Dr. Sandra Wright/Moaney Wright and Associates

Dr. Sandra Wright is CEO of Moaney Wright & Associates, LLC which is a boutique consulting firm specializing in performance improvement, professional development and business/life coaching. Its subsidiary, Possibilities Unlimited for Women is a forum for women that want to grow globally through business and personal ventures. Possibilities Unlimited for Women offers coaching, assistance with starting new businesses (i.e. business plans), and a quarterly event that includes presenters that speak on various topics such as finances, healthcare, that are thought-provoking with cutting-edge content. Jointly, the two companies offer one-stop shopping for improving performance within the workplace.

Alice and Kyu Park/Alice Park Photography 

Kyu and Alice Park founded The National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP) in 2009 with hopes of building a community to promote and support child photographers. One of the most well-respected child photography teams in Atlanta, Kyu and Alice started their journey in the industry by founding Alice Park Photography in 2005. Although many organizations existed to support the general art of photography, Kyu and Alice noted that the child photography industry lacked its own resources that could help its professionals develop their unique skills, their artistry and their business. To help fill the void, they decided to create a formal association for professional child photographers.

In founding and maintaining NAPCP, Kyu’s and Alice’s main goals have always been to help their fellow child photographers and to serve as a valuable resource for their parent readers. Kyu and Alice agree that their favorite aspects of the association center around their members and the community – Kyu most enjoys seeing their Image Competition winners receive the recognition they deserve, and Alice loves to plan the annual retreats for their photographer members. As NAPCP continues to grow, Kyu and Alice strive to continue to raise industry standards, provide useful information to parents and support child photographers around the world.

Diane Bloodworth/Competitive Sports Analysis 

In 2010, Diane Bloodworth founded Competitive Sports Analysis (CSA), a cutting-edge sports analytics company, and subsequently launched leading fantasy sports tool, scoutPROTM. Diane is a serial entrepreneur and previous founder of an IT process improvement consulting firm that was acquired in 2003. She has more than 25 years of experience in the technology industry with experience at Fortune 500 companies, government and small businesses. Through CSA she is able to combine her love of sports and expert knowledge of technology to make the sports industry more competitive and efficient into the future.

Recently, Competitive Sports Analysis (CSA), creator of one of the sport industry’s most accurate predictive tools for fantasy football players, selected The Aspire Group to develop its go-to-market strategy and research for its highly analytical fantasy sports tool – scoutPROTM. The two Atlanta companies are currently conducting an innovative study that will expand current research in the $1 billion fantasy sport industry that has largely focused on participation elements and spending habits of fantasy users. The research will support CSA’s sales approach and provide insights into how predictive analytics can make the sports industry more competitive into the future.

Michael Farris/The Aspire Group 

As Manager of Strategic Consulting and Market Research with The Aspire Group, Michael is chartered with creating unique and innovative research solutions catered to client needs that will drive incremental revenue while teaching key decision makers how to utilize data to further the growth of their brand. He is responsible for all client servicing and acquisition relative to research initiatives. Within this role, Michael utilizes Aspire’s research skill set to design and implement research solutions focusing on Consumer Research (profiling), Strategic Plan Analysis, New Business Development, Yield Management Studies, Brand and Fan Identification studies, and CMR Evaluations.

Michael received his bachelor’s in Sport Business from the Haile/US Bank College of Business at Northern Kentucky University and received his MBA and Master’s in Sport Business Management from the DeVos Sport Business Management Program at the University of Central Florida. Before joining Aspire, Michael was the Research and Innovation Coordinator at Game Day Communications where he implemented research design and benchmarking methodologies to address client needs. He has presented research on fan identification at NCAA Division II institutions at the Sport Marketing Association Conference and has worked on diverse research initiatives across a wide range of the sport industry including the Arnold Palmer Invitational, ESPN Wide World of Sports, the Flying Pig Marathon, and the University of Central Florida Athletics Association.

