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Conscious Collisions Summit 2026
Past Speakers
Jill Johnson
Jill Johnson is a nationally-recognized thought leader and trailblazer working to foster an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem for people from historically excluded populations.
Jill co-founded the Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership (IFEL) in 2002 and serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the nonprofit organization. Now in its twentieth year, IFEL leverages the power of relationship capital to create pathways to success for Black and Latinx founders, entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Jill is a speaker on topics including: community economic development, business plan development, entrepreneurship, minority and women small business growth, and access to capital.
Jill co-founded the Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership (IFEL) in 2002 and serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the nonprofit organization. Now in its twentieth year, IFEL leverages the power of relationship capital to create pathways to success for Black and Latinx founders, entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Jill is a speaker on topics including: community economic development, business plan development, entrepreneurship, minority and women small business growth, and access to capital.
McKeever Conwell
McKeever “Mac” Conwell II is a seasoned venture capitalist and entrepreneur with deep roots in software engineering and innovation. Mac began his career as a Department of Defense contractor with a top-secret clearance, then became a two-time founder—experiencing both a successful exit and a failure that shaped his approach to early-stage investing.
Transitioning to venture capital, Mac joined the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) as part of its Seed Investment Team. There, he created the groundbreaking Builder Fund, the nation’s first state-backed pre-seed fund dedicated to women and minority founders, setting a new benchmark for inclusive investing.
In 2020, Mac launched RareBreed Ventures—an early-stage fund uniquely raised via Twitter and digital communities. Since its inception, RareBreed Ventures has invested in 47 companies across more than 30 verticals, spanning 17 states and 4 countries, resulting in a truly diversified portfolio. Mac’s strategy emphasizes discovering exceptional talent outside major tech hubs. Recognized for his thought leadership and commitment to expanding access within venture capital, Mac is frequently called upon for his insights on founder support, fund-building, and innovation ecosystems. He continues to champion diversity and inclusion across the startup and investment landscape.
Transitioning to venture capital, Mac joined the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) as part of its Seed Investment Team. There, he created the groundbreaking Builder Fund, the nation’s first state-backed pre-seed fund dedicated to women and minority founders, setting a new benchmark for inclusive investing.
In 2020, Mac launched RareBreed Ventures—an early-stage fund uniquely raised via Twitter and digital communities. Since its inception, RareBreed Ventures has invested in 47 companies across more than 30 verticals, spanning 17 states and 4 countries, resulting in a truly diversified portfolio. Mac’s strategy emphasizes discovering exceptional talent outside major tech hubs. Recognized for his thought leadership and commitment to expanding access within venture capital, Mac is frequently called upon for his insights on founder support, fund-building, and innovation ecosystems. He continues to champion diversity and inclusion across the startup and investment landscape.
George Cook
George Cook is Co-Founder & CEO of Honeycomb Credit and a sixth-generation community banker. He built Honeycomb to give Main Street businesses a fairer path to capital through investment crowdfunding.
Nicola Corzine
Nicola Corzine is a recognized authority on entrepreneurship, capital access, and innovation ecosystems. With nearly two decades of experience in venture, startups, and nonprofit leadership, her work has expanded opportunities for over 130,000 entrepreneurs globally.
Ashley Crafton
Ashley Crafton is a dedicated obstetric nurse with a distinguished 24-year career, demonstrating a profound passion for family, exceptional medical expertise, and unwavering empathy for women and children. Her impactful service to thousands of families includes perinatal bereavement support and vital contributions to humanitarian efforts like Operation Allied Refuge (the 2021 Afghanistan evacuation) and the 2022 Ukraine evacuation. In 2019, Ashley founded Galena Innovations™, aiming to enhance family wellbeing. Renowned for her knowledge in preterm birth, early startup execution, and preclinical research, she is listed as the inventor on a number of patents, including the Hannah Cervical Cup™. She earned her BSN from Northwest Nazarene University and is currently pursuing a masters at Johns Hopkins University in Biotechnology Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. Her achievements have been recognized globally: Winner of the SIS New York Pitch Competition (2025); TiE Women Global Finalist (2024); Startup World Cup Top Ten Finalist (2024); Boise Entrepreneur Week Grand Prize Winner (2022); Startup of the Year – Trailhead Award (2025); Idaho Technology Council Hells Canyon Emerging Company Award (2025), and recipient of the U.S. Army Civilian Service Commendation Medal (2022). She has also led Galena through the Tech4Eva and MassChallenge accelerators and was named a CEO of Influence (Idaho Business Review, 2025). She has been happily married for 21 years & is the mother of five accomplished children.
