Speaker Bios
Helena Ferrari, GPHR, PHR
As a global CHRO and strategic Executive Team member, I work with CEOs, C-suite and the Board of private/PE companies on governance, scaling global growth, risk management, cross-border M&As, IPOs, regulatory compliance, audits, succession planning, compensation, and workforce strategy. I provide valuable actionable solutions drawing from a growth-focused mindset and cultural nuance gained via 25+ years leading businesses to scale across the US, UK, Australia, Europe, LatAm, and APAC regions – ensuring shareholder value and responsible corporate cultures. I help businesses navigate crisis including multi-CEO/Executive Team transitions, financial turnarounds, class action claims, dissolving businesses, and with delicate CEO/C-level matters.
Currently, I advise CEOs, C-Suite, and Boards as CEO of HRRX on governance, regulatory compliance, risk, crisis, compensation, SOX, and operational optimization. Notably, I advise leaders of one of the nation’s largest healthcare consortiums on governance, compliance, and steering leadership discussions to proactively mitigate risk. In addition, I guided an eCommerce marketer through IPO, then advised CEO, CFO, and Board on public company governance, risk, compensation strategy/stocks, compliance, SOX, and communications.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenaferrari/
https://www.thehrrx.com/
Scott Hamilton
Scott Hamilton is a well-known thought leader & speaker in the field of “next practices” improvement of executive and workforce performance for emerging companies across the Global 5000. With a multi-discipline experience as an internal corporate executive and external trusted advisor, Scott has helped leaders and organizations be more effective in how they strategize and execute. His executive and organizational coaching expertise includes the development/implementation of strategic plans, advanced innovation methods, leadership team performance sessions and the pioneering use of “collective intelligence” alignment & adaptability programs. He has worked with leaders at all levels to build their strengths in order maximize team commitment, capability, focus and results in both emerging and established businesses.
Scott’s industry exposure has been both broad and deep. He has held key marketing, strategy, human resources and organization development executive roles for such companies as McDonald’s, Nestle, Bergen Brunswig, Honeywell, ARAMARK Distribution and DirecTV. Scott has also founded several businesses and built top advisory practices that have coached hundreds of C-level leaders through strategic planning, large-scale change efforts, teambuilding, merger and acquisition/integration activity teams, and developed in-house executive development programs.
Hamilton is CEO of the Executive Next Practices Institute, a global C-suite innovation focused organization that is based at UCI Beall Applied Innovation at the University of California Irvine and the Founder of NextWORKS Strategy, a premier provider of strategy development, alignment, talent management, and executive performance programs to small to middle-market companies. Both of these entities have been recognized by Forbes and the Orange County Business Journal as leaders in fields of innovation, entrepreneurship and strategic transformation.
He is a frequent keynoter and panelist to CEO groups, trade associations, private company functions and global conferences. Hamilton serves on the boards of several organizations.
Ian O. Williamson
Ian O. Williamson was appointed dean of The UCI Paul Merage School of Business on January 1, 2021. Prior to joining the Merage School, he served as pro vice-chancellor and dean of commerce at the Wellington School of Business and Government at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
Williamson received his PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a bachelor’s degree in business from Miami University. He has served as a faculty member at Melbourne Business School, Rutgers Business School, the Zurich Institute of Business Education, the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland and Institut Teknologi Bandung.
Williamson is a globally recognised expert in the area of human resource management. His research examines the impact of "talent pipelines" on organizational and community outcomes. In particular, his research focuses on how human and social capital influences firm operational and financial outcomes, talent management in the context of new ventures and growth-oriented firms, the role of human resource practices in driving firm innovation and the impact of social issues on firm outcomes.
Williamson’s research has been published in leading academic journals (e.g. Academy of Management Journal, MIT Sloan Management Review, Organization Science, Journal of Applied Psychology) and has been covered by leading media outlets across the world. He is a past recipient of the Academy of Management (AOM) Education Division Best Paper Award for his research on high performing teams and the AOM Human Resource Division Best Paper Award for his research on the effect of employee mobility on firm performance. He is also a recipient of the AOM Best Practices Mentoring Award for his role as the founding President of the Management Faculty of Color Association (MFCA).
A passionate educator, Williamson has been recognized for his innovative approaches to business education. He is a past recipient of the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business Krowe Teaching Award, the Melbourne Business School Senior Executive MBA Teaching Award, the University of Melbourne Award for Excellence and Innovation in Indigenous Higher Education, and the Business/Higher Education Round Table CPA Australia/ABDC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Business Education Collaboration.