David Duncan/The Entrepreneurs’ Organization 

Never satisfied with the status quo, David is constantly seeking new experiences and learning opportunities. In 2004, his desire to learn and grow led him to the Atlanta chapter of The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), a dynamic, global network of more than 8,000 business owners in 40 countries. After only one year of membership, his natural leadership ability earned David a role on the chapter’s board of directors. For the last eight years, David has served in various leadership roles at the local, regional and global levels for EO, and has been instrumental in building EO Atlanta to be one of the organization’s benchmark chapters. David was voted president of EO Atlanta for the 2007-2008 term, and then appointed as the Area Director for the Southern US, from 2008 to 2010, where he chaired the Eastern U.S. Presidents Summit, a leadership conference for EO presidents and presidents-elects. Ever the trailblazer, David went on to address problems for other small businesses in growing economic uncertainty as one of the three founding committee members of EO’s Global Policy Summit. This annual, three-day summit in Washington, D.C. focuses on opening dialogue between EO members and top political figures to discuss the needs of the entrepreneurial community. In 2010, David was appointed as a Global Communications Committee Co-Chair, where he was the principle architect in developing a comprehensive communications plan that addressed the language and cultural sensitivity needs of members in more than 40 countries, speaking 13 different languages. David accepted his second nomination as EO Atlanta’s chapter president and recently has begun his term for the 2012/2013 year.

George Mashini/Catavolt 

George has been in the enterprise software field for 13 years with experience in software development, project management, professional services organizations, product management and executive management. In his previous leadership role at Paragon Software, George experienced all phases of enterprise software growth as part of the core management team. In 2005, George was part of a core team at Paragon that led the company to a successful exit for its investors via a sale to Infor Global Solutions. George has helped establish Catavolt as a market innovator in the areas of hybrid cloud computing and mobile business applications by creating software that leverages existing systems along with new technology. As Chief Executive Officer, George is focused on applying new techniques and technologies in innovative ways that bring business value to Catavolt’s customers.

Clarissa Bradstock/Any Lab Test Now 

Clarissa Bradstock is the COO with ANY LAB TEST NOW, the first direct access lab testing services company, allowing individuals to take control of their health.  On September 20, 2007, Any Test Franchising, Inc. acquired the rights to franchise the ANY LAB TEST NOW concept.  They are 150+ stores strong across the U.S. and growing.

Clarissa has served as a VP of Client Services, COO, VP of Operations and CEO of both private and publicly held organizations. She has extensive experience with healthcare related organizations focused on physicians, insurance carriers, nursing professionals and dental practices. In addition to managing operations, she has also served as a senior executive managing the acquisition and integration of over 30 companies within an 18 month period.

From 2007 to the present, Ms. Bradstock has served as Chief Operating Officer, located at Any Test Franchising, Inc.’s primary business location in Alpharetta, Georgia. She and her team are responsible for making the franchisees successful in reaching their operational and financial goals.

Danielle Jackson/Little PINK Book 

Danielle Jackson serves as the Client Relationships and EventManager of Little PINK Book – America’s #1 digital resource for career women. In this role, she is responsible for managing and nurturing current and future business relationships for the company. She also facilitates and manages all the company’s events.

On May 13, 2013, America’s most successful and fascinating women owners will convene in Atlanta to celebrate rising entrepreneurs at the Spring Into Ownership Event. Participants will learn from educational, inspiring and hands-on breakout sessions on topics ranging from motivating your staff, social media, marketing and the five things that keep owners up at night!

Registration is still open – listeners to today’s show can use the code RADIO for a special discount!

Nicole Williams/Little PINK Book 

Nicole Williams is the Senior Editor at Little PINK Book, America’s leading resource for leading women into a beautiful career and a beautiful life, where she manages content strategy and development and interviews some of the top women in business. She also appears on CBS Atlanta’s Women Working segment regularly.

