lokey's Business Services Group and leads the firm's Engineering & Construction practice. His recent transactions include sellside, buyside, financing, restructuring, and strategic advisory engagements. Mr. Kolbrenner is a regular speaker at numerous E&C industry gatherings.

Before joining Houlihan Lokey, Mr. Kolbrenner was an Associate in the asset securitization group of Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. Previously, he was an Associate in the corporate department of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, where he focused on M&A, corporate finance, and financial derivatives.

Mr. Kolbrenner is a member of the Board of Governors of the Los Angeles Region of Pacific Clinics, which provides life-changing services to children, individuals, older adults, and families throughout California by offering a full range of mental and behavioral health services, foster care and social services, housing, continuing adult education, and early childhood education programs. He is also an at-large member of Young Presidents' Organization (YPO).

In 2021, Mr. Kolbrenner appeared on Wheel of Fortune and won $145,000, the most by any man in the history of the show, which he donated in its entirety, splitting between Pacific Clinics and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

Mr. Kolbrenner graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder and holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

 

Kolbrenner's LinkedIn

Josh Schwede is a graduate of Graziadio's 12 Month MBA program from 2003.  He has spent his entire career in software starting at IBM out of undergrad and then jumped into the world of start ups in 2000 and hasn't looked back since.  Since he left Pepperdine, he has worked in the HR/Talent Tech industry and has seen it all from raising venture capital, IPO and acquisitions.  Josh has held a variety of Executive roles across Sales, Marketing, Strategy and Operations with companies such as HireVue, Cornerstone, and HireRight. In 2021 Josh co-founded his first company, SPOTLYFE, which help people and companies avoid employee burnout by providing a single view into Work, Life and Self Care.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/joshschwede/

Alma Derricks is a "serial intrapreneur" with over 25 years of experience building inventive new businesses at the edges of established media, entertainment, hospitality, and consumer products companies. She has launched content networks for internationally acclaimed franchises including Star Trek and Dilbert; advised executives at NBCU, Verizon, Redbox, Blue Man Group, and Southwest Airlines; and held senior management positions at HBO, Paramount, Deloitte Consulting, and Cirque du Soleil. She is the Founder and Managing Partner of REV, a boutique strategy consultancy, and has spoken internationally on Brand Entrepreneurship™, innovation, cultural nuances, and bridging business and creativity.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/almaderricks/

With an eye on making an impact, I have built a 20-year career in digital marketing, social strategy and executive communications across B2C and B2B audiences. It has been my privilege to work inside four Fortune 500 brands including: Nestle, Adidas, Microsoft and Qualcomm.

My areas of expertise include: Brand Strategy • Executive Communications • Influencer Relations • B2C/B2B Social Media • Podcasting • Global Collaboration • Team Leadership • Creative Production • Community Building • Insight-led Digital Transformation

As a strategic leader, I strive to:

• Lead my teams through complexity and ambiguity with grace
• Facilitate connections among different groups and gain buy-in at all levels
• Be relentlessly positive, solution-oriented, and foster a growth mindset in those around me
• Bring an owner mentality to my work, consistently identifying market opportunities and going after them
• Seek out elegant solutions, create beautiful user experiences, and translate facts into stories

 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakjensen/

Lindsay oversees Global Prime Finance Sales at BNP Paribas in the Western U.S. She is responsible for sourcing and maintaining financing relationships with hedge funds and asset owners. Prior to her current role, Lindsay spent time at Deutsche Bank, Bank of America Securities, and Jefferies, where she was responsible for Prime Brokerage Distribution and Capital Introductions. Lindsay began her career as an analyst at US Trust and later in hedge fund due diligence at Wells Fargo Family Wealth. Lindsay earned her BA in Economics from Occidental College and her MBA from Pepperdine University. She is a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA).

Lindsay competes in the equestrian sport of show jumping at the grand prix level – she also has two children, ages 6 and 3. Lindsay serves on the Excellence in Investing for Children's Causes Foundation Board and is involved in various other non-profit organizations which provide support to underrepresented Bay Area youth.

Nicole Kirkorian Elmes is Vice President of Sales for Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing, focusing on maximizing sales and profitability by building and executing on strategy across distribution channels for Disney Publishing Worldwide imprints. Nicole has held several positions at the company for 15 years--most recently as Director, Catalog Strategy & Account Planning at Disney Media Entertainment Distribution, where she led sales, operations and account strategy for all Disney and 20th Century Fox movies, and Television series. Previously she led positions in Product Management, New Product Strategy and Finance at The Walt Disney Studios. Before working at Disney, Nicole was General Manager of Viva Media, a privately owned company dedicated to publishing high quality software for children and family entertainment, based in New York City. In addition to her MBA from Pepperdine University, Nicole holds a BFA in Acting from New York University.

