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constantly changing paradigms

S a n  F r a n c i s c o

© 2015-2022, TUYO VENTURES, LLC.

About

TUYO VENTURES is an idea incubator and more. We validate ideas and help them come to life by working with a variety of global partners and raising the necessary equity funding to bring the concept to market.

We specialize in ideas that solve societal issues through technological solutions. We exist to help people in underserved areas of the world have access to resources that will allow them economic mobility to lift their families out of poverty.

Corporate Culture

TUYO VENTURES “umbrella” culture is a LEARNING environment, where:

  • Potential and skills are valued over academic or professional pedigree.
  • Equity in compensation and opportunities is consistently practiced.
  • Diverse leadership is key and essential to innovation.

People who thrive in TUYO VENTURES organizations “seek to understand where we are, where we want to go, learn and come back with a solution”.

 

They are “fearless to be in this space as a pioneer”.  People who need to work in absolutes will not “fit”. 

 

Those who succeed will demonstrate:

  • Curiosity about viewing problems as opportunities.
  • Willingness and consideration to share various ideas.
  • Listening and understanding about where others are coming from.
  • Being open about differences and engaging in healthy conversation.

Photo by Valeria Boltneva

The Team

Abraham O. Tuyo – Founder & Managing Partner

Anson Lam – Partner, Information Technology & Law

John Onoja – Portfolio Investment and Advisory

Gabriel Bautista – Portfolio Specialist

Festus Adedoyin – Visiting Fellow

Nii Noi Hanson-Nortey – Summer Intern

Photo by Mehrad Vosoughi

Advisor-at-Large

Diane Law – Marketing

Kati Everett– Corporate Communications

Jeffrey Slotterback – Investor Relations

Gail Mattson – Operations Management

Mark Kaufman – Corporate Finance

Jeff Fonda  – Information Technology (Enterprise Solutions)

Amir Nessim  – Global Policy and Strategy

Kim Ferullo  – Human Resources & Organizational Management

Sharon Grey  – Brand Management

Portfolio Advisor

Suresh Gali– WAKAnRIDE

Leland Babitch– BODYBYTECHNOLOGY

Brian Arnold– BODYBYTECHNOLOGY

Faris Ghani– BODYBYTECHNOLOGY

Roger Nelson – iQx10

Peter Kaufman – VOTAC

Photo by Mehrad Vosoughi

Telehealth

Location: Waterford, Ireland
Target Market: Africa (54 Countries)
Product Pilot: Ghana (31 million people)

BODYBYTECHNOLOGY (BBT) was founded on the idea that enabled wearable monitoring technologies, home furniture, and appliances, can improve health outcomes, save lives, increase access to healthcare and reduce costs.

BBT offers two standalone, but complementary products:

Container.Care and LinguaLingo.com.

  • Container. Care is Physical Health Services; a network of
    staffed neighborhood health clinics.
  • LinguaLingo.com is a Digital Health service, delivered
    via mobile apps and wearable technologies.

Roadless Mass Transit System

Location: Waterford, Ireland
Target Market: Africa (54 Countries)
Product Pilot: Ghana (31 million people)

WAKAnRIDE (WnR) is an Information Technology company, offering solutions that help mitigate the effects of Climate Change, as well as support Sustainability Programs.

These solutions are designed to take advantage of renewable energy, inform urban and rural planning, specifically transportation and its infrastructure.

We envision Roadless Mass Transit for Africa. A system designed to support jobs of tomorrow, spur innovation and healthy economies and reduce the adverse impact on the environment.

WAKAnRIDE solutions are designed to support REDD+.

Learn More

eSports for Jobs Skills

Location: San Francisco
Target Market: Global
Product Pilot: United States (Cold Chain Logistics)

iQx10.COM is a publisher of multiplayer Job Skills Games (‘Games’), high value entertainment games, derived from Industry Standard and Company Specific Content. These games are delivered via multiple platforms, including XR/AR gears. The games are designed to support the business needs of Job Seekers/Employees, Employers, Public Agencies and Financial Stakeholders. The back end (x10 Platform) to these games integrates with Enterprise Management Systems and Tools (i.e., HRMS, SCM, ERP, etc.).

iQx10’s value proposition is a world where anyone can maintain market-needed Knowledge and Skills playing video games, at no costs to them.

Learn More

Integrated Digital Media Platform

Location: San Francisco
Target Market: Africa (54 Countries)
Product Pilot: United States (OTA: 33 million Households, OTT: Global)

VOTAC is an Integrated Digital Media Platform with three key offerings: Content, E-Commerce, and Experience, and are delivered

Content
Financial News, Anchored Newscasts, News Magazine Programs, Current Affairs Programs, Children Animation Series, Films & Documentaries, and African Capital Market News & Business Intelligence Data

Exchange
Electronic Trading Platforms for Talent and Tangibles; starting with the Commodities and Stock Exchanges on the continent.