Lisa Decker/Divorce Money Matters 

Lisa C. Decker – referred to by her clients as Miss Money Matters® – is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and the CEO and founder of Divorce Money Matters®, and Speed Divorcing Workshops, as well as the soon to launch online community, DivorceTownUSA.com.

Ms. Decker is a frequent radio show guest and has also been interviewed by CNBC, NY Times, ForbesWomen.com, Business Week, and Oprah magazines. Lisa is an expert in divorce financial matters, and a discreet problem-solver who guides her clients to “Divorce Your Spouse, Not Your Money®.”

She is also a Breast Cancer Survivor, married for more than 30 years and mom to three daughters, and a new granddaughter, as well as, an active volunteer in her community.

Marquita Johnson/HOPE Counseling LLC 

Marquita is a graduate of Mercer University with a M.S. in Community Counseling and a Master of Divinity. Marquita has almost seven years’ experience in the social services fields. She received her undergraduate degree from Georgia State University in psychology & sociology. She believes in counseling the “whole” person. Integrating the physical, mental, and spiritual taking into account the life paths and showing how they connect. She is very dedicated about working within the community and bringing awareness about the importance of tending to mental health needs. Marquita creates an atmosphere for healing to take place. Marquita enjoys working with those in transition and helping to discover that healing can occur if we are willing to reach deep within ourselves. She invites others on a journey to discover ways to become “whole” again.

Eric John/ECJ Tax & Financial Services

Damon Bivek/Bivek Brubaker & Prescott LLC

Damon is a founding partner of Bivek Brubaker & Prescott LLC. Damon has clerked for the Supreme Court of Georgia, and is trained as a Guardian Ad Litem. He recently served, from 2010- 2011, as the President of the Family Law Section of the Cobb County Bar Association, and has also served on the Cobb County Bar Association’s Board of Trustees. When Damon is not in the courtroom or serving the legal community, he enjoys spending time with his wife, golfing, traveling, and playing with his Labrador Retriever, Cocoa.

Suzanne Prescott/Bivek Brubaker & Prescott LLC

Suzanne T. Prescott is a founding partner of the family law firm Bivek Brubaker & Prescott LLC. Suzanne is trained in Collaborative Law, and handles all types of family law cases throughout Georgia. Suzanne grew up in Connecticut, but headed south for college where she graduated cum laude from Emory University before graduating from University of Georgia School of Law. When Suzanne is not advocating for her clients she is an avid runner with 2 marathons and countless half-marathons under her belt. She is a food and wine enthusiast who enjoys cooking, and she reserves her Fall Saturdays for Bulldog football and tailgating in Athens. Suzanne and her husband Ryan live in Smyrna, Georgia with their son, Conner, and their black lab, Bailey.

Mary Elizabeth Sadd/Pinnacle Search Partners

Pinnacle Search Partners is a Global Executive Recruiting firm based in Alpharetta, GA. Since forming in 2010, Pinnacle Search Partners has grown into a leading niche Executive recruiting firm in the U.S. and abroad. The company focuses on partnering with market leaders who are motivated to hire only top talent and who are dedicated to continuous improvement.

The Pinnacle team is comprised of award-winning leaders, possessing years of top level industry experience. Professional, results-driven, and dedicated, Pinnacle takes pride in thoroughly understanding it’s clients needs in order to deliver high quality results. Unique in its ability to focus on it’s client’s culture, goals, and market drivers, PInnacle has established an excellent industry reputation.

Pinnacle was recently certified as a “Women’s Business Enterprise” (WBE) by National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC). To be certified, a company must have an active primary female owner and executive that controls both the daily and long-term effects of the organization.

