Richard Torrey was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and later moved with his family to Ludlow, Massachusetts. From a young age, he developed a strong work ethic and regularly took on different jobs to help earn money. Throughout childhood and adolescence, he worked mowing lawns, painting houses, babysitting, baling hay, and managing newspaper routes. Growing up in a family with limited financial resources taught him the importance of saving money and working consistently toward long-term goals.
Rick carried this discipline into adulthood, remaining focused on improving his skills and creating opportunities for himself. His determination to work and learn simultaneously became a defining part of his early years and later contributed heavily to his success in both technology and business.
Rick Torrey completed high school while continuing to work multiple jobs and take classes whenever possible. He enrolled in Springfield Tech computer processing school, where he developed technical skills that later became valuable in his programming career. Between 1973 and 1975, he balanced school with full-time work while also taking evening college courses. During that period, he trained full-time in Experimental Engineering at Pratt & Whitney in Hartford, Connecticut.
Richard also found time to coach Little League hockey between 1973 and 1974 despite his demanding schedule. Under his guidance, the Ludlow, Massachusetts team achieved success in regional competition. Although he could not continue coaching due to work and school responsibilities, the experience demonstrated his leadership abilities and commitment to teamwork.
Richard Torrey purchased his first family home in Windsor, Connecticut, in 1975 after years of carefully saving money. That same year, he left Pratt and Whitney to begin working at Travelers Insurance as a computer programmer. His technical knowledge and problem-solving abilities allowed him to advance quickly within the company.
Torrey later transitioned into technical support, where he played an important role in improving methods for developing computer systems. One of his most significant accomplishments was helping design more efficient access methods for computer development systems during a time when even large technology companies faced limitations in these areas. Although he found success in programming and technical work, he remained interested in exploring opportunities outside the corporate environment.
Richard Torrey's path into entrepreneurship began unexpectedly in 1987 when he loaned money to a friend who wanted to purchase a small ski shop. When the business struggled and eventually closed in 1991, he decided to purchase the store from the bank himself. At the time, he had very little retail experience, but he committed himself to learning every aspect of the business.

Richard Torrey was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and later moved with his family to Ludlow, Massachusetts. From a young age, he developed a strong work ethic and regularly took on different jobs to help earn money. Throughout childhood and adol... Show more

Rebecca Boakyewaa Anderson is an data analyst and business intelligence professional, recognized for her expertise in data sorting and analysis, trend identification, and unlocking the full potential of organizational data. With a career spanning over a decade, she has consistently elevated business users by transforming raw information into actionable insights that drive strategic decisions.

She currently serves as a Sales Analyst at the National Lottery Authority (Ghana), where she leverages advanced data analytics to optimize performance and uncover growth opportunities. Alongside this, Rebecca contributes to the Dynamics User Group (DUG) Ghana Leadership, guiding professionals in harnessing Microsoft Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform to embed governance, foresight, and evidence-led leadership into African business realities.
Her diverse experience includes roles as a Data Analyst at FredExcel, where she honed her skills in calculations, reporting, and trend interpretation, and as an Administrator at Christ Embassy International (Believers’ LoveWorld), where she managed operations with discipline and precision for over 11 years. She has also worked as a Contract Data Analyst at Rock Africa Ghana, applying her analytical acumen to short-term strategic projects.
Rebecca’s professional journey reflects her passion for Power BI, data science, and the transformative power of Microsoft technologies. Her leadership within DUG Ghana and her hands-on experience across industries position her as a trusted voice in the analytics community—bridging technical expertise with strategic foresight.

Rebecca Boakyewaa Anderson is an data analyst and business intelligence professional, recognized for her expertise in data sorting and analysis, trend identification, and unlocking the full potential of organizational data. With a career spanning ove... Show more

Eve Macdonald is a creative growth strategist at KISS Branding, a Leeds-based brand strategy and creative studio working with food, drink, FMCG and purpose-driven challenger brands. She leads business development, thought leadership and outreach, bringing the same commercial sharpness to KISS's own positioning as she does to client work.
She writes Just a little Kiss, a Substack covering brand strategy and consumer culture for brand managers, founders and marketers, with bylines in Design Week. She is also the founder of Pencil It In, a creative community and events platform championing Northern creative talent across Leeds and Manchester.