Errol Arkilic
Chief Innovation Officer of UCI, and Executive Director of Beall Applied Innovation. At UCI, he leads campus‐wide commercialization activity, helping researchers turn knowledge into products and services that impact society. Prior to his role at UCI, he was founder and CEO of M34 Capital. M34 is a private investment company that focuses on seed and early‐stage projects being spun out of academic research labs. Previously, Errol was the founding and lead program director for the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps program (I‐Corps). Prior to this, he was the lead software and services Program Director for the NSF SBIR program. Before his government service, Errol was founder and CEO of StrataGent Lifesciences (Acquired by Corium International: CORI) and Manager of Product Engineering at Redwood Microsystems. He has a Ph.D. in Aero/Astro Engineering from MIT.
Dave Coffaro
Dave Coffaro is a strategic advisor, keynote speaker and author. His expertise is guiding organizations in navigating change. He works with financial services executives in defining, designing, and deploying business models to deliver their company’s vision.
Dave served in for-profit and nonprofit leadership positions, including Interim President & Chief Executive Officer - Members Trust Company, Interim Chief Executive Officer - Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, Executive Vice President, Chief Fiduciary Officer and Head of Trust and Fiduciary Services - Wells Fargo and Senior Vice President and Head of Strategy for International Trade Finance - Bank of America.
Dave’s strategy consulting work began in graduate school, working with a team to develop a turnaroundplan for an unprofitable airline. Following graduate school, engagements focused on financial servicesfirms, franchisors and privately held businesses, developing actionable, practical, strategic pathways togreater success. In addition to leading the Greater Irvine Chamber, Dave serves as Principal of StrategicAdvisory Consulting Group, and, as co-founder of Atticus, a fintech firm providing easy to use, do-it-yourself tools for fiduciary-based activities.
Dave’s broad financial services experience includes leadership positions in commercial banking and wealth management. He is committed to enhancing strategic leadership acumen and professional competency in organizations. In the banking industry, Dave furthered this mission as Founding Chair of the UC Berkeley Extension Wealth Management Program, served on the American Bankers Association Professional Development Council and through the Trust Management Association. He taught strategic management and business policy at California State University, Fullerton. Dave is a past director at Members Trust Company and Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. His community involvement includes serving as director and finance chair of Abound Food Care and as an executive coach with Executive Coaches of Orange County.
Dave speaks and writes on topics related to strategic leadership, leading change, organization transformation and innovation, with articles published in American Management Association Journal, SmartBrief on Leadership, ABA Banking Journal, Financial Executives International, Quality Digest, Psychology Today, and Business Transformation SmartBrief. His books, Leading from Zero: Seven Essential Elements of Earning Relevance and Leading from Where you Are: 7 Themes to Make a Meaningful Impact in Your Work , and Leading from Now: A Leader’s Guide to Navigating Change are available on Amazon.
Dave earned a Master of Business Administration degree in Strategic Management from the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management at the Claremont Graduate University, and an undergraduate degree in Organizational Behavior and Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton.
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About the Greater Irvine Chamber
The mission of the Greater Irvine Chamber is to advance the economic vitality of greater Irvine. Representing the interests of approximately 20,000 Irvine businesses with a workforce of nearly 300,000, the Greater Irvine Chamber focuses on helping businesses start and grow, attracting domestic and global businesses to expand in Irvine, and supporting international business and commerce, for which the Chamber received the prestigious U.S. President’s Export Award. The Greater Irvine Chamber is five-star accredited—the highest rating issued by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit GreaterIrvineChamber.com.
