Ryan Cummins

Co-Founder & Vice Chairman of Omaze

MBA, UCLA Anderson 2011

Ryan Cummins is the Co-Founder & Vice Chairman of Omaze, an online fundraising platform that makes giving fun and easy by offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences and exclusive merchandise in support of critical causes. In just five years, Omaze has disrupted traditional models of fundraising and raised millions for over 300 charities through campaigns with influencers such as Robert Downey Jr., Bono, Jennifer Lawrence, Matt Damon, George Clooney, Serena Williams, John Legend, Star Wars and any more.

Prior to launching Omaze, Ryan was the executive producer of content for "Decade of Difference," the Clinton Foundation's globally televised concert event featuring influencers from film, music, politics and sports. Before that, he created Untitled Thinkers, a media property based on a series of intimate conversations he filmed with 120 Nobel Prize and Fields Medal winners, MacArthur Genius Grant Recipients, Pulitzers and Internet Pioneers. Ryan started his career in cause content as the first director on “Live Earth,” the largest concert ever thrown, featuring 150 artists in seven major cities, all on the same day. He holds a BA in economics from Stanford University and an MBA from UCLA Anderson.

Greg Waldorf

CEO, Invoice2go

Greg is CEO of Invoice2go, a software company that’s revolutionizing how the world’s smallest business owners work and get paid. He has a long history of involvement with leading technology businesses. Prior to joining Invoice2go, Waldorf was CEO-in-residence at Accel, and CEO of eHarmony from 2006-2010. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of Invoice2go, Greg serves on the boards of VivaReal and View the Space. He served on the combined boards of Zillow and Trulia, Inc. for 11 years. He holds a B.A. from University of California, Los Angeles and an MBA from Stanford University.

Natalie Hampton

CEO Sit With Us

Seventeen-year- old Natalie Hampton is a Los Angeles high school senior, anti-bullying activist, app developer and the CEO of a nonprofit called Sit With Us, Inc. Her experience being bullied in middle school inspired her to create the award-winning Sit With Us mobile app, which is a free lunch-planning tool for middle school and high school kids so that no one has to eat lunch alone. The app has been featured by Apple under “New Apps We Love” in the App Store, has been downloaded by more than 100,000 people in seven countries and has garnered the attention and acclaim of international media and press. She has spoken at conferences such as Girls Can Do (Washington, D.C.) and Renaissance Weekend (Charleston, SC), and she also spreads her message to schools by visiting in person or connecting via Skype. Recently, she was invited to speak at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Say NO Bullying’s annual festival, TEDxTeen in London and the United Nations Youth Assembly, which granted her an award for her humanitarian work. She is also proud to be partnering with six prominent anti-bullying organizations, including the Born This Way Foundation, PACER and Champions Against Bullying.

SPEECH

Natalie will talk about the bullying experience that inspired her to take action in the form of a mobile app, why it is important to spread kindness and how it takes only one person to effect major change in a community. “I believe that real change starts with us, the students. I also believe that every school has upstanders like me who want to invite others to join the lunch table. Something as seemingly small as lunch can make huge strides in making a school more inclusive, and the kids much happier. Having been on both sides—the person who was excluded and the person who invites anyone sitting alone to join the lunch table—I know that my app can make a difference.”

Dr. Robert Flannery

PhD, University of California, Davis

Dr. Robert Flannery (PhD, University of California, Davis) is an expert in crop optimization practices, with specialization in the optimization of hydroponic, cut-flower production. During his time at UC Davis (voted the #1 university in the world for Agricultural Sciences), Dr. Flannery worked under the tutelage of Dr. Heiner Lieth and advised commercial flower growers producing crops ranging from roses and Gerber daisies to Cannabis.

Dr. Flannery served as Production Director of SPARC, a vertically integrated cannabis growing and retailer based in San Francisco. During his time at SPARC, Dr. Flannery oversaw the launch and management of 5 cultivation sites, where he set up horticultural practices that are standard in non-Cannabis commercial grows, but are wholly absent in the Cannabis industry. Through his guidance and standard practices implementation, crop production increased an average of 33% in total flower production. Under Dr. Flannery’s guidance, the quality of Cannabis at the many cultivation sites he oversaw had also increased (cannabinoid concentrations increased 37%).

Dr. Flannery is active in the cannabis industry as both an expert advisor on growing, as well as a specialty lighting company focused on serving Cannabis cultivators, while promoting efficient energy use. Dr. Flannery is also the Founder of Sierra Consulting, a cannabis consulting company, and Dr. Robb Farms branded cannabis products. He serves as the co-chair of the agriculture committee for the California Cannabis Industry Association, has worked with representatives on the Cannabis Commission at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and often lectures around cannabis topics.