Eric Iverson is a senior technology executive and a 21 year veteran of Media and Entertainment. He currently holds the position of Chief Technology Officer for the Media & Entertainment Global vertical at Amazon Web Services (AWS). Prior to AWS, Eric was the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at the leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA) where he oversaw the CAAtech department. Before joining CAA in 2016, Iverson spent more than 17 years at Sony Pictures. In the capacity as Divisional CIO for Sony Pictures Television, he was responsible for the global systems portfolio and led strategic technology change initiatives for television production, distribution, and network & digital channels. Eric is engaged in several industry wide initiatives including EIDR, MESA, HITS, Evanta CIO and CDO groups, SCSIM, WiTH and the So Cal Women's CIO Certification Program. In 2019, Eric was a finalist for LA business journal's enterprise CIO of the year award. Eric graduated from Pepperdine University with a degree in music.

Mr. Penner is a Founder and Managing Partner of MREC Management, LLC, serves at the functional CIO of Mosaic and is a member of the Investment and Executive Committees. Ethan is a recognized pioneer in the field of real estate finance with a 35-year career marked by filling voids and responding to unseen or poorly understood opportunities. 

Over his career he has been involved in $30B+ of mortgage originations. Most notably, he is credited with being the primary driver in the creation of the Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities market while at Nomura Securities, for which he received broad recognition including being named one of the U.S. Real Estate Industry's 100 icons of the 20th century. In 2011, Real Estate Forum voted him one of the Real Estate Industry's 65 living legends in their 65th anniversary issue. In 2008, Ethan founded and served as President of CBRE Capital Partners, a real estate debt investment platform that successfully raised and managed over $600M from institutional and high net worth investors. CBRE Capital Partners substantially exited all investments in 2014.

Ethan currently serves as an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University's Graziadio School of Business and Management, and previously held the same capacity at the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business. Additionally, he is a member of CRE Finance Council's Executive Committee of the Board of Governors.

As Chief Executive Officer of American Homes 4 Rent, David Singelyn is focused on providing safe, high-quality homes for families across the country. With extensive experience in private and public real estate companies and REITS, Mr. Singelyn founded American Homes 4 Rent with B. Wayne Hughes in 2011 and is a pioneer in the Single-Family Rental home industry. Prior to American Homes 4 Rent, Mr. Singelyn held leadership roles at Public Storage Canada, including serving as its President from 2003 until 2012; Public Storage U.S.; American Commercial Equities (ACE); and Arthur Young & Company (now EY).

He serves on the Board of Directors of the William Lawrence and Blanche Hughes Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the research of pediatric cancer. Mr. Singelyn is also a member of the Dean's Advisory Council to the College of Business and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Philanthropic Foundation at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Mr. Singelyn earned Bachelor of Science degrees from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Erica Wertheim Zohar is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, journalist, and a connector. She first started American Groove, Inc., her women's and children's sportswear and private label clothing manufacturing company in 1995, at the age of 23. Serving as the company's CEO, she grew the company's brands to be sold in nearly 1,000 retail outlets, and manufactured for some of the country's largest retailers.

Mrs. Wertheim Zohar is currently active as an investor and advisor to many start-up companies, served as Contributing Editor to Town & Country Magazine and currently as a Contributor to Forbes.

Dr. Ana Brant is a visionary brand strategist, experience designer, customer-centricity expert, researcher, and published writer in the art and science of turning discerning, global customers into hard-core fans. Her unique talent takes a scalpel to the mindset and expectations of the world's most affluent, powerful, and influential individuals and elegantly dissects what makes them do what they do and want what they want. Dr. Brant regularly shares her unconventional yet thoughtful ideas in the Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and the peer-reviewed Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, and at speaking engagements for institutions such as Cornell University, Harvard University, and the Wharton School of Business.

Dr. Brant earned her Doctor of Business Administration degree at the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School with a research focus grounded in the consumer culture theories specializing in affluent consumers and resource-based organizational strategies. She is a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology where she received a Master's degree in Service Leadership and a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management.

Kim Snyder is President of the West Region, responsible for all activities including development, acquisitions and operations for Prologis. Key markets included in this region are San Francisco, Seattle, Central Valley, Southern California, the Inland Empire, Las Vegas and Phoenix. He joined AMB in 2005 after more than 25 years of experience in real estate development and construction, acquisitions and industrial leadership.