Experience
Promotion and Development of Travel and Tourism to and from the 54 countries on the continent.

The Voices of the African Continent (VOTAC), Enriching the World.
Learn More

Social Responsibility

GEEKLAW (University of Leicester Information Technology Law Society) was founded in 2013 to address some of the challenges facing the modern economy by bridging the gap between technology and law. The society aims to equip future lawyers with skills and knowledge necessary in the era of constantly changing technology.

Since 2015, TUYO VENTURES has become a sponsor of GEEKLAW. Over the years, we have facilitated activities and supported projects to inspire young lawyers and empower them to realize their full potential in their careers.

Learn More

Image Copyright – University of Leicester

News & Insights

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Premium Times & VOTAC agree strategic alliance to aid innovation, foreign direct investment, and economic mobility in Africa.
Press Release,VOTAC
　
September 23, 2020
KOFY-TV & VOTAC agree daily news broadcasts of 29 African Capital Markets; to begin in Q2, 2020.
Press Release,VOTAC
　
December 3, 2019
University of North Florida to launch a Visiting Scholars Program for African Journalists
Press Release,VOTAC
　
September 14, 2017
iQx10, an AVR Job Skills Game Publisher, announces its partnership with Global Cold Chain Alliance
iQx10,Press Release
　
September 5, 2017

Contact Us

Contact Us

© 2015-2022, TUYO VENTURES LLC, All Rights Reserved

Founder & Managing Partner

Abraham Tuyo leads the firm’s business concept development. He is responsible for the management of idea-to-commercialization lifecycle (product development). Abraham is a lifelong philomath; formally educated in Computer Media Technology, Business Administration, System Dynamics and Simulations, and Law.

 

How did your previous life experience influence your approach to business?

When I was a kid, I daydreamed a lot. I was often lost in my thoughts. I am still a daydreamer. Any task for which I can use my imagination requires little to no effort. I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs. My grandfather helped to create several companies in Nigeria, and the ecosystems in which they operated. My father and grandfather were my first mentors. I watched how ideas move through a series of processes to become a business. Besides having the gift of imagination, I am curiously seeking knowledge, in every form and way.

What is your motto?

Always focus on need, not on want.
People will spend money on their human needs. There is always a market for a “need business”. But for a “want business”, demand fluctuates with the economy. Our portfolio companies focus on human needs. I developed this principle while I was a young lad. I wanted to be a farmer. I recall receiving farming implements one Christmas Day from my paternal grandfather. One of my favorite subjects in secondary school was Agricultural Science. I excelled at it. The day will come when I will leave the firm. The plan is to become a gentleman farmer.

 

Do you see yourself as a founder, an investor, entrepreneur or an engineer?

An engineer (solutions developer), first and foremost. I think in complex systems and multilayers. I am a Systems Dynamics guy. Once I have defined the problem (need) and developed the concept (solution), I become the entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, I become a solutions advisor, not the sales guy. Again, Systems Dynamics training. The founder in me emanates to advocate for my ideas. I am a Black African man. Folks like me are not expected to bring forth grand ideas. The investor in me shows up for the solutions we offer, and for start-ups with promising solutions that address human needs. I am eager to help other founders, many are African Americans. I can relate to their challenges and realities. As an investor, I start with how the idea will generate revenue for the company. I seldom pursue an idea if I cannot see four or more revenue sources, steady growth, and significant market size (preferably global) in the foreseeable future.

 

Why Information Technology?

Every company is an Information Technology company. I enjoy thinking in layers and complex terms. Information Technology consists of three main concepts of hardware, application and network, which allows broader and more in-depth thinking. By understanding the logic of IT, it also allows me to understand different segments of any business. IT is the best competitive leverage a founder of a start-up can use to compete with huge companies.

 

What do you do, apart from work?

Work! My passion is coming up with new ideas that address human needs or solve related problems. I am lucky to work on things I am passionate about.

 

What inspired you to found this company?

Racism. It permeates everything in this country. Useless ideas get funded and re-funded until they generate revenue. While useful ideas, if they come from non-whites, are denied funding, or are underfunded.

 

What values are most important to the firm’s success?

There is no substitute for quality. We take our time to build companies and their offerings. Diversity, Equity, Equality and Inclusion in practice and deeds.

 

How is TUYO VENTURES different from other venture capital firm?

Our portfolio comprises of companies formed based on ideas that originated within the firm. We create these companies because we have identified and validated the need behind the ideas. We incubate, accelerate and co-invest.

 

Where did all those portfolio company ideas come from?

Many were founded with me identifying a need; or having a terrible experience using a product or receiving poor service as a customer. Some of these companies were manifested when I pitched ideas to former bosses. These ideas were dismissed. I pitched one such idea about groceries delivery to homes when I worked at a global 3rd Party Logistics company. The company offered home delivery service to retailers of home appliances, furniture, rugs, etc. I thought it was a logical step to add delivery of these items to our existing home delivery service. This was years before Instacart, Post Mates, Amazon Fresh, etc. I was told the idea will not generate sufficient revenue. Another idea was pitched to a former boss while working for a national office supply company. The idea was to create co-working spaces within each store: to increase customer traffic, and purchases. It was rejected.

