May 25, 2026 – Lake House Digital Lauren Schafer and Adapt or Thrive Thomas Douglas

May 29, 2026 – 96% AI No ROI Cheryl Einhorn and Nearshore Business Eric Tabone

Cheryl Einhorn [https://areamethod.com/] – Consultant, Academic, Journalist and Author of The Human Edge, Smarter Decisions In the Age of AI AI doesn’t care about the consequences Cheryl Strauss Einhorn [https://www.areamethod.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] is the creator of the AREA Method, a research and decision-making system designed to help individuals, companies, and nonprofits solve complex problems with greater clarity and confidence. Her framework is widely used for business strategy, organizational decision-making, leadership development, and communication, helping leaders make smarter choices in high-stakes environments. Cheryl is the founder and CEO of Decisive [https://www.areamethod.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com], a decision-sciences company that provides leadership training, executive coaching, curriculum design, and professional development services. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Cornell University and previously taught at Columbia Business School and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. An award-winning investigative journalist, Cheryl has earned recognition for her reporting on business, international politics, and economic issues. Her expertise in research and analytical thinking led her to develop the AREA Method, which combines structured inquiry with behavioral psychology to improve both personal and professional decision-making. Cheryl is the author of several acclaimed books, including Problem Solved, Investing in Financial Research, Problem Solver, and Problem Solver Profiles. Her newest book, The Human Edge: Smarter Decisions in the Age of AI, explores how human judgment and emotional intelligence remain essential in an increasingly AI-driven world. Through her writing, teaching, consulting, and widely viewed TED Talk, Cheryl continues to help leaders and organizations improve the quality of their decisions while navigating uncertainty, complexity, and rapid technological change. Eric Tabone – Founder and Managing Director of Nearshore Business Solutions [https://nearshorebusinesssolutions.com/] The more you get your hands dirty, the easier you see the problem, and you could create the solution. Eric Tabone is the Founder and Managing Director of Nearshore Business Solutions [https://nearshorebusinesssolutions.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com], a recruiting firm that helps U.S. companies build high-performing remote teams across Latin America. Over the last 16 years, Eric has lived and worked throughout the region, helping growth-stage and mid-market businesses hire vetted professionals in countries including Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Costa Rica. Originally from the United States, Eric moved to Bogota with limited resources and no Spanish, expecting only a short stay. Instead, the experience became the foundation for a career spent building companies, leading cross-border teams, and helping U.S. businesses navigate international hiring and remote operations. Since then, he has supported more than 200 successful hires while developing a practical understanding of both Latin American business culture and the operational demands of U.S. companies. Through Nearshore Business Solutions, Eric and his team combine AI-powered sourcing with in-country recruiting expertise to help companies identify, vet, and onboard top talent in under 30 days. His leadership philosophy is shaped by firsthand experience adapting to unfamiliar environments, building businesses across cultures, and learning how to lead effectively through uncertainty and rapid growth. Outside of work, Eric is a father of two daughters, an avid traveler who has visited more than 30 countries, a foodie, amateur sommelier, and dedicated runner. Ironically, the only class he ever failed in school was Spanish, a language he now uses every day.

May 27, 2026 – People-Friendly Tech Erin Rollenhagen, Summer Struggle Jodi Grant & Gigi Anton and Comcast Bret Perkins