Eve Macdonald is a creative growth strategist at KISS Branding, a Leeds-based brand strategy and creative studio working with food, drink, FMCG and purpose-driven challenger brands. She leads business development, thought leadership and outreach, bri... Show more

•Team Manager | Sr. Solution Architect on the Dynamics SMB Delivery team at Stoneridge Software
•25+ years of experience in functional consulting for Dynamics implementations and upgrades, as well as directly supporting SMB clients for Dynamics GP, CRM, and Business Central
•Microsoft certifications:
• Microsoft Certified Trainer
• Microsoft Business Central
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales

•Team Manager | Sr. Solution Architect on the Dynamics SMB Delivery team at Stoneridge Software •25+ years of experience in functional consulting for Dynamics implementations and upgrades, as well as directly supporting SMB clients for Dynamics GP, ... Show more

Rebecca Grier, Ph.D. is a behavioural scientist with 20 years experience in product development across various business sectors. Most recently she was the lead for Customer-Driven: EMEA at Microsoft, with the goal to change product making culture to be more customer obsessed. Previously she moved Ford to consider people with disabilities in the design of their autonomous vehicles and the US DoD to include user experience in testing of systems. She currently lives in Dublin with her husband and son.

Rebecca Grier, Ph.D. is a behavioural scientist with 20 years experience in product development across various business sectors. Most recently she was the lead for Customer-Driven: EMEA at Microsoft, with the goal to change product making culture to ... Show more

Patrick Walsh Empire Holdings centers on the professional record of Patrick Walsh, a Palm Beach County, Florida-based entrepreneur, investment specialist, company founder, and executive. His work has developed across investment management, enterprise finance, corporate strategy, and value-oriented business leadership. In 2012, he founded PW Partners in Jupiter, Florida, establishing a firm focused on small and mid-cap companies and the long-term value that can be created through operational strategy, disciplined capital allocation, and careful business planning.

At PW Partners, Patrick serves as founder and CEO, guiding work related to mergers and acquisitions, hedge funds, investment banking, equities, enterprise finance, and corporate strategy. The firm focuses on maximizing the potential of portfolio companies through strategic decision-making and practical operating measures. His investment management background includes a particular focus on the restaurant industry, where performance often depends on operating structure, capital planning, brand execution, and steady financial oversight.

Patrick’s professional work has been featured in Barron’s, Forbes, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. In 2018, Ernst & Young named the founder and CEO of PW Partners its Entrepreneur Of The Year. This recognition reflects his experience as an investment professional, company builder, and executive, spanning public markets, private investment opportunities, and consumer-focused businesses.

Patrick Walsh also relates to his leadership at Empire Holdings and Investments, a diversified holding company headquartered in Palm Beach County. Patrick joined the firm in 2020 and served as CEO, overseeing its corporate structure and supporting its flexible investing approach. Empire Holdings and Investments has subsidiaries in various markets and pursues opportunities across Florida and nationwide, giving its work a broader connection to multiple industries and long-term business value creation.

Across PW Partners and Empire Holdings and Investments, Patrick’s clients and affiliations have included TMPL, Palm Beach Sports Club, LIV, Town Sports International, and Famous Dave’s of America. His board-level experience includes roles with BJ’s Restaurants, Inc., Del Taco Restaurants, Inc., Famous Dave’s of America, and Town Sports International, where he served as chairman of the board. In 2015, Nation’s Restaurant News named him to its Power List, which recognized 50 influential people in the restaurant industry that year.

Patrick began his career in 1998 as an investment analyst at Prudential Capital Group and Prudential Securities. In that position, he specialized in commercial property and publicly traded real estate investment trusts. He later joined Deutsche Bank as vice president of investment banking, spending several years with the multinational bank and financial services company. After that, he moved to Illinois and worked with a well-known hedge fund focused on long-short equity before becoming managing partner at PWK Partners in Chicago. He remained there until 2012, when he relocated to Florida and founded PW Partners.