Ed Dugger III
As the founder and Managing Partner of Reinventure Capital, Ed has brought his career full circle, having returned to the field of venture capital with over 30 years of deep experience as a trailblazer in impact investing.
Ed’s venture capital journey began at age 25 and gained remarkable momentum by age 27, when he became CEO of one of the nation’s larger venture capital firms, mentored by influential board directors such as the CEO of Morgan Stanley and the Chairman of the Executive Committee of JP Morgan. Leading one of the earliest impact VC funds, Ed invested in growth industries with a deliberate focus on expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs of color, achieving an impressive internal rate of return (IRR) of 32% during the fund’s final decade.
Beyond delivering top-quartile returns, Ed played a pivotal role in launching some of the nation’s most successful African American-led companies, both private and public. His efforts helped these enterprises secure over $2 billion in conventional capital, while achieving 30% diversity among managers and employees and creating more than 7,000 family-supporting jobs.
Although his investment practice spanned the nation, Ed used his success in venture capital to build bridges between diverse local business communities. As an early advocate and practitioner of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), he served as a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, where he co-convened several business leadership forums promoting inclusive business practices. After harvesting the venture fund, Ed partnered with the CEO of State Street Corporation to create The Business Collaborative (TBC), an innovative initiative that significantly increased B2B sales between major corporations and businesses of color in the greater Boston area.
In response to the ongoing racial, social, and economic inequities facing the nation, Ed launched Reinventure Capital in 2020 with a similar investment playbook as his earlier fund. Once again, he is focusing on the vast, untapped reservoir of entrepreneurial talent among people of color and women, who are often overlooked by mainstream investors. By applying his proven contrarian investment approach, Ed is committed to generating both exceptional returns on capital and greater inclusion in the mainstream of American business. For more on Ed’s journey as a pioneering venture capitalist and lifelong advocate for racial equity, see his “Ed Talks,” where he shares personal accounts of his experiences as a Black man and venture capitalist in America.
Based in Boston, Ed is a graduate of Harvard College and Princeton University (MPA-UP, School of Public and International Affairs).
Ed’s venture capital journey began at age 25 and gained remarkable momentum by age 27, when he became CEO of one of the nation’s larger venture capital firms, mentored by influential board directors such as the CEO of Morgan Stanley and the Chairman of the Executive Committee of JP Morgan. Leading one of the earliest impact VC funds, Ed invested in growth industries with a deliberate focus on expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs of color, achieving an impressive internal rate of return (IRR) of 32% during the fund’s final decade.
Beyond delivering top-quartile returns, Ed played a pivotal role in launching some of the nation’s most successful African American-led companies, both private and public. His efforts helped these enterprises secure over $2 billion in conventional capital, while achieving 30% diversity among managers and employees and creating more than 7,000 family-supporting jobs.
Although his investment practice spanned the nation, Ed used his success in venture capital to build bridges between diverse local business communities. As an early advocate and practitioner of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), he served as a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, where he co-convened several business leadership forums promoting inclusive business practices. After harvesting the venture fund, Ed partnered with the CEO of State Street Corporation to create The Business Collaborative (TBC), an innovative initiative that significantly increased B2B sales between major corporations and businesses of color in the greater Boston area.
In response to the ongoing racial, social, and economic inequities facing the nation, Ed launched Reinventure Capital in 2020 with a similar investment playbook as his earlier fund. Once again, he is focusing on the vast, untapped reservoir of entrepreneurial talent among people of color and women, who are often overlooked by mainstream investors. By applying his proven contrarian investment approach, Ed is committed to generating both exceptional returns on capital and greater inclusion in the mainstream of American business. For more on Ed’s journey as a pioneering venture capitalist and lifelong advocate for racial equity, see his “Ed Talks,” where he shares personal accounts of his experiences as a Black man and venture capitalist in America.
Based in Boston, Ed is a graduate of Harvard College and Princeton University (MPA-UP, School of Public and International Affairs).