Bill Edwards
William (Bill) Edwards Brief Bio – August 2023 William Edwards, CEO and Chief Global Advisor of Edwards Global Services, Inc. (EGS), has 4+ decades of international operations, development, executive, consulting, and entrepreneurial experience. Outside the USA, he has lived in China, the Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran and Turkey and has worked on projects in more than 50 countries in the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. After a 20-year technical and executive career in international oil & gas exploration, Mr. Edwards was Master Franchisee for a U.S. franchisor in China, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Turkey. He was also Senior Vice President of international operations and development for the AlphaGraphics® taking the brand into 20 new countries. Since founding EGS in 2001, he and his team based in more than 25 countries have helped 44 companies enter 30+ countries. EGS provides a complete international solution for U.S. companies going global, from the initial global market research and country prioritization to developing new international markets and providing operational support around the world. EGS has worked with Fortune 50, INC 5000, and private companies in the auto service, business services, education, software, auto service centers, beauty, property management, medical, fitness, home care, food & beverage, and pet care sectors. EGS has twice received the U.S. Presidential award for export excellence. He is also currently Chairman of the Board of the World Affairs Council of Orange County, California. Bill was recently appointed to the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Services as the U.S. franchise industry’s international trade advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and to the U.S. Trade Representative. He is active on the International Franchise Association’s International Committee and Education Advisory Council. He is Vice Chairman of the District Export Council of Southern California, appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Mr. Edwards speaks around the world at conferences and universities on taking businesses international successfully. He has authored more than 50 articles on global business development. Bill publishes a biweekly global business update newsletter – Geowizard.biz - that goes to over 1,400 subscribers in 20 countries and has quarterly published the well known GlobalVue™ country-ranking tool since 2001. “To his many clients who are going global, Bill oversees overseas.” — Franchise Times
Dr. Noel Hacegaba
Dr. Noel Hacegaba currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Long Beach, the nation’s second busiest seaport and a world leader in customer service, supply chain innovation and environmental sustainability. He is responsible for managing the Port’s day-to-day operations, including Commercial Services, Finance and Administration, Engineering Services, Planning and Environmental Affairs and Strategic Advocacy.In recent years, Dr. Hacegaba led the Port’s response to the pandemic-induced supply chain crisis, directing the Port’s Business Recovery Taskforce and coordinating with industry, labor and government partners to identify near-term solutions. Under his leadership, the Port of Long Beach opened the nation’s first “pop-up yard” to provide immediate congestion relief and facilitated the first 24-hour terminal operation. Dr. Hacegaba also spearheaded the Port’s Supply Chain Information Highway, a digital platform designed to improve cargo visibility, connectivity and data-sharing across the national freight network. In addition, Dr. Hacegaba has played a pivotal role in strengthening the Port’s commercial and financial interests as the lead negotiator in the multi-billion-dollar sales of two of its largest terminal assets, Long Beach Container Terminal and Total Terminals International. Previously, Dr. Hacegaba served as the Port’s Managing Director of Commercial Operations and Chief Commercial Officer, the Port’s senior executive responsible for developing and executing business development strategies to drive cargo and revenue growth. In this role, Dr. Hacegaba successfully managed the Port’s commercial activities during a period of significant industry realignment and led the swift recovery of its largest container terminal following the biggest bankruptcy in shipping line industry history, clearing the path for record cargo volumes. Dr. Hacegaba began his career at the Port as the Executive Officer to the Board of Harbor Commissioners, a position that reported directly to the Board and coordinated the governing body’s policy, administrative and communications functions. He also serves as the Executive Director of the Intermodal Container Transfer Facility Joint Powers Authority, which governs a major near-dock rail facility serving the Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles. In total, Dr. Hacegaba has more than 26 years of public and private sector experience spanning a variety of industries. Prior to joining the Port, he managed $200 million in contracts for a Fortune 500 company. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where he earned degrees in economics (BA and MA), business administration (BS) and urban planning (MPL). He also earned his doctorate in public administration at the University of La Verne. Dr. Hacegaba is a Certified Port Executive (CPE) and earned the Port Professional Executive (PPX) and Port Professional Manager (PPM) professional designations from the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA). In partial fulfillment of his PPM certification, Dr. Hacegaba authored a white paper titled, “Big Ships, Big Challenges: The Impact of Mega Container Vessels on U.S. Port Authorities,” which was published internationally in major industry publications. He has also written numerous other articles over the years that have been published in the Journal of Commerce and Port Technology International, among other publications. In 2025, Dr. Hacegaba was awarded the prestigious Stanley T. Olafson Bronze Plaque, the highest honor awarded by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the world trade community, for his exemplary leadership in advancing international trade. Dr. Hacegaba also serves on various influential industry boards, including the Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (Vice Chair), California Association of Port Authorities (President), American Association of Port Authorities Professional Development Board (Chair) and the USC Kendrick Global Supply Chain Institute (Chair). He is also past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Intermodal Association of North America, the only association that represents the combined interests of the entire freight transportation industry. In addition, Dr. Hacegaba serves on the Boards of Directors of the Marine Exchange of Southern California, Containerization and Intermodal Institute, University of Denver Transportation and Supply Chain Institute, Harbor Association of Industry and Commerce and the Propeller Club of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Pranav Dalal
In 2001, armed with only two thousand dollars, Pranav Dalal flew to Vadodara, India and founded Office Beacon. Fast forward twenty years later, Office Beacon has become one of the world's leading remote staffing providers. With three thousand employees and growing exponentially, and offices in India, the Philippines, Africa, Australia, the US, and Canada. Prior to Office Beacon, Dalal founded Pacific Content LLC, which licensed video games and other content to thousands of retailers including Best Buy, Amazon, Apple, and eBay. After turning into the world's largest provider of online content, Pacific Content LLC was acquired by Rovi, a John Kluge/Metromedia-funded company, and was eventually acquired by Tivo. Dalal credits his business aspirations to the experiences he encountered while working in the corporate world. Upon graduating from university, Dalal held several senior executive positions notably Rogers/AT&T, Fidelity Investments, and PC Mall. Pranav earned an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Toronto, an MBA from York University, and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School.
