The Pahara-Aspen Fellowship selects cohorts of 20-24 exceptional men and women who undertake a program of leadership seminars with thought-provoking readings and discussions about leadership, diversity, and important issues in public education and social change.
The Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN) is comprised of highly successful entrepreneurial leaders with a focus on values and sights on creating a better and more sustainable society. In being a part of a global network with access to some of the most talented like-minded individuals around the world and with the support of the Aspen Institute, these leaders are able to help each other to become more deliberate and impactful in their efforts to make their communities, societies, and the world a better place.

Big Data Block is changing the future of big data processing by combining open source software that connects massive networks of computers to orchestrate large tasks, and the distributed nodes of a global blockchain network. Two great things, even better together.

21st century award-winning engagement platform to reimagine learning. Using points, badges, and leaderboards to make education immersive and fun. Motivational science, utilizing badging as a tool to increase student engagement is how Youtopia’s proven, outcome-driven pedagogy provides data-driven techniques that get results. Youtopia awards include being an ASU/GSV Presenting Company, EDGE Community Member, DvX (DeVry) Accelerator Graduate, Illinois Corporate Startup Challenge Finalist, 1776 Challenge Cup winner Chicago, Rule Breaker Award Winner, Impact Engine Graduate, 1871 Resident Company, Built in Chicago Startup of the Month, a member of the HIVE Chicago, Thrive, and a 4th Annual Digital Media Learning Competition Winner funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The worlds first disruptive membership app in one of the fastest growing industries in the world. A Canopy accelerated company with national reach HQ'd in Malibu, California.

Granted over $1,000,000 to projects in the United States, Tibet, Bhutan, Mongolia, Nepal, Myanmar and India. The foundation's primary focus was to preserve the culture and heritage of Vajrayana Buddhism, including the restoration of historical Asian Buddhist sites and other projects that help preserve the spirit of Buddha’s teachings.Led restoration of Samye Monastery (circa 770 A.D.), the “birthplace of Tibetan Buddhism”. Managed pre-grant inquiries for I.R.S, partnering with the PAO (Poverty Alleviation Office) in Lhasa and Beijing and conducted ongoing negotiations with contractors, designers, and architects over many years. Facilitated completion of First nunnery on the historical grounds of Deer Park, Sarnath, India; where the Buddha first turned the wheel of Dharma.Sponsored first ever showing of new Mongolian artists at the New York City’s Tibet House.Supported and collaborated on several successful crowdsourced books and films that brought awareness to new audiences.

Disrupting the Penny Auction space.Recognized as an innovator in the space and featured in Penny Wise: The Complete Guide to Saving Money with Online Penny Auctions based on a notable variation on the auction theme.

Production Company specializing in developing the world’s first near real time online narrative realized completely on the social graph.

Curated multiple visionary art exhibits including Pablo Amaringo’s last public show, new works by Android Jones, and a retrospective of Dean Chamberlain.

Manufacturer of cutting edge consumer products for U.S. and European Markets. Worked on extensive sourcing and factory oversight to embolden world class brands to enter new markets.Manufactured and designed first biodegradable products to major retailers including WalmartManufactured Home Shopping Networks (HSN) largest selling retail item. Recognized in Business 2.0 Article “Making it in China” for innovating Joy Mangano product lines.Secured multi territory licensing deal with Newell Rubbermaid

Production Company specializing in feature films, documentaries, and online mediaas a resource for independent filmmakersWrote, produced, directed, starred in and financed the Award Winning Independent Feature Film, DOT which premiered on Showtime and the Movie Channel running for several years and developing a cult following.WINNER, BEST FEATURE - Dances With Films, Santa Monica, CAWINNER, BEST COMEDY - Slamdunk Film Festival, Park City, UTWINNER, INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARD - Slamdunk Film Festival, Park City, UTOFFICIAL SELECTION, Sarasota Film Festival, Sarasota, FLDot is a groundbreaking comedy that follows nine months in the life of Zectek.com, an internet startup company, circa 1999. A social satire and sly comedy of manners, the movie unfolds through "behind the scenes footage" of the day-to-day life of Zectek featuring interviews with the company's founders and employees. As Zectek.com rides the e-commerce roller coaster, the twenty and thirtysomething's that run it, have their lives repeatedly turned inside and out as hopes are born, crushed and born again... and crushed... again.

Collaborated with international team in China and Germany to bid for Shanghai's 2010 world expo icon. The largest building in the world and the “Eiffel Tower of the 21st century”.

A strategic consulting firm that manages the alignment of technology and entertainment start-ups with financing and relevant resources.Created a Private Placement Memorandum (PPM) for a wireless communications company in the futures and options industry. Company streamlined and aggregated data from many futures exchanges.Advised visual search engine company on feasibility of product suite and introduced client to corporate sponsors and venture capital community.Developed polished business plan and created PPM, enhancing company’s ability to engage follow on investors by formulating structure and managing concurrent efforts.For a technology entertainment company, created investment kit, contributing to a clear business model and strategy.

The world’s number one distributor of promotional products with offices in 17 countries, 7000 employees and sales of $500M.Conducted global systems audit and made recommendations to establish a platform, which positioned the company to increase sales by 20% quarterly and save 17% on order fulfillment annually.Increased visibility of online tools to be used internally and for new channel opportunities. Allowed 600+ employees to use online system to manage and close accounts faster.Performed due diligence on international technology acquisitions.Implemented Project Management Office, which resulted in 30% savings in project costs across the organization by reducing redundant projects and consolidating technical teams.

Established technology vision, infrastructure and managed all technical initiatives.Managed all aspects of organizational development and planning.Recruited some of the most recognized engineers, designers, programmers, and managers in the world. Secured top team of 100+ in less than 5 months saving $250K in recruiting fees.Participated in road shows that ultimately resulted in first round financing of $8M.Recommended merger with Halo to executive management team which resulted in a cash and stock deal of $240M.

Internet consulting to Fortune 500Defined and implemented first global intranet for McDonald’s to share data for greater accuracy, transparency, and timeliness across all corporate functions and saving the company $20M annually.Built service-level management framework for CNA Insurance Company resulting in annual savings of approximately $1M annually.Developed and released the world’s first Internet pilgrimage for a Buddhist organization resulting in increasing membership by 5%, increasing donations and initiating a new revenue stream through the sale of digital artwork.Positioned company for visibility as keynote speaker at national user groups resulting in greater visibility as a cutting edge professional services organization leading to a 300% growth of top line revenue year over year.

Multimedia authoring, digital video production and pioneering website development. One of the first companies to embed quicktime video in a web browser.

Taught thousands of students in the conservatory/training center. Assisted in creating High School Program and respective curricula. Participated in several outreach programs sponsored by the City of Chicago.