Larry Nemeth and Kevin Kinzler/Unishippers Global Logistics

Local business owners and franchisees Larry Nemeth and Kevin Kinzler started their Unishippers business three years ago to complement their existing transportation business that launched in 2000. With over 20 years of experience in the transportation logistics industry, the two decided to invest in a Unishippers franchise for two reasons: 1) Unishippers is one of two resellers for UPS, which is the world’s largest package delivery company and global leader in transportation and logistics, and 2) Unishippers has gone to great lengths to establish partnerships with 40 plus freight suppliers, establishing itself as the largest reseller of shipping services in the nation with the ability to offer the best deals and discounted rates for small to mid-sized businesses.

Kevin Johnson/Johnson Media, Inc. 

Kevin D. Johnson is president of Johnson Media Inc. As a serial entrepreneur, he has over 13 years of experience leading his multimillion-dollar marketing and communications company that serves many of the most notable Fortune 100 businesses. As an innovative leader, he has appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America, CBS, Oprah Radio, and in Forbes, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Moreover, he has appeared on CNN frequently. He also the best-selling author of The Entrepreneur Mind: 100 Essential Beliefs, Characteristics, and Habits of Elite Entrepreneurs. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and son.

Steven Pohl/Novelis, Inc. 

Steven Pohl, VP, Financial Planning and Analysis, Novelis, Inc., named inaugural member of the La Roche College Distinguished Alumni Circle, 2013.

Steven is an international executive with a successful track record of contributing to business performance through strategic direction with a hands-on approach, delivering excellent financial performance and business development results. He has a multi-cultural and cross-functional career spanning a progression of operational and corporate roles including general management, strategy development, mergers & acquisitions, and organizational restructuring. Steven has strong communication and negotiation skills, is a recognized leader in coaching and personnel development and a trusted business partner with a high level of integrity, commitment, and team spirit.

Carol McKown/

RAISE Global Services 

Carol McKown is the Founder and Chief Solutions Officer at RAISE Global Services and RAISE Global Partners. Carol is a visionary whose goal is to change the world by inspiring business leaders to make positive change in their community an equal priority to profitability. She sees the need to bring groups of people together from business, government, non-profits, and citizens to strategically develop solutions to big world problems. Carol partners with companies to create strategies that add social innovation to the DNA of their business model to elevate their brands, increase profitability, and ensure social impact. Carol creates a unified effort to solve community and global problems. She believes that this act of strategic synergy (SOLUTIONISM) is the catalyst for change we need in our world.

Carol believes purpose will change your life and give you great joy. Even though Carol has a head for business, she also has a heart for humanity. She is also the founder of Fallen Sparrow Foundation, which has provided services to Cambodian orphans for three years and is now expanding into the Dominican Republic. Carol has been the founder and CEO of several organizations, including Action Sports International, ASI Photos and Action International Marketing, where she formed successful, creative partnership and distribution programs with the Walt Disney Company, the Eastman Kodak Company, the Heisman Foundation and the College Football Hall of Fame as well as over 1000 International Event organizations.

Ruksana Hussain/RuksanaWrites 

Ruksana Hussain is an independent communications professional working with several local and national print and online media outlets through her business RuksanaWrites. She offers copy and content management services, specializing in proofreading and copy editing, as well as writing and reporting as per client requirements. Ruksana has a background in corporate communications and 12+ years’ experience working with the written word. Born in India, raised in the Middle East and now living in the United States with her husband, she believes communications across cultures is vital. Ruksana covers topics ranging from business and travel to food and social media, covering community events and interviewing celebrities. She is the chapter President of Ed2010 Atlanta, and was a finalist for a 2012 Atlanta Press Club Award of Excellence in the Print non-daily category.

John Warren/Lima One Capital 

John Warren is founder and President of Lima One Capital, a hard money lending company for residential real estate investors and homebuilders. He has raised over $25M for Lima One Capital and has grown the company into Atlanta’s largest private lender. John is an expert at real estate finance and works with hundreds of U.S. and foreign investors. As a former, decorated infantry officer in the Marine Corps, John also speaks regularly on counter-insurgency and leadership. John attended Washington and Lee University for his undergraduate degree and New York University’s Stern School of Business for post-graduate.

