Casey Adams is an entrepreneur, investor, and podcast host who launched his career at 17 with The Casey Adams Show, now ranked among the top 100 business podcasts worldwide. He has conducted over 400 interviews with founders and industry leaders.

As the co-founder of MediaKits, a groundbreaking SaaS platform for creator analytics, Casey played a pivotal role in its rapid growth, leading to its acquisition by Viral Nation in 2022.

Currently, he is the co-founder of Listener.com, a vertically integrated podcast network transforming the podcasting landscape. Casey continues to drive innovation in tech and media, founding new ventures and leveraging his expertise through strategic investments and advisory roles that shape the future of digital media.

Jacey Adler, known online as the certified hobby girl, is your cozy internet big sister. She helps her community slow down in a world obsessed with perfection and productivity—reminding us that play isn’t a distraction, it’s the most “productive” thing you can do for your mental health.

Gibson Ardoline is a 19-year-old content creator and business student at the University of Florida. As his high school's valedictorian, Gibson has balanced academic excellence with building a successful social media business over the past three years. With a growing following across platforms, he's turned content creation into a fully monetized venture while pursuing his Business Administration degree. His mission is to show other students that you don't have to choose between education and entrepreneurship—you can excel at both.

Aidan Brannigan is the Founder of No Boring Brands, the content agency behind some of the highest-performing brands on social media, generating hundreds of millions of organic views for clients. In less than two years, he built the largest marketing meme page on Instagram and now owns a network of work meme pages with 130,000 followers producing 15 million views per month. His campaigns have reached companies valued at over $100 billion, and his work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and AdAge. 

Beyond his professional achievements, Aidan's journey includes navigating a $500,000 crypto loss at age 20 and famously losing a spam-eating contest to Joey Chestnut in front of 14,000 people—experiences that have shaped his fearless approach to building brands that break through the noise.

Catherine Browne is the Vice President of Revenue and Partnerships at The Roost Podcast Network, the pioneer video podcasting network. Home to over 45 of the top creator-led podcasts, The Roost's roster features unique voices like Theo Von, Trisha Paytas, Tana Mongeau, Ludwig, and Jeff Wittek. Catherine leads the network, overseeing all revenue streams including sales strategy, talent partnerships, content licensing, and next-gen ad tech. The Roost is a division of Night, an internet native media company with a reach of over 20 billion monthly viewers. 

Jacqlyn Burnett is a business leader and author with formal training in integrative nutrition who applies wellness principles to brand building, operations, and lifestyle design. She is the author of Happiness Habitat and currently serves as Vice President of Operations at Fancy Peasant, a premium Greek-inspired pantry and lifestyle brand known for elevated essentials and a longevity-driven philosophy.

Guided by the belief that excellence should extend to every area of life, Jacqlyn integrates her wellness education and business expertise into how she builds systems, teams, and experiences — creating environments where both people and businesses can thrive.

Katrina Chan is the Head of Affiliate Marketing at T-Mobile, where she leads Performance Partnerships and works closely with third-party partners to help promote T-Mobile’s products and services. She earned both her undergraduate degree and MBA from the University of Washington and has spent most of her career in digital media, starting in paid search before discovering and growing into affiliate marketing. Katrina enjoys sharing how making connections and exploring different paths helped shape her career, and outside of work, she loves traveling and finding new restaurants/cafes.

Kimberly Chirino serves as Talent Acquisition Manager at Four Seasons, bringing three years with the company to the role. Her path has been a journey across industries — starting in hospitality, moving to tech, and then returning to something that felt more like family.

Recruiting itself was something Kimberly fell into, though looking back, the signs were there. During her senior year at Woodbury University, she surveyed 30 to 40 friends about what they thought she'd do in her career — five predicted exactly what she's doing now. Her takeaway: your good friends often know you better than you know yourself, so be yourself and you'll find your calling.

Outside of work, Kimberly loves exploring cities with great beaches, rooftop bars, and festivals.

Roger Coles is a Canva Verified Expert, speaker, educator, and creative entrepreneur known as "The Canva Rapper." He earned the nickname after performing at three of Canva's largest global events and appearing in Canva campaigns viewed by millions worldwide.

Roger helps creators, entrepreneurs, and organizations communicate ideas through creativity, storytelling, and technology. By making design and content creation more accessible, he has built a global audience, become one of Canva's most recognizable educators, and helped thousands of people turn ideas into content, brands, and opportunities.