His academic background began at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, where he studied economics and competed in baseball and football. After a back injury ended his athletic career, he transferred to Boston College in Massachusetts and graduated from the Chestnut Hill campus with honors in accountancy. Patrick later earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and completed further investment education at Columbia University, including the Graduate School of Business Executive Value Investing Program under Bruce Greenwald.

He was born in San Diego, California, and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. His mother and father, both New England natives, worked as a school teacher and a naval officer. He now lives and works in Jupiter, Florida. Outside of business, he enjoys cooking, fitness, travel, reading, and literature. As part of a professional biography, Patrick Walsh Empire Holdings reflects a career built around PW Partners, Empire Holdings and Investments, restaurant industry experience, board service, investment discipline, and practical executive leadership.

Patrick Walsh Empire Holdings centers on the professional record of Patrick Walsh, a Palm Beach County, Florida-based entrepreneur, investment specialist, company founder, and executive. His work has developed across investment management, enterprise... Show more

Bala has rich experience in retail technology and process transformation. Most recently, he worked as a Principal Architect for Intelligent Automation, Innovation & Supply Chain in a global Fortune 100 retail corporation. Currently work for luxury brand as Principal architect for Intelligent Automation providing technology advisor for the responsible use of technology (Low Code, RPA, Chatbots, and AI ). He is passionate about technology and spends his free time reading, writing technical blogs and co-chairing a special interest group with The OR Society.

Bala has rich experience in retail technology and process transformation. Most recently, he worked as a Principal Architect for Intelligent Automation, Innovation & Supply Chain in a global Fortune 100 retail corporation. Currently work for luxury br... Show more

I have over decade of experience leading teams and organizations focusing on data - building insights, foundations or even more advanced sophisticated ML models. I lead with empathy and leave organizations in better shape I found them in.

I have over decade of experience leading teams and organizations focusing on data - building insights, foundations or even more advanced sophisticated ML models. I lead with empathy and leave organizations in better shape I found them in. Show more

As a customer success and analytics leader, I have with over 13+ years of experience driving business transformation in retail and e-commerce. With a strong focus on AI, data science, engineering, and analytics, I help large retailers turn complex business challenges into actionable insights, innovative solutions, and measurable growth. I have partnered with leading retailer to enhance customer experiences, optimize operations, Improve Retail Media Spend and Insights, Optimize Campaigns and accelerate revenue growth through data-driven strategies. My expertise spans sales planning, marketing analytics, incentive design, and operational excellence, all powered by advanced analytics and AI solutions.

I thrive at the intersection of strategy, data, and technology—leading teams to deliver impactful outcomes, foster innovation, and drive adoption of next-generation analytics solutions that create real business value.

As a customer success and analytics leader, I have with over 13+ years of experience driving business transformation in retail and e-commerce. With a strong focus on AI, data science, engineering, and analytics, I help large retailers turn complex bu... Show more

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) with more than 25 years of experience from various analyst roles. Has been working within the financial industry (Experian and Danske Bank A/S) for the past 10 years, but has experience from a broad variety of industries.

Has extensive experience working between business stakeholders, legal & compliance teams, and technology organisations. Passionate about stakeholder collaboration, requirements management, and creating practical solutions in complex environments - especially where regulation and business goals must work hand in hand.

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) with more than 25 years of experience from various analyst roles. Has been working within the financial industry (Experian and Danske Bank A/S) for the past 10 years, but has experience from a broad var... Show more