Outside the world of Cannabis, Dr. Flannery enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, cooking, exercising, photography (his primary subject is his daughter), and anything “gadget-y”. Although he enjoys watching football, he much preferred playing it. He was a 2-time All-American and 1-time Academic All-American football player in college.

Alexa Steinberg

ATTORNEY - MANZURI LAW

Alexa has quickly become one of LA’s premier cannabis attorneys. With a background in criminal defense, Alexa lends her expertise to cannabis business law to advise and serve in the area of California cannabis business, compliance, licensing and defense. As part of the Manzuri Law team, her clientele includes a growing list of leaders in cannabis industry innovation, licensing and policy reform.

Alexa provides invaluable advice and counsel to those looking to license their cultivation/distribution/edibles/concentrates/retail and ancillary businesses and remain compliant with state and local law. She has mastered California’s ever-changing cannabis law regulations and has a passion for criminal law. Her focus at Manzuri Law is on corporate structure, strategy and compliance with state and local licensing requirements.

Jeff Chen

MD/MBA, Physician

Dr. Jeff Chen MD/MBA is a physician, researcher, and social entrepreneur. He is Founder and Director of the UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, one of the first university programs in the world focused on the study of cannabis. At age 30, he is one of the youngest Directors of a major university research initiative in the country. As Director, he leads over 25 interdisciplinary faculty members in conducting education and groundbreaking research into the effects of cannabis on society, including health, legal, economic, and social impact. Dr. Chen is a David Geffen Fellow, UCLA Anderson Fellowship Recipient, UCLA Wolfen Entrepreneurial Award Recipient, U.S. patent holder, and published author in cancer research. He is a graduate of the MD/MBA program at UCLA and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cornell University where he studied Biology, Business, and Music. He is also a lifelong musician--in his free time he enjoys singing and making music, and has performed at venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to the Vatican.

Maggie Connors

Founder and CEO of Besito

Maggie Connors is the Founder and CEO of Besito, a pre-launch cannabis products company. Maggie has an extensive background in consumer products and tech, having spent six years in brand management at three of the world’s leading brands: PepsiCo, Starbucks, and Apple. Maggie graduated from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and worked in cannabis finance prior to starting Besito. She is passionate about design and creating an inclusive cannabis industry.

EVAN ENEMAN

Casa Verde Capital, Founder / Managing Partner
ELLO, Founder / CEO
Flower Shop, Founder / President

Evan Eneman is a serial entrepreneur, advisor and investor. He focuses on developing game-changing and next-generation offerings across a range of industries. He has been instrumental in building revenue and growth opportunities across a diversified list of entertainment, hospitality, financial services and consumer products companies.

A long-time advocate for the legalization and de-stigmatization of cannabis, Eneman has spent the past several years working on investing in and scaling companies in the emerging cannabis space. In 2014, Eneman co-founded Casa Verde Capital, one the first venture capital firms that makes early stage investments in innovative and fast-growing ancillary businesses in the emerging cannabis industry.

After seeing a need in the market for professional service offerings for cannabis businesses, Evan co-founded ELLO, providing accounting, tax and advisory services to the industry. He currently serves as CEO of ELLO. At the same time, recognizing the demand for a dedicated creative and marketing agency focused on cannabis brands and services, Eneman set about founding one and Flower Shop was born.

Prior to his work in the cannabis industry, Eneman served as a director at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, advising clients on assurance, operations, strategy, cyber-security and privacy, working with marquee brands and leading Fortune 500 Companies. Evan also spent many years working in various capacities within the music, entertainment and hospitality industries developing and overseeing operations and production processes for boutique creative firms both in New York and Los Angeles.

Evan holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Economics from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and is an active member of the alumni community, serving as President of the Wharton Alumni Club of Southern California.

Ashley R. Villa

Founder and CEO of RARE GLOBAL

Ashley R. Villa, Esq, is the Founder and CEO of RARE GLOBAL, a talent management company for today’s generation of social media superstars. RARE GLOBAL represents some of the most well known influencers in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle including: Forbes Magazine 2017 Top Fashion Influencer - Jenn Im, NAACP 2018 YouTuber of the Year - Jackie Aina, Wengie, Stephanie Villa and ToThe9s. She’s worked with some of the world's leading brands including Target, Teen Vogue, Elle Magazine, People Magazine, Refinery29, Calvin Klein, Coach, SK-II, Sephora, NARS and Clinique. Her specialties include talent / brand strategy, strategic partnerships, business development, multi-platform digital media distribution, merchandising and licensing and publicity.