Hudson Cryder is a 19-year-old content creator and Marketing student at the University of South Carolina, originally from New Jersey. Since October 2025, he's built a growing social media presence centered on fitness, lifestyle, and the mindset behind both. His content follows a simple conviction: that living well and building something don't have to be separate. Through daily fitness content, style, and an honest look at life as a college student, Hudson's mission is to show that you can be a full-time student and build a real brand from scratch at the same time.

Ever wonder how Marvel went from nearly going broke to becoming one of the biggest entertainment empires on the planet? Peter Cuneo was a huge part of that story. As President and CEO of Marvel Entertainment from 1999 to 2009, he helped turn a struggling company into a powerhouse, a run that ended with Marvel selling to Disney for $4.5 billion.

Peter is what people in business call a "turnaround" expert, someone who takes companies that are failing and brings them back to life. He's done it seven times, with names you already know like Remington, Black & Decker, and Clairol. Forbes and Business Insider have called him one of the best turnaround CEOs in America.

Before any of that, Peter served as a naval officer and did two tours in the Vietnam War aboard a guided missile destroyer. He went on to graduate from Harvard Business School and has spent his career sitting on the boards of major companies, often as Chairman. Today he leads his own firm, Cuneo & Co., and serves on the board of the National Archives Foundation in Washington DC.

His big lesson for anyone starting out: almost anything can be rebuilt, including a company everyone else has given up on.

Nonalee Davis is a nationally recognized communication and performance coach with deep experience across education, entertainment, and elite sport. She has worked with Cirque du Soleil, Feld Entertainment (Disney on Ice, Marvel Universe Live, Monster Jam), and IMG Academy, leading media and interview training for NFL Combine athletes, NBA pre-draft participants, and U.S. Olympians. She holds a Master's degree in Theatre and specializes in building confidence, presence, and authentic communication under pressure.

A former professional stuntwoman and certified PADI Divemaster, Nonalee has also worked as a shark diver and underwater videographer.

Brandon Dwyer is a content creator and former Division I basketball player at Florida Gulf Coast University. He built an audience of more than 2.5 million followers across social platforms through his viral series Road To One Point, where he shared the journey of trying to score his first college point. With humor and authenticity, Brandon showed that people connect with real stories more than just stats or status.

Austin Ekeler is an NFL running back, known for his impact as a dual-threat offensive weapon for the Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders.

Off the field, he is an entrepreneur and founder of Fantasy Royale, a platform that helps brands engage and grow their audience through free-to-play sports contests. He also previously founded Eksperience, focused on athlete-fan engagement. In 2020, he launched the Austin Ekeler Foundation, which builds and renovates high school weight rooms.

In addition to his ventures in sports and media, Ekeler is an active real estate investor, building a growing portfolio of single-family rental properties through his firm, Ekeler Capital, with a focus on long-term cash flow and scalable acquisition strategies.

Ekeler is also active in public speaking, participating in panels and keynote engagements across the country, and has hosted an award-winning fantasy football podcast.

Jordan Green is a 22-year-old entrepreneur, born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, and an alum of Indiana University. He’s the founder of Glacier, a creator-led marketing agency that helps brands and talent connect with Gen Z through culture-driven, internet-native viral content.

Jordan got his start at 13, flipping fidget spinners and hype sneakers, then scaling an Instagram meme network to millions of followers while still in high school. Growing up far from major cultural hubs, he learned early how the internet shapes culture — a perspective that now fuels Glacier’s work.

Through Glacier, Jordan has collaborated with brands like Chipotle, Uber, PRIME, DoorDash, Twisted Tea, Jeep, Snapchat, Fox Sports, and Sony Music, leading campaigns around major moments like March Madness and The College Football Playoffs.

Richard Ham serves as F&B Manager at Four Seasons, bringing four years of hospitality experience to the role. In just four years, he has worked in every department of the hotel, giving him a genuine understanding of how each piece of the operation fits together.

Hospitality offered Richard the balance he was looking for between business and people. He enjoys talking with guests, getting to know different cultures, and the fact that no two days look the same. That curiosity about people and operations shapes how he leads his team.

Richard graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Outside of work, you'll find him at the beach or out with friends.

Jay Hammonds, an award-winning technologist, born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, currently works on the Corporate Engineering Team at Robinhood. Formally holding a role at Facebook for 10 years where he worked directly with their CEO and COO.

