July 10, 2026 – The Mission Generation Arun Gupta and Faceplant Melisa Buie

July 10, 2026 – The Mission Generation Arun Gupta and Faceplant Melisa Buie

Arun Gupta – CEO of NobleReach Foundation and Co-Author of The Mission Generation: Reclaim Your Purpose, Rewrite Success, Rebuild Our Future [https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Generation-Rewrite-Success-Reclaim/dp/139440817X] People feel comfortable when they stay in their lanes of expertise, because there’s a safety in that, and there’s a security in that. The problem with that, though, is that there’s not a growth that comes with that Arun Gupta is the CEO of the NobleReach Foundation, venture capitalist, educator, and bestselling author of The Mission Generation: Reclaim Your Purpose, Rewrite Success, Rebuild Our Future. He is also the co-author of the national bestseller Venture Meets Mission and is widely recognized for his work at the intersection of entrepreneurship, technology, public service, and workforce development. For more than two decades, Arun built a distinguished career in venture capital, including 18 years as a partner at Columbia Capital, where he led investments in cybersecurity, national security technologies, artificial intelligence, government technology, SaaS, and cloud infrastructure. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with entrepreneurs and innovators developing solutions to some of society’s most important challenges while helping scale companies that drive both economic and social impact. Today, Arun leads the NobleReach Foundation, an organization dedicated to inspiring and recruiting the next generation of talent into public service and mission-driven careers. Through NobleReach, he works to connect highly skilled young professionals with opportunities to address critical national challenges, bringing entrepreneurial thinking and innovation into government and public sector institutions. In addition to his leadership and investing work, Arun teaches entrepreneurship and innovation at Stanford University and Georgetown University, where he has received multiple faculty teaching awards. His writing and speaking focus on the changing nature of work, the growing importance of purpose-driven careers, the impact of artificial intelligence on the workforce, and how emerging generations are redefining success beyond traditional measures of wealth and status. Arun earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from Stanford University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Through his work as an investor, educator, author, and nonprofit leader, he continues to advocate for a future where entrepreneurship, innovation, and public service work together to create meaningful opportunities and lasting impact. Melisa Buie [https://melisabuie.com/] – Author of Faceplant: FREE yourself from failure’s funk [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1788607945?tag=bk00010a-20&geniuslink=true] We want people to be, you know, playing actively on the field and engaged in life, not sitting in the bleachers, just watching other people from the stands Dr. Melisa Buie is an engineer, operations executive, author, and problem solving strategist with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations build stronger cultures of innovation, resilience, and continuous improvement. Throughout her career, she has led global transformation initiatives in engineering, manufacturing, and operational excellence for industry leaders including Coherent, Lam Research, Applied Materials, Advanced Energy, and Neptune Technology Group. Her expertise spans strategic planning, lean manufacturing, business transformation, and organizational leadership, with a passion for helping teams solve complex problems through experimentation and continuous learning. Raised on a farm in Alabama, Melisa developed a practical, resourceful approach to problem solving that has shaped her entire career. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Troy University, a master’s degree in physics from Auburn University, and a PhD in Nuclear Engineering and Plasma Physics from the University of Michigan. She also holds multiple patents, has published more than 40 technical papers, and spent nearly a decade teaching graduate engineering courses at San Jose State University. Melisa is the author of Problem Solving for New Engineers and Faceplant: FREE Yourself from Failure’s Funk, where she shares practical frameworks for overcoming setbacks, embracing experimentation, and building the courage to grow through failure. Through her books, workshops, and speaking engagements, she helps leaders and organizations replace fear of failure with curiosity, resilience, and a culture where innovation can thrive.

July 9, 2026 – Future Voices Collective Geoff Curtis and Tax Alpha Solutions Matthew Chancey