I help organizations turn fragmented data into real-time decisions — through end-to-end BI solutions built on Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, and the broader Azure data ecosystem.
With 5+ years of experience across supply chain, retail, aviation, and food industries, I've worked in international scrum teams delivering everything from legacy Qlik migrations to greenfield Fabric Lakehouse architectures. I specialize in building scalable semantic models, automated data pipelines, and executive-grade dashboards that stakeholders actually use.
-- What I work with:
Power BI (Desktop & Service) · Microsoft Fabric (Lakehouse, Warehouse, Dataflows, Data Factory) · Azure Data Factory · Azure Analysis Services · DAX · Power Query (M) · SQL · Python · PySpark · Tabular Editor · ALM Toolkit · Azure DevOps (CI/CD)
-- Certifications:
• Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate (PL-300)
• Microsoft Certified: Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate (DP-600)
• Microsoft Certified: Fabric Data Engineer Associate (DP-700)
• Databricks Certified: Data Engineer Associate
-- Recognition:
Microsoft Fabric Community Super User — recognized by the Microsoft Azure Data Team for 4 years of sustained community contributions.
Let's connect if you're looking for a BI engineer who delivers measurable impact.

I help organizations turn fragmented data into real-time decisions — through end-to-end BI solutions built on Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, and the broader Azure data ecosystem. With 5+ years of experience across supply chain, retail, aviation, and fo... Show more

Equal parts strategist and storyteller, Leslie Schall brings humor, heart, and hard-earned expertise to every stage. As Director of Channel Partnership, Microsoft at Corpay, she leads the powerhouse alliance connecting fintech innovation with Microsoft’s global ecosystem—helping businesses simplify payments and scale smarter.

Leslie’s sessions blend real-world insights with relatable energy, turning complex financial topics like fraud prevention, cash flow optimization, AP automation, and workflow efficiency into engaging, actionable discussions. Audiences walk away inspired, informed, and ready to rethink what modern financial operations can be.

When she’s not sparking collaboration across the Microsoft ecosystem, you’ll find Leslie in Fort Collins, Colorado, chasing her three kids, mountain views, and the next great cup of coffee.

Equal parts strategist and storyteller, Leslie Schall brings humor, heart, and hard-earned expertise to every stage. As Director of Channel Partnership, Microsoft at Corpay, she leads the powerhouse alliance connecting fintech innovation with Microso... Show more

Houston Vandergriff is a globe-trotting photographer, entrepreneur, and influencer based in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Houston has traveled to 49 of the 50 United States, 5 Canadian Provinces, and 26 countries. He also has Down syndrome. His photos have been in magazines and books, won awards in numerous competitions, and been shown in galleries in three countries.

He shares the positives surrounding disability on Tiktok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. For his photography sales, he started on ETSY, moved to his own website, and now sells his photography as NFTs. To date he has been part of three sold-out NFT collections.

Houston inspires others, both inside and outside of the disability community. By sharing his gift of photography he also shares gifts of beauty and hope.

Houston Vandergriff is a globe-trotting photographer, entrepreneur, and influencer based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Houston has traveled to 49 of the 50 United States, 5 Canadian Provinces, and 26 countries. He also has Down syndrome. His photos h... Show more

Arvind Lodaya is a seasoned design and innovation expert with over 30 years of experience shaping products, brands, and strategies. A National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad alumnus, he runs a design, innovation and branding consultancy in Bengaluru. His expertise lies in strategic branding, product and service design, and fostering innovation cultures in organizations.
Throughout his career, Arvind has held leadership positions, including Ogilvy Advertising’s design consulting unit in India, Co-Founder of Deccan Centre for Innovation & Design, Professor at IIT Kanpur, Ambedkar Univ Delhi, Srishti and Vidyashilp in Bengaluru. He led impactful projects such as the corporate rebranding of ICICI and strategic design for prominent brands across diverse industries. Beyond his consulting work, Arvind is deeply involved in education and advisory roles, teaching at leading institutes in India and abroad and contributing to the growth of several startups.
His current focus encompasses systemic practice and multisolving, impact entrepreneurship, design thinking and embedding deep values in design. He actively engages with organizations to deploy design and innovation for impact and address complex global challenges. He is currently leading a Systems Practice Fellowship for emerging social leaders for SELCO Foundation.