Kimberly Evans
Kimberly Evans is a dedicated leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for social impact. With over 30 years of experience as a small business owner and a 21-year career with the United States Postal Service, she has built a diverse portfolio across multiple industries, including fashion, software sales, fintech, healthtech, SaaS, quality assurance, and client support. As a four-time, fourth-generation entrepreneur, Kimberly has a proven track record of building and scaling businesses, including founding a call center that served clients in highly regulated industries.
Stephanie Fowler
Stephanie Fowler is President, Capital Access at the Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership (IFEL), where she leads investor relations as part of the organization’s mission to disrupt the existing capital funding model for small business owners, entrepreneurs and founders. Stephanie collaborates with a range of capital providers (family offices, CDFIs, revenue-based lenders, credit unions, banks, etc) and IFEL’s 600-member angel community to identify funding sources for companies in IFEL’s ecosystem.
Stephanie joined the startup ecosystem as a member of Harvard Business School Alumni Angels of New York and Golden Seeds, two area angel groups through which she invests in late stage startups. In addition, Stephanie was the Founder of MFW Property Group, LLC (MFW), a multifamily investment firm that was an LP in several entities representing nearly 300 units.
Prior to founding MFW, Stephanie worked at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank (SuMiTrust), Japan’s largest trust bank, with over $600 billion in AUM. During her tenure, Stephanie acquired deep expertise in the investment and management of multiple debt asset types (leveraged loans, investment grade corporates, project/energy, and real estate) and leveraged lending platform management (deal generation, credit selection, and portfolio management). In her most recent role, Stephanie was Senior Director & Manager of the Investment Strategy & Business Development Department, where she developmd the firm’s leveraged loan investment strategy, which informed SuMiTrust’s investment activities in its multi-billion dollar leveraged loan, CLO, and warehousing businesses.
Stephanie holds an MBA from Columbia Business School, an AB in Economics from Harvard University, and enjoys being a mother, daughter, sister and friend.
Stephanie joined the startup ecosystem as a member of Harvard Business School Alumni Angels of New York and Golden Seeds, two area angel groups through which she invests in late stage startups. In addition, Stephanie was the Founder of MFW Property Group, LLC (MFW), a multifamily investment firm that was an LP in several entities representing nearly 300 units.
Prior to founding MFW, Stephanie worked at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank (SuMiTrust), Japan’s largest trust bank, with over $600 billion in AUM. During her tenure, Stephanie acquired deep expertise in the investment and management of multiple debt asset types (leveraged loans, investment grade corporates, project/energy, and real estate) and leveraged lending platform management (deal generation, credit selection, and portfolio management). In her most recent role, Stephanie was Senior Director & Manager of the Investment Strategy & Business Development Department, where she developmd the firm’s leveraged loan investment strategy, which informed SuMiTrust’s investment activities in its multi-billion dollar leveraged loan, CLO, and warehousing businesses.
Stephanie holds an MBA from Columbia Business School, an AB in Economics from Harvard University, and enjoys being a mother, daughter, sister and friend.
Alisha Griffey
Alisha has over a decade of experience as COO/CFO of a variety of start-ups in the clean energy, healthcare and fintech spaces. Alisha’s operational experience is in helping small companies rapidly scale. She has built finance and internal operations teams from scratch, overseen acquisitions, managed large scale ERP roll-outs, and led successful fundraising efforts. She has worn every hat as she’s helped companies grow and scale. She’s enjoyed successful exits, including an IPO, and—like all good entrepreneurs—has a couple misses under her belt as well.
Alisha loves rolling up her sleeves to help small companies solve big problems and is excited to now be on the investor side of the table. She founded Daintree Capital in 2020 because she knew that a system that puts 86% of investment capital into the hands of all-male founding teams is missing a huge investment opportunity in companies built and run by diverse teams that are attacking overlooked problems or solving known problems in a unique way.
Alisha has a B.A. in Economics from the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from Stanford University. She lives in Chevy Chase, MD with her husband and two sons and spends her weekends as a professional youth sports spectator.
Alisha loves rolling up her sleeves to help small companies solve big problems and is excited to now be on the investor side of the table. She founded Daintree Capital in 2020 because she knew that a system that puts 86% of investment capital into the hands of all-male founding teams is missing a huge investment opportunity in companies built and run by diverse teams that are attacking overlooked problems or solving known problems in a unique way.
