NICOLE BARSALONA
Nicole is President of Women in Music, a non-profit organization with over 10,000 members worldwide. She is also an artist manager, advocate, and consultant, having worked with Bruce Springsteen and others. Nicole leads Everyday Rebellion Entertainment, specializing in artist development and international market development. She serves on the executive board of Music Managers Forum (US), the largest and leading trade organization for music managers in the U.S. Barsalona has been quoted in Forbes, Billboard, The Wall Street Journal, Yahoo Finance, The Boston Globe, The Week, Mashable, and Music Row, among others. She has been a featured speaker at Grammy Pro NY:LON Connect, YouTube, SXSW, Mondo, General Assembly, Reboot, Berklee College of Music, Northeastern University, and Boston University.
MONIKA TASHMAN
Monika has been recognized by Billboard and Variety as a top entertainment attorney and partner with Manatt. She advises and provides creative, pragmatic solutions for clients at the intersection of entertainment and innovation — from independent artists and record labels to new media entrepreneurs and emerging technology companies.
NEETA RAGOOWANSI
Neeta is a music and entertainment attorney with experience in government affairs and industry relations, to include Global Citizen. She has led or served in several industry organizations, including Women in Music, Music Managers Forum, American Bar Association’s Forum on the Entertainment & Sports Industries, the Kennedy Center, and SXSW. She is also SVP & Co-Founder of NPREX, the National Performing Rights Exchange.
DENISE STEVENS
Denise is a partner with Loeb & Loeb and focuses on entertainment and intellectual property law, advising many in the industry, to include guiding multi-billion dollar transactions and artists such as Carrie Underwood, Loretta Lynn, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin, and Lauren Alaina. She was also instrumental in the drafting of the Songwriters Capital Gains Tax Equity Act.
BARRY BERGMAN
Barry is Founder and former President of the Music Managers Forum and member of the Personal Managers Hall of Fame. He previously helped launch AC/DC, Meat Loaf, and many other artists. He has served as an expert industry witness multiple times on Capitol Hill, and he has been honored at the United Nations. He is also member of CEO Retreat, a forum where he serves with over 20 major music industry CEOs.
JALEN ACOSTA
Jalen is an actor, musician, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and original member, songwriter & co-producer of internationally-famed Latin band Toke D’ Keda. He is also Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of Music Entrepreneur Conference, World Artists United, ME Ventures, and technology firm SplitSheet. He was discovered and mentored in his career by many including Enrique Iglesias, Laz Alonso, Odell Beckham & Dwyane Wade, and has a heart to propel other entrepreneurs forward and give philanthropically.
RACHEL KARRY
Rachel is Co-Founder and President of Music Entrepreneur Conference, World Artists United, and ME Ventures. She has led and curated teams of innovative creators in music, film, sports and wellness. She has had a hand in developing startup companies and brands reaching a billion dollars in sales. She is a social entrepreneur, content & event producer, brand architect, business development leader, creative director, and international leadership speaker and writer.
ROB SCHWARTZ
Rob is the CEO/Founder of WHO?MAG Multimedia which consists of the Grammy Award Winning Music Distribution company WHO?MAG Distribution/SONY Orchard, the three Music TV networks Video Vision, WHO?MAG TV, and iFame TV (the first urban OTT network), and the executive producer of 3 music TV shows. He is also the owner of the multiple award-winning film & TV company Chetown Films who has filmed in the US and UK with projects through Lions Gate, Netflix, Amazon, Image, and Fuse TV. Rob is a voting member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Grammys and Broadcast Pioneers. He also launched the first NFT line by a music distribution company called the “Whomeez.” Rob has spoken at many universities, music conferences, and events all over the US and South Korea to over 50,000 kids.
ELLEN TRULEY
Ellen is Chief Marketing Officer at The Mechanical Licensing Collective and CEO of ETC Consulting, a leading marketing firm. She is a B2B/B2C marketing executive who drives business development. She is former Senior VP of Corporate Relations for SESAC Holdings, driving global marketing initiatives and has been recognized multiple times by Billboard. Her firm focuses in entertainment relations consulting around the world, focusing on brand strategy, partnerships, digital marketing, and incorporation of AI and digital platforms. She has worked with Bob Dylan, Adele, R.E.M., Mariah Carey, RUSH, Lady Antebellum, Green Day, Zac Brown, Randy Newman, and others. She has also served as executive producer of multiple SESAC award productions.