Arvind Lodaya is a seasoned design and innovation expert with over 30 years of experience shaping products, brands, and strategies. A National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad alumnus, he runs a design, innovation and branding consultancy in Benga... Show more

Alex Reis is a Experience Strategist and Service Design leader with 10+ years of experience leading user-centered transformations in high-complexity sectors including Finance, Telecom, and Agribusiness.

As the founder of Cliente Sempre, Alex facilitates the intersection of User Research and Product Ownership, ensuring that design decisions are treated as strategic business investments. His career is defined by measurable impact: from saving $1M in operational costs through automation to scaling support operations for over 1 million active users.

Holding certifications in Design and Strategy Execution from Harvard Business School, Alex provides a pragmatic, data-grounded approach to CX that prioritizes revenue, risk mitigation, and operational efficiency.

Alex Reis is a Experience Strategist and Service Design leader with 10+ years of experience leading user-centered transformations in high-complexity sectors including Finance, Telecom, and Agribusiness. As the founder of Cliente Sempre, Alex facil... Show more

Gary J. Nix is a consultancy founder and speaker who is known for combining traditional marketing principles with modern marketing techniques. Moreover his firm, the brandarchist: strategy as a service serves its client partners understand how the road to ultimate success is via a foundation of building or bolstering the indivisible connectivity between culture and commerce.

Gary J. Nix is a consultancy founder and speaker who is known for combining traditional marketing principles with modern marketing techniques. Moreover his firm, the brandarchist: strategy as a service serves its client partners understand how the ro... Show more

Phylese M. Jackson, PMP, CSM is a technology program management professional with a diverse background across many industries, including Financial Services, FinTech, Hospitality, and exposure to start-up environments. She is currently responsible for developing and executing strategies to streamline program and project management within an enterprise technology organization. Phylese is a dedicated practitioner who enjoys finding practical ways to make the discipline more accessible and easier to understand for all. She is passionate about bridging the gap between strategy and agility to solidify the importance of non-technical roles in the advancement of technology.

Phylese M. Jackson, PMP, CSM is a technology program management professional with a diverse background across many industries, including Financial Services, FinTech, Hospitality, and exposure to start-up environments. She is currently responsible for... Show more

Neelam Koshiya is principal solutions architect (GenAI specialist) at AWS. With a background in software engineering, she moved organically into an architecture role. Her current focus is to help enterprise customers with their ML/ genAI journeys for strategic business outcomes. Her area of depth is machine learning. She likes to build content/mechanisms to scale to larger audience. She is passionate about innovation and inclusion. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and being outdoors.

Neelam Koshiya is principal solutions architect (GenAI specialist) at AWS. With a background in software engineering, she moved organically into an architecture role. Her current focus is to help enterprise customers with their ML/ genAI journeys for... Show more

Damir has over 20 years of experience with Microsoft Dynamics with roles spanning from consultancy to development, to solution architecture. His key expertise is in retail, which includes EPOS, warehousing, system integration, EDI and various retail promotion systems. He specialises in performance tuning and BC telemetry of large solutions both SaaS and on-premises.

Damir has over 20 years of experience with Microsoft Dynamics with roles spanning from consultancy to development, to solution architecture. His key expertise is in retail, which includes EPOS, warehousing, system integration, EDI and various retail ... Show more

Ravi Teja Pagidoju is a Senior Software Engineer at Retail Organization, specializing in AI-driven retail optimization and cloud-native systems. He builds intelligent solutions that optimize store operations, planogram generation, and merchandising workflows at Fortune #1 scale. With expertise spanning .NET, Java, React, and cloud platforms (Azure, GCP), Ravi has delivered systems across retail, healthcare, and telecommunications sectors. His research explores AI applications in retail optimization, including generative models for planogram synthesis and hybrid approaches combining LLMs with traditional optimization algorithms. Ravi holds an MS in Computer Science and is pursuing an MBA in IT. He's passionate about translating complex technical innovations into practical business solutions that drive measurable impact. ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ravi-Teja-Pagidoju/research Other speaking engagements: 1. Spoke at Generative AI Expo 2026 2. Keynote at SCRS ICCI 2025 3. Round Table by NAIRR CRA led initiative 4. Spoke at NWA Tech Fest