In 2012, Jay helped create the Year Up @ Facebook program which has helped bring in 1,000+ diverse interns. In the community, Jay serves as an advisor, board member and mentor and consultant for a multitude of community organizations. His story landed him on 60 Minutes and the 2018 Class for Forbes 30 Under 30 in the field of Enterprise: Technology. 

Colby Hidalgo is a 21-year-old real estate professional working in South Florida’s luxury market. Born and raised in the area, he developed a strong appreciation for South Florida’s lifestyle, communities, and architecture, which naturally led him to pursue a career in real estate.

With over two and a half years of experience, Colby is a member of The Corcoran Group on the Fred Moran team and has contributed to more than $25 million in closed transactions across South Florida.

Colby believes real estate is about far more than transactions—it’s about people, trust, and relationships. He understands that helping clients buy or sell a home often means helping families make one of the most important decisions of their lives, choosing the place where memories are made and futures are built. Colby takes that responsibility seriously, treating every client like family.

Looking ahead, Colby aspires to become more involved in real estate development, working closely with builders and identifying land opportunities throughout South Florida.

Cade Higgins founded the fastest-growing brand in collegiate athletics. In just one year he went from a walk-on at the College of Charleston to running a brand backed by more than 12,000 college athletes. He built his edge in affiliate marketing, carving out a large position in one of the fastest-growing industries of 2026: NIL. Today, Electro is on track to become a category leader on Amazon and TikTok, with the goal of scaling to a 10-figure company within five years.

As the Head of Top Creator Partnerships Patreon, Stephanie Hind oversees large-scale creator partnerships across various verticals and with some of the most prolific talent in the space. Stephanie joined Patreon from TikTok where she served as the Head of Lifestyle and Education (North America). With over 13 years of experience in the creator economy, Stephanie works with top influencers, publishers, and public figures to grow their careers and deliver engaging and impactful campaigns.

Stephanie's passion is to empower and elevate creators, providing them with strategic direction, white-glove service, and growth opportunities. She has a proven track record of creating and executing top-tier partnerships with some of the world's best content creators and publishers, leveraging her international perspective and expertise in operations, marketing communications, and partnerships.

Zack Honarvar is a founder and operator at the intersection of the creator economy, brand marketing, and entrepreneurship. He co-founded Creator Now alongside Airrack in 2021, raised from Upfront Ventures with angels including Casey Neistat and Colin and Samir, and sold the company to vidIQ in 2024.

Today Zack runs The Good Internet, a holding company whose flagship venture is Good Story Studios, a creator management agency representing some of YouTube's most influential voices, including Yes Theory, Airrack, Drew Binsky, Marko Terzo, and Theorist Media. With nearly a decade of experience in creator management and brand deals, he sits at the forefront of how brands and creators build lasting partnerships through long-form content.

Lana Ivory is an award-winning Product Marketing Manager at Meta, where she leads new Travel and Venue experiences for Meta AI Glasses. She has spent six years in Big Tech across Amazon Fashion, Alexa Smart Home, and AWS, driving consumer-centric initiatives for innovative products at scale. Lana is passionate about the intersection of technology, creativity, and human connection, focusing on building products that enhance how people experience the world. 

She is also a LinkedIn content creator focused on personal branding, navigating non-linear career paths in tech, and uplifting female and Gen Z voices in the workplace. She shares practical insights to help the next generation build confidence, visibility, and momentum early in their careers.

Justin Johnson is a marketing and creator partnerships executive with more than a decade of experience shaping entertainment and technology to drive cultural relevance and economic growth. Most recently, as Head of Market Development at Acorns, Justin led strategic partnerships with creators, brands, and sports organizations, developing large-scale marketing campaigns to expand financial access and empower communities across key US markets.

Previously, Justin has held Senior roles at MoonPay and Facebook, where he built and scaled creator-led programs and entertainment partnerships that delivered over 2B+ consumer engagements and $500M+ revenue impact. His work has spanned collaborations with Professional sports leagues, entertainment properties, and leading creators-- focused on leveraging cultural moments to spark growth and business impact. A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, Justin also serves on multiple advisory boards supporting the creator economy, creative community and higher education including: Soho House, Global Influencer Council, The Red McCombs School of Business and The Terry Foundation.