Geoff Curtis – Co-Founder of of The Future Voices Collective [https://www.futurevoicescollective.org/] and Author of Embracing Your Own Purgatory [https://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Your-Purgatory-Geoff-Curtis/dp/B0GVTY5KS5/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ZAQBX4KMAMXA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.PRnJ-SYYrdL0yOZEq6qWNEqcABz_hSv6Bkyj8q271Vumic5IB3AWK6Qgmb2nxC7O.6qTKlqF7HMRcDJxXjKwAw_JXmnyyMj2GCEDhvXNZLYo&dib_tag=se&keywords=embracing+your+own+purgatory&qid=1782720185&sprefix=Embracing+Your+Own+Purgatory%2Caps%2C352&sr=8-1] You have to ask yourself who you are without the job. Geoff Curtis is the co-founder of The Future Voices Collective, a communications strategist, executive advisor, and author of Embracing Your Own Purgatory. With nearly three decades of experience in healthcare, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical communications, Geoff has helped global organizations navigate complex business challenges, strengthen executive leadership, and build impactful corporate communications strategies. Throughout his career, Geoff has held senior leadership positions on both the corporate and agency sides of the communications industry, including serving as Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Chief Communications Officer at Horizon Therapeutics. His experience also includes leadership roles with Abbott Laboratories, Edelman, GCI, W2O Group, and other leading organizations, where he advised executive teams on strategic communications, media relations, executive visibility, crisis management, and organizational effectiveness. After a corporate acquisition unexpectedly eliminated his executive role, Geoff embarked on a deeply personal journey of rediscovery that inspired his book, Embracing Your Own Purgatory. Drawing from that experience, he now helps professionals navigate career transitions, redefine purpose, and embrace change as an opportunity for growth rather than a setback. Geoff serves on several nonprofit and corporate boards and was a member of the inaugural Leadership and Society Initiative fellowship at the University of Chicago. A first generation college graduate, he earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Lake Forest College and a master’s degree in Public Relations and Advertising from DePaul University. Through his writing, speaking, and advisory work, Geoff combines decades of executive leadership with an authentic perspective on resilience, purpose, and building a meaningful career. Matthew Chancey [https://matthewchancey.com/] – Founder of Tax Alpha Companies [https://taxalphacompanies.com/] and Author of Tax Alpha Solutions: Effective Tax Management Strategies for High-Net-Worth Investors [https://www.amazon.com/Tax-Alpha-Solutions-Management-High-Net-Worth/dp/B0CYSJDYJJ] One of the biggest mistakes that most investors make is not knowing the difference between what’s an investment and what’s a speculation Matthew Chancey is a Certified Financial Planner™, tax strategist, and founder of Tax Alpha Companies, where he helps high net worth individuals, business owners, and investors legally reduce, defer, and eliminate taxes through sophisticated planning strategies. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience in financial planning, investment management, and tax strategy, Matthew is dedicated to helping clients keep more of what they earn while building long term wealth. Matthew’s expertise was shaped by years working in construction and real estate, where he discovered that taxes influence nearly every major financial decision, from property development and business ownership to investment sales and estate planning. That experience led him to specialize in advanced tax planning, helping clients navigate complex issues involving capital gains, business sales, real estate transactions, retirement planning, trusts, tax credits, and wealth preservation. In addition to providing comprehensive financial planning and investment management, Matthew regularly teaches continuing education programs for CPAs, attorneys, commercial real estate professionals, and mergers and acquisitions advisors. He is recognized for translating complex tax laws into practical strategies that create meaningful financial outcomes for his clients. Matthew is the author of Tax Alpha Solutions: Effective Tax Management Strategies for High Net Worth Investors, where he shares proven approaches for reducing tax burdens while strengthening long term financial security. His expertise has been featured by The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox News, and he is a sought after speaker for conferences, educational workshops, and industry events. Based in Tampa, Florida, Matthew works with clients throughout the United States and around the world, helping investors and entrepreneurs make smarter financial decisions through proactive tax planning.