Larry Myricks/Atlanta Corporate Challenge 

Larry Myricks, 4-Time Olympian, 1988 Olympic Bronze Medalist, is the Director of the Atlanta Corporate Challenge and the Corporate Challenge Network.

The Atlanta Corporate Challenge – is 5 weeks and 23 tournaments (sports & games) that make up the largest and most effective teambuilding, company pride and morale boosting event for businesses in the metro Atlanta area. It is “Where Work Comes to Play”.

Walter Mann/ZONOsanitech 

ZONOsanitech founder Walter Mann is an entrepreneur who kills germs. Walter utilized his training as a mechanical engineer and experience manufacturing medical devices for Kimberly Clark to build the ZONO at the urging of his wife when they realized that there was no good option for sanitizing their four children’s athletic gear. After a friend’s son contracted an antibiotic-resistant staph infection from sports equipment, he built the first ZONO and began sanitizing athletic gear from his children and their friends. He soon learned that the preschool classroom was ground zero in the fight to protect children by eliminating bacteria and viruses without chemicals.

Wendy Alpine/Alpine Communications 

Wendy Alpine, president of Alpine Communications Inc., has run her own PR firm for the past 13 years. Alpine Communications helps large and small business create brand awareness, establish thought leadership and generate demand for a company’s products and services. Her firm has worked with companies and organizations in the healthcare, technology, manufacturing and non-profit industries.

Gary Brooks/Cortera 

Gary Brooks is the Chief Marketing Officer for Cortera. A B2B marketing addict, born leader, innovator and change agent with an entrepreneurial spirit and a proven track record of delivering measurable business value and enabling positive change.

Gary is a revenue focused marketing executive with a passion for marketing accountability and a reputation for delivering breakthrough performance, revenue scalability and building highly successful businesses.

Gary was bitten by the start-up bug when joined a group of internet visionaries that started AltaVista (acquired by Compaq) which became the number one Internet search engine in 1996. Since then, he has fueled his passion for marketing innovation and revenue acceleration by serving in executive leadership roles at Ariba, Fortress Technologies, TRADEX (acquired by Ariba), KnowledgeStorm (acquired by TechTarget), Servigistics (acquired by Marlin Equity Partners) and Bomgar Corporation. At TRADEX, he developed and executed the strategic market positioning that led to the company’s acquisition by Ariba for $5.6 billion in Ariba stock. At Servigistics, he repositioned the company and re-engineered the company’s sales and marketing process which accelerated revenue growth and led to the sale of the company in 2009. At Bomgar, he completely transformed the company’s marketing strategy and processes to enable the company to achieve double-digit, year over year revenue growth in 2010 and emerge as a recognized enterprise remote support market leader.

Gary has also served in consulting and advisory roles with MarketPro, KnowledgeStorm (acquired by Techtarget), Performance PR, Abovo Group, DWL (acquired by IBM), TORAD Engineering and Emcien.

Gary earned his undergraduate degree from Northeastern University and a M.S. from Leslie University. In 2006, the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) named Gary the Technology Marketing Executive of the Year.

Specialties:B2B marketing, sales pipeline development and nurturing, revenue scalability, sales process development and managment, strategic market positioning and message development, marketing accountability and sale enablement.

Lori Dubuc/Infinite Strategies Group 

As the Managing Partner of Infinite Strategies Group, LLC, Lori Dubuc heads the company’s strategy and business development operations and personally provides leadership training, workshops, and executive development for individuals and organizations. Lori’s unique understanding of business allows her to offer practical and creative strategies to optimize human potential. Her 20 years of experience with both Fortune 500 and start-up companies includes leadership positions in human resources across a variety of industries. Lori also serves as a coach and mentor, incorporating art and science into her approach.