Kyle Leverett brings over 14 years of experience across TV production, content strategy, editorial programming, and creator ecosystems, with credits including Glee, How to Get Away with Murder, Scandal, Black-ish, and Family Guy. At Snap, he led creative operations for their original content and now focuses on building and scaling strategic relationships with top creators, talent agencies, and entertainment partners on the Talent Partnerships Team.

Haven Lough is a 20-year-old content creator and serial entrepreneur with over 4 million followers across social media platforms. While pursuing his degree at the University of Florida, Haven has built and scaled multiple businesses, including a skincare brand and a pop-up yoga company. With six years of content creation experience, he's mastered the art of turning his online presence into real-world ventures. His approach challenges the traditional either-or mindset—proving that school, business, and content creation aren't competing priorities but interconnected pieces of a unified lifestyle.

Jacob is a Creator Partnerships Lead at Shopify, where he develops innovative content programs and IRL partnerships with leading creators including MrBeast, Ryan Trahan, Colin & Samir, Jake Carlini, HopeScope, and Donut Media. His work showcases Shopify’s support for creator entrepreneurship across the full marketing funnel.

Before Shopify, Jacob managed Grubhub’s gaming and esports program at The Outloud Group, leading partnerships with the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS), Call of Duty League, and 100 Thieves, as well as celebrity campaigns with Addison Rae, Dillon Francis, and Porter Robinson. Earlier in his career, he held sales and marketing roles at eOne, Sunset Produce, and 3M and worked as an on-air radio personality for Bell Media and Central Ontario Broadcasting. He has also taught esports marketing at St. Clair College.

Willie McGinest is one of the most accomplished defensive players of his generation and a respected leader both on and off the football field. A native of Long Beach, California, McGinest starred at the University of Southern California (USC) before being selected fourth overall in the 1994 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.

During his 15-year NFL career, McGinest earned a reputation as one of the league's most dominant and versatile defenders. He won three Super Bowl championships, was selected to two Pro Bowls, and became the NFL's all-time leader in postseason sacks with 16, including the single-game playoff record of 4.5 sacks. His leadership and clutch performances helped establish the Patriots as one of the greatest dynasties in professional sports history.

Known for his toughness, discipline, and commitment to excellence, McGinest was inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the franchise. Throughout his career, he was celebrated for his ability to perform in the biggest moments and inspire teammates through his work ethic and leadership.

Following his playing career, McGinest transitioned into broadcasting and business, serving as an NFL analyst and motivational speaker. He regularly shares insights on leadership, teamwork, overcoming adversity, and achieving success at the highest level. His experiences as a champion athlete, entrepreneur, and mentor make him a compelling guest for corporate events, youth programs, conferences, and community organizations.

McGinest has a long-standing reputation as one of the most generous givers in sports. In recognition of his charitable works and civic involvement, the Long Beach City Council declared May 3, 2005, Willie McGinest Day. In 2012, he established Foundation 55, a nonprofit based in his hometown of Long Beach with a mission to promote social equity in urban areas where minority communities lack access and opportunity. He also serves as Chairman of the Long Beach Patriots youth football organization, which emphasizes academics and community involvement alongside the fundamentals of the game.

As a speaker, Willie McGinest brings a powerful message centered on perseverance, accountability, preparation, and leadership, lessons drawn from competing at the highest level of professional sports and helping build one of the most successful teams in NFL history.

Travis Merriweather is an Executive in CAA Community & Impact (formerly CAA Foundation). 

CAA Community & Impact harnesses the power and reach of the entertainment and sports industries to drive positive social change. Rooted in Creative Artists Agency’s (CAA) commitment to being a force for good, the group builds impactful public-private partnerships, mobilizes volunteerism, and helps shape public discourse around critical issues.  For more than 30 years, CAA Community & Impact has led work across public education, civic engagement, climate action, and crisis response, while supporting the agency’s clients in advancing purpose-driven initiatives.

Merriweather joined the agency in 2022 to help drive the efforts in civic engagement and client services.   

Previously, he served as Senior Political Strategist at ICM Politics, the inhouse political consultancy for ICM clients and staff. In this role, Merriweather aided in the creation of several new programs and activations aimed at creating a more socially just and inclusive workplace. Merriweather was a founding member of the agency’s BIPOC affinity group DiversifyICM, and he helped institute employee donation matching programs at the agency to support racial justice organizations on the front lines of the BLM and anti-Asian racism movements.  