 

What makes a successful entrepreneur?

Never grow up. Never give up. Meet and interact with people from all demographics. Find your tribe. Keep an open mind. Mute biases. And most important, have fun!

 

How are the portfolio companies different from their competitors?

We are constantly evolving and innovating. The market is also changing. Customers can change their minds. There are so many variables, direct and indirect market events. Each company remain in a paranoid state, and as a start-up into the foreseeable future.

 

What attributes do you look for in entrepreneurs?

People who share our vision for humanity; meaning folks who focus on human needs. I refer you to Deckstr and NINI- From Nature!. One (Deckstr) focuses on the human mind and body. The other (NINI- From Nature!) offers organic products that have been consumed for centuries in Africa, and originated from 54 countries on the continent. Their background, vision, ambition, and what propels and fuels them is important. Education is the last thing we consider, it is just a small part of what we consider.

 

Is there an emerging technology that most excites you?

With the gift of imagination and an insatiable curiosity for the knowledge, I have thought of most things happening today at some point as a child, during my youth and adult life. Technologies for a roadless mass-transit world excites me. It means we stop building roads, drilling for oil, etc. Domestic robots completing chores around house excites me. Cryptocurrencies excite me. Learning everything by playing video games, excites me. It is a long list.

Partner, Information Technology & Law

Anson Lam leads the design, implementation and management of Information Technology Infrastructure programs, and oversees the development and implementation of relevant legal policies. He was admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong.

Who is Anson Lam?

A geek lawyer. An INTJ who has been constantly preparing to be on the show “Who Wants to be A Millionaire”.

Why do you code?

Back in the late 1990s, when the Internet was still new and unknown to many, my parents bought our first computer for my sister’s college studies. I was intrigued by this machine which connects us to the world and could get me any information instantly. The way it connects people from different places fascinates me. The first idea that pops into my mind was: I need to find out how it works! I then started to build my first website which was the first step that has eventually led to what I do now.

When you are faced with challenges, how do you go about to solve them?

Over the past years, I have developed my own sets of rules and a system to help me stay focus and remind me of why I have started. I usually break down the problem to smaller chunks and tackle it bit by bit starting from the easier and more achievable parts. I find directions to be clearer after the smaller problems have been fixed as the situation will then become less threatening and overwhelming. Uncertain as the result might be, I always believe that I can do it, with the right objective in mind. The important thing is to believe in the process, from which we grow and learn to do better.

 
You started at TUYO VENTURES before the firm was named. What did you see about the idea behind the firm?

Ever since I was a child, I enjoy building things with my own hands. I have assembled computers, Chinese caligraphy robots and models of steam-propelled cars (which almost took my right eye). Putting ideas into practice has been the most satisfying and rewarding experience for me. It was until later when I met Abraham, the founder, in law school, who shares the same passion in actualising fantasies, that I agreed to join TUYO VENTURES right away when he invited me, as I see it as the most interesting and motivating opportunity ever. The core value of the firm represents the care for human needs in the fast-changing world. With change being the only constant, as challenges emerge, client needs evolve. It is our mission to stay on top and think ahead so that we can always keep up with the change in client needs.

 
What lessons, memories or experiences from childhood informs your professional decisions today?

I am a gamer. Once I was in a fighting game where my opponent was about to lose, and there were only a few seconds left so I have put down the controller as I thought I was definitely going to win, waiting for my sweet victory. To my surprise, before I could realise, my opponent then cast a special move that turned the table. The sudden and dramatic change was devastating and I lost the ability to respond that I have lost a winning game. It happened many years ago and I could no longer recall the name of the game but it turned out to be the three most important life lessons I have had –
1) Never get carried away by excitement or emotions;
2) Always be prepared for a drastic change in circumstances, and
3) Hold on until the end of the game.

 
You lead Information Technology and Law at the firm. How do you see your role in shaping and preparing the firm and its portfolio companies now and for the future?

Simply put, my role is to mitigate risks that the firm and its portfolio expose to. One similarity between the roles of IT and legal is that both function to provide a secure operational environment for the firm to explore all possibilities and to enable innovative business decisions amidst the emergence of new technologies and their associated threats.

 
What do you for fun or leisure?

I am a fan of sailing, especially single-handed dinghies. It is a good way to relax as the sea breeze and tranquillity clear my mind. This is a sport that demands both physical and mental strength to move in the right direction. Sailing also gave me a chance to be close to nature and appreciate the beauty of it, but more importantly, the ability to cope with the unexpected changes it may bring, even the slightest bit of wind or turbulence can be a game-changer.