Lori’s areas of expertise include organizational design, coaching, training and development for executives and mid- level leaders; strategic human capital optimization; identification and development of high performers; cross- functional project management; and talent restructuring. Lori facilitates workshops, groups, and leads multi- functional leadership teams. Her expertise in large companies spans organizational transformation, strategic human capital positioning, and restructuring talent for retention and deliverables. She has also led the evaluation of mentoring program effectiveness for high potential employees within Fortune 500 companies.

Lori graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management from the University of Missouri. She also has a master’s degree in human resources and management from Webster University.

Sue Johnson, SPHR 

Sue Johnson is a senior Human Resources leader currently working as an independent consultant. She has extensive strategic human resources experience focusing in the areas of Change Management, Talent Management, Team Effectiveness, Succession Planning, Executive Coaching and Employee Engagement. She has experience in successfully leading corporate changes, building/rebuilding and leading teams, project management, coaching for performance, and linking business and human capital strategies.

Sue supplements her education from Indiana University and 25+ years practical business experiences with the following: designation as a Senior Professional In Human Resources (SPHR); certified practitioner of: the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI); PDI (Personnel Decisions International)–360 Profiler;  Resilience Alliance–Personal Resilience Profile; DDI (Development Dimensions International)–360 Profiler;  DiSC Communications Style Facilitator; executive Coaching specialized training

An Atlanta resident for over 10 years, Sue has one son who is a senior in college.

Candace Klein/SoMoLend

Candace Klein is the founder and CEO of two successful startup companies: Bad Girl Ventures and SoMoLend. Bad Girl Ventures is a non-profit organization that focuses on educating and investing in woman-owned startup companies. SoMoLend is new technology platform that connects business borrowers seeking loans with lenders looking to make a return on investment. Candace has six years of lobbying experience, with the Northern Kentucky Chamber and United Way and four years of legal experience. Candace continues to practice as an attorney with Ulmer & Berne LLP with a focus on corporate matters, business advocacy and government relations for startup companies and small business clients. Candace led the Communities Practice at Property Advisors, with the title of “Maven” and the job description, “run and think.” She is actively committed to her neighborhood, Over the Rhine, where she lives and has based both of her businesses.

Candace is a 2008 graduate of Salmon P. Chase College of Law where she earned her J.D. She also received her bachelor degrees from Northern Kentucky University. Candace is the co-chair of CFIRA. She works diligently with other CFIRA members to be the voice of the crowdfunding industry. CFIRA works closely with the SEC and FINRA to establish industry standards and best practices.

Maurice Lopes/EarlyShares

Maurice Lopes is a co-founder of EarlyShares. He previously served as CEO and founder of Hotbrick Network Solutions, an international network security appliance manufacturer with offices across the globe. In addition, he has held a variety of management positions at Motorola, MCI-Worldcom, GICC and Bellsouth. Today, Maurice is considered an expert on capital formation and crowdfunding legislation, he has dedicated the last year to educating America on the JOBS Act. And how it will change all businesses in America. Maurice is a frequent guest at universities such as: Georgetown University, MIT, Columbia University, Ai School of Entrepreneurship, Nova, and Harvard Business School. He is on the governing board of the Crowdfunding Professional Association (CfPA).

Jonathan Wilson/Taylor English

Jonathan B. Wilson is a member of Taylor English’s Corporate & Business practice group and his practice includes corporate securities, corporate finance and governance, mergers and acquisitions and intellectual property. He has represented both Fortune 100, middle-market and start-up companies in transactional matters for roughly 20 years. Jonathan was the general counsel or chief legal officer of Interland, Inc. (NASDAQ: INLD), Web.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: WWWW) and EasyLink Services International Corporation (NASDAQ: ESIC) where he advised senior management and the board of directors on SEC reporting, NASDAQ compliance, Sarbanes-Oxley matters, corporate governance, governmental affairs, contracts, litigation, intellectual property and mergers and acquisitions. Jonathan led Web.com’s legal department through its growth and merger with Website Pros, Inc. (NASDAQ: WSPI) in September 2007, at various times acting as the corporate secretary and the executive in charge of Corporate Development. He spent the first ten years of his career in private practice with large Atlanta firms, including Paul Hastings, LLP and King & Spalding. Jonathan has represented both large and small companies in outsourcing, patent licensing, software licensing, distribution and strategic alliance agreements. In 2009. he founded the Renewable Energy Committee of the ABA’s Public Utility Section and he continues to chair that Committee, writing and speaking frequently on renewable energy and clean technology development.