Thomas Bennett, CPA
Thomas joined the firm in 2005. With nearly two decades of public
accounting experience, he brings a combination of technical expertise,
talent development and client service to his role as the managing principal
of Baker Tilly’s Orange County and San Diego practices. He is focused on
bringing the full power of Baker Tilly to the local market, with a client-centric
approach to solving complex problems and driving business growth.
Specific experience
- Extensive experience overseeing audits of public and private companies in the technology, consumer products and service industries
- Plans and leads audit and review engagements for closely held private equity SEC issuer clients
- Significant experience with complex accounting and financial reporting matters, mergers and acquisitions, capital formation and IPOs
- Former accounting manager for a privately held manufacturing company, where he supervised daily accounting functions and maintenance of internal controls
Industry Involvement
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
- California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA)
- AICPA Council Member of the California Delegation
- Orange County/Long Beach chapter of CalCPA, former president
Community Involvement
- Audit Committee Member of Families Forward
Alan Villanueva
Alan has practiced public accounting with Baker Tilly for over 25 years providing tax compliance and consulting services to a variety of public and privately held companies as well as high net worth individuals and their families. Alan spends the bulk of his time working with closely held, private equity owned and family owned businesses on tax strategies, identifying value-added service opportunities, handling IRS and state tax examinations, and managing day-to-day tax compliance work. His experience includes corporate M&A transactions, buy-sell transactions, entity formation and liquidation, ASC 740, accounting method changes, and multistate taxation.
Feyzi Fatehi
Feyzi Fatehi is the CEO of Corent Tech, a cloud/software/SaaS technology leader named among the Top 10 Most Disruptive Private Companies. A technology visionary, inventor, and entrepreneur, Fatehi was the recipient of the 2019 CODiE Lifetime Achievement Award, an award previously bestowed on Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Bill Gates, for significant long-term contributions to the software industry. A Silicon Valley veteran, Fatehi studied at Cambridge, Princeton, UT Austin, and UCLA and has given talks at Harvard, Wharton, Stanford, CalTech, as well as a commencement speech at UC Irvine in 2022. Forbes Books recently published his book titled “Democratizing SaaS”, a tech industry best seller on how Corent’s breakthrough platform SaaSOps is poised to accelerate the transformation of the software industry into a service industry unleashing a new multi-trillion dollar market by the end of this decade.
Arun Batchu
With over 30 years of experience in software engineering, I am a VP, Analyst at Gartner, where I research and advise on topics that matter to software engineering leaders. I have degrees in computer science and software engineering as well as a certificate in machine learning. I am an idea generator for the The Thinking Spot, a one-of-a-kind bookstore to make STEAM accessible to the masses. I also volunteer as Director of Technology Innovation and Strategy at the ShreyaDixit Memorial foundation. Previously, I was a VP of Engineering at UnitedHealth Group, where I led teams that applied advanced technologies. I have extensive experience in enterprise digital product development, management, and architecture, as well as in open source software, and AI-augmented software engineering. I am passionate about creating value for customers, businesses, and society through software engineering. I bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the team, as I speak three languages, have co-founded a book and food startup, and volunteer my expertise. My mission is to help software engineering leaders succeed in their roles and achieve their goals.
Jenifer Muir
Jenifer Muir, Founder and CEO, leads GEOT.Ai that builds Al factories at global scale with net zero impact. Jenifer's expertise in international digital transformation, impact investment, and philanthropy began at Microsoft when she helped launch its MSN Internet services in 22 countries and nine different languages, and later served Google Cloud (GCP) as one of the highest performing Key Account Directors, to include supporting the world's first media company's transformation to net zero carbon emission. Jenifer's passion for regenerative economics is also evidenced in her academic pursuits in Stanford University's Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies, as Fellow of the Colorado CleanTech Industries Association, and as Co-founder of the Inland Ocean Coalition, an ocean conservation non-profit. Jenifer co-founded three successful startups and has been credited in originating net zero microgrid solutions for various infrastructure models. She created a think tank in Los Angeles, California designed for social and economic transformation through education, which also invests in female entrepreneurs in indigenous South American communities. Jenifer's purpose-driven approach amplifies investment and turns strategic vision into real-world outcomes.
