About Us

Mark Geist is an innovative leader in the tech industry, with a specific focus on energy and thermal management for data center and telecom sectors. He is currently the Chief Strategy Officer for SEGUENTE, an early-stage tech company founded in 2022, offering cutting-edge cooling technology and AI-powered monitoring solutions that redefine sustainability and performance in digital transformation

Previously, Mark was co-founder of Montgomery Asset Management and served as its Chief Executive Officer. Under Mark’s leadership, Montgomery Asset Management grew to over $11 billion in assets. Mark led the company through the sale to Commerzbank in 1997 and stayed on as CEO through December 2000.
Mark has served as President of U.S. Oil Independence, Inc., whose mission was to develop the financial support for clean affordable energy solutions.
He has an MBA in Finance from Iona College and an undergraduate degree in Finance from the University of Connecticut

Adnan Shahid, a seasoned technology executive, holds 25+ years of global experience with a passion for HealthTech and Innovation. As President of A&Z Ideogeny Consulting Inc, Canada, he promotes digital innovation and brings transformative projects to life, believing in the power of technology to benefit society. He has a proven track record in commercializing new products, building strategic global partnerships, and leading substantial changes within the industry.

Adnan is passionate about inclusive prosperity and strives to be a change agent who through principled leadership can use technology for the good of society, transform systems, and improve lives.

He holds an MBA degree from MIT Sloan School of Management and is also a Legatum Fellow. He has worked with University of Sao Paulo to help setup E-Waste Center and help formulate policies for green procurement of technology. He is a certified Information Systems Security professional with international InfoSec leadership awards. He loves cricket and his desi food.

Tyler Forman, a respected Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, has spent over four decades earning the admiration of his firm and the loyalty of his clients. As the team’s senior member, Tyler excels in client service, informed investing, and long-term planning. He is skilled in formulating tailored risk-managed strategies focusing on concentrated stock positions, estate planning, and tax minimization.

Tyler held a notable position as Resident Manager of the Merrill Lynch office in Boulder for ten years. A Colorado State University graduate with a B.S. in Finance and Real Estate, Tyler has served on the advisory board of the Colorado University School of Music for the past ten years. He’s also an active volunteer with Junior Achievement, teaching personal finance classes to high school seniors.

A dedicated community member, family man, and avid Colorado Avalanche fan, Tyler combines a passion for his work with a love for skiing, cycling, and fly fishing.

Elle Winsted is a young professional with a passion for people, animals, environments and bridging together resources and strategic partnerships to create innovative ways for development. She currently is the Director of Development for the World Food Bank and strategizes to execute and expand WFB’s mission of moving people permanently out of poverty while strengthening food systems across the globe. She also works as the Director of Abundant Villages for MoveMe Studios to help co-create a sustainable and resource-rich village with the Shangaan Royal Family and surrounding communities near Kruger National Park, South Africa. Elle is American born with an incredible passion for Africa and connecting strategic partners together to change the outdated narratives of Africa and community development. She has extensive and diverse experience in youth and community development, cross-cultural communication, project management and private sector engagement.

Gwen Jones is an experienced professional with a deep commitment to community empowerment and economic development. Serving on the Board of Advisors at The World Food Bank and RESOLVE, she combines her broad industry knowledge with a drive to make a positive global impact. Based in Texas, she is an active member of the Ila Tribal Council in Zambia, where she established a Trust focused on tribal empowerment and fostering sustainable social and economic development.

With 25 years of experience and an international footprint in the United States, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Switzerland, Gwen has a proven track record of creating commercially viable projects. Her keen eye for opportunities has led to impressive successes, such as the introduction of cable tension membrane structures to the US market, transforming a start-up into a company with $2.5 million annual sales in three years, and spearheading a private company to support international conventions.

Gwen is known for her innovative marketing strategies, creative sales techniques, and astute financial oversight. She is a transformative leader dedicated to fostering global partnerships and creating sustainable development strategies.

Igor Pamba is an accomplished professional specializing in managing supply chain operations and forging strategic partnerships across diverse industries. Currently associated with Chemonics International, Igor displays a remarkable ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments and successfully navigate complex business scenarios.

Throughout his career, he has demonstrated expertise in strategic sourcing, cost reduction controls, and tactical planning. His methodical analytical and critical thinking skills, strong work ethic, and agile leadership have been instrumental in meeting organizational demands and driving business profitability.

Igor’s strength lies in building mutually beneficial partnerships with suppliers, clients, and executive teams. He has been recognized for maintaining the supply of Depo Provera Injectables amidst capacity limitations due to the COVID vaccine distribution, as well as for ensuring secure supply chains in politically volatile regions like Haiti.

A strategic visionary, Igor leverages cross-functional collaboration and integration of value-added solutions to achieve organizational objectives. Committed to promoting significant change through tactical plans and continuous process improvement, Igor is an invaluable asset to any organization aiming for strategic growth and increased revenue.

Theo Kabeya Laba, Founder and CEO of TKL GROUP, is a seasoned business strategist based in South Africa, with over twenty years of experience. His venture, TKL Consulting and Investments, specializes in bridging the gap between global investors and business opportunities within the African continent.

Operating from Randburg, Theo leads his team in identifying promising ventures, advising investors, and guiding them through the entire investment process, from project initiation to implementation of a fully profitable operation.

Holding an MBA degree from Milpark Business School, Theo also brings a rich educational background. He has spent the last 12 years training and lecturing company executives and MBA students, fueling his passion for education and entrepreneurial growth.

Theo’s passion lies in promoting Africa to the world, assisting entrepreneurs, and ensuring successful connections between international investors and African business opportunities. His dedication is encapsulated by his motto, “whatever you need from Africa, I get it for you.”

Jennifer Sutherland is a passionate advocate for education, women’s empowerment, and solutions-oriented action.  Jenn has more than 20 years of experience creating world-class educational experiences outside the four walls of a classroom in more than 50 countries on six continents. She also brings over a decade of experience in global development projects focused on education, malnutrition, and poverty reduction by creating sustainable, dignified work, particularly for women. Jenn sits on the boards of the All Together Foundation, focused on eradicating malnutrition, empowering women, and fostering youth leadership in Guatemala and Global Citizen Adventure Corps, dedicated to cultivating global citizen leaders through education, travel, and service-learning. She believes that the future of capacity building is in leveraging the power of e-learning and AI to foster connection and collaboration for everyone, anywhere. Jenn is also a Global Development Practice ALM candidate at Harvard University.

Through her writings and speeches, Jennifer contributes to the discourse on Integrated Education and the future of learning, advocating for an inclusive, globally connected, and dynamic learning environment.

Nelson K. Boyette is an experienced Executive Consultant and Non-Profit Strategist based in Greater Chicago, with a strong track record in the healthcare industry and philanthropy. His proficiency in Management, Board Development, Strategic Planning, and Marketing Initiatives has resulted in substantial growth and sustainable impact.

In his tenure with Greater Reach Consultant Group, Nelson has masterminded strategic planning, fundraising, event planning, and business development, closely working with the Executive Director and Board of Trustees. His significant achievements include launching a new Associate Board and External Relations Advisory Council, strategically enhancing philanthropic initiatives, and driving visibility development strategy.

A proven leader,his innovative approach to non-profit strategy and business development reflects his commitment to making a positive impact in the community.