Karen Houghton/Atlanta Tech Village 

The Atlanta Tech Village, established in 2012, is a community of innovation powered by a 103,000 square foot building located in Buckhead. The ATV is designed to service technology and technology-related companies that have a unique set of needs in their quest to change the world. Physical space should provide much more than just a desk and a place to hang your hat — it should bring the community together, promote serendipitous interactions, and be a powerful tool for recruiting the best talent.

Their mission is to support and inspire entrepreneurs to achieve success through a community that promotes faster connections between talent, ideas and capital. Together, they will fuel Atlanta’s rise to a top five tech startup center in the U.S.

Daniel Flores/Visual Art Werks 

Visual Art Werks creates mobile games featuring original characters and stories designed and drawn by artists with the help of developers to bring to every platform.

VAW first game is called Art Life and features a cast of 7 characters designed by DTM- dacreativegenius. Players pick a character to begin the game and can switch up at any time. Art Life storyline takes a look into the starving artist life by having the character first live on the street and build up their standard a living by progressing thru the game and leveling up.

Gameplay is simple and entertaining, the chosen character has to battle thru the levels against debris thrown at them all the while trying to draw on art materials that fly by. Game graphics are 2D and are intricate enough to give the characters fluid movement.

VAW looking for more artists to help create original content and developers for Windows8, iOS, Android and BlackBerry.

Adam Wexler/Insightpool 

Adam Wexler is the Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Insightpool, social marketing automation software. Insightpool was spawned from the creative social media marketing tactics Wexler employed on his prior startup, GoRankem, where they sought to reach a wide audience on a non-existent marketing budget (outside of being the first successful startup to successfully raise money via Kickstarter’s crowdfunding platform).

Over the years, Wexler has been invited to speak in front of thousands of students and event attendees about social media and entrepreneurship. At different times, Adam has also been the voice behind numerous brands on social media including Sprite, NCAA March Madness and the band Cracker.

Wexler graduated from The University of Georgia with a focus in Leadership studies.

Imaad Rashied/BluMenlo

Imaad Rashied is a graduate of UGA (Philosophy, Economics). Imaad was born in North Carolina and raised in Georgia. He is currently working for third startup. Imaad previously worked for import/export companies and a large consulting firm.

Alok Deshpande/Umenta 

Alok Deshpande is the President and CEO of Umenta, an application that makes it easy to share life stories. Prior to starting Umenta, Alok served in various leadership roles with Bain & Company, SmartPath Financial, Actis Capital and Kurt Salmon Associates. Alok holds a BBA with highest distinction from Emory University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Kurt Uhlir/Sideqik 

Kurt Uhlir is Founder and CEO at Sideqik. Kurt has led teams in social, location and mobile across six continents. He drove corporate development and strategic partnerships at Vitrue, the social relationship management, through the sale of the company to Oracle. Prior to Vitrue, Kurt was on the front lines at NAVTEQ — with an IPO and a subsequent $8.1 Billion sale to Nokia. In addition, he founded Southern Technology Leaders (So.Tech), several private ecomm companies and several for-profit and caused-based organizations. Kurt is also the lead inventor on more than 10 patents fundamental to all check-in services and mobile advertising, in addition to video game design and others.

Catherine Anne Graham/CAG, Inc. 