Portfolio Investment and Advisory

John Onoja is a driven professional adept at thriving in dynamic and impact-oriented environments. Comfortable with leaving his comfort zone, John loves learning about the world through traveling and meeting individuals from diverse backgrounds.

 

Before leaving for Cambridge, Ontario to complete a Graduate Certificate in Global Supply Chain Management, John was a Manager at Amazon, in Brisbane, California. While at Amazon, he managed a team of 150+ Associates in achieving a 28% improvement in Outbound performance, including growing daily shift volume by 40%. In addition to developing a highly successful team at Amazon, he was instrumental in advancing the fulfillment center productivity & growth. John demonstrated exceptional leadership, as he consistently outperformed the set managerial benchmark by 14%, while also taking ownership for analyzing key performance indicators to identify process improvement opportunities.

 

He received his education at the University of San Francisco with a Master of Science in Econometrics & Quantitative Economics, with emphasis on International Development Economics. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-Nigeria. His quest for greater knowledge & skills motivated him to obtain a post-graduate certificate in Supply Chain Management at Conestoga College, Ontario.

 

A lifelong learner with a problem-solving mindset, John is constantly pursuing personal growth and improvement opportunities. John considers family among his most important motivations in life.

Portfolio Specialist

Gabriel Bautista focuses on Product-Market-Fit through the lens of the Human Experience. He studies and applies consumer behavior, industry and market data, and innovation to inform product ideas and designs.

 

Gabriel studies direct and indirect competitive activities and methodologies by staying abreast of market trends and consumer behavior, he brings multiple stakeholder viewpoints to assigned portfolio companies.

 

With his insatiable curiosity, Gabriel believes that human interaction with products and services should be designed to ensure satisfying optimum solutions for a simplified world, or by finding satisfactory solutions for a more realistic world.

 

Gabriel is the Lead Portfolio Specialist for BODYBYTECHNOLOGY and WAKAnRIDE. He graduated with a B.A. in Sociology from the University of California at Berkeley.

Visiting Fellow

Dr. Festus Adedoyin, PhD., is a Fellow at the UK’s Higher Education Academy, a Chartered Management and Business Educator, and a lecturer in the Department of Computing and Informatics, Bournemouth University, U.K. His current research interest is in the application of Machine and Deep Learning and Econometrics tools to research stories in Energy and Climate Change as well as Digital Health. Festus has contributed to several thematic areas in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and he is open to international research collaborations. He consults for the UNDP and is a member of the Editorial Board for several reputable academic journals.

Academic & Training  

  • Bournemouth University, United Kingdom.
    PhD Economics.
  • Barcelona Graduate School of Economics, Spain
    Summer School Non-linear Panel Data Modelling
  • KDI School of Public Policy & Management, South Korea
    MSc Development Policy – Summa Cum Laude
  • University of Ibadan, Nigeria
    MSc Economics – PhD Grade
  • Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria.
    BSc Economics – First Class (Hons)

Published Research

Festus Adedoyin’s Refereed Journal Articles are indexed in the Web of Science – Social Science Citation Index (SSCI, SCI-E, ESCI)

Summer Intern, BODYBYTECHNOLOGY

Nii Noi Hanson-Nortey was born and raised in Ghana. He is the oldest of three children.

 

Nii Noi moved to the United States to continue his education at a private boarding school in upstate New York. Nii Noi is heading into his senior year this fall.

 

Before moving to the U.S., Nii Noi began developing interests in computers, specifically the engineering aspects of Information Technology, as it applies to healthcare and medical sciences. His view of the world informs his ideas for solutions to the problems we face, especially in Africa.

Nii Noi has identified undergraduate programs in healthcare and medical technology at Stanford University, UCSF, MIT, and Boston University, and will be applying to these institutions to begin his studies fall 2022. He is an avid listener of music, plays a few musical instruments, participates in high school Basketball, but also has interests in other sports such as swimming, track and football.

Advisor-at-Large, Marketing

Diane Law Recognized in business and higher education communities for her experience and knowledge in the areas of executive leadership, management, marketing, social media, and accounting, Diane Law has helped numerous organizations from multi-million dollar technology firms to non-profit organizations by capturing key accounts, increasing revenues and raising the visibility of corporate brands.

 

As Founder and President of Parachute Marketing, Diane has an impressive list of companies that she has helped over the years. Diane was responsible for the conceptualization, creation and implementation of a marketing strategy for D&K Engineering, a San Diego based engineering and contract manufacturing firm that is now a global leader in end-to-end research and development of innovative hardware-based products and equipment. Using creative marketing, messaging, and positioning strategies, Diane contributed to D&K Engineering’s revenue growth of 134% within three years. In addition, she significantly raised D&K’s public recognition by writing and submitting numerous award applications resulting in the receipt of 21 awards including Inc’s “5,000 Fastest Growing Private Companies” five years in a row, and the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. She also gained extensive international experience, collaborating with teams and partners in Asia, Europe, Canada, South America, and Australia.