Ravi Teja Pagidoju is a Senior Software Engineer at Retail Organization, specializing in AI-driven retail optimization and cloud-native systems. He builds intelligent solutions that optimize store operations, planogram generation, and merchandising w... Show more

Consultora y Mentora en Comunicación Estratégica, Marca Personal y Corporativa | Ayudo a personas y empresas a conectar, posicionarse e influir con impacto | Speaker |CMO

Soy Estratega en comunicación, creación y posicionamiento de marca. Llevo más de 18 años trabajando en contextos donde lo que se dice y cómo se dice influye directamente en decisiones, percepción y resultados.
Con el tiempo entendí que, para comunicarnos mejor, no es suficiente tener un buen mensaje. Sino que este debe que ser comprendido, recordado y generar una reacción.

Por eso decidí ir más allá de la estrategia tradicional y profundizar en cómo funciona la mente cuando interpreta, conecta y decide. Me especialicé en Gerencia de Mercadeo, cursé un Máster en Neuromarketing y actualmente profundizo en Programación Neurolingüística.

He liderado equipos y procesos en áreas de mercadeo, publicidad y comunicaciones en compañías como; Casa Editorial El Tiempo, LATAM Airlines, Tigo y Grupo Bolívar, además de mi trabajo actual como CMOm en JFC Group y mi plataforma Comunicar es Poder.

Integro estrategia y comportamiento humano para trabajar sobre cómo las personas y las organizaciones se posicionan a partir de lo que comunican… incluso cuando no son conscientes de ello.

Consultora y Mentora en Comunicación Estratégica, Marca Personal y Corporativa | Ayudo a personas y empresas a conectar, posicionarse e influir con impacto | Speaker |CMO Soy Estratega en comunicación, creación y posicionamiento de marca. Llevo má... Show more

Frederic hat in den letzten 10 Jahren Unternehmen dabei geholfen, Data & AI praktisch einzusetzen. Nicht auf dem Papier, sondern in Produktion. Nach über 150 umgesetzten Projekten hat er WE BUILD AI gegründet. Heute baut er mit seinem zehnköpfigen Team AI-Lösungen, die im Alltag funktionieren.

Frederic hat in den letzten 10 Jahren Unternehmen dabei geholfen, Data & AI praktisch einzusetzen. Nicht auf dem Papier, sondern in Produktion. Nach über 150 umgesetzten Projekten hat er WE BUILD AI gegründet. Heute baut er mit seinem zehnköpfigen Te... Show more

Kae9mm is a cyber musician who blends hip-hop, techno and futuristic themes in his music. He is known for his innovative use of virtual reality and augmented reality in his live performances and music videos. He has recently partnered with United Realites, a leading metaverse company, to create immersive and interactive experiences for his fans. Kae9mm aims to push the boundaries of music and technology and to explore new dimensions of creativity and expression.

Kae9mm is a cyber musician who blends hip-hop, techno and futuristic themes in his music. He is known for his innovative use of virtual reality and augmented reality in his live performances and music videos. He has recently partnered with United Rea... Show more

As a client-focused IT Consultant, I specialize in delivering tangible value by streamlining business processes, enhancing data-driven decision-making, and optimizing CRM systems across diverse industries. By leveraging my technical expertise in Power Platform, Dynamics CE, Power BI, I create innovative solutions tailored to client's unique needs, driving growth and competitive advantage. My commitment to effective communication, collaboration, and a results-oriented approach ensures that my clients experience significant improvements in efficiency, cost savings, and overall business performance.

As a client-focused IT Consultant, I specialize in delivering tangible value by streamlining business processes, enhancing data-driven decision-making, and optimizing CRM systems across diverse industries. By leveraging my technical expertise in Powe... Show more

Soy Juan Bidini, especialista en informática y ciberseguridad, analista de sistemas y docente desde hace más de veinte años. Mi camino comenzó a los 8 años, cuando conocí la consola ColecoVision. Después llegaron la Timex Sinclair 2068, la Commodore 64, la 128 y finalmente la PC, donde descubrí mi pasión por programar y entender cómo funciona todo por dentro.

