Ulla Kjarval is a New York City-based photographer and food blogger who advocates for family farms and grass-fed beef. With B.A.'s in History and Political Science from SUNY Albany, Ulla has worked in politics at both the state and federal levels. Along with her sister, she founded Sheepdog Print & Design, LLC, a company specializing in web design and social media strategy that caters specifically to rural interests. As the respected blogger behind 'Goldilocks finds Manhattan', Ulla has also contributed to blogs such as 'Goodlifer' and 'Civil Eats'. Ulla was the official policy and recipe advisor for the Grass-fed party. Her childhood on a farm in upstate New York sparked her life-long interest in family farms and the sustainability of a rural lifestyle. Ulla believes that social media holds many opportunities for farmers to promote their product and engage with the current food movement.
Kirsten Johnston Barker is President and Co-Founder of digital media company, Prendismo. In addition, she is an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at KensaGroup,a conception-stage development group.
Barker has aggressively lead the operational and tactical efforts of Prendismo as it has transitioned from a ten-year academic research initiative within Cornell University called eClips to a high growth commercial enterprise.
Previously, Barker served as Chief Information Officer at NSF International, Senior Director at Solucient (a healthcare software company) and as a consultant at Andersen Consulting (now Accenture).
Kirsten Barker received a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University and a M.S. in Business and Information Technology from Johns Hopkins University.
Elizabeth Ngonzi is an entrepreneur who in 2001, founded Amazing Taste, leveraging her professional career in Corporate America, her global upbringing and personal commitment to making a social impact - all of which have directly influenced her business approach and philosophy. Since its inception, Amazing Taste has evolved into a recognized consulting firm dedicated to helping its clients achieve their strategic objectives through high-impact marketing campaigns, high-profile events, and ground-breaking educational - that demonstrate a commitment to Global Sustainability, Social Impact and Community Investment.
Amazing Taste draws from Ms. Ngonzi's unique perspective as a self-proclaimed "world citizen". Her mother was a diplomat and women's rights advocate, and her late father was a renowned African playwright, and a one-time director of the National Theatre in Kenya. Ms. Ngonzi obtained her primary and secondary education at the United Nations International School, where she studied French and Spanish, and has traveled throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and the Caribbean.
Ms. Ngonzi began her career with Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) as one of sixteen participants in its Marketing Development Program. She next went to work for MICROS Systems, Inc. - where she was ranked as one of its top-ten sales people. Prior to founding Amazing Taste, Ms. Ngonzi was a business consulting manager for Arthur Andersen, where she directed engagements for clients in the Hospitality, Telecommunications and Energy industries.
Elizabeth Ngonzi obtained a Master of Management in Hospitality degree from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration and completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems at Syracuse University's School of Information Studies.
Lindsey Wieber and Gwen Whiting are co-founders of The Laundress. The Laundress provides a luxury fabric care and specialty detergent line to take the chore out of laundry.
Prior to co-founding The Laundress, Wieber was the Manager of U.S. Sales for CHANEL Ready-to-Wear. She managed the CHANEL boutique accounts and other large accounts such as Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. Wieber also worked at Brooks Brothers in men's and women's buying departments before her tenure at CHANEL.
Lindsey Wieber received an undergraduate degree in Textile and Apparel Design and Management from Cornell University.
Lindsey Wieber and Gwen Whiting are co-founders of The Laundress. The Laundress provides a luxury fabric care and specialty detergent line to take the chore out of laundry.
Prior to co-founding The Laundress, Whiting was a Senior Designer of the Ralph Lauren Home Collection for five years. Prior to her work in Home Collection, her experience at Ralph Lauren included women's wear and Polo Store development.
Gwen Whiting received an undergraduate degree in Textile and Apparel Design and Management from Cornell University.
Cristiane Ulbrich is Director of Technology at BCS Tecnologia, a firm devoted to developing medical and hospital equipment being incubated at INCAMP, one of the most prestigious high-tech incubators in Brazil.Ulbrich worked for 14 in the private sector in departments such as product development (CAD/CAM and fast prototyping), quality control, and certification (ISO 9001). She has also participated in several events in the area of innovation and entrepreneurship as invited speaker and lecturer.
Cristiane Ulbrich holds a BS in Mechanical Technology from FATEC-São Paulo, a MS and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from UNICAMP and a MBA from IBMEC, all in Brazil.
Jessica Jackley Flannery is a co-founder of Kiva with her husband Matt, and the spirit behind the organization. Flannery first saw the power and beauty of microfinance while working in rural Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda with Village Enterprise Fund and Project Baobab on impact evaluation and program development.
Previously, Flannery worked in the Stanford Center for Social Innovation to launch the inaugural Global Philanthropy Forum, and at Amazon.com, Potentia Media, the International Foundation and World Vision. Flannery has spoken widely on microfinance and social entrepreneurship, and has seen microfinance at work in a variety of communities in more than 30 countries.
Jessica Flannery holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business with Certificates in Global Management and Public Management, and a BA in Philosophy and Political Science from Bucknell University.
Julia Posacki is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CW Enterprises. Through her brand, InvestingIsSimple, she delivers financial savvy to professionals and up-and-comers. IIS aims to unravel the mystique of the markets and give you the tools and confidence to know that you, too, can play with the "big boys" of Wall Street. In addition to the InvestingIsSimple web site, Julia speaks to various audiences nationwide.
Prior to launching IIS, Julia spent seven years working in the Fixed Income and Derivatives areas of Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch.
Julia Posacki earned a Bachelor of Science in Operations Research & Industrial Engineering and a Master of Engineering in Financial Engineering from Cornell University.
Alissa Livingston is the Merchandise Planner for Men's Clothing and Furnishings at Polo Ralph Lauren, Retail Corporation. Previously, she was a Merchandise Planner at Abercrombie & Fitch.
At Ralph Lauren, Livingston is responsible for financial strategy and forecasting for several departments, including men's suits, sportcoats, trousers, formal outerwear, dress shirts and neckwear. She covers all labels, including Polo, Black Label, Purple Label and Made to Measure.
Alissa Livingston received her undergraduate degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering from Northwestern University. She worked in the consulting industry for several years before returning to school to receive an MBA from Columbia University, Graduate School of Business, with a concentration in Finance and Retail.