Merriweather first became politically involved as a community organizer with Organizing for America, mobilizing grassroots support for President Obama's legislative priorities and 2012 re-election campaign. After helping lead one of the largest voter registrations drives on a college campus in America, Travis worked in the office of the Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama. He moved to Los Angeles in 2014 where he has served as a political fundraiser and entertainment relations consultant for candidates and campaigns including Hillary for America and Jacky Rosen for U.S. Senate for Nevada. 

Merriweather currently resides in Los Angeles and is a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio.

DJ Mitchell is an Investment Associate at Alvarez & Marsal Private Wealth Partners, where he leads the firm’s venture initiative — sourcing, diligencing, and investing in private, high-growth companies on behalf of ultra-high-net-worth families. Alvarez & Marsal, founded in 1983, is a global professional-services firm spanning six continents. DJ is also an active early-stage investor, with personal positions in Anthropic, SpaceX, and Lovable. Before finance, he played Division I basketball at the University of Hartford and professionally in the Philippines. He’s passionate about teaching the next generation financial literacy — and about showing students that the discipline and teamwork that drive you on the court translate directly into building a career

Julia Molinari, known online as "Jumo," is a 21-year-old content creator and third-generation Italian American whose cooking videos have captivated over 4 million followers across TikTok and Instagram. Her signature "Let's make a pizza!" videos showcase the art of handmade Italian cuisine—from perfectly tossed dough to family recipes passed down through generations—all filmed at Molinari's Italian Restaurant and Catering, her family's restaurant in Neptune City, New Jersey. Julia has been making pizza since age four, and her content exploded in January 2024, with her most viral videos reaching over 15 million views.

A current student at Rutgers University, Julia balances academics with her thriving content career and lifelong passion for dance. Her story demonstrates how authenticity, family heritage, and creative passion can combine to build something extraordinary—proving that the things you've grown up doing might just be the foundation for your future success.

Jack Nauseef is an Atlanta-based content creator and fitness advocate whose story is built on grit and an unshakeable belief that hard work can defy any odds. After being told he was too small to play, Jack earned a walk-on spot on the Clemson University Men's Basketball team — having started as a team manager before earning his place on the court. That relentless mentality carried him into the professional world, where he went on to work at BlackRock as a Client Experience Management Analyst before boldly leaving finance in February 2026 to pursue his passion for content creation full time.

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Jack is the creator behind @jacksdayinthelife, where he has grown a following of over 645,000 on Instagram through content rooted in faith, fitness, and intentional living. A two-time marathoner having completed both the New York City and London Marathons, he uses his platform to share an inside look at how to live a healthy, active lifestyle — spreading positivity and inspiring everyone he encounters. Jack is excited to bring that same energy to the Summer Discovery at UCLA Program and motivate the next generation of driven young leaders.

As Head of Partnerships at The Boiling Crab, Randell Nuguid drives brand growth through strategic collaborations, high-impact activations, and culturally resonant marketing. With over 16 years in the restaurant and hospitality industry, his foundation runs deep. From launching the brand's first East Coast location in South Miami to developing management teams and building systems that support long-term scale, that operational fluency now informs how he approaches partnerships.

Randell has led high-profile collaborations with brands like King's Hawaiian and Uber Eats/Postmates, bringing The Boiling Crab to some of the most competitive experiential stages, including multi-weekend activations at Coachella and ComplexCon. His work spans brand partnerships, celebrity talent integrations, and influencer-driven campaigns that connect with diverse audiences across music, food, and culture. He stays ahead of the curve by identifying emerging opportunities and adapting strategies as trends evolve in real time.

With a proven track record of building meaningful relationships with leading brands, cultural platforms, and key stakeholders, Randell excels at translating brand vision into compelling consumer experiences that drive engagement and lasting impact, keeping brands deeply embedded in the cultural moments that matter most.

Stephanie Paul is a Brand Consulting Manager at Range Sports, where she works at the intersection of sports, culture, and technology. She consults for brands like Autodesk on their LA28 and Team USA sponsorship strategy, and supports The Snow League, the action sports property founded by Shaun White, on the commercial partnerships side. Before joining Range, Stephanie spent nearly five years at IBM as a technology consultant, advising public sector clients on everything from strategic communications to enterprise technology implementations. She brings a mix of business strategy and brand instinct to everything she touches and genuinely loves helping brands show up in sport in ways that actually matter.