Erin Rollenhagen – Founder and CEO of People-Friendly Tech [https://peoplefriendlytech.com/] No one’s looking to download a new app, so you have to stake your claim to why this is worth space on someone’s home screen Erin Rollenhagen is the Founder and CEO of People-Friendly Tech and the author of Love at First Launch: A visionary’s guide to bringing extraordinary tech to life. With nearly two decades of experience guiding visionary executives, Erin has led over 200 successful technology launches spanning startups, healthcare, finance, and other highly regulated industries. Her work has been featured in TechCrunch and Axios, earned national awards, and positioned her as a trusted partner for leaders determined to build more than just functional products. Erin’s approach centers on preserving the magic of the original vision, balancing compliance with creativity, and designing experiences that spark deep emotional connection. Whether working with C-suite innovators or fast-growth entrepreneurs, Erin helps transform bold ideas into platforms that delight users, reshape businesses, and redefine industries. Jodi Grant – Executive Director at Afterschool Alliance & Gigi Antoni – Vice President, Youth Development, at The Wallace Foundation When their parents are working, they are going to be learning. The question is just what are they learning, and where are they doing it? Jodi Grant has spent two decades making afterschool and summer learning a national priority. As Executive Director of the Afterschool Alliance, she has secured billions in federal and state investments, built a network of nearly 30,000 partners, and positioned afterschool and summer learning programs as essential supports for children, families, and communities. Gigi Antoni leads The Wallace Foundation team responsible for its work on summer learning and after-school system building. Before joining Wallace, Antoni served as president and CEO of Big Thought, a nonprofit that today serves 130,000 of Dallas’s most marginalized young people with school and community-based programming during the school day, after school, and over the summer. Bret Perkins – Senior Vice President of Community Growth and Economic Development at Comcast Every entrepreneur that takes that step makes a statement about taking a risk on themselves. Bret Perkins serves as Senior Vice President of Community Growth and Economic Development. He shapes and advances Comcast’s economic development efforts in partnership with government and business organizations to support investment, drive business growth, and strengthen regional economies. Bret joined Comcast in 2001 and most recently was Senior Vice President of External and Government Affairs, guiding the company’s growth from 2,500 to serving more than 6,000 communities. He helped create Internet Essentials, which has become the nation’s largest and most comprehensive internet adoption program for low-income Americans.

May 26, 2026 – Lean Startup Eric Ries and Stanford Basketball Coach Eric Reveno

Eric Ries [https://www.ericriesshow.com/] – Author of Incorruptible: Why Good Companies Go Bad… and How Great Companies Stay Great [https://www.amazon.com/Incorruptible-Shape-Companies-That-Stand/dp/B0FWZZBPZB] An organization that cannot be trusted cannot accumulate the most underrated asset in the world today, which is trustworthiness Eric Ries is an entrepreneur, author, and creator of the Lean Startup movement, whose work has transformed how modern companies approach innovation, growth, and long term sustainability. Over the last two decades, his ideas on continuous innovation, adaptive management, governance, and long term thinking have influenced startups, Fortune 500 companies, investors, and public institutions around the world. He is the New York Times bestselling author of The Lean Startup, The Startup Way, and The Leader’s Guide, books that have become foundational texts for entrepreneurs and executives seeking to build resilient, innovative organizations. Beyond his writing, Ries has founded and helped lead several influential companies and initiatives, including IMVU, where the principles that became the Lean Startup methodology were first developed; the Lean Startup Company; Virgil, a legal services startup; Answer.AI, an artificial intelligence research and development lab; and the Long Term Stock Exchange, an effort to align capital markets with long term value creation. He has also served as an entrepreneur in residence at Harvard Business School and IDEO, advising leaders on innovation, organizational transformation, and sustainable growth. Ries is also the host of The Eric Ries Show, where he interviews world class founders, technologists, executives, and thinkers about the future of business, technology, and society. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and three children. His latest book, Incorruptible, explores why successful companies lose their way and how organizations can protect themselves from corruption, short term incentives, and institutional decay. Drawing on decades of experience working with founders, CEOs, investors, and policymakers, the book presents a framework for building companies that prosper financially while remaining aligned with human values, trust, and long term societal benefit. Eric Reveno – James C. Gaither Associate Head Coach and General Manager for Stanford Men’s Basketball The one thing that’s common about them is their values are pretty squared away. Eric Reveno is the James C. Gaither Associate Head Coach and General Manager for Stanford Men’s Basketball, bringing more than 28 years of Division I coaching experience and a reputation for transforming teams from the inside out. A former head coach at the University of Portland and a key leader at Stanford, Georgia Tech, and Oregon State, Reveno has built his career on one core belief: great leaders emerge from great teammates. Reveno’s framework flips the traditional leadership narrative. Instead of focusing on titles or hierarchy, he teaches individuals how to elevate the people around them — showing up with energy, building strong relationships, owning their influence, and staying relentlessly mission‑focused. His approach has shaped championship‑caliber cultures and offers a powerful blueprint for organizations navigating today’s collaborative, fast‑changing workplace. Whether speaking to executives, HR leaders, or managers, Reveno brings an “inside‑the‑huddle” perspective on what truly drives performance: trust, accountability, shared purpose, and the everyday behaviors that turn talented individuals into exceptional teams.