Ms. Villa previously worked at StyleHaul, the pioneering YouTube multi-channel network focused on fashion and beauty. Prior to that, she worked at Sierra/Affinity LLC, specializing in international film and television licensing and distribution, feature film production, film finance and television development. She also previously worked at Lionsgate Entertainment Corp. under the Office of the General Counsel. While in law school, Ms. Villa interned in the business and legal affairs department at Fox Sports and was an extern for the Honorable Judge Margaret M. Morrow of the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

Ms. Villa received her J.D. from Loyola Law School, Loyola Marymount University in 2011. She attended undergrad at UCLA, where she majored in Psychology and minored in Global Studies.

She is currently a member of the California State Bar and is admitted to the U.S. District Court, Central District of California. She is a member of the Beverly Hills Bar Association (Entertainment Section and Intellectual Property Section), Independent Film & Television Alliance and the Non-Scripted Attorney Association.

Chris Detert

Chief Communications Officer

As Chief Communications Officer at Influential, Chris Detert has played an instrumental part in the launch and continued growth of the company. His 15+ years of experience leading top brands and agencies include his post as VP of Marketing at $100M fashion phenomenon, Von Dutch, as well as his role of CEO and owner at American Rebel PR. He has been featured in top publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Hollywood Reporter, and Billboard, as well as broadcast media appearances on CBS, HLN, MTV, VH1, E!, A&E and Bravo.

Jacqui Saldana

Author, Baby Boy Bakery

Jacqui is a mother of two and lives in Los Angeles with her family where they do their best to live a life full of adventure. Jacqui is the author of popular lifestyle and recipe blog Baby Boy Bakery. In addition to blogging, Jacqui runs a small online shop curated with items designed to help parents create and capture memories with their children.

Kandee Johnson

Beauty Expert and Entrepreneur

Kandee Johnson is a beauty expert and entrepreneur. Through her viral YouTube transformation tutorials and inspirational videos, Kandee works to give her viewers the tools to shape their lives from the inside out. Known and beloved by a loyal and diverse audience, Kandee is a founder and leader in the modern world of the digital beauty influencer and amasses over 7 million fans across social media.

Kandee’s impact was most recently recognized by Forbes as one of their Top 10 Beauty Influencers of 2017, and she was the recipient of the 2016 Streamy Award for the “Beauty” category. She has also crossed over into traditional Hollywood, and can be heard as a featured voice in the Dreamworks animated film Trolls, starring alongside Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick.

Kandee can be seen in stores across the country via her highly anticipated “I Want Kandee” collection with Too Faced, of which most products sold out on Ulta’s website the day of its online release. “I WANT KANDEE” comes on the heels of her sell-out nail polish line with behemoth brand Sinful Colors, for which she was the collaborator directly following Kylie Jenner. Her hair collaboration with OGX will also debut across Ultas this Fall. Along with her partnerships, Kandee can be seen as a judge on the Kim Kardashian produced Lifetime competition show “GLAM MASTERS”, which is set to air in January 2018. Through a series of challenges, she will be 1 of 3 judges to help Kim find the new creative executive for her KKW app.

Sara Dunaj

Senior Manager, Social Media – Princess Cruises

Sara Dunaj thinks you need a vacation. As a social media leader specializing in travel and hospitality, she’s encouraged would-be travelers to hop an Air New Zealand flight, rest their heads at Cambria Suites, and experience the nonstop entertainment of Los Angeles. She currently oversees the award-winning global social media and influencer strategy for Princess Cruises, inspiring passengers to set sail through social storytelling and branded content. Her most memorable campaigns include driving social conversation for the christening of Royal Princess by The Duchess of Cambridge, generating millions of views of a viral video campaign featuring Richard Simmons, and managing a digital influencer program for the city of Los Angeles featuring celebs like Magic Johnson.

Emad Hasan

Co-founder and COO of Retina AI

Emad Hasan is Co-founder and COO of Retina AI, a startup using machine learning to generate marketing insights for companies such as Dollar Shave Club. Prior to starting Retina, Emad was the Head of Marketing Operations for Facebook and Analytics Products Manager for PayPal. In that role he led the development of “Financial Instruments and Institutions”, designed automated business health monitoring systems, and prototyped machine learning to train and predict consumer activity segments. Previous roles include Senior Consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton and Guidance Navigation & Controls Analyst for Boeing. Emad received his MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management in 2013.