Griff Pippin is a comedian, content creator, and co-creator of Country Club Adjacent, one of golf’s fastest-growing entertainment brands. With more than 15 years of experience in stand-up comedy and millions of views across social media, Griff has built a reputation for blending sharp humor with relatable storytelling both on and off the golf course.

Through viral content, live events, and corporate partnerships, Griff has worked with leading brands and organizations across the sports, entertainment, and golf industries. His unique perspective combines comedy, content creation, entrepreneurship, and personal branding, giving audiences an inside look at what it takes to build an audience and career in the modern media landscape.

Whether speaking about creativity, social media, business development, or the power of humor to create connection, Griff brings an energetic, engaging, and entertaining style that leaves audiences informed, inspired, and laughing.

Connor Printz is a full-time content creator with over 1.5 million followers across all platforms. He holds the record for the most NIL deals of all time and has worked with brands including Nike, the NBA, Snapchat, Meta, and more. Connor played Division III basketball at Claremont McKenna College and began creating content in the summer of 2022. He is currently based in Los Angeles, where he creates fun videos playing games and doing crazy challenges full-time.

Gianna Prudente is a senior editor at LinkedIn, where she helps students and early-career professionals navigate the world of work with greater clarity and confidence. She builds content experiences — from video series to LinkedIn’s annual Grad’s Guide — that turn workforce trends and data into practical insights members can actually use. Working at the intersection of content, creators and product, Gianna partners with emerging voices, develops editorial franchises and brings audience insights back into the platform to help shape how LinkedIn serves the next generation of professionals. Her focus is simple: making the path into work feel more accessible, more transparent and a lot more real.

Lucy Quick is a Senior Creator Manager at LinkedIn, where she partners with leading creators and voices to help them grow their presence and monetize their influence on the platform. She sources and onboards top creators, builds the case for creator-led storytelling across LinkedIn's products, and contributes to creator programming for the company's flagship events.

Before LinkedIn, she led creator and marketing operations at the creator monetization platform Passes and managed strategic agency partnerships at TikTok. She also runs Lucy Quick Consulting, advising creators, platforms and brands on partnerships and growth. Originally from the UK and now based in Malibu, she's built her career at the intersection of creators, platforms, and the business of growing an audience, and she loves helping people turn what they're already doing into career capital.

Keely Quinn is the Vice President of Programming & Impact at DoSomething, where she centers the voices and perspectives of young people to co-design programs that foster leadership and community. In her first year, she launched Camp Reboot, an award-winning mental health initiative that equips young people with practical tools to support their own wellbeing and support their peers, reaching thousands of young people nationwide. Recently, her work was recognized with the inaugural WORLDWiDE EdTech Award for Civic Education Tool of the Year (2026). She also leads the evolution of DoSomething's broader program portfolio, including the Show Up for What!? series, which helps young people build sustained civic engagement to effect positive change in their communities. Under her leadership, DoSomething has shifted from one-off volunteer actions to longer-term initiatives that strengthen young people's ability to address the root causes of issues in their communities.

Keely brings more than 20 years of experience in program leadership, social impact, and crisis communications, with leadership roles at Health Leads, the Grossman Burn Center, and the Children's Burn Foundation. At Health Leads, she oversaw global and U.S.-based campaigns addressing public health issues including access to primary care, food insecurity, and maternal health in historically marginalized and migrant communities.

She believes that lived experience is essential expertise, and that meaningful community engagement, grounded in listening, trust, and co-design, is essential to building relevant, impactful programs that truly uplift and reflect the needs of today's youth.

Kelly Salmieri is a strategic partnership marketing executive with more than 26 years of experience driving revenue growth, brand innovation, and fan engagement across the sports and entertainment industry.  

Currently serving as Account Director of Partnership Marketing for the LA Clippers, Kelly leads high-impact initiatives for marquee partnerships, including naming rights and founding-level sponsors, and has contributed to award-winning collaborations recognized at the industry level, including the 2025 NBA Partnership of the Year award.  

Throughout her career with organizations such as San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Football Club, Portland Trailblazers, Portland Timbers, and Los Angeles Dodgers, Kelly has generated millions in partnership revenue by developing data-driven strategies, building long-term relationships with global brands, and creating innovative, purpose-driven activations.  

A collaborative leader known for blending strategic insight with creative execution, Kelly brings a unique perspective shaped by her legal background and deep expertise in sponsorship development, contract negotiation, and integrated marketing. She is passionate about helping organizations unlock growth through meaningful partnerships and impactful storytelling.