About GEOT.Ai
GEOT.Ai pioneers the global future of Al infrastructure by building net zero geothermal Al factories designed specifically for high-density GPU training, reference bursts, and data preparation at gigawatt scale. Our Al factories produce behind the meter energy for optimized, high revenue token output. Led by executives and advisors from Google, SuperMicro, Microsoft, and General Electric, GEOT.Ai accelerates abundant, constant, and clean energy to power Al for decades to come.
Shannon Warner
Shannon serves as Intel’s Global ISV Partner Go-To-Market Leader, where she drives the company’s worldwide ISV strategy, ecosystem sales, and scale initiatives. She leads the development and execution to empower sales and partner teams in accelerating revenue growth through innovative, software-driven solutions. Her leadership unifies Intel’s ISV initiatives to build impactful partnerships that advance Intel’s enterprise sales objectives. A seasoned sales and GTM leader, Shannon is recognized for fueling significant growth and shaping strategic alliances across AI, cloud, and ISV partner ecosystems. With a distinguished track record at Intel, Microsoft, and TD SYNNEX, she is known for her strategic vision, ability to build and inspire high-performing teams, and talent for delivering measurable results that resonate across the industry.
Michael Zilis
Michael Zilis serves as chief financial officer of Ingram Micro Inc. He is responsible for the company’s global finance organization, including financial planning and analysis, mergers & acquisitions, treasury and risk management, financial operations, accounting and reporting, internal audit, tax, and global business processes.
Prior to his current role, Mike served from August 2016 to December 2019 as executive vice president and group president of Asia Pacific, with responsibility for the company’s overall operations in the Asia Pacific market. Before that, he oversaw the strategy and execution of Ingram Micro’s operations across the Latin American, Eastern European, ASEAN and Hong Kong markets. Mike also previously led the company’s Latin American Technology Solutions business as executive vice president and president - Latin America, where he presided over all aspects of the company’s core distribution business for the region. Before this, Mike was executive vice president of Asia Pacific, where he was accountable for the region's operations while also heading special projects, including the company's recovery program in Australia and assisting with the integration of the company's Middle East acquisition of Aptec.
Mike joined Ingram Micro in 2006 as senior vice president and corporate controller, heading the company’s financial planning and analysis, external and internal financial reporting, long-term strategic planning, financial due diligence and merger and acquisition work. Prior to Ingram Micro, Mike was vice president and corporate controller for Avnet, Inc., where he was instrumental in leading the company’s cost-saving initiatives and efforts to streamline and add efficiency to ongoing processes.
Mike began his career with 10 years in the commercial audit practice of Arthur Andersen LLP in its Boston and Phoenix offices. He is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Accounting from Boston College. Mike is also a member of the Board of Directors of Veritone, Inc. He resides in Orange County with his wife.
John Driver
Strategic Assets for Board Contributions
- Service on public company Audit, Nominating & Governance,
Compensation, Risk (Chair), and Finance Committees - Board experience in capital-intensive and highly regulated sectors
- Leadership in tech innovation and operational transformation
- Deep expertise in cybersecurity and AI oversight
- Strong track record in acquisitions and divestitures
- Financial governance of M&A, hedging, equity & debt financing
John Driver is a CEO and award-winning Independent Director with broad boardroom and executive leadership experience spanning technology, financial services, and energy. He brings expertise in
corporate strategy, innovation, global P&L management, M&A, international operations, risk oversight, audit and finance, digital transformation, and AI/cybersecurity governance.
He is CEO of Lynx Technology, a smart home IoT and digital media software company he founded through a management buyout from an NTT DOCOMO subsidiary. Under his leadership, Lynx evolved into a
profitable global platform. He previously served as COO and CMO of PacketVideo, managing global operations across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, and held senior roles at Serena Software and Sun Microsystems.
Mr. Driver is an Independent Director at Broadway Financial Corporation and City First Bank (NASDAQ: BYFC), where he chairs the Risk & Compliance Committee and sits on the Audit and Compensation
Committees, with prior service on Nominating & Governance. At Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE: VTLE), he serves on the Finance and Compensation Committees and is a former Audit Committee member. He holds NACD
Directorship and Cybersecurity Oversight Certifications and has completed OCC bank board training.
He chairs the Nominating & Governance Committee Roundtable for the NACD Pacific Southwest Chapter, sits on the board of 50/50 Women on Boards, is a Trustee of the Fleet Science Center, and mentors aspiring
directors through the Black Corporate Board Readiness Program and the Corporate Directors Forum’s Avenue to the Boardroom. He is a frequent speaker on corporate governance matters.