Catherine Graham, a Professional Coach and Recruiting Specialist, recently left her corporate career to launch her companies; CAG Coaching and CAG Recruiting. Combining her talents and experience she is helping individuals and small, emerging companies connect and grow. A certified coach since 2008 she has been working with people of all ages to move forward in their lives by creating vision, purpose and passion. Using a model she designed to be C.O.M.P.L.E.T.E. (clarity, opportunity, motivation, purpose, liberation, empowerment, triumph and ease) Catherine has merged this with her recruiting mission to match the best and brightest employees with growing companies, maximizing Human Capital ROI.

Catherine has been in Atlanta since 1993 and has enjoyed a successful path as a Sales Professional and Entrepreneur. Beginning in Retail management for Sunglass Hut, Inc., she then partnered with two other entrepreneurs to launch the New Yorker Deli and Butcher Shop on Pharr Road in 2004. They were an approved vendor in the 2006 Olympics, which was an incredible experience in working with city government and massive crowds. “These early experiences helped me develop a strong work ethic, dedication to outstanding customer service and a need to really enjoy my work!” Since then, Catherine has a 15 year track record for success in the Retail, Wholesale Trade Show and Staffing industries.

Patty Farinola/The Awareness Studio

Patty Farinola with The Awareness Studio is a relationship expert who works with individuals and couples, helping people to create fulfilling lives through powerfully-connected relationships.

She has been professionally certified through the International Coach Federation and now holds a License in Sacred Theology. Patty has been trained in Pesso-Boyden System Psychomotor and the STAR process, two very powerful therapeutic modalities. Other relevant education includes personal development and leadership training through Landmark Education Corporation, Turknett Leadership Group, the Karin Kabalah Center, and the St. Thomas Christian Church. This rich and varied background provides a strong foundation for the work she does with clients, which includes personal counseling, life and business coaching, and spiritual direction.

Patty’s corporate history includes twenty-five years of diverse experience with industry leading Fortune 100 corporations and privately held firms. She has worked for such companies as Coca-Cola, Bank South (now part of Bank of America), and S1 Corporation, and her last position was Managing Director of Marketing for Georgia Natural Gas where she was the highest ranking female managing a multi-million dollar budget that encompassed advertising, event management, sales support and market research.

Anita Paul/The Write Image 

A communications specialist, Anita Paul is known as “The Author’s Midwife.” She coaches and mentors corporate professionals and successful entrepreneurs to become published authors. Through her Write Your Life program, she shares strategies for writing, publishing, and marketing a book … and then leveraging it to upsell your expertise.

A 20-year veteran of the marketing communications industry, Anita started The Write Image in 1997. A corporate communications company, The Write Image develops marketing and public relations programs for mid-size businesses and organizations. She uses her extensive planning, organizing, and strategic marketing skills to help clients develop effective communications strategies and public relations campaigns throughout the U.S.

After years of working with decision makers in various industries she realized one thing they had in common — they were “secret agents.” These super intelligent, well respected, knowledgeable leaders were experts in their fields, but nobody knew it. She wondered, what would help these experts get noticed? The answer: Every expert needs a book of her own. So she developed a program to help professionals upsell their expertise.

“Women (and men) in business need a calling card, a defining brand, a product to demonstrate their knowledge and their expertise,” says Anita. “A well-written book is one of the best tools to brand professionals as experts in their field so they can gain the visibility, recognition, and opportunities to take their careers and their businesses to a higher level and to earn more money.” Over the years, her passion for mentoring authors to overcome obstacles to their publishing success became her focus, and thus, Write Your Life was created.

Designed to reinforce a business platform for existing authors, and to establish and support a budding brand for aspiring authors, Write Your Life is a unique, comprehensive program for establishing your expertise and leveraging your book as part of your brand. “It’s bigger than the book,” says Anita. “You have an idea, a business objective, a career goal, a brand, or a grand vision. We work to create a book that will support that platform, brand you as an expert, and get you going in the right direction.” In 90 days or less, Write Your Life will change your life!