Ben Sharf is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Platter, a tech-enabled Shopify agency that helps consumer brands design, build, and scale high-converting storefronts. Platter has built 200+ Shopify sites generating over $1B in GMV for brands including NeuroGum, Gainful, and Every Man Jack. Ben is also a YouTuber and podcast host, wellness enthusiast, and angel investor in 30+ startups.

Ben Sheehan is the creator and host of Civics Made Easy, a Webby Award-winning PBS show that explains the fundamentals of American government. He is also the bestselling author of What Does the Constitution Actually Say? – an annotated, entertaining guide that has been praised by legal scholars, historians, and politicians across the aisle (there is also a kids version and a Spanish translation).

As a commentator Ben has appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher, Good Morning America, CNN, CBS News, PBS Newshour, Amanpour & Co, and more. He also writes the bestselling Substack Politics Made Easy and has an active social media presence with more than 350,000 engaged followers.

Before pivoting to media and politics Ben was an award-winning producer at the comedy website Funny Or Die. The Hollywood Reporter has named him one of entertainment's "NextGen 35 Under 35" and Ben was a finalist for Fast Company's "World Changing Ideas" for his unique approach to civics education. As a speaker Ben has lectured at the National Archives and has given talks at middle schools, high schools, colleges, and nonprofits across the U.S.

Originally from the D.C. area, Ben graduated magna cum laude from Emory University and was a member of the national political science honor society (Pi Sigma Alpha). You can often find him in Pasadena, CA, hanging out with his wife, toddler son, and small poodle named Gary.

Brady Shepherd is a YouTuber and TikTok creator known for his wholesome, comedic content including viral gym pranks and public social experiments. With nearly 800,000 YouTube subscribers and over 600,000 TikTok followers, Brady creates entertainment that spreads positivity while connecting with his audience. He started creating content at age 13 and has since built a reputation for lighthearted videos that bring strangers together through humor.

Talia Solomon is a fractional CMO, brand advisor, and founder of The Brand Economist. Her deep understanding of consumer psychology, behavioral science, and business economics has equipped her with an uncanny ability to identify what both motivates consumers and what makes brands money. Her experience spans leadership roles and brand work across Amazon, Weight Watchers, Pizza Hut, Bravo TV, Showtime, and other leading consumer brands.

Today, brands across industries tap Talia when growth stalls, competition intensifies, or consumer behavior shifts. Known for translating complex consumer insights into practical business strategies, she helps organizations identify what truly motivates customers, build more compelling brands, and create marketing that drives measurable results. Whether launching new products, repositioning established brands, or navigating periods of transformation, Talia brings a unique blend of strategic rigor, creative thinking, and commercial accountability.

 Michael Vilardo is the Co-Founder and CEO of Subject.com, where he’s on a mission to revolutionize online learning and empower the next generation through technology. Under his leadership, Subject.com has impacted thousands of students with a catalog of accredited middle school & high school courses. A TEDx featured speaker and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree in Education, Michael blends a deep passion for technology with a relentless drive to transform the way students learn. His academic journey is marked by exceptional achievements, earning degrees from McHenry County College, the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from UCLA — all completed ahead of schedule. His dedication to excellence also extended to athletics: he competed as a Team USA U18 and Team Colombian hockey player, was an All-Ivy League baseball player at UPenn, and played scholarship baseball at Purdue University. Michael currently serves on the Board of Directors for UCLA Anderson, contributing his expertise at the intersection of education and business. Today, he stands as a bold voice for innovation in education, reshaping learning for the digital era.

Braden is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Nerd Apply. Fueled by a lifelong passion for competition and teamwork, he was named Arizona’s Student and Athlete of the Year in 2021 before attending the University of Michigan, where he co-founded ventures including Dorm Doctor AI, Dynamic Purchasing Solutions, and WEIDEV alongside his brother, Cooper.

He was later accepted into the University of Miami’s four-year MD/MBA program, but chose to defer admission to fully dedicate himself to building Nerd Apply. Outside of work, he enjoys staying active and spending time with close friends.

Cooper is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Nerd Apply. A lifelong outside-the-box thinker, he taught himself to code at an early age and began launching businesses in high school—many of which were registered under his brother Braden’s name before he was old enough to open a bank account.