Prior to Parachute Marketing, Diane held executive marketing positions with Fujitsu Consulting, Starfish Software (a subsidiary of Motorola), Netigy Corporation (a Cisco backed consulting company), 3Com, and Silicon Graphics.

 

Committed to lifelong learning and dedicated to sharing her experience, Diane is also an Associate Professor of Marketing at Point Loma Nazarene University teaching a range of advanced Marketing courses to both undergraduates and MBA students.

 

Diane holds an MBA in General Business Management from University of Phoenix, a MS in Accounting from University of Phoenix, a BS in Business Administration, Marketing & Management from Duquesne University, and a Certification of Social Media Marketing from Rutgers University. She is currently completing her Doctorate degree in Marketing at Grand Canyon University.

 

Outside of her executive marketing roles, Diane is on the Board of the Greater San Diego Boys and Girls Club and the San Diego Youth Symphony. She is a charter member of WITI (Women in Technology International), a member of both the American Marketing Association and Rotary International.

Advisor-at-Large, Corporate Communications

Kati Everett joined Novant Health in 1997 and advanced through the ranks to Senior Vice President of Public Relations and Chief Communications Officer and has been entrusted with oversight of public relations, social media, brand journalism, internal communications, and creative services across a multi-state health system.

 

Offering a 25-year history of solid accomplishments, she has excelled at training and developing high-performing teams, managing innovative communications campaigns, inspiring external and internal engagement and patient acquisition, and advancing Novant Health’s local and national reputation.

Inducted into the Hospital Marketing National Hall of Fame by DTC Perspectives, Inc. in 2017, Kati has been recognized for extraordinary achievement in hospital and healthcare marketing, creating influential campaigns, and her noteworthy contributions to the service of patients and the hospital marketing industry.

 

Kati has also held marketing and public relations positions with McLeod Addictive Disease Center, the Professional Golfers’ Association and General Electric, and earned Public Relations Society of America accreditation as a public relations professional. Distinguished as one of 13 women executives named to PR Week’s Hall of Femme, she has been honored with numerous professional awards and recognitions including the John L. Thomason, Carolinas Healthcare Public Relations, and American Advertising Federation Addy Awards. Continually active in her profession, Kati has served as Past-President of the Public Relations Society of America, Charlotte Chapter, Past Board Member and Membership Chair of the Carolinas Healthcare Public Relations & Marketing Society and a guest speaker at local and national venues on various marketing and communications topics. She has also served on numerous committees and supported the execution of many philanthropic initiatives.

 

Kati earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism and Public Relations from Radford University, Master in Business Administration Degree at Queen’s University of Charlotte, Certificate in Marketing Strategy from Cornell University, Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University, and completed a Behavioral Economics Immersion Program at Yale University. From her graduation to present, Kati has devoted her unrelenting efforts to the advancement of the interests of the healthcare profession and championing and promoting the delivery of the highest quality of patient care.

Advisor-at-Large, Investor Relations

Jeffrey Slotterback  is a founding partner of PhiCap Advisors, a specialized investment bank focused on clean energy and energy transition companies. Jeff leverages his significant corporate finance leadership, M&A transaction experience and public company turn-around guidance to clients in all stages of their business lifecycle. Jeff’s passion is identifying creative solutions to complicated financial situations.

 

Prior to forming PhiCap, Jeff served in several officer roles under the Atlas Energy family of publicly traded companies, including CFO and CAO. During his more than 12 years of management, Jeff guided Atlas through multiple M&A transactions valued at over $x billion, related financings and ultimately 2 corporate monetizations totaling over $12 billion. Jeff managed the remaining publicly traded vehicles through re-organizations and ultimate liquidation due to extreme volatility in commodity prices from 2015 to 2020.

 

Jeff graduated with a B.A. in Accounting from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA and spent several years in the audit practice of Deloitte & Touche prior to joining Atlas. Jeff is a certified public accountant and a member of the Turn-Around Management Association of Philadelphia.

Advisor-at-Large, Operations Management

Gail Mattson is a multi-dimensional business consultant and immensely passionate executive expert who holds extensive experience of working in engineering and operations for private industry, consulting, and federal agencies. Equipped with a formidable blend of knowledge and understanding of environmental engineering, safety and sustainability, as well as project management, she excels in the niches of strategy development, client relations, and team building. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry/Biology from Baker University and an M.S.E. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Washington.

Gail possesses experience of more than 40 years of serving as an engineering manager, project manager and business executive, and is a registered professional engineer and Project Management Professional. She has served high-profile companies/organizations as a Vice President of Engineering, Program Manager, Operations Manager, Executive Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer. These include Foster Wheeler Environmental Corporation; Bechtel Jacobs Company LLC; and several small, minority, women and veteran-owned businesses contracted to the USDOE. As a business professional, environmental engineering expert, and team leader, her primary objective is to tackle tough problems while meeting regulatory requirements and ambitious profit, cost control and schedule goals.