Con el tiempo desarrollé un gran interés por la retroinformática y la historia del hardware, especialmente por los distintos soportes de almacenamiento usados en videojuegos.

Hoy soy Subsecretario de Tecnología de la Municipalidad de Carlos Casares y también dueño de SeguRoot, mi emprendimiento de servicios informáticos. Además, soy mago desde hace muchos años, una actividad que me recuerda que la tecnología y la magia comparten algo esencial: la capacidad de asombrar.

Soy Juan Bidini, especialista en informática y ciberseguridad, analista de sistemas y docente desde hace más de veinte años. Mi camino comenzó a los 8 años, cuando conocí la consola ColecoVision. Después llegaron la Timex Sinclair 2068, la Commodore ... Show more

Jaser Zaabri is an American Jordanian entrepreneur and business executive recognized for his work across construction, disaster restoration, recruiting, real estate, and hospitality investment. He is the Founder & CEO of Evolve Holdings (Investment & Operating Group), a privately held platform that manages and invests in companies operating in multiple sectors.

Born in the United States into a Jordanian family with strong business ties in the Gulf region, Jaser grew up around discussions of trade, construction, and international operations. His father, Munir Zaabri, along with extended family members, was connected with firms engaged in engineering, oilfield services, and commercial trading throughout the UAE and surrounding countries. This early exposure gave him a clear view of how cross-border businesses function and influenced his interest in building companies.

The Zaabri family’s commercial involvement dates back to the early 1970s. Relatives played roles in organizations such as Universal Trading Group, Target Engineering & Construction Company, and Al Ahlia Group. These companies contributed to infrastructure projects and also supported the entry of global consumer brands into Gulf markets. Growing up with this background, Zaabri developed an understanding of long-term business development and operational structure.

Jaser Zaabri studied at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, earning a bachelor’s degree with a double major in marketing and management. His academic focus included sales systems, leadership, and operations. These areas later became part of his approach when building and scaling businesses.

Jay further expanded his education through executive programs at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. During this time, Jaser strengthened his understanding of strategy, leadership, and organizational growth, preparing him for broader business responsibilities.

At the start of his professional career, he worked in international business development and advisory roles. In 2010, he was involved in transactions with members of the Qatari royal family. This experience gave him exposure to complex negotiations and international deal structures, helping him develop confidence in high-level business environments.

In the early 2010s, Zaabri began focusing on building his own ventures. Between 2011 and 2018, he founded several insurance restoration and general contracting companies under the Anderson Construction name. At the same time, he served in executive roles within the Anderson Family of Companies, a group providing disaster recovery and property restoration services across the United States.

These businesses focused on rebuilding homes and commercial properties affected by fires, floods, and other events. Through this work, Jaser gained hands-on experience in scaling operations, building teams, and managing high-volume projects. His involvement across different companies helped him develop a structured approach to operational growth.

Alongside his work in construction, Jay Zaabri also built experience in consumer products and global brand expansion. From 2012 to 2016, he served as VP of Sales and Marketing at XS Energy Drinks. In this role, he helped expand the brand into 38 countries and managed annual sales of nearly $150 million. His responsibilities included developing distributor networks, managing sales teams, and overseeing international logistics.

He also worked with MyPillow Inc. as an executive and board member, contributing to growth initiatives. In addition, he co-founded GarbageMan, which began as a green-focused company and later evolved into a waste management business that a larger organization acquired. These ventures expanded his experience beyond construction and deepened his understanding of scaling companies across different industries.

From 2017 to 2019, Zaabri served as Executive Vice President of Development and Distribution at Renpure Organics. During this period, he supported the expansion of the company’s retail presence across North America and into international markets. Renpure Organics was later acquired in 2018 by MAV Beauty Brands and Marc Anthony Cosmetics.

In 2022, Jaser founded Evolve Holdings to bring together multiple industries under a single operating and investment structure. The company manages businesses across construction and restoration, recruiting, training, property management, hospitality investment, and marketing analytics.