At Dartmouth College, Cooper immersed himself in entrepreneurship, serving as a student leader at the Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship and winning the Global Venture Capital Investment Competition. That same curiosity continues to drive him today, whether he’s experimenting with new ideas, building side projects, or engaging with startup communities.

At OnePay, Jessica serves as Chief Marketing Officer, leading the brand's mission to build a financial platform centered on access, simplicity, and real utility for millions of Americans underserved by traditional banking. Previously at Shopify, Jessica led all brand marketing and partnership functions, overseeing creator partnerships, sponsorships, brand campaigns, integrated marketing, social, marketing operations, and experiential marketing. She spearheaded high-profile collaborations with MrBeast, Kai Cenat, Nicki Minaj, Drake, A$AP Rocky, Emma Chamberlain, and the D'Amelio family, positioning Shopify at the intersection of commerce, culture, and content. Jessica also managed a long-tail creator program of 500+ creators across YouTube, Meta, TikTok, podcasts, and newsletters, ensuring Shopify's brand presence was deeply embedded in the creator economy at every level. Passionate about mentorship and transformative leadership, Jessica likes to take bold, calculated risks that drive business growth, spark creativity, and enhance both brand teams and the creator experience.

Erin Wilson has over 15 years of experience in political campaigns and public service. Most recently, she has served as Deputy Assistant to President Joe Biden and Deputy Chief of Staff to Vice President Kamala Harris. In this role, Erin not only served within the senior leadership of the first woman and first African American Vice President, but also worked to build a historic 107 campaign day following the Vice President's ascension as the Democratic nominee for President. Prior to this role, Erin held several positions supporting President Joe Biden, including as Special Assistant to the President, Deputy Director of Political Strategy and Outreach, Deputy Executive Director to the Presidential Inaugural Committee and as the Biden-Harris campaign’s National Political Director. As a Philadelphia native, Erin's career in public service began through her work supporting former Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey, serving in various roles throughout his first two terms in office. She is also a Hillary for America, Democratic National Committee, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and proud University of Pennsylvania alumna.

Blake Wynn is a dynamic entrepreneur who started his business journey at age 12 by reselling sneakers and made over $300,000 in his first four years. Now in his mid-twenties, he serves as CEO of B Wynn Sports, connecting professional athletes with brand partnerships, and founded the Celebrity Poker Tour, which completed its first season in 2024. Through his YouTube channel "Just Wynn Sneakers," Blake has built a community of over 380,000 subscribers, and was named one of the influential entrepreneurs of 2019 by the Imperium Group. His story demonstrates how passion and persistence can transform childhood interests into successful business ventures, making him an inspiring speaker for students exploring their entrepreneurial potential.

Dr. Zapata is a skilled and dedicated mental health, sport performance, and wellness professional specializing in sport and performance psychology with elite, professional, and Olympic athletes.

She has provided mental health and sport performance services to Division I collegiate athletes, elite and professional athletes, and has curated training programs for teams, coaches, and affinity groups such as injured athletes, LGBTQIA+ athletes, and athletes of color.

Additionally, Dr. Zapata has served on organizational boards and assisted sport business executives with the development and management of various mental health initiatives. She is also a published author, contributing her expertise and insights to literature that explores the intersection of mental health, sport performance, and personal development.

Dr. Zapata was born in Panama City, Panama, and credits her Afro-Caribbean roots as the foundation for her values and worldview. She grew up in Newport News, Virginia, learning the art of adaptation and flexibility early as a military dependent. Throughout her lived experiences, she has identified strengths related to resiliency, resourcefulness, and sheer will and motivation.

As a first-generation college student, Dr. Zapata earned a BA from Marymount University, her first graduate degree from The George Washington University, and continued to earn an MA and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant International University in San Diego, CA.

Dr. Zapata is currently the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Sport and Personal Development at SOL Performance, a firm dedicated to elevating athletic and personal potential. Through SOL Performance, she provides tailored solutions for individuals and teams seeking to enhance their sports performance and overall wellness.

Aaron Zhao, known online as "mixikid," is a Vancouver-based engineering content creator who builds electronics from scratch — robotics, music synthesizers, MP3 players, sound generators, anything he can imagine. In under a year, he's grown to 180K+ followers across platforms and worked with some of the biggest brands in the engineering space like Anthropic and Cursor, taking audiences through every step of the process: hardware design, coding, personal branding, and entrepreneurship. His mission is simple — if you can envision it, you can build it.