 

Presently, she is an ES&H and Project Management consultant working as a Senior Associate with Longenecker & Associates through their professional services contracts across the USDOE complex. Previously, she served as the Director of Strategic Project Deployment for Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and was responsible for expanding the Lab’s portfolio to include Strategic Partnership Projects. For five years, as an Associate Laboratory Director at BNL, Gail had responsibility over all the operations of the ES&H Directorate with 130 personnel and $30M budget and improved overall ES&H performance. She has achieved a great deal of acclamation and recognition for her work as a team leader and is always on the lookout for an opportunity to strive for a higher level of professional career success.

 

Besides this, Gail is an avid seeker of knowledge who shares a great passion for the art of business excellence. She is an active member of the International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Society of Women Engineers, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Gail serves as an ambassador of strategic leadership, is an advocate for women in STEM, and is inspired by the drive to nurture the business leaders of today and tomorrow.

Advisor-at-Large, Corporate Finance

Mark Kaufman is a Pricing and Predictive Modeling Specialist.

 

With much experience in pricing insurance contracts for many types of large entities and individual customers, he joins data, analytics and buying behavior with macro trends like climate change and social inflation to drive desired outcomes. He is currently the Strategic Pricing Leader for Nationwide Property and Casualty.

 

He started as an engineering student, and is still one at heart. He continued his studies with his B.S. in Mathematics and Physics, and then obtaining his fellowship in the Casualty Actuarial Society. After some financial modeling experience, he got his MBA from University of Chicago, which subsequently offered experiences in M&A and large corporate deals.

He enjoys working with all companies in the delivery chain to innovate solutions and create value. He is a leader in his space, but more so enjoys participating in cross-functional teams. He is continually looking to grow as a person and as a professional, and seeks opportunities to expand his knowledge.

 

Additionally, he and his wife founded a property rental business. This endeavor has allowed them an entrepreneurial outlet, and all of the associated learnings.

 

In his personal time, he enjoys hiking, biking, and kayaking, and practices yoga regularly. He unwinds with jigsaw puzzles and home construction projects.

 

While he feels good about helping his communities, he sees his greatest contribution to society as partnering with his wife to raise three compassionate and well-valued teenagers – two future engineers and an environmental scientist.

 

As both a bonding and skill-development exercise, we play One Night Werewolf as a family… in case there were ever a lull in the household energy level.

Advisor-at-Large, Information Technology (Enterprise Solutions)

Jeff Fonda is an accomplished executive with more than 10 years of experience managing financial strategy, IT, operations, and business development for major organizations. He has led teams of hundreds of employees and served in leadership roles in North America, Africa and Europe.

 

Jeff is the Federal Client Partner Executive for Kyndryl, a $19B IBM spin-off, where he manages a multimillion-dollar portfolio of federal accounts. He is also the SVP of Sales for Tuck-ins, a food startup in Philadelphia with triple-digit annual sales growth over the last three years.

In addition to his work in the private sector, Jeff is the founder and CEO of two nonprofit organizations, The Literate Earth Project (LEP) and Athari Group. LEP opened Uganda’s first public library in 2013 and continues to support the largest network of school-based libraries in the country. Jeff was named to International Literacy Association’s 30 Under 30 for this work. Athari Group is the world’s first accelerator for idea-stage nonprofits. After its first cohort graduated in 2021, Athari Group gained some of the world’s largest social impact leadership groups as its strategic partners.

Advisor-at-Large, Global Policy and Strategy

Amir Nessim is CEO of Aradi Ventures LTD, an Agrotech startup operating in Middle East and Africa. A position he assumed in Jan 2021. He has previously held various leadership positions in Schlumberger, a global leader in oil field services. Including VP Strategy MENA, president Well Services, president of Testing Services, global vice president of Health, Safety and Environment; GeoMarket manager for Angola, Southern & Eastern Africa; and global vice president for coiled tubing services.

 

Earlier in his Schlumberger career, Nessim held various positions in field operations, human resources, and marketing in Egypt, India, North America, Saudi Arabia, West Africa and France. He began his career with Schlumberger in 1992 as a Wireline & Testing field engineer in Egypt.

Nessim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electronics engineering from Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt.

Advisor-at-Large, Human Resources & Organizational Management

Kim Ferullo brings over 20 years of human resources, talent management and organizational capability experience. Her past work experiences have afforded her the opportunity to work with many top firms and employers, ranging in size from small start-ups to large Fortune 500 firms. Her work experience has also covered various industries, to include: facilities/engineering, healthcare, banking, government contracting, aerospace/defense, start-ups, international and non-profits.