Alisha has a B.A. in Economics from the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from Stanford University. She lives in Chevy Chase, MD with her husband and two sons and spends her weekends as a professional youth sports spectator.
ShaRhonda Hill
ShaRhonda Hill is an economic and community development leader serving as AVP & Market Manager at TruFund Financial Services. She works at the intersection of small business strategy, capital access, and commercial real estate, helping entrepreneurs become capital-ready. ShaRhonda brings deep expertise in lending readiness, financial strategy, and scalable business growth. She is passionate about helping business owners build strong financial foundations that translate into long-term success.
Angelique Johnson
Dr. Angelique Johnson is a nationally recognized business expert, entrepreneur, and inventor who has helped corporations and individuals raise millions of dollars for their ventures. She specializes in helping entrepreneurs and corporate innovators increase access to capital and accelerate venture growth.
Dr. Johnson is the Founded of Vissionaireum, an entrepreneurial coaching and venture development platform, and MEMStim, a medical technology startup developing advanced neurotechnology solutions. She presently serves as Director of the Creative Capital Access Collaborative (CCAC) at the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA), where she leads a national initiative focused on expanding access to innovative financing models and strengthening the capacity of Entrepreneur Support Organizations to deploy creative capital for diverse and underserved founders.
She serves on multiple boards that distribute capital, including the federal government’s $3+ billion fund for business innovation and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development’s Technology Fund. Named a Top 20 Entrepreneur by the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, Dr. Johnson is a sought-after speaker on entrepreneurial finance and innovation, having addressed audiences at Capitol Hill, the Federal Reserve, and the United Nations.
Dr. Johnson is the Founded of Vissionaireum, an entrepreneurial coaching and venture development platform, and MEMStim, a medical technology startup developing advanced neurotechnology solutions. She presently serves as Director of the Creative Capital Access Collaborative (CCAC) at the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA), where she leads a national initiative focused on expanding access to innovative financing models and strengthening the capacity of Entrepreneur Support Organizations to deploy creative capital for diverse and underserved founders.
She serves on multiple boards that distribute capital, including the federal government’s $3+ billion fund for business innovation and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development’s Technology Fund. Named a Top 20 Entrepreneur by the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, Dr. Johnson is a sought-after speaker on entrepreneurial finance and innovation, having addressed audiences at Capitol Hill, the Federal Reserve, and the United Nations.
La Keisha Landrum Pierre
La Keisha Landrum Pierre is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Emmeline Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in visionary founders transforming the future of women’s health, wealth, and climate. Guided by the belief that systems built without women in mind must be reimagined, she leads Emmeline with a focus on investing in solutions that drive both financial returns and generational impact.
A strategist and builder known for her clarity of vision and operational excellence, La Keisha has spent her career at the intersection of innovation, equity, and systemic change. Before launching Emmeline, she served as CEO of Sahara Reporters Media Group, where she scaled one of Africa’s most influential digital media platforms, and as Executive Chairwoman of the Civic Media Lab, created in partnership with Omidyar Network, Luminate, the MacArthur Foundation, and the National Endowment for Democracy.
Recognized among BWAM’s 40 Under 40 Honorees, La Keisha is also a sought-after speaker and thought leader who has shared her insights at institutions including Harvard, USC, NYU Stern, and the Women’s Capital Summit. Her work reflects a rare blend of strategic depth, principled leadership, and enduring commitment to building a more inclusive and investable future.
A strategist and builder known for her clarity of vision and operational excellence, La Keisha has spent her career at the intersection of innovation, equity, and systemic change. Before launching Emmeline, she served as CEO of Sahara Reporters Media Group, where she scaled one of Africa’s most influential digital media platforms, and as Executive Chairwoman of the Civic Media Lab, created in partnership with Omidyar Network, Luminate, the MacArthur Foundation, and the National Endowment for Democracy.
Recognized among BWAM’s 40 Under 40 Honorees, La Keisha is also a sought-after speaker and thought leader who has shared her insights at institutions including Harvard, USC, NYU Stern, and the Women’s Capital Summit. Her work reflects a rare blend of strategic depth, principled leadership, and enduring commitment to building a more inclusive and investable future.