July 8, 2026 – Ultimate Investor David Leiter and AI Automation Becky Beach

David Leiter – Founder of The Ultimate Investor [https://www.theultimateinvestor.com/] and Author of Stop Making Stupid Investments: 7 Rules to Avoid the Hype and Build Real Wealth [https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Making-Stupid-Investments-Wealth/dp/1394377657/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9ISO3ES94WW3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6ohtz0vWRzW4RZ8QXBFB39Q2-Fx7jnzCFKxK0zYE2xl7PORagr3Dyn70SITh9QQo6DwzJmxrO4ppWg7IDKKTZAZ3-q_mrOOCxCGvFtcPcY65JNPOWQLr9EPo8bTrSgdPNBuvcPtrisSTURAz93cvoNqY_a8C_egkVspucbbXb1v5zZhDs9HVs5RbHGXJ06nAoE005HCVSuIHtbDI1myz3ILGwlSavxDg7QZpXz07GJr0Gd1oOd-KwmUN5ZDmqvdLgGroq7Ot2xGB5SFf0cQ8WuSR4cEqSOMcfZmmTe99raY.kFssXv1u0B5X1mEPziV5r_yfqMrO0nM90sXPKcAjc6E&dib_tag=se&keywords=Stop+making+stupid&qid=1782719428&sprefix=stop+making+stupid+%2Caps%2C392&sr=8-1] Emotions are the enemy of investing. David Leiter is a veteran investor, educator, and founder of The Ultimate Investor, where he teaches individuals how to build lasting wealth through disciplined, value based investing. With more than 30 years of experience investing in stocks and multifamily real estate, David focuses on helping everyday investors avoid costly mistakes by applying the timeless principles of Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger. David began his career on Wall Street, working at Credit Suisse First Boston and Schonfeld Securities before building and operating a successful New York City property management company. After selling the business in 2020 to the nation’s largest privately held property management company, he turned his attention to investor education, inspired by watching friends and colleagues lose money chasing speculative investments and market hype. His practical approach to investing gained national attention after he published his widely shared essay on avoiding poor investment decisions. That work led to invitations to speak at Tony Robbins’ Platinum Finance and Wealth Mastery events, where he has shared the stage with renowned financial leaders including Ray Dalio, Jamie Dimon, Paul Tudor Jones, and Jeffrey Gundlach. David is the author of Stop Making Stupid Investments: 7 Rules to Avoid the Hype and Build Real Wealth, where he provides a straightforward framework for identifying sound investments, avoiding common financial traps, and building wealth with confidence over the long term. Through The Ultimate Investor, his speaking engagements, online courses, and educational programs, David continues his mission of helping investors become more knowledgeable, disciplined, and financially independent. Becky Beach – Digital Business Scaling Coach & CEO of Becky Beach Coaching [https://coachbeckybeach.com/] I regularly put out content, I don’t even care if I get very little likes or views. I know the AI is going to find it, and it’s hungry for new content. Becky Beach is a digital business scaling coach, entrepreneur, and CEO of Becky Beach Coaching, where she helps aspiring and established entrepreneurs create, market, and scale profitable digital product businesses. As a million dollar digital product seller, Becky has built a successful online business by transforming ideas into income and teaching others how to do the same. Through her coaching programs, courses, and educational content, Becky provides practical strategies for creating digital products, building audiences, and generating consistent revenue without relying on expensive advertising or spending countless hours on social media. Her step by step approach has helped countless business owners turn their expertise and ideas into successful online businesses. Becky has been featured in publications including Forbes and Business Insider for her expertise in digital entrepreneurship and online business growth. She is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs to achieve greater financial freedom by building scalable businesses that align with their lifestyles and goals. As a speaker, coach, and business mentor, Becky combines real world experience with actionable guidance to help entrepreneurs navigate the rapidly evolving digital marketplace. Based in the Dallas, Texas area, she enjoys life with her husband, son, and their three beloved dogs while continuing to inspire others to transform their digital ideas into thriving businesses.

July 7, 2026 – Media Ad Wholesalers Skip Wilson and Leader With A Heart Lorenzo Payman

Skip Wilson – CEO of DRAFT Media Partners [https://www.draftadvertising.com/] The biggest game changer was just listening to the market. Skip Wilson is the founder and CEO of DRAFT Media Partners, an advertising infrastructure company that helps agencies and brands execute scalable paid media strategies with greater speed, efficiency, and measurable results. With a career that spans digital media, advertising technology, and entrepreneurship, Skip has become a respected voice in modern marketing and media operations. His journey in advertising began at the age of 16 when he started writing copy to impress a girl who would later become his wife. That early passion for storytelling led him into web design, entrepreneurship, and digital media while still in college. He later joined CNN’s iReport team, where he helped develop emerging digital platforms before moving to Clear Channel, where he played a key role in building the company’s digital division. During his more than a decade with iHeartMedia, Skip served as Vice President of Digital Media, helping launch and grow what would become iHeartRadio and the iHeart Podcast Network. His experience in building large-scale media platforms and managing digital growth ultimately inspired him to launch DRAFT Media Partners, which now supports agencies and brands across multiple locations with advertising technology, media execution, and operational systems. In addition to his work as an entrepreneur, Skip is a bestselling author, investor, and host of The Advertising Podcast, where he shares practical insights on marketing, business growth, and the future of media. His company has received national recognition for innovation in marketing technology, earning honors for its software development and advertising solutions. Based in Greenville, South Carolina, Skip continues to help marketers, agencies, and business leaders build scalable systems that create meaningful results, combining decades of digital media experience with a passion for innovation, storytelling, and entrepreneurial growth.   Lorenzo Payman – Founder & Host Of Leader With A Heart Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@leaderswithaheart1/videos], Keynote TEDX Speaker and Author of Leaders With A Heart (Volumes 1&2) Business is not the numbers game. Sure, numbers matter, but ultimately it’s a relationship nurturing process. We do business with people who we like, respect and trust. Lorenzo Payman is a TEDx speaker, four-time #1 international bestselling author, podcast host, and entrepreneur who helps business owners become the obvious authority in their industries. As the founder of the Profitable Podcast and YouTube Academy and the creator of the Undeniability Authority Method™, he teaches entrepreneurs, coaches, authors, and experts how to use strategic conversations, positioning, and relationship building to attract high-value clients without relying on large audiences or viral content. After rebuilding his life from rock bottom, Payman transformed his experiences into a mission to help others create meaningful impact and sustainable business growth. He is the host of the Leaders With A Heart podcast, where he has conducted more than 420 interviews with entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and changemakers from around the world. Payman is also the author of the Leaders With A Heart book series and a sought-after speaker who shares practical insights on authority building, influence, podcasting, and entrepreneurship. His approach emphasizes the power of authentic relationships, meaningful conversations, and getting into the right rooms to create opportunities that lead to long-term success. Through his coaching, speaking, and media platforms, Payman continues to help entrepreneurs position themselves as trusted experts, build stronger businesses, and create a lasting impact through leadership and service.