Howard Ko

Principal, Morpheus Ventures

Howard is a Principal with Morpheus Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Los Angeles that focuses on early stage technology investments. He currently serves on the Boards of Tagnos and Champion Technology Company as well as a Board Observer at Bridg. Howard was previously with Mission Ventures, a leading Southern California early stage venture capital firm. While at Mission he focused on investments in software, wireless technologies and semiconductors. Prior to Mission, he was with Salomon Smith Barney in their Technology Investment Banking Group where he was involved in public and private financings and M&A. Howard has served as co-chair of the San Diego Telecom Council Wireless Infrastructure Group. He was a member of the Board of Reviewers for the San Diego based Center for Commercialization of Advanced Technology, an organization funded by the Department of Defense. Howard holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from UCLA and an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Jody Graham Dunitz

Executive Vice President, Sony/ATV Music Publishing

Jody Graham Dunitz has an extensive business and legal background in the entertainment industry. From January, 1995, through March, 2003, Jody held the position of Executive Vice President of Sony/ATV Music Publishing. She was involved in the day to day management and administration of Sony/ATV's worldwide operations (which included 40 offices around the world) as well as its strategic planning. Major areas of Jody’s responsibilities included direct oversight of all U.S. activities (catalog acquisitions, “A&R” and other creative services, business affairs, etc.) and general oversight for worldwide royalty and income collection systems and practices, worldwide budgeting, and internet initiatives.

Prior to joining Sony Music Publishing, Jody was a partner at the law firm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, where she joined in 1981 as an entertainment lawyer specializing in the music industry with a strong emphasis on music publishing. She represented some of the most successful songwriters and recording artists in the U.S., including Diane Warren, Billy Steinberg, Prince, Jackson Browne, Metallica, and Yanni.

Since 2004, Jody has been an active member of Tech Coast Angels – one of the largest angel investment organizations in the United States, with over 300 members in 5 regional networks. She has served as the Chairperson of the Pre-screen Panel for the LA Network of TCA since 2013, responsible for vetting all applications seeking consideration by TCA. For that role, she has been honored by TCA as its “Most Valuable Member –LA
Chapter” (2013) and a “TCA Keystone, LA Network” (2016).

Jody also served as a partner at Los Angeles Social Venture Partners (2006-2012), a network of professionals offering expertise and resources to innovative non-profits. At LASVP, she was most active in the “Fast Pitch” program, an annual 8-week session where 20 selected non-profits receive intensive coaching in the art of “pitching” and communicating goals in their efforts to raise donations.

Jody frequently serves a judge at entrepreneur competitions and occasionally agitates the music business community with published commentaries.

Richard Morganstern

Principal, RMVentures

Mr. Morganstern is the principal of RMVentures a family office that focuses on, among other things, investing in and advising emerging technology companies

United States Patent Office-Patent Examiner assigned to the Art Unit responsible for examining computer patent applications.

North American Aviation- Patent Counsel to Navigation Systems Division where he was responsible for protecting and managing the Division’s intellectual property assets.

Founding and Managing Partner of Morganstern, Mann & Smith, a mid sized Beverly Hills based law firm which focused on intellectual property and business litigation and counseling.

Founder and Chairman of International Financial Associates, a NASD licensed investment banking firm which focused on arranging funding, principally from foreign sources, for domestic early stage technology companies.

Co-founder of Language Weaver Inc. a human communications solutions company and the leading supplier of statistically based natural language translation systems to domestic and foreign global enterprises and governmental entities. Language Weaver was founded to commercialize groundbreaking research conducted at The University of Southern California’s Information Science’s Institute.

Member, Executive Committee and past President of the Tech Coast Angels (LA network). TCA is the leading source of early stage funding and guidance for emerging, high growth companies in Southern California. Its members have actively advised and invested over one hundred fifty million dollars in more than 300 portfolio companies. Affiliated venture capital firms and others have provided side by side and follow on funding in excess of one and one half billion dollars to these companies.

Chairman, Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI). LACI is a new sixty thousand square foot facility that provides space for 100 early stage cleantech companies. The facility includes a prototype lab, a machine shop, an electronics lab and a wet lab. It provides Los Angeles with a world leading cleantech research, development and commercialization facility.

Board of Advisors, UCLA Anderson School of Management Global Access Program. GAP is a masters thesis program where teams of students develop a fully executable business plan for foreign companies who seek to enter the Unites States and other markets.

Member of the Advisory Board of USC’s Center for Technology Commercialization; Guest lecturer for the California Institute of Technology Entrepreneurial Fellowship Program; Distinguished Speaker at USC’s Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies; Guest lecturer in political science at Russell Sage College.