Juliana Marques
Juliana Marques, J.D., CPA is Tax Counsel at Anthropic, the AI safety company behind Claude, where she leads international tax technical matters including cross-border structuring and U.S. international tax strategy. Previously, she served as Senior Tax Principal at Airbnb, directing international tax planning for the company's global operations and advising on M&A, strategic partnerships, and complex transactions. Before going in-house, Juliana spent nearly a decade at Baker McKenzie advising global software and digital companies on cross-border tax issues, supply chain structuring, and OECD policy developments.
A member and mentor at Pipeline Angels, Juliana is passionate about backing underrepresented founders and demystifying angel investing for new investors. She brings her experience evaluating risk, structuring deals, and understanding the financial and legal landscape to her work supporting early-stage companies. Juliana is also an investor with Strawberry Creek VC and How Women Invest, and serves as a Board Observer at Baritone Health, a healthcare technology company. Outside of angel investing, she owns and operates a real estate business with rental properties across the country.
Juliana has been featured in the 2025 Power 100 List of Women Executives and recognized as a Latina to Watch by ALPFA in 2024. She is a frequent speaker on international tax matters and has presented at TP Minds, ALPFA's Leading with Momentum Women in Motion conference, and numerous industry events.
She holds a J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law, where she earned certificates in Business Law and International Law, and a B.B.A. in Financial Accounting, magna cum laude, from Western Connecticut State University. A native Portuguese speaker fluent in Spanish, Juliana brings a global perspective to both her legal practice and her investment philosophy.
She lives in Santa Cruz, California.
A member and mentor at Pipeline Angels, Juliana is passionate about backing underrepresented founders and demystifying angel investing for new investors. She brings her experience evaluating risk, structuring deals, and understanding the financial and legal landscape to her work supporting early-stage companies. Juliana is also an investor with Strawberry Creek VC and How Women Invest, and serves as a Board Observer at Baritone Health, a healthcare technology company. Outside of angel investing, she owns and operates a real estate business with rental properties across the country.
Juliana has been featured in the 2025 Power 100 List of Women Executives and recognized as a Latina to Watch by ALPFA in 2024. She is a frequent speaker on international tax matters and has presented at TP Minds, ALPFA's Leading with Momentum Women in Motion conference, and numerous industry events.
She holds a J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law, where she earned certificates in Business Law and International Law, and a B.B.A. in Financial Accounting, magna cum laude, from Western Connecticut State University. A native Portuguese speaker fluent in Spanish, Juliana brings a global perspective to both her legal practice and her investment philosophy.
She lives in Santa Cruz, California.
Lyndsae' Peele
Lyndsae’ Peele, MBA, PMEC™, Realtor® is the Senior Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Manager at Kiva U.S., where she leads a national network of over 100 entrepreneurial-serving organizations (Kiva Trustees), 35+ community-based lending partners (Hubs), and 45+ Capital Access Managers across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. In this role, she champions equitable access to 0% interest, community-backed loans for underserved entrepreneurs.
Lyndsae’s connection to Kiva runs deep and personal. She first encountered the platform as a referral partner during her banking career, later becoming a technical assistance provider to her local Hub through her award-winning consulting firm, Kingdom Vision Consulting. She then turned to Kiva as a borrower to grow her business—experiencing firsthand the power of character-based lending. That lived experience now fuels her leadership as a national advocate for inclusive capital.
Outside of Kiva, Lyndsae is the founder and Chief Wealth Officer of Kingdom Vision Consulting, named the SBA's 2022 Maryland Financial Services Champion of the Year, and the founder of Keys to the Kingdom Real Estate Advisors, LLC. A proud Howard University alum, she also holds an MBA from the University of Maryland Global Campus and a Women’s Entrepreneurship certificate from Cornell University.
She currently serves as Board Chair of the Greater Baltimore Black Chamber of Commerce & Foundation and is a certified SCORE mentor, continuing her mission to build generational wealth through business ownership, homeownership, and culturally rooted financial education.
Lyndsae’s connection to Kiva runs deep and personal. She first encountered the platform as a referral partner during her banking career, later becoming a technical assistance provider to her local Hub through her award-winning consulting firm, Kingdom Vision Consulting. She then turned to Kiva as a borrower to grow her business—experiencing firsthand the power of character-based lending. That lived experience now fuels her leadership as a national advocate for inclusive capital.