As Managing Director and Senior Vice President during his tenure at AMB, Kim managed AMB's Airport Group, Mexico and Brazil operations. Prior to AMB, Kim was President and CEO of Paragon Capital Corporation, and was Managing Director for Insignia-ESG's Western region development operation before working at Paragon. Prior to Insignia, Kim was a partner with Investment Building Group based in Los Angeles.

Meisha R. Sherman joined Envista Corporation (Danaher legacy company) as Vice President, Global Human Resources with over 25 years in human resources. In her current role she is responsible for all facets of human resources, including business partner, executive compensation, employee relations, compensation and benefits, organizational design, performance management, talent acquisition, leadership development, diversity & inclusion, succession planning, employee engagement and talent management, delivering high-impact strategies that drive sustainable business results and organizational excellence.

Prior to joining Envista Corporation (Danaher legacy company), Meisha held several HR executive and leadership roles at a Fortune 10 technology company, Hewlett Packard Company. Most recently as Global Senior Director, Executive Leadership and Organization Development driving leadership, talent management, L&D, and organization development (OD) strategies, efforts, and initiatives developing and building executives, leaders, and teams to deliver results.

Joshua Taub, Chief Operating Officer for Activision, has held several leadership positions in the videogame and consumer products industries for more than two decades, spearheading strategic, brand and commercial initiatives in both international and domestic markets. He currently manages the overall operations of the organization, as well as the Emerging Franchises, Analytics and Finance organizations.

Taub joined Activision in 2006 as Vice President of Sales and quickly demonstrated strengths in multiple disciplines, including Strategy and Supply Chain Management to Sales Operations and Product Management, through his work on tremendously successful franchises including Guitar Hero and Call of Duty. In 2011, Taub was the General Manager for the $3.5 billion, award- winning Skylanders, the innovative videogame and toy initiative.

Équité founder and CEO, Daniel Langer, is one of the world's most renowned experts on brand building and extreme value creation in a digitally disrupted world and with Millennials and Gen Z, a global "Top Five Luxury Key Opinion Leader to Watch 2021". He won multiple awards for his work with brands in Europe, Asia, and the USA. He is also faculty of Luxury Strategy at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

Deepak Ohri is a leader in the creation of innovative luxury experience with extensive experience in hospitality, food and beverage and known for delivering record profits in a challenging market condition.

He has been recognized globally for his entrepreneurial efforts, having been the recipient of multiple awards including "World's Leading Travel Personality" at World Travel Awards, HAPA Entrepreneur of the Year an unprecedented three times, 'The Extraordinaire Award' by Brand Vision, and 'Global Asian of the Year' by Asia's Greatest Brands and Leaders. He is also a celebrated speaker, and has spoken at the world's key hospitality, business, and luxury forums. As a member of various travel and tourism organizations, he regularly contributes to industry reports and conferences.

Marilyn Miller is the Chief People Officer (CPO) of Anaplan. Marilyn is well known as a seasoned and highly reputable executive who has spent her entire career devoted to exceptional human resources leadership. Prior to Anaplan, Marilyn was the CPO at Alfresco Software. Marilyn also was the Chief Human Resources Officer at Quotient Technology and held senior leadership positions at URS/AECOM, BMC Software, and Cisco Systems Inc. Marilyn holds a B.S. in political science and government from the University of Iowa and completed course work for her M.A. in labor and industrial relations from the University of Minnesota.

As the President and Co-Founder of Openpath, James runs day-to-day operations across all business functions, corporate strategy, enterprise partnerships, and business development. A serial entrepreneur, James has built and sold three successful technology companies (EdgeCast Networks, KnowledgeBase and Virtualis) over the past 17 years. While at Edgecast, James helped to build the company's global network to carry more than seven percent of global internet traffic.

Prior to Edgecast, James built KnowledgeBase into a profitable, industry-leading company that was ranked by Forrester as the Industry Leader in eService. James received the E&Y's 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year award for the greater Los Angeles area, is an investor in and advisor to tech startups and VC/PE funds, and is active in various community and philanthropic organizations.

Ned Curic is Vice President of Automotive for Alexa at Amazon. He joined Amazon in 2017 and leads Amazon's efforts to build and deploy next generation digital technology to automotive partners and customers. Ned has more than 25 years of experience in the technology field specializing in advanced technology and enterprise security. Before Amazon, he served as the Chief Technology Officer and Group Vice President at Toyota Motor North America Inc. as well as co-founder and EVP at Toyota Connected, Toyota's global connected car company. Before Toyota, he worked for Microsoft and Northrop Grumman in various capacities.