May 25, 2026 – Lake House Digital Lauren Schafer and Adapt or Thrive Thomas Douglas

Lauren Schafer – Founder of Lake House Digital Media [https://thelakehousedigital.com/] They remember how your story made them feel. Lauren Schafer is the founder of Lake House Digital Media, a boutique marketing agency that helps companies strengthen their digital presence through strategic SEO, content marketing, and thought leadership. She works with businesses across the United States, with a particular focus on life sciences, healthcare, startups, and highly specialized industries where trust and credibility are essential. Known for her hands on and relationship driven approach, Lauren helps brands improve visibility, generate qualified leads, and position executives as industry authorities. In addition to leading client strategy, Lauren is recognized for helping leadership teams maximize their presence on LinkedIn through profile optimization, executive branding, and practical training that drives authentic engagement. Through Lake House Digital Media, she partners with organizations ranging from early stage startups to established mid sized companies, creating marketing strategies designed to support long term growth and meaningful industry influence. Thomas Douglas – Chief Executive Officer of JMARK [https://www.jmark.com/] and The Author of Adapt or Die [https://www.adaptordie.com/] AI is more deceptive than a lot of other technologies, because it seems very simple. Thomas H. Douglas is the Chief Executive Officer of JMARK, an award-winning innovative IT solutions provider for organizations of all sizes. Thomas has led his company to 9 consecutive appearances on the Inc. 5000, something only 1% of CEOs who make the list ever achieve. He became a part of JMARK designing, building, and maintaining its functional aspects as an entry-level engineer before purchasing the company in 2001. As JMARK’s CEO, he formulated processes that provided repeatable outcomes and a predictable revenue stream that placed JMARK on a growth trajectory that up to this day, is revolutionizing the region’s engagement with technology. JMARK has been providing I.T. support services in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas for 30 Years; catering to various industries such as banking, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, transportation, accounting, legal, and oil, and gas. Thomas has seen it all as a father, veteran, business leader, and technologist. He visited 18 countries when he served in the US Navy and is also publishing a book entitled Adapt or Die, which explores Thomas’ algorithm of success. The algorithm is built on more than 30 years of lessons and business acumen that Tom has acquired through his tenure as CEO. He has now compiled his wisdom in order to provide the next generation of business leaders a launch pad to help them understand and determine product innovation, business strategy, growth, sales and marketing models, organizational strengths, operations, and processes. With his vast experience, Thomas is also a trusted technology adviser to international clients. He is an innovator in managed services and an engaging speaker on various topics like Executive Strategies, Entrepreneur Tactics, Technology Trends, IT Maturity Methodologies, Cybersecurity, and all Leadership and Technology related subjects.