Outside of Kiva, Lyndsae is the founder and Chief Wealth Officer of Kingdom Vision Consulting, named the SBA's 2022 Maryland Financial Services Champion of the Year, and the founder of Keys to the Kingdom Real Estate Advisors, LLC. A proud Howard University alum, she also holds an MBA from the University of Maryland Global Campus and a Women’s Entrepreneurship certificate from Cornell University.
She currently serves as Board Chair of the Greater Baltimore Black Chamber of Commerce & Foundation and is a certified SCORE mentor, continuing her mission to build generational wealth through business ownership, homeownership, and culturally rooted financial education.
Meagan Pitcher
Meagan Pitcher is the co-founder and CEO of Bairitone Health, which brings advanced imaging diagnostics into the home environment. Meagan worked on several neurology and ophthalmology projects at Lexicon Pharmaceuticals and managed a diverse intellectual property portfolio as a Baylor College of Medicine technology transfer officer. She holds a Ph.D. in translational biology and molecular medicine from Baylor College of Medicine and a B.S. in genetics from Texas A&M University.
Kelli Saulny
Kelli Saulny is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Corridor Ventures, investing in Southeast founders building companies with global impact, and the Founder of You’re Welcome New Orleans., a narrative and civic initiative shaping how the city designs its future. A New Orleans native with nearly 20 years in operations, partnerships, and business growth, she has built her career helping founders turn potential into power. Her career includes scaling Carol’s Daughter to a $100MM L’Oréal acquisition and led strategic partnerships at Camelback Ventures, securing major investments for diverse entrepreneurs.
Sona Shah
Sona Shah is the CEO and co-founder of Neopenda, a medical technology company developing needs-based healthcare solutions for emerging markets.
Sona’s path to global health entrepreneurship began after earning a BS in Chemical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology (2011). She then spent time in western Kenya as a teacher and Engineering Without Borders volunteer, an experience that deepened her commitment to improving healthcare access in under-resourced communities. She later returned to the United States and worked as an engineer in Bioprocess Research and Development at Eli Lilly and Company.
Her interest in global health innovation continued through research involvement with mChip, a point-of-care diagnostic device for HIV and syphilis developed at Columbia University. She also worked at the TB Alliance in both community engagement and drug discovery for medications that treat tuberculosis. Sona completed a master’s degree in biomedical engineering at Columbia University (2016), where she co-founded Neopenda.
Today, she leads the company in developing scalable medical technologies designed for resource-constrained health systems, beginning with neoGuard, a wearable vital signs monitoring system that helps clinicians identify newborns in distress.
Sona’s work has been recognized internationally. She has received awards from UN Women for her leadership in innovation and gender equity and has been featured on Inc. Magazine’s “30 Under 30” list for her work advancing global health technology, amongst many others.
Sona’s path to global health entrepreneurship began after earning a BS in Chemical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology (2011). She then spent time in western Kenya as a teacher and Engineering Without Borders volunteer, an experience that deepened her commitment to improving healthcare access in under-resourced communities. She later returned to the United States and worked as an engineer in Bioprocess Research and Development at Eli Lilly and Company.
Her interest in global health innovation continued through research involvement with mChip, a point-of-care diagnostic device for HIV and syphilis developed at Columbia University. She also worked at the TB Alliance in both community engagement and drug discovery for medications that treat tuberculosis. Sona completed a master’s degree in biomedical engineering at Columbia University (2016), where she co-founded Neopenda.
Today, she leads the company in developing scalable medical technologies designed for resource-constrained health systems, beginning with neoGuard, a wearable vital signs monitoring system that helps clinicians identify newborns in distress.
Sona’s work has been recognized internationally. She has received awards from UN Women for her leadership in innovation and gender equity and has been featured on Inc. Magazine’s “30 Under 30” list for her work advancing global health technology, amongst many others.
Melanie Seymour
Melanie has spent the majority of her career in corporate finance roles across multiple industries--telecommunications, media, energy, and EdTech. Throughout her career, she has developed expertise in financial planning and analysis, business case development, risk management, financial system implementations, and training. She was most recently a Finance Director at Discovery (now Warner Bros. Discovery) with global responsibility, and previously held positions with Black Entertainment Television, Électricité de France SA (EDF), Constellation Energy, and other industry-leading organizations.