 

Kim’s leadership roles span more than a decade, and she has been heavily involved in overall human resource management, as well as the development, implementation and compliance of talent acquisition and talent management. Her experience includes, but is not limited to: International HR/Global Mobility, Talent Acquisition/Management, Training and Development, Compensation and Benefits, Employees Relations, Diversity & Inclusion, and HR Compliance. Kim is a strong leader with demonstrated business acumen – domestic and international – able to quickly grasp key organizational goals, develop strategies and effectively implement and execute these strategies.

Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of South Carolina. She is an active member of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and holds her SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certifications.

Advisor-at-Large, Brand Management

Sharon Grey is a multi-level thinker, strategist and doer.

 

She is a self-starter and a design-oriented brand communications professional who has managed high-impact campaigns across Sustainability, FMCG, Technology, Entertainment, Health, Fintech and Telecommunications sectors.

 

With a tool box complete with various technical and social skills, Sharon has spent over 5 years successfully cultivating the brand reputation for brands such as MTN, Reckitt, Coca-Cola, Shoprite, MTV Staying Alive Foundation, Nigerian Breweries, Wema Bank, ALAT By Wema, Cars45, BetWay, MAVIN, Livespot 360, LORI Systems, Capricorn Digital, Afrinvest, and many more.

Her background in Psychology enables her obsessive interest in people, culture, technology, design and communications. Her life goal is to consistently study the different ways to present a brand identity, and cultivate a community for its products. She has Executive Education in; Disruptive Business Strategy from the Harvard Business School Online, Brand Management, Content Marketing, and Integrated Marketing Communications.

 

Sharon loves movies, documentaries, magazines, autobiographies and five star hotels. She is also a beginner skateboarder with dreams of competing in the Olympics.

Advisor, WAKAnRIDE

Suresh Gali is an accomplished operations and engineering executive with strong lean manufacturing background working at various Fortune 500 companies including Ford and UTC. He has been at the forefront of operational excellence and product development. Suresh is a certified Black Belt with experience in Automotive, Aerospace and Medical Device manufacturing. He is a hands-on leader who focuses on results and operational efficiency. For the last 15 years he has worked in Engineering, operations, business development and quality assurance improving process and systems.

 

Suresh has an Executive MBA from Pepperdine University in Los Angeles. In addition, he has a Master’s in Chemical Engineering from Wayne State University, Detroit and Bachelor’s from Osmania University, India. He is passionate about holistic health, automotive racing and fitness.

Advisor, BODYBYTECHNOLOGY

Dr. Leland Babitch, MD, MBA, is the President and CEO of MPRO in Farmington Hills, MI. MPRO is the Medicare-designated Quality Improvement Organization for the state of Michigan. With more twenty years of experience in healthcare, Dr. Babitch brings a demonstrated expertise in quality improvement, electronic health record technology, advanced analytics, health information exchange, population health, and hospital/medical group governance.

 

Prior to joining MPRO, Dr. Babitch served as an Executive Medical Director with Clinovations, a division of The Advisory Board Company. Additionally, he has served as a Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Information Officer at the Detroit Medical Center. There, his guidance and leadership contributed to the health system’s success in reaching Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society Stage 6, realizing more than $32 million in meaningful use incentives, as well as a $16 million Beacon award.

Dr. Babitch has worked as a Medical Director for United Healthcare of Minneapolis, MN. At the Wayne State University School of Medicine and the Detroit Medical Center, Dr. Babitch served in many roles including as the Director of Ambulatory and Information Services for Children’s Hospital of Michigan, as well as the Chief Compliance Officer for University Pediatricians. Dr. Babitch continues to practice clinically and teach as an Assistant Professor at the Central Michigan University School of Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics.

 

Dr. Babitch holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine, a Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in genetics and developmental biology from Northwestern University. He is a Certified Medical Practice Executive, and a Felllow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Dr. Babitch is board certified in Pediatrics, as well as Medical Informatics.

Advisor, BODYBYTECHNOLOGY

Brian Arnold is an accomplished in-house and big law attorney and advisor with over 25 years of experience working in and advising high-tech and emerging market companies as a former software developer turned lawyer and advisor. He obtained his B.S. in Computer Science in the late 90’s and worked as a software consultant in the automotive industry in Detroit for a number of years and then as a software developer for various Chicago-based start-ups during the boom (and bust) of the dot-com bubble in the late 90’s / early 2000’s. In the early 2000’s he made a career change and entered law school in Chicago to focus on legal issues related to start-up companies.

Mr. Arnold began his legal career with Bell Boyd in Chicago and rose to partner in the Intellectual Property group at the Am Law 50 firm K&L Gates (which acquired Bell Boyd). He transitioned from Chicago back home to the Detroit area and became a partner at the Am Law 200 Honigman law firm. In private practice, he represented high-tech, biotech, and automotive clients ranging in size from start-ups to Fortune 100 international corporations in various intellectual property and corporate matters.