July 6, 2026 – Third Federal Bank IPO CEO Marc Stefanski and 6 Exits Mike Grossman

Marc Stefanski [https://www.thirdfederal.com/our-advantage/messages-from-marc]  – CEO & President of Third Federal and Author of People First: The Third Federal Way [http://amazon.com/Third-Federal-Way-Strong-Businesses/dp/B0BGN8Y12W/ref=sr_1_1?crid=D5D8WWR9VR07&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.sVc_5ZZKhF75FrakeyzDCreX0RveRFls14mAp] They’re are going to copy what you do more than what you say Marc A. Stefanski is the Chairman, President, and CEO of Third Federal Savings and Loan, one of the nation’s leading mortgage lenders and savings institutions. Since becoming CEO in 1987, he has guided the family-founded company through decades of growth while maintaining a strong commitment to customer service, employee engagement, and long-term financial stability. Founded by his parents, Ben and Gerome Stefanski, in Cleveland’s Slavic Village neighborhood in 1938, Third Federal has grown under Marc’s leadership into one of Ohio’s leading home mortgage lenders while expanding its presence in Florida and other markets. He has overseen the company’s modernization, including the adoption of online mortgage lending, which has become one of the company’s largest sources of loan applications. Marc is widely recognized for building a corporate culture centered on people first. His leadership philosophy emphasizes genuine care, trust, respect, excellence, and creating a workplace where associates and customers are valued equally. These principles have helped Third Federal earn a reputation for integrity, outstanding service, and strong employee loyalty. He is the author of People First: The Third Federal Way, which shares the leadership principles and values that have guided the company’s success for more than three decades. Through his work, Marc continues to demonstrate that organizations can achieve exceptional financial performance while placing people, culture, and service at the center of their business strategy Mike Grossman [https://www.failureisanoption.com/about] – Former CEO of Inflection [https://www.inflection.com/] and Author of Failure Is An Option: Reflections of a Silicon Valley CEO [https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1646872460] I think it’s actually a mistake to assume that if you work really hard and you do a really good job, the outcome is going to be good. It’s much less predictable than that in real life. Mike Grossman is a veteran Silicon Valley executive, entrepreneur, and author who has spent more than three decades leading venture backed technology companies through the challenges of startup growth, fundraising, leadership, and acquisition. Over the course of his career, he has served as CEO of six early stage technology companies, all of which were ultimately acquired, giving him a rare perspective on both the opportunities and realities of entrepreneurial leadership. Throughout his career, Mike has guided companies through periods of rapid growth, strategic change, and market uncertainty while navigating the difficult decisions that accompany startup leadership. His experience has taught him that success in entrepreneurship often depends not only on strategy and execution, but also on timing, resilience, and the ability to manage the emotional and ethical complexities that come with leading a company. Mike is the author of Failure Is An Option: Reflections of a Silicon Valley CEO, a unique collection of forty four candid and insightful stories drawn from his experiences as a startup CEO. Rather than offering a traditional business memoir or a step by step guide to success, the book provides an honest look at what it truly feels like to run an entrepreneurial company, exploring the loneliness of leadership, the pressure of difficult decisions, and the delicate balance between mission, money, and meaning. Today, Mike shares the lessons learned from decades in Silicon Valley, offering entrepreneurs and business leaders a realistic perspective on startup life and reminding founders that uncertainty, setbacks, and even failure are often essential parts of the entrepreneurial journey.