MELANIE COX
Melanie is an Emmy Award-winning executive producer/owner of Spang TV, delivering film, advertising and brand campaigns to US and international clients. She has created notable work for clients including GEICO, Kayak, Ulta Beauty, and the Virginia Lottery.
JESSICA LINTHICUM / LAURA LYNN
Jessica & Laura are Co-Founders & Partners of Artistry Alliances, which is a multifaceted entertainment marketing agency that works on behalf of artists, aligning them in the right way, with the right brands. They focus on core authenticity between brands and artists, building relationships based on shared values, goals and mutual respect. They believe a brand partnership should be an organic extension of the artist, engaging fans on both sides. They have extensive experience with artist partnerships, brand strategy, entertainment marketing and event production as they build alliances.
HEATHER BURESH
Heather is SVP of Business Development & Operations for National Performing Rights Exchange (NPREX) and CEO of HB Ace Consulting. She excels in music licensing, catalog valuation, copyright administration, royalty recovery, synch clearances/licenses, music metadata/technology, and business development. She’s worked with Big Loud, Blue Sky, Taylor Swift, Craig Wiseman, Florida Georgia Line, Kara DioGuardi, Jason Aldean, and many others.
STEVE LENTZ
Steve serves clients in the areas of corporate formation, complex business transactions, entertainment law, intellectual property, non-profit law, foundation and church/ministry representation, and estate planning. He’s also a prior President, CEO, and senior executive of multiple cable channels and negotiated the multi-billion-dollar sale of several of them.
LLEW HADEN
Llew is President of Wales Business Management and advises executives, musicians, and athletes. He’s had a diverse career in finance, strategic planning, mergers and acquisition analysis, and planning for multi-billion dollar organizations. He is prior President of both organizational money placement firm Albemarle Corporation and logistics company Interspe, and prior CEO of SafetyNet. He is also a board member of Georgia Music Partners and “I Have a Dream” Foundation.
DAVID HANCOCK
David is founder of Morgan James Publishing and co-author of 12 books, including Guerrilla Marketing for Writers, The Entrepreneurial Author, and Performance Driven Thinking. NASDAQ cites him on the forefront of the future of publishing, and he’s been selected for Fast Company‘s Fast 50. Morgan James Publishing is regularly ranked on Publisher’s Weekly fastest-growing list. He’s also on the boards of The National Center for the Prevention of Community Violence, Habitat for Humanity, Guerrilla Marketing International, and Jaguar US.
GARRICK JONES
Garrick is on the Board of Directors for the NFL Players Association. He is also business director for the Global Fan Exchange and an advisory board member for IMPACT Sports, Chip-in, AO Sports, FanCentric, and NOCAP, working with athletes at professional and collegiate levels to develop their Name Image Likeness (NIL), financial literacy, and long-term development. He is also President of the Huddle Up Foundation of Houston, which is a non-profit organization created by former NFL athletes working in their nearby communities. He has been responsible for the development of athlete initiatives across the country. He has more than 20 years of experience in managing businesses, delivering real-time solutions, and expertise in the developmental sports space.
GERALD SMILEY
Gerald was drafted and played professional baseball for the Texas Rangers organization. He is Founder & CEO of giving platform Chip-in and Chip-in Foundation, enabling nonprofits, donors, athletes, and celebrities to connect with an increased impact. He is also involved with metaverse creation for virtual forums and events with professional athletes from MLB, NFL, CFL, NBA, WBO, and other professional leagues. He also serves as Board Commissioner for the Seattle Housing Authority.
CHAD CORMIER
Chad is Chief Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer with NOCAP Sports in the Name Image Likeness (NIL) arena, and he also provides strategic diversity services for Velocis and other firms. He is also Chairman & CEO of Marcellus Ventures Holdings. Chad holds his J.D. from Washington & Lee University.
DANESSA KNAUPP
Danessa is Founder & CEO of Avenue 8 Advisors. Having led many high-performing teams in Fortune 100 companies, she provides executive and leadership coaching services for large and small businesses, CEO councils, universities, and non-profits. Danessa is also author of the national best-seller on transparent leadership, Naked at Work.
DOUG MORAN
Doug is the President of If You Will Lead, LLC and co-founder of The CoHero Institute for Collaborative Leadership. His companies provide a full suite of coaching, consulting, training, and assessments services. Doug is the former Divisional CIO for Capital One Financial Services, and he is the author of the best-selling book If You Will Lead: Enduring Wisdom for 21st-Century Leaders.