May 22, 2026 – The Alloy Market Brandon Aversano and Legal Rights Cindy Cohn

Brandon Aversano – Founder of Alloy Market [https://thealloymarket.com/] In some of the darkest times come the brightest moments. Brandon Aversano is the founder of Alloy Market, a Newtown, Pennsylvania-based fintech startup launched in 2023 to bring more transparency, trust, and simplicity to the gold and fine jewelry resale market. Alloy Market buys gold jewelry and other precious metals directly from consumers online, offering a tech-enabled alternative to the traditional “Cash for Gold” or pawn shop experience. The idea came from a deeply personal moment. While undergoing cancer treatment at age 30, Aversano brought jewelry he had inherited from his grandmother to Philadelphia’s historic Jeweler’s Row, hoping to sell it to help cover mounting medical bills. Instead, he had what he described as “an absolutely horrific experience,” marked by lowball offers and little clarity into how prices were being set. That experience became the foundation for Alloy Market. The company’s model gives customers a free evaluation kit, insured shipping, and an offer based on weight, gold content, and current market prices. Alloy uses X-ray fluorescence technology, certified scales, and real-time pricing data to analyze each item and provide a more transparent process. Now, Alloy Market has launched a new model where sellers get paid upfront and also keep a share of the resale upside, something rarely seen in this category. The goal is to give consumers immediate liquidity while allowing them to participate in the additional value their jewelry may create on the resale market. The timing is significant. Resale prices for fine jewelry are reportedly up about 17% year over year, with high-value pieces seeing roughly 22% growth on resale platforms. Gold has surged more than 200% since 2020, and demand is especially strong for high-purity gold pieces and everyday “wearable assets,” rather than only ultra-luxury jewelry. Mid-tier jewelry in the $500 to $2,000 range is now driving much of the resale volume, while pieces with intrinsic material value, including gold, pearls, and certified stones, are outperforming trend-based jewelry. Before founding Alloy Market, Aversano worked in management consulting, strategy at JetBlue, and financial services at JPMorgan Chase, where he oversaw a major co-branded credit card portfolio, including the Amazon Prime card. Since launching, Alloy has raised approximately $3 million from partners including 11 Tribes, Hustle Fund, and Ben Franklin Technology Partners. At its core, Alloy Market is built around a simple idea: customers deserve honesty, transparency, and respect when selling valuable personal items. As Aversano puts it, “We just try to be as honest and transparent as possible. I think that goes a really, really long way with customers.” Brandon can speak to why more consumers are liquidating jewelry right now, what is happening in the gold and estate resale market, the shift from pawn shops to digital resale platforms, and why more people are moving from “buy and keep forever” to “buy, wear, and eventually liquidate.” Alloy Market [https://dotellpublicity-com.rmailroute.net/x/d?c=50922690&l=ae5b84dc-ad1c-451e-89b4-2fcefcaa75d2&r=60a62eab-7d76-4320-b337-61a501a730da], just launched a model where sellers get paid upfront and keep a share of the resale upside, something we haven’t seen before in this category. Cindy Cohn – Executive Director of Electronic Frontier Foundation [https://www.eff.org/] The AI doesn’t know when it’s lying to you and when it’s not. Cindy Cohn is the Executive Director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. From 2000-2015 she served as EFF’s Legal Director as well as its General Counsel.  Ms. Cohn first became involved with EFF in 1993, when EFF asked her to serve as the outside lead attorney in Bernstein v. Dept. of Justice, the successful First Amendment challenge to the U.S. export restrictions on cryptography. Ms. Cohn has been named to TheNonProfitTimes 2020 Power & Influence TOP 50 list, honoring 2020’s movers and shakers.  In 2018, Forbes included Ms. Cohn as one of America’s Top 50 Women in Tech. The National Law Journal named Ms. Cohn one of 100 most influential lawyers in America in 2013, noting: “[I]f Big Brother is watching, he better look out for Cindy Cohn.” She was also named in 2006 for “rushing to the barricades wherever freedom and civil liberties are at stake online.”  In 2007 the National Law Journal named her one of the 50 most influential women lawyers in America. In 2010 the Intellectual Property Section of the State Bar of California awarded her its Intellectual Property Vanguard Award and in 2012 the Northern California Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists awarded her the James Madison Freedom of Information Award. Ms. Cohn is the author of the professional memoir, called Privacy’s Defender published by MIT Press in March, 2026. As part of promoting the book, she appeared on The Daily.