Joe Costello

CEO

Onstage Entertainment Group

I spent much of my youth wanting to be a professional drummer. I dreamed of touring the world with the likes of The Rolling Stones but there was always something else that nagged at me, that I believe kept me from really pushing for "life on the road".

It didn’t take long after graduating college and taking on a few jobs to realize that I was an entrepreneur and I would never be satisfied working for someone else. You could call me a serial entrepreneur as I have launched a variety of successful companies over the years. While I did eventually become a professional musician, it wasn’t touring the world and it wasn’t as the drummer for The Stones, but it did in fact lead to yet another successful endeavor, the owner of a management/booking agency.

I consider myself a student. I study success; voraciously seeking nuggets from my many mentors, (both famous and not), who share what they have learned throughout their journeys to greatness. I have used some of those takeaways in building my own formula for prosperous businesses over the past two decades.

Edward Dawson-Taylor

Technical Art Supervisor

Arrival/ JHI

Edward is a Senior CG artist in movies, autonomous transport, TV, commercials and live events, having worked for ILM, Disney and Digital Domain on Blockbusters like Jurassic World, The Lion King and Jungle Book. Co-founder of successful world touring group The Sancho Plan, and Edge Visual Studios. Now works with Arrival a new $3bn electric vehicle company. Edward loves to use cutting edge technology to create engaging and inspiring experiences, as well as beautiful world class imagery, and teach the next generation of artists and innovators in the industry.

Melanie Greene

Personal Manager/ Producer

Affirmative Entertainment

For the past 40 years, Melanie Greene has been a force in the entertainment industry on both sides of the Atlantic. In the U.K., Melanie spent six years in the music industry working with Adam Faith while he managed Leo Sayer. A move to Los Angeles in 1983 landed her an assistant position with director Rob Cohen, followed by a development position at Taft-Barish working with producer, Keith Barish (Sophie’s Choice). The opportunity to work with Oscar-winning producer, Julia Phillips (The Sting, Close Encounters, Taxi Driver) preceded Melanie’s decision to become a personal manager and, ultimately, a television, stage, and feature film producer. Melanie was reunited with Adam Faith when she produced the UK/LA Festival’s award-winning production of Alfie, which ran at the Tiffany Theatre on the Sunset strip. After signing David Cassidy, Melanie co-executive produced the half-hour comedy series, Ask Harriet, for Columbia/Tri-Star Studios and the Fox Network. In February 2007 Melanie formed Affirmative Entertainment, under which she manages Paul Bettany, Millie Bobby Brown Rafi Gavron, Ed Westwick, Harry Shearer, Alysia Reiner, Tom Wisdom, Madeline Zima, Eliza Bennett, Elliot Knight, Robbie Kay, amongst others. In 2007 Melanie co-executive produced Californication for Showtime starring her then client of 27 years, David Duchovny. The award winning show ran for 7 years. Melanie’s other credits include co-producing Playing God, starring Angelina Jolie, David Duchovny, and Timothy Hutton. Melanie also produced After The Rain starring Paul Bettany (Avengers) in South Africa. Melanie Executive produced Return To Me, starring Minnie Driver and David Duchovny for MGM. Next she produced House of D, written and directed by David Duchovny, starring Anton Yelchin, Robin Williams, Tea Leoni and David Duchovny. In 2015 Melanie executive produced the film Shelter, written and directed by Paul Bettany. The film stars Jennifer Connelly and Anthony Mackie. Melanie then executive produced two seasons of Aquarius for NBC/ITV Tomorrow Studios starring David Duchovny. Melanie is currently shooting a six part series for TLC called 'The Healer" starring her client Charlie Goldsmith. The studio is Bunim Murray. Melanie resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Peter Morris, and their son, Mackenzie.