Mr. Driver was named Director of the Year by the Corporate Directors Forum in 2024 and received the Stanford Governor’s Award for leadership and service in 2019. He holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering
from Stanford University and an MBA from the Tuck School at Dartmouth College. He and his wife live in greater San Diego and have three adult children.
Areas of Expertise
- CEO / COO / CMO Experience
- Software, Banking, Oil & Gas
- Technology & Innovation
- Strategic Acquisitions
- International Operations
- Global P&L Leadership
Board Service
- Broadway Financial/City First Bank, (NASDAQ: BYFC), 2022 -present
- Vital Energy (NYSE: VTLE), 2022 - present
- NACD PSW Chapter (2024-present)
- 50/50 Women on Boards (2024-present)
- The Fleet Science Center (2017-present, past Chair)
- Stanford Associates Board of Governors (2013-2018, past Chair)
Board Committee Experience
- Audit
- Compensation
- Nominating & Governance
- Risk & Compliance (Chair)
- Finance
Professional History
Lynx Technology (2015 –
Present), CEO
- PacketVideo (2013 – 2015), COO & CMO
- JoynIn (2010-2015), CEO & Board Member
- Serena Software (2007-2009), Sr. Director Global Marketing
- Sun Microsystems acquired by Oracle, Global Lead Mid-Market
Dr. Anita Polite-Wilson, Ph.D
Anita Polite-Wilson, Ph.D., affectionally known as Dr. Anita, is a C-Suite trusted advisor, board director, executive coach, workshop facilitator, and organizational development consultant helping leaders and teams navigate complexity and change associated with Diversity initiatives by accelerating awareness and changing cultures. With over 20 years of experience, she is a scholar-practitioner with expertise in adult learning theory, change management, and organizational leadership initiatives for corporate, government, and non-profit entities.
She holds a B.S. in Management from Pepperdine University, an M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Biola University, along with an M.A. and Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University.
Expertise
Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Thought Leader & Speaker, Sustainable Workforce & Culture Transformation Strategist, Workforce Psychological Safety & Change Management Practitioner, international speaker, author, and host of the Keeping It Real with Dr. Anita podcast
Credentials
Academy to Innovate HR certified Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Specialist, Fearless Organization certified Psychological Safety Practitioner, Gallup certified Strengths Coach, iPEC Certified Professional Coach.
Chris Simonsen
Chris Simonsen is a mission-driven leader who has dedicated his career to creating opportunities for young people to thrive. After a successful corporate career, including serving as CFO of AAA of Southern California, Chris felt called to shift his focus to nonprofit work. He joined Orangewood Foundation in 2007 as Chief Financial Officer and, in 2013, became Chief Executive Officer.
Under Chris’s leadership, Orangewood has expanded and diversified its programs to better serve young people in Orange County. He spearheaded the creation of Samueli Academy, Orangewood’s public charter high school, leading a $72 million capital campaign to build its permanent campus. Chris has also guided the Foundation in strengthening its financial sustainability by diversifying revenue streams across public, private, and philanthropic sources, ensuring long-term impact.
With a focus on innovation and adaptability, Chris has championed program models that integrate housing, education, wellness, and workforce development, serving thousands of young people annually. He has also embraced the role of technology in advancing nonprofit work, exploring new tools and approaches to increase efficiency and reach. What sets Chris apart is his courage and authenticity. Walking away from a high-powered corporate path, he chose instead to lead with purpose, building an organization where youth can find the resources, stability, and encouragement they need to succeed. His vision, adaptability, and people-first leadership continue to drive Orangewood forward in times of change.
Joy Corpora
Joy Corpora is a dynamic leader dedicated to transforming the employee experience and fostering thriving workplace cultures. As Chief People & Culture Officer at Orangewood Foundation, she brings more than 25 years of HR leadership across diverse industries, with expertise strengthened by a Master’s in Public Administration, a Master’s in Organizational Leadership, and dual SHRM-SCP and SPHR certifications.
Since joining Orangewood, Joy has reimagined the People & Culture function, implementing innovative strategies that improve employee engagement, streamline processes, and elevate organizational effectiveness. From championing fair compensation and enhancing employee benefits, to introducing leading-edge engagement platforms like Culture Amp, Joy’s vision ensures employees feel valued, supported, and empowered. She has also led transformative initiatives in organizational learning, guiding staff through training in psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and inclusive leadership.
Joy’s leadership extends beyond the workplace. She volunteers as a wish granter for Make-A-Wish Orange County/Inland Empire and serves as a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of OC, reflecting her deeply held belief that people flourish when given the right opportunities and support.
With her authentic, people-first approach, Joy exemplifies the adaptability and leadership needed to guide organizations—and individuals—through times of change.