Other divisions include Evolve University, which provides sales and leadership training, and Evolve Recruiting, which supports companies in building effective teams. These efforts reflect Zaabri’s focus on combining operations with long-term business development.

Jaser Zaabri's career reflects a steady approach to building companies across industries. Through Evolve Holdings and its related businesses, he continues to focus on growth, operational improvement, and creating connections between markets in the United States and the Middle East.

Jaser Zaabri is an American Jordanian entrepreneur and business executive recognized for his work across construction, disaster restoration, recruiting, real estate, and hospitality investment. He is the Founder & CEO of Evolve Holdings (Investment &... Show more

Welcome to my profile!
I'm a person who lives and breathes science. My passion for learning knows no bounds and I am always ready to discover new things. I was born with a talent for training and I love sharing my knowledge with others. My training skills allow me to effectively convey knowledge, making the learning process both efficient and enjoyable.

In my work, I focus on creating business solutions using Power Platform technology. My experience and skills allow me to create effective and innovative solutions that contribute to business success. I always strive for excellence and constantly seek new ways to improve and optimize business processes.

Welcome to my profile! I'm a person who lives and breathes science. My passion for learning knows no bounds and I am always ready to discover new things. I was born with a talent for training and I love sharing my knowledge with others. My training... Show more

Janet Counts is a small business consultant who helps companies improve operations, customer experience, and visibility so they can grow without unnecessary complexity.

After years helping run and grow a service-based business, Janet began advising other owners on practical strategies for improving profitability, strengthening customer relationships, and increasing visibility without relying heavily on paid advertising.

Her workshops focus on simple frameworks business owners can apply immediately, including community-driven marketing, customer experience alignment, and operational clarity that supports sustainable growth.

Janet regularly speaks to business groups about how small businesses can build meaningful visibility through social media, community partnerships, and local engagement.

Janet Counts is a small business consultant who helps companies improve operations, customer experience, and visibility so they can grow without unnecessary complexity. After years helping run and grow a service-based business, Janet began advisin... Show more

Dr. Roland Nolte is an international leadership expert and keynote speaker with over 13 years of experience leading global teams of hundreds and even thousands. His focus: restoring humanity as the true driver of motivation, collaboration, and sustainable success in organizations. As the founder of re:HUMAN, he combines practical leadership insights with the latest findings from psychology, sociology, and organizational research.

Beyond the stage, Roland lives what he teaches: as a father of four, a farm owner, and someone who understands stress not from theory but from real life. His keynotes inspire leaders and organizations to build trust, foster resilience, and achieve clarity in times of uncertainty. With his mix of academic depth and personal authenticity, he empowers audiences to navigate the future of work with confidence and humanity.

Dr. Roland Nolte is an international leadership expert and keynote speaker with over 13 years of experience leading global teams of hundreds and even thousands. His focus: restoring humanity as the true driver of motivation, collaboration, and sustai... Show more

As a seasoned IT Operations and Business Management professional with over two decades of extensive experience, I am passionately engaged in collaborating with global organizations to harness the full potential of Dynamics 365 and cloud technologies.

As a founding member and the driving force behind Intelegain, a consulting firm celebrated for its expertise in Enterprise Integration and Software Development, I lead our mission to deliver bespoke solutions across a diverse array of sectors. Our expertise spans Retail, Financial Services, Travel, Workforce Automation, Pharmaceuticals, M-commerce, E-Learning, and more. With a robust presence in the USA, UK, Australia, Singapore, and India, we are well-positioned to serve our clients' needs globally.

In addition to my role at Intelegain, I hold various positions within the International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners (IAMCP), the world's largest community of Microsoft partners. As the IAMCP APAC Secretary, I am dedicated to fostering and nurturing the community within the APAC region, ensuring that our members thrive and succeed in their endeavors.

As a seasoned IT Operations and Business Management professional with over two decades of extensive experience, I am passionately engaged in collaborating with global organizations to harness the full potential of Dynamics 365 and cloud technologies.... Show more