 

Currently, Mr. Arnold is in-house counsel to the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit where he leads the legal work for the Henry Ford Innovation Institute and the Information Technology department. As such, he is responsible for the legal work for the organization’s efforts at utilizing technology to deliver cost-effective and high-quality healthcare, including electronic medical record systems, artificial intelligence, telemedicine, and cloud-computing technologies. He is responsible for handling all the innovation and technical related legal issues, including licensing (e.g., software and SaaS subscriptions), health IT, telemedicine, regulatory, disputes, data privacy and cybersecurity, and evaluating, protecting, managing, and monetizing the IP portfolio. He serves or has served on the Executive Steering Committee for Digital Strategies, Executive Steering Committee for Cybersecurity, IT Leadership Committee, Data Governance Committee, Institutional Review Board, and IP Committee.

 

Mr. Arnold is also currently an elected member of the local Board of Education for Dexter Community Schools in Dexter, MI (just outside Ann Arbor). He serves on the Finance and Facilities Committees.

 

Mr. Arnold obtained his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Michigan-Flint and his Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law. Currently, he is seeking his Master of Business Administration at Indiana University.

Advisor, BODYBYTECHNOLOGY

Faris Ghani, MBA

 

Global Healthcare Executive, North America, Middle East, Southeast Asia // Guest Lecturer on United Arab Emirates Business, Lindner College of Business, University of Cincinnati.

 

Healthcare Administrator delivering over 20 years of expertise in the healthcare industry, together with revenue generation, project management, medical coding, and patient services skills. Deft at maintaining medical record systems in strict compliance with federal and state requirements. Proficient at coordinating services and benefits with medical providers and insurance companies, managing the internal database and information systems, and processing and organizing medical records. Proven track record of comprehensive background in developing and maintaining client bases. Additionally I have a global network of physicians and healthcare professionals.

 

I have over 10 years of working for non-profit organizations as well. I have served on several boards in North America and the Middle East.

Advisor, iQx10

Roger Nelson founded MotionWerx in 2006 on the Kerner Optical Campus. MotionWerx focuses on Digital Twins for Industry 4.0 and Interactive Digital Avatars.

 

Nelson Co-Founded Metaon which was focused on the Serious Game segment of the Video Game Industry as well as Artificial Intelligence. He served as the CEO and has been in the industry for 28 years, since he helped open the first Virtual World Entertainment Center. Nelson was the Chief Technology Officer responsible for launching the first site’s of both Jordan Weisman’s and Tim Disney’s Virtual World, the virtual reality entertainment center that featured Battletech, as well as the first of the Q-Zar Laser tag arenas in the US. The Virtual World and Q-Zar projects brought the concept of location based, virtual reality entertainment to America and helped launch the industry.

Roger is well positioned to advise and create Immersive Environments for Industry and Entertainment.

 

Specialties: Nelson has particular interest and expertise in the areas of Simulation Engineering, Motion Capture, Mixed Reality, Immersive Environments, Display Technologies, Enterprise Solutions and Virtual Production Based on the Unreal Engine. Nelson’s personal contacts include many of the best and brightest minds of the interactive entertainment edutainment industry and his experience is an interwoven triple thread of the Entertainment, Science and Technology worlds.

Advisor, VOTAC

Peter Kaufman‘s films have received numerous Academy and Emmy award nominations. He began working with his award-winning father, filmmaker Philip Kaufman, on such films as THE RIGHT STUFF and THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING.

 

THE RIGHT STUFF received eight Academy Award nominations, winning four. THE UNBERABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING was nominated for two Academy Awards.

Kaufman was the sole producer of HENRY & JUNE for Universal, the first NC-17 film. The film explores the secret love affair between the famous writers Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin and was nominated for an Academy Award. Peter then was the sole producer of RISING SUN for Twentieth Century Fox, a murder mystery which starred Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes.The Telluride Film Festival selected his documentary CHINA: THE WILD EAST which he directed, wrote and produced. The film aired on TBS.

 

He produced the film QUILLS for Fox Searchlight which starred Academy Award winners Geoffrey Rush, Joaquin Phoenix, Michael Caine and Kate Winslet. The film, which was based on an award-winning play about the life of the famous libertine, the Marquis de Sade was nominated for three Academy Awards, including a Best Actor nod for Geoffrey Rush.

 

Kaufman produced TWISTED for Paramount starring Ashley Judd, Samuel L. Jackson and Andy Garcia. In the film, Judd plays a young police inspector who begins to suspect that she might be the killer she is looking for.

 

He produced the epic love story HEMINGWAY & GELLHORN for HBO. Set against many war zones, the film tells the story of the passionate and turbulent love affair between the iconic writer, Ernest Hemingway (Clive Owen) and his third wife, the war correspondent, Martha Gellhorn (Nicole Kidman). The film was nominated for 15 Emmy Awards and was selected by the Cannes Film festival.

 

Peter Kaufman is a graduate of UC Berkeley and speaks Mandarin.