Annie Spencer
Annie is a Vice President and Program Officer for JPMorganChase Global Philanthropy. In that role she leads strategic initiatives and philanthropy that support small business growth & entrepreneurship in communities across the US. Annie has a diverse background in wealth management and public service, and a commitment to expanding entrepreneurial opportunity and economic growth for all.
Kim Roxie
Kim Roxie | Founder, LAMIK Beauty & Keynote Speaker
Kim Roxie is a licensed Esthetician and the dynamic Founder and CEO of LAMIK Beauty, a
tech-enabled clean beauty brand redefining industry standards for women of color. Rooted in
"Love And Makeup In Kindness," she bridges the gap between empowerment and health.
A sought-after keynote speaker, Roxie has presented for United Way and the U.S. Small
Business Chamber. She is an alumnus of the prestigious Tory Burch Fellowship, Goldman
Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, and the Macy’s Inaugural Workshop.
Roxie’s acclaim includes winning the Black Girl Ventures National Beauty Pitch Competition
and features in Forbes, VOGUE, Essence, and on CBS Mornings with Gayle King. Beyond
business, she serves on the Board of the Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce. A
champion for health equity, Roxie has raised over $500,000 to provide breast health screenings
for uninsured Black women in Houston.
Kim Roxie is a licensed Esthetician and the dynamic Founder and CEO of LAMIK Beauty, a
tech-enabled clean beauty brand redefining industry standards for women of color. Rooted in
"Love And Makeup In Kindness," she bridges the gap between empowerment and health.
A sought-after keynote speaker, Roxie has presented for United Way and the U.S. Small
Business Chamber. She is an alumnus of the prestigious Tory Burch Fellowship, Goldman
Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, and the Macy’s Inaugural Workshop.
Roxie’s acclaim includes winning the Black Girl Ventures National Beauty Pitch Competition
and features in Forbes, VOGUE, Essence, and on CBS Mornings with Gayle King. Beyond
business, she serves on the Board of the Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce. A
champion for health equity, Roxie has raised over $500,000 to provide breast health screenings
for uninsured Black women in Houston.
Domingo Valadez
Domingo Valadez is the founder of Homebase and host of the Groundbreakers podcast, where he interviews real estate operators and entrepreneurs about how they raise capital, scale platforms, and structure deals. Previously, he was a Product Strategy Lead at Google.
Domingo has personally syndicated two real estate deals and built an investor base of over 5,000 accredited and non-accredited investors. After experiencing firsthand the friction syndicators face across fundraising, investor relations, and deal administration, he began building Homebase to simplify the entire process.
Launched in 2024, Homebase is a modern operating system for real estate sponsors, helping GPs streamline fundraising, investor communications, and back-office workflows. Today, Homebase supports over 150 GPs managing more than $300M in assets.
Domingo has personally syndicated two real estate deals and built an investor base of over 5,000 accredited and non-accredited investors. After experiencing firsthand the friction syndicators face across fundraising, investor relations, and deal administration, he began building Homebase to simplify the entire process.
Launched in 2024, Homebase is a modern operating system for real estate sponsors, helping GPs streamline fundraising, investor communications, and back-office workflows. Today, Homebase supports over 150 GPs managing more than $300M in assets.
Q. Nicole Vanderhorst
Q. Nicole Vanderhorst is the CEO of WH Farms Co. - a USDA licensed, vertically integrated botanical manufacturing company based in Charlotte. As a B2B company, WH Farms Co. help wellness entrepreneurs like home health nurses, chiropractors and massage therapists along with other brands and businesses launch their CBD product line.
Q. Nicole studied at the University of Maryland, the University of Nice and Duke University.
Professionally, she was recognized as a recipient of Top40 Under 40, Winner of NC Idea SEED Award, Black Ambition Prize Finalist and a member of Launch CLT & Winston Starts.
Q. Nicole studied at the University of Maryland, the University of Nice and Duke University.
Professionally, she was recognized as a recipient of Top40 Under 40, Winner of NC Idea SEED Award, Black Ambition Prize Finalist and a member of Launch CLT & Winston Starts.
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