JONATHAN BRABRAND
Jonathan is Managing Director of Transact Capital and has an extensive background as a business owner, strategic advisor, and investment banker. He has leveraged these experiences across dozens of mergers and acquisitions ranging from $10-$300 million. Jonathan is also author of The $100 Million Exit.
TED LUSE
Ted is CEO of Randolph Square IP, whose proprietary analytics modeling enables the valuation of intellectual property against the competitors’ landscape, to include identification of potential infringement actions or licensing opportunities, as well as patent litigation financing solutions. He also has significant prior leadership experience in capital markets.
DR. YUFU CHENG
Yufu is China Director for Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and R20: Regions of Climate Actions, and he is a Visiting Professor for both Beijing University (Environmental & Energy Dept.) and Nanjing University (Jewish Cultural Center). He has also served as Senior VP of the Innovation Center for Energy & Transportation. He works with government, policy, technology, investment, and NGO partners to identify and implement the most effective low-carbon projects in the U.S., China, and other countries.
DR. GARY ROBERTS
Gary Roberts, Ph.D., is a Director and Professor of the Master of Public Administration at Regent University. His focus is on nonprofit leadership, servant leadership and human resource management, assisting nonprofits with business plan development and the influence of spiritual intelligence on personal and organizational well-being. He assists several boards on which he sits, and he has published 5 books and dozens of other published works.
CALHERBE MONEL
Calherbe is Principal of Nonprofit Startup Center, assisting nonprofits with their successful creation, organization, and reporting. He also serves as Executive Director of Christians United for Haiti and Haiti Development Initiative. He is also Special Advisor to the President of Haiti’s Youth Government, and he serves as a business coach at The College of William & Mary.
JEFF COOMBS
Jeff serves as outside general counsel for ministries across the country. He also provides business-related services such as contracts and corporate entity structuring and compliance.
MACAYLA NICOLAISON
Macayla assists with creating and protecting small businesses and their owners’ estates. She also advises non-profits and churches on corporate law and religious freedom rights. She also has a prior background leading medical practices and small businesses.
BRET WILKINSON
Bret is a Principal with Joyner, Kirkham, Keel & Robertson, P.C., specializing in forensic accounting, auditing and assurance, taxation, and business consulting. He supports for-profit and non-profit clients as a CPA, Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and an Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) professional.
SALLYE TROBAUGH
Sallye is founder and principal broker of Trobaugh Group. Her background ranges from commercial aviation to residential real estate. She’s an award-winning broker, author and licensed real estate instructor with specializations in ethics, professional standards, brokerage management, real estate law, mediation, negotiation, and client-centric service.
AARON BUMGARNER
Aaron is CEO of Longleaf Conservation Capital, a conservation-focused timberland investment company. Aaron brings unique conservation insights with his focus on sustainable forestry and technologies from his 15 years of experience designing and implementing wildlife habitat and management projects.
LEIGH MADEIRA
Leigh is a prior investment banker-turned-impact investor who is committed to developing financially sustainable solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Her experience ranges from microlending as a Kiva fellow in Ecuador to mutli-billion-dollar deals in energy and consumer sectors, uniquely positioning her to understand diverse stakeholders. She was Co-founder and Partner of Blue Forest Conservation, a mission-driven startup that developed the Forest Resilience Bond, and she is also a CFA charterholder.
MARLO REVELEY
Marlo is CEO of ZeroTouchDigital, an edge computing company that accelerates problem solving by “using data where it lives,” mitigating the costly and time-consuming effort to consolidate data from disparate, uncommon sources. She assists businesses and non-profits to gain rapid insights into trends and data that can impact or optimize their organizations.
AMY ATZEL
Amy is Founder & President of GigTaxx, a nationwide tax and planning firm specializing in the arts, theater, film, professional sports, and high net worth scenarios. She also is a former United States Patent Examiner with a strong background in intellectual property, patent litigation, and startup consulting.
SPENCER BAXTER
Spencer is a Partner with Johnson, Gasink & Baxter. He specializes in trust creation and administration, along with estate planning strategies for businesses and individuals that encompass asset protection and charitable trusts.
LARRY BURKETT
Larry has an extensive background in energy management, having served as Energy Manager for the City of Richmond, VA, along with significant leadership roles at Dominion Energy in energy planning and carbon emissions reductions. He is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and Certified Energy Procurement Professional (CEP) and brings a diverse, creative background that encompasses energy optimization strategies via sustainable solutions that can enable the deployment of unique grants and tax-favored implementations.