Nick Briere

CEO at NextMinds, Partner at Sonick Group

Nick is dedicated to improving innovation, invention, and entrepreneurship opportunities for youth across the United States. He co-founded the National Invention Convention in 2015, raising over $5 million to support invention education programs and national finals competitions. He holds a degree from Duke University and brings experience from The Henry Ford, Connecticut Invention Convention, and The STEMIE Coalition.

Michael Carter

Managing Partner, Carter Morse & Goodrich

Michael founded Carter Morse & Goodrich in 1987, advising middle-market business owners on maximizing shareholder value in transactions valued between $20 million and $200 million. He earned an MBA from Columbia University and a BA from the University of Rochester. He also founded Push for Entrepreneurship, an event designed to challenge participants to push their limits physically and mentally.

Warrick Dunn

Founder, Warrick Dunn Charities; Former NFL Player

Warrick is a former NFL running back drafted 12th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1997, earning three Pro Bowl selections during his 12-season career. Inspired by his mother's dream of homeownership, he founded Homes for the Holidays in 1997. Warrick Dunn Charities has helped 185 single-parent families in 24 markets achieve homeownership through its flagship program.

Mušan Durić

Managing Director, Werth Ventures

Mušan is Managing Director at Werth Ventures, a single-family office, where he oversees investment strategy, capital allocation, financial management, and long-term planning across public and private markets. He concurrently serves as Director of Finance at ChemWerth, Inc., partnering with the CFO and executive team on strategic and financial initiatives. With over 15 years of experience across investing, corporate finance, and family office management, he previously held roles at Aetna and CVS Health. He earned an MBA and a BS in Finance from the University of Connecticut.

Evan Gappelberg

CEO/Founder, Nextech3D.ai, ARway.ai, Toggle3D.ai

Evan founded Nextech3D.ai in 2018, specializing in AI-powered event solutions, enterprise engagement platforms, and 3D modeling technology. He also serves as CEO of ARway.ai and Toggle3D.ai and has demonstrated strong commitment through significant open market share purchases. He is a builder of generative 3D technology with experience growing companies to $700M market-cap scale.

Wendy Guillies

Retired President/CEO, Kauffman Foundation

Wendy retired in 2022 after 22 years with the Kauffman Foundation, including eight years as President and CEO. During her tenure, she oversaw a new strategic plan, launched three nonprofit education organizations, and developed capital access strategies for entrepreneurs. She was instrumental in developing Global Entrepreneurship Week, which has expanded to more than 180 countries, engaging 10 million people annually.

Michele Henry

Founder & CEO, Face Foundrie

Michele founded Face Foundrie in 2019 after a successful career in apparel design and retail. She previously co-founded Primp, a boutique that grew to nine locations with $25 million in sales over eight years. She has generated over $75 million in revenue across her ventures and was named a 2022 40 Under 40 Honoree and received the EY Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2023.

David Karp

Co-Founder & Senior Managing Director, Cresset Capital

David is Co-Founder and Senior Managing Director at Cresset, a multi-billion dollar boutique family office and private wealth management firm. With over 25 years of experience in financial investment and wealth strategies, he previously spent 15 years with Merrill Lynch's Private Banking & Investment Group. He is a 2025 Barron's Top 100 Independent Advisor ranked #7 nationally and #1 in Virginia.

Dr. David L. Katz

Founder/CEO, Diet ID, Inc.

Dr. Katz is a specialist in Internal Medicine, Preventive Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine with particular expertise in nutrition. He earned his MD from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and MPH from Yale. He served as founding director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center and is Past-President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. He is author of roughly 200 peer-reviewed publications and 17 books on nutrition and preventive medicine.

Noel T. Langerman

Managing Partner, Karp & Langerman, P.C.

Noel is the managing partner at Karp & Langerman, P.C. He earned his J.D. from Duke University and an LL.M. in Taxation from NYU. Noel's practice focuses on corporate transactions, with particular experience advising on sell-side private equity exits and estate planning for affluent families and business owners who require sophisticated, tax-driven planning.

Miles Lasater

CEO and Founder, Purpose Built

Miles is CEO and Founder of Purpose Built, a venture studio focused on economic opportunity. He previously co-founded Higher One (IPO 2010), SeeClickFix (acquired 2019), and OneUni. He is a Kauffman Fellow and was formerly a VC at F-Prime Capital. As a founder and senior executive at Higher One, he took the fintech company from idea to $200M+ in revenue, 750+ employees, and a public listing on the NYSE. Miles has invested in dozens of pre-seed and seed-stage ventures, taught venture capital at Yale, and serves on the boards of ConnCORP and Curious Learning. He hosts the podcast Startups for Good and blogs at VenturePatterns.com.

John Lawrence, ESQ.

Partner, Shipman & Goodwin LLP

John is a Partner at Shipman & Goodwin LLP, focusing his practice on mergers and acquisitions, venture capital and private equity transactions, angel investments, and securities transactions across aerospace, insurance, healthcare, energy, and technology industries. He has significant experience in transition planning for family-owned and closely held businesses and guiding owners through sale transactions.

Ronald Larrow, CPA

Partner, Simione, Macca & Larrow

Ron is a partner at Simione Macca & Larrow LLP, a Connecticut-based CPA firm established in 1973. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bryant University and a Master's degree from the University of New Haven. Prior to his current role, Ron spent over 20 years providing federal and state tax consulting services to closely-held businesses and their owners.

Dr. Lawrence P. Ward

President, University of Hartford

Dr. Ward became the University of Hartford's seventh president in July 2024, bringing a dynamic vision to the institution. He previously spent 10 years at Babson College as Vice President for Learner Success and Dean of Campus Life. He holds a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania and has held leadership roles including chairmanship of the NCAA Division III Management Council.

Wayne M. Zell, ESQ.

Founder, Zell Law

Wayne founded Zell Law in 2013 to provide legal counsel to professionals and businesses across various industries. With over 30 years of experience, he advises clients on business succession, business exits, and estate planning. His expertise spans complex estate planning, business formation and operations, tax and succession planning, M&A, and executive compensation. He holds the highest AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell.