Pathways & Possibilities: How to Succeed IRL

With over 15 years of experience in product and UX design, Billy has refined his skills in building and leading design teams, implementing design systems, and creating user-centric strategies that transform complex systems into intuitive products that drive engagement, satisfaction, and business success.

Billy’s career has been defined by a commitment to innovation, education, and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in product design, user experience, and team leadership across industries including e-commerce, finance, SaaS, and more. As a highly experienced professional with a robust background in these areas, Billy has demonstrated expertise in UX strategy, design system development, and cross-functional collaboration. His proven ability to lead organizational initiatives, mentor and teach the next generation of designers, and deliver impactful solutions has consistently driven growth and improvement within the organizations he has served.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billycarlson/

With over 25 years of experience in public accounting, Andrew has refined his skills in tax preparation, audit and attest services, and business consulting for small and mid size businesses across diverse industries. His expertise includes audits, reviews, and compilations of financial statements, along with tax planning and compliance for businesses, individuals, and trusts.

Andrew’s career has been defined by a commitment to client service, financial integrity, and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in guiding closely held businesses from startup through $100M+ in annual revenues. As a highly experienced professional with a robust background in these areas, Andrew has demonstrated expertise in business advisory services, compliance, and construction industry specialization, holding the designation of Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP). His proven ability to deliver tailored solutions, build long-term client relationships, and lead as Managing Director and Shareholder at CBIZ has consistently driven success and growth for the organizations and clients he supports.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewkiefer1/

With over 20 years of experience in the P&C insurance industry, Sylvia has refined her skills in strategic partnerships, distribution scaling, and InsurTech enabled transformation. Her end to end expertise spans carrier negotiations, product development, agency operations, claims, compliance, and digital distribution consistently driving profitable growth and modernizing the customer and partner experience.

Sylvia’s career has been defined by a commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in connecting strategy to execution across the full insurance value chain. As a highly experienced leader with a robust background in these areas, Sylvia has demonstrated expertise in building and scaling agency partnerships, leading cross functional initiatives, and negotiating multi million dollar agreements. Her proven ability to align carriers and partners, adopt technology that streamlines operations, and deliver measurable outcomes has consistently driven sustainable growth for the organizations she has served.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylvia-kokiousis-mba-ssbb-13261433/

With over a decade of experience in venture capital, private equity, and alternative assets, Tyler has refined his skills in investment analysis, portfolio strategy, and company building across finance and high growth ventures. He has advised 200+ startups, managed a $100M portfolio, and contributed to $230M+ in fundraising while launching and scaling multiple businesses, from a microbrewery generating $3M+ in annual revenue to a brand strategy agency guiding 50+ companies through go to market execution.

Tyler’s career has been defined by a commitment to data driven growth, operational excellence, and a deep understanding of how to align capital, strategy, and brand to accelerate outcomes. As a highly experienced professional with a robust background in these areas, Tyler has demonstrated expertise in due diligence, market positioning, fundraising, and business development. His proven ability to build systems, lead cross functional teams, and apply AI driven automation (e.g., at MadHaus AI, supporting $600K+ in monthly client sales and $25M+ in annual revenue) has consistently driven measurable performance and long term value for the organizations he has served, including his current work co founding AltSpot Capital to expand access to premier private market opportunities.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-lucas/

With years of experience in personal branding, strategic partnerships, and community first marketing, Anastasia has refined her skills in developing innovative campaigns, cultivating authentic relationships, and driving initiatives that connect communities with meaningful opportunities.

Anastasia’s career has been defined by a commitment to creativity, impact, and a deep understanding of how strategic collaboration can advance both organizations and the communities they serve. As a highly experienced professional with a robust background in these areas, Anastasia has demonstrated expertise in partnership development, brand strategy, and organizational growth. Her proven ability to build cross-sector initiatives, empower underrepresented communities, and deliver measurable results has consistently driven visibility, engagement, and long-term success for the organizations she has served.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasia-martinez-ca-ny/

With experience in finance and accounting within the biotech industry, Sireen has refined her skills in financial planning, analysis, and reporting, supporting strategic decision-making and operational efficiency in a global organization. Her work at Amgen has spanned roles from accounting to senior financial analysis, giving her a strong foundation in both technical accounting and forward looking financial strategy.

Sireen’s career has been defined by a commitment to accuracy, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in managing financial operations in a complex, highly regulated industry. As a highly experienced professional with a robust background in these areas, Sireen has demonstrated expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and cross functional collaboration. Her proven ability to provide actionable insights, support leadership decisions, and deliver consistent value has contributed to the success of her teams and the broader organization.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sireenmoriarty/

With over a decade of experience in customer success, Brendon has refined his skills in building high performing teams, driving retention, and designing end-to-end customer journeys that move accounts from adoption to advocacy. His leadership spans high touch and tech touch motions, revenue-aligned programs, and cross functional collaboration across fast growing SaaS organizations.

Brendon’s career has been defined by a commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in delivering value at scale. As a highly experienced professional with a robust background in these areas, Brendon has demonstrated expertise in customer lifecycle strategy, stakeholder alignment, and value realization leading organizations through roles at ServiceTitan and Flock Safety and now serving as Vice President of Customer Success at Tekmetric. His proven ability to develop CS playbooks, mentor leaders, and tie outcomes to business results has consistently improved retention, expansion, and customer advocacy within the organizations he has served.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendonnorton/

With extensive experience in human resources and organizational development, Jeannette has refined her skills in executive talent acquisition, global leadership development, and strategic people operations across multi industry, domestic and international environments. A SHRM SCP and PhD in Global Leadership and Change, she specializes in building sustainable HR solutions that strengthen culture, improve retention, and elevate employee engagement.

Jeannette’s career has been defined by a commitment to excellence, inclusive leadership, and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in aligning talent strategy with organizational goals. As a highly experienced professional with a robust background in these areas, Jeannette has demonstrated expertise in recruitment and retention, organizational assessment and development, conflict resolution, and succession planning along with hands on experience across R&D, sales, and manufacturing functions. Her proven ability to empower employee networks, lead transformational retention initiatives, and serve as a strategic business partner has consistently improved morale, reduced turnover, and driven measurable outcomes within the organizations she has served.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhp/

A finance leader in media & entertainment, Briana blends Big Four audit fundamentals with studio-side FP&A. At Netflix, she supports Studio FP&A partnering with content, production, and cross-functional teams on forecasting, budgeting, and performance insights. Previously at Entertainment Partners and NBCUniversal, she drove title/portfolio analyses, greenlight and distribution P&Ls, and automated reporting to sharpen decision-making. Briana holds a Master in Accounting with Data & Analytics (USC), a B.S. in Accounting (Cal Lutheran), and is a licensed CPA. Her toolkit spans financial modeling, variance analysis, SQL/Excel automation, and stakeholder storytelling across high-growth, data-rich environments.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianashneyder/

With nearly a decade of experience in investment consulting, institutional portfolio management, and alternative investments, Sue has refined her skills in total portfolio construction, private market integration, and manager selection across asset classes including private equity, credit, real assets, and hedge funds.

Sue’s career has been defined by a commitment to excellence, research driven insights, and a deep understanding of the complexities involved in aligning institutional portfolios with long term objectives, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs. As a highly experienced professional with a robust background in these areas, Sue has demonstrated expertise in portfolio pacing, alternative investment strategy, and client advisory. Her proven ability to partner with endowments, foundations, and healthcare systems, while also co-chairing Mercer’s Alternative Strategic Research Team, has consistently driven value creation and long-term success for the organizations she supports.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suejliu/