Tom Somodi
Tom Somodi – Executive Consultant, Author, and Speaker
Tom is an expert in change and performance management, known for helping executives discover innovative concepts and tools to rapidly achieve their objectives—even in the most unpredictable environments.
With 40 years of experience as a CPA, C-Suite executive, and consultant, Tom has taken Power Solutions International (PSIX) public, delivering a 9X return within three years. He has orchestrated more than 1,000 M&As, reorganizations, startups, and strategic change initiatives across 40 industries throughout the U.S., China/Asia, UK/Europe, South Africa, Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean. His leadership has even driven organically financed growth rates of up to 70%.
Tom is the author of The Science of Change, a reference book on why change efforts succeed or fail, and Dynamic Execution for Executives (2025), which introduces a groundbreaking framework to help leaders achieve strategic
objectives with greater speed and reliability.
Tom Somodi
561 343 5577
tom@changescienceinstitute.com
changescienceinstitute.com
Robert Horsley
In his role as Managing Director at Fragomen, Robert Horsley draws on decades of transformational experience and strategy to leverage technology, work models, workforce data, and talent preference. Aligned with these initiatives, he co-founded and leads Fragomen’s WorkRight I-9 software as a service (SaaS) technology offering and service. His ability to forecast trends, conceptualize innovative solutions, and recognize angel investment opportunities is remarkable, and reaches through Fragomen to clients and industry colleagues and partners, always with the goal of improving customer and employee experience, implementing efficiencies, and increasing democratization in the workplace and in business.
Enrique Baltierra, SPHR
Enrique has been involved in the Human Resources and Talent leadership arena for the last 30 years through a variety of industries and roles. After 16 years with Pfizer in progressive management roles in the Midwest and East Coast, he had specialty roles at Washington Mutual, First American, and Liberty Mutual participating in large scale merger and acquisition, recruiting and training functions.
After leading Human Resources for Driscoll Berries largest grower operations in Mexico and the US, he created iPotential HR Solutions: a consultancy to support organizations with assignments focusing on strategic business planning, Human Resources leadership and operations
In between his varied earlier HR experiences, Enrique started consulting in the nascent and rapidly growing diversity movement in the mid 1990’s with clients such as 3M, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic and Boeing and served 7 years on the Society of Human Resources Washington D.C. based diversity and legislative affairs board and most recently as president of the Orange County Diversity Council.
Enrique holds both his Bachelor’s in Industrial Relations and Masters Certification in Organization Development from the University of Minnesota and along with C-level interim HR leadership assignments, provides support to non-profits as an executive coach and strategic planning facilitator with the Executive Coaches of Orange County and global relief efforts.
Rafael Rivera
Rafael Rivera is Chief Executive Officer of the Professionals In Human Resources Association (PIHRA), the largest SHRM affiliate and a driving force in advancing HR leadership across California. He leads the organization’s strategic transformation, expanding its influence among members who collectively impact more than two million employees statewide.
Since 2010, Rafael has positioned PIHRA as a modern, innovative association connecting California’s HR community through education, advocacy, and collaboration. Under his leadership, PIHRA has expanded its professional and student communities, elevated continuing education and certification programs, and advanced the use of AI and other technologies to enhance member engagement and organizational performance.
With more than two decades of experience leading mission-driven and corporate organizations, Rafael is recognized for building growth-focused ecosystems that connect leaders, empower professionals, and shape the evolving world of work.
Thoai Ha
Thoai Ha is a business-minded Chief People Officer and board advisor with over 25 years of experience transforming Human Capital into a competitive advantage across diverse, high-growth industries. Known for her ability to align talent strategy with business outcomes, she has led organizations through transformations, scaling, integrations, and value-creation initiatives in both private equity–backed and privately held environments.
As Chief People Officer at Bradshaw Home, Thoai drives enterprise-wide initiatives that strengthen the employee value proposition, elevate leadership capability, and build an agile, high-performing culture that fuels growth and innovation.
Previously, she served as Chief Human Resources Officer at DPI Specialty Foods, a $1B private equity backed specialty food distributor, where she modernized the HR function and led organizational redesign efforts and helped the company through a successful exit.
Thoai’s career spans multiple sectors—including retail, consumer products, design and architecture, technology, biotech, and distribution—giving her a unique ability to bridge strategic insight with practical execution.
She serves on the Board of the National Human Resources Association (NHRA), Orange County Chapter, and is an active member of the Private Directors Association, where she co-chairs the Human Resources Specialty Interest Group for Southern California.
Thoai holds an MBA, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology & Social Behavior, and the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification. Passionate about advancing the HR profession, she is dedicated to reshaping how organizations view Human Capital—as a catalyst for business performance, innovation, and long-term enterprise value.
Jill Angel
Jill Angel is the Chief Operating Officer at TrueCar, where she oversees sales and service, dealer operations, marketing and creative, and People functions. In this role, Jill is responsible for driving revenue growth, operational performance, and brand excellence across the organization.
A seasoned operator and strategic leader, Jill has deep expertise in managing revenue-producing teams and building scalable systems that align sales execution with marketing strategy and customer success. Her pragmatic, results-driven approach has consistently translated operational initiatives into measurable business growth.
Before joining TrueCar, Jill served as Executive Vice President, People at Leaf Group, which she joined in 2015. She transitioned into People Operations after more than two decades in operations, finance, and customer service for leading e-commerce platforms. Prior to Leaf Group, Jill was Vice President of Operations at Saatchi Art, later acquired by Leaf Group, and held key operations roles with Cocodot and Swirl. Earlier in her career, she held e-commerce positions with GSI Commerce Solutions and finance and customer service roles with DHL and Airborne Express.
Panagiota Hatzis
Ramona Agrela
Ramona Agrela is the senior university official responsible for all human resources administration and operations for both the UC Irvine (UCI) campus and UCI Health academic health system. In her role, Agrela helps organizational leaders achieve their strategic goals through progressive talent management strategies. Across the UC Irvine enterprise, Agrela is responsible for programs, policies, and human resources support for nearly 34,000 employees. Her revolutionary HR model, centered on client support, and focused on empowering people success, has been widely shared at conferences throughout the U.S., and emulated by other academic institutions.
Agrela holds a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's degree in public administration from California State University, Fullerton. She is a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) certified senior professional, a WorldatWork certified compensation professional, and a Human Capital Institute Strategic HR Business Partner. She currently serves as President of the CUPA-HR Southern California Chapter 2024-2025, and is a board member of the American Research Universities Human Resource Institute.
Jayson Duncan
Jayson Duncan Using storytelling to sell millions of dollars in products and services is the founder and Chief Storyteller of Miller Farm Media. Helping your marketing efforts increase revenue. From marketing strategy, branding, website design, cinematic award-winning video production, and digital advertising to social media management on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Trusted by small and large brands such as Microsoft, Google, and Nestle since 2000.
Amber Tarshis
Chief Marketing & Impact Officer, TOMS
Amber Tarshis is an accomplished retail and entertainment marketing executive, currently serving as Chief Marketing and Impact Officer at TOMS. In this role, she oversees all global marketing functions including brand strategy, experiential marketing, social media, retail marketing, PR, creative and social impact, focused on driving growth and amplifying TOMS’ mission of using business to improve lives.
Amber’s career spans an impressive array of senior leadership roles across top brands. Before joining TOMS, she served as CMO at Guess Jeans and PacSun, Senior Vice President at Victoria’s Secret and Head of Marketing at PUMA North America. Her background also includes leadership in entertainment and media, where she was Senior Vice President of Global Brand Management at Warner Bros. and CMO at Discovery Network’s Hub TV channel. Most recently, she was Chief Marketing & Creator Experience Officer at Jellysmack, the global creator company.
Amber serves as a Board Director for Coyuchi, Inc., the organic luxury home goods brand. She
holds a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and has been a member of the Television
Academy of Arts & Sciences since 2011.
Andrea Walter
Andrea Walter is a strategic marketing leader with deep global experience across branding, communications, product marketing, and customer acquisition. She is known for developing high performing teams, creating strong foundations for scale, and achieving ambitious revenue goals. Her work spans the automotive, technology, software, SaaS, higher education, pharmaceutical, and healthcare sectors. Passionate about Design Thinking and innovation, Andrea serves as Chief Marketing Officer at Ease.io, where she leads the company’s global go to market strategy and marketing execution for its manufacturing industry SaaS platform. She previously held senior roles at Veritone and Teletrac, where she drove growth in complex and process intensive environments.
Leigh Steinberg
Leigh Steinberg is a legendary sports agent, entrepreneur, and Chairman of Steinberg Sportsand Entertainment, widely known as the real-life inspiration for Jerry Maguire. He hasrepresented over 300 professional athletes—including 64 NFL first-round picks, 8 number oneoverall selections, and 12 Hall of Famers—and has negotiated contracts exceeding $4 billionwhile directing over $1.2 billion to charitable causes. A UC Berkeley graduate, Leigh is also aphilanthropist, media personality, and author. He recently established The Leigh SteinbergFoundation for Concussion, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Brain Health to continue championingbrain health and making a lasting difference in athletes’ lives.