Shiz is known as a tenacious, results-driven leader who has a consistent track record of leading teams and building the AT&T brand while pushing the envelope of innovation. She currently leads the Sponsorships and Experiential Marketing team at AT&T Communications, which includes industry-leading partnerships across numerous sports and entertainment verticals.

Shiz and her team bring fans closer to their passion for sports, entertainment and communities through on-site activations and social-digital engagements that elevate moments for fans with leagues like the NBA (including WNBA and NBA 2K leagues), U.S. Soccer and the NCAA; to events like the Tribeca Film Festival, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the AT&T Byron Nelson, College Football Playoffs and NCAA Final Four; to teams, players and venues including AT&T Stadium and the Dallas Cowboys, Cloud9, F1 Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, LeBron James, Jordan Spieth and Alex Morgan; and other programs like AT&T Presents: Untold Stories for underrepresented filmmakers, and esports events with ESL and DreamHack.

Candi Castleberry-Singleton is the VP of diversity partnership strategy and engagement at Twitter. She is also the founder of the award-winning "Dignity and Respect" campaign, which has helped organizations create more inclusive work environments. She has developed successful strategies in technology, telecommunications, and healthcare, including Xerox, Sun Microsystems, Motorola, and UPMC. Candi received an MBA from Pepperdine Graziadio, a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley, and completed the Stanford Executive HR program.

Dr. David Feinberg currently leads Google Health, a team employing Google's expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), product innovation, and hardware, aiming to take on significant challenges in the healthcare space. Previously, David was president and CEO of Geisinger, one of the nation's most innovative health services organizations. David also served as CEO of UCLA's hospitals and associate vice chancellor of UCLA Health Sciences as well as the president of the UCLA Health System. David graduated with distinction from the University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School and has an MBA from Pepperdine Graziadio.

During Ronald's tenure at Northrop Grumman, the company grew to become one of the world's largest aerospace and defense companies, with 120,000 employees and $35B annual revenue. Before joining Northrop Grumman in 2001, Ronald held senior operating, technical, and financial positions at TRW Inc. and Litton Industries. He is currently a director of Apple Inc., Chevron Corporation, Amgen Inc., and chairman of Uber Technologies.

He is a trustee of the University of Southern California. He also holds the Judge Widney Chair as professor of management and technology, member of UCLA Anderson School of Management board of advisors, and director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association. He received his bachelor's summa cum laude, MS, and PhD degrees in engineering from UCLA and was subsequently honored as "UCLA Alumnus of the Year."

Larraine Segil is a seasoned entrepreneurial executive and an experienced public and private corporate board director with general management experience. She is the founder, chair, and CEO of the non-profit public benefit corporation, The Exceptional Women Awardees Foundation, which serves as proprietary, metrics-driven, software-based, executive coaching, and mentoring collaborative, enabling high potential women to reach the C-level in over 30 different industries.

Ms. Segil was formerly an owner and director of Vantage Partners, which evolved out of the Harvard project on negotiation. Its partners/directors have authored many books including Getting to Yes and Difficult Conversations. Larraine holds both a Juris Doctorate from Southwestern School of Law and a Presidents and Key Executives MBA from the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School.

Liz is the epitome of a multicultural global citizen and a Best for the World Leader. With Dutch-Indonesian origins, she immigrated to the U.S. as a child for her formative years and the outset of her career. Liz then moved to Paris, France, which has been her home for more than 30 years. She has both American and French citizenship and splits her time between Paris and Southern California. Liz has an active career portfolio on both sides of the pond: corporate board work and continued and intensive support of an environmental non-profit. She also serves as a strategic advisor to some international businesses. Her proudest achievement is her son, Max, who is a young architect in Paris.

As president of GoDaddy Experiences, Lauren, in partnership with their CMO, operates the U.S. business focused on helping independent entrepreneurs succeed online. Lauren is responsible for product design and development for GoDaddy Experiences' websites and marketing suite as well as their line of "do-it-for-you" services, both designed to guide customers to look great, be everywhere that matters, and increase sales revenue. Before GoDaddy, Lauren spent eighteen years at Microsoft. While at Microsoft, she founded the "Step Up" program, designed to increase women's numbers in senior management roles by becoming stronger candidates. Lauren studied rhetoric and political science at the University of California, Berkeley.