Jeffrey Glover, Esq

WaveCrest Law & Consultancy

Jeffrey is a Senior Advisor and expert Entertainment & Tech Attorney, proficient in all global Entertainment, Technology, IP & New Media related matters. With clients such as Columbia Pictures, Intel and Hyperloop TT. Jeffrey is an active member of the California Bar Association, Cambridge University Alumni Association, and the Hughes Hall Graduate Law Society. Specialties: Film, TV & Video Game development, production, acquisition & distribution agreements, Cloud Computing (SaaS, Privacy, Data Security, etc.), Intellectual Property matters, and Technology, Blockchain, Apps, and cutting edge Digital Platforms, Interactive and Web based launch agreements.

Cauri Jaye

CTO

Upgrade Technologies Inc.

Cauri is a technologist and futurist with over 25 years building technology for startups and fortune 100 companies. He has led on over 100 tech projects in Europe and America from gesture controlled set top boxes to a system that stood up to the most notorious corporate hack of the last decade.

Cauri is a technologist, futurist and martial artist with over 25 years building technology for startups, SMBs and fortune 100 companies. He has led on over 100 tech projects in Europe and America from gesture controlled set top boxes to a system that stood up to the most notorious corporate hack of the last decade.

He specializes in frontier tech helping companies leverage these nascent technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence and augmented/virtual reality.

He currently is founder and Chief Technology Officer for Sesh a neuroscience-based professional development platform in Los Angeles, with a mission to make the world smarter.

www.gosesh.com

Renee LaBran

Investor/ Board Director/ Advisor

RC/ Fontis

Renée LaBran is an active investor, advisor and board director, with 25+ years of operating, strategic, and financial experience. She is currently serves on several corporate boards of directors, and until December 2020, served as a Trustee of the State Bar of CA, which regulates the legal profession. In addition to her board activities, she is an angel investor and advisor to early and growth stage companies on strategic and financial issues. Ms. LaBran was a founding partner of two venture capital funds, Rustic Canyon/ Fontis Partners and Rustic Canyon Partners, where she invested in early stage technology companies and consumer goods. Currently, in addition to her board activities, she is an angel investor and advisor to early and growth stage companies on strategic and financial issues.

Prior to Rustic Canyon and RC/Fontis, Ms. LaBran held a variety of executive positions with the Los Angeles Times/Times Mirror in the areas of digital media, advertising sales, investments, and strategic planning, managing revenues in excess of $300 million and more than 200 employees. She was also a co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of CareerPath.com (now CareerBuilder), and a co-founder of Classified Ventures. Prior to Times Mirror, Ms. LaBran was a management consultant with the Monitor Company in the United States and Europe and managed its Los Angeles office.
Ms. LaBran graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of California at Berkeley, and earned an M.B.A. with honors from the Harvard Business School.

Addison Brasil

VP, Head of Brand

Tethr.men

Addison is an active and committed philanthropist and mental health advocate after losing his brother to cancer, finding his father after suicide and surviving a fatal accident that killed a dear friend, and left him unable to walk for months, all before age 30. Attributing his ability to not only survive but thrive with PTSD and compounded grief to the value of coaching and connection.  Addison takes every opportunity to urge men to invest in themselves, and their mental well being, long before a life event deems it absolutely necessary.

Prior to tethr, Addison founded and led his own conscious consulting company, AddiConnect, and has worked for and created a series of companies dedicated to creating meaningful content in a variety of mediums, including film and television. Addison also invented the S.P.E.E.D. test which provides companies and consumers transparency as it relates to sustainability, philanthropy, ethics, environment and diversity. In memory of his brother, He also co-founded the Team Brother Bear Foundation which supports families caring for children with brain tumors. In support of fostering young talent and building health mindsets he was CEO, Artistic Director and Executive Producer of the PrePro Artist Collective. d earned an M.B.A. with honors from the Harvard Business School.

Hugh John Malanaphy

Program Management

Hewlett Packard

Managing and providing large scale systems solutions (computers, software, apps, servers) for major corporations and governments. Enhancing executive relationships to collaborate, plan, structure, outlook and deliver their needed system solutions to improve clients operations, effectiveness and profitability.

Jarod Milko

Teacher/ Doctoral Student

KPDSB

Jarod is a Physical Education Specialist currently working on a Doctorate in Education Leadership with a focus on engaging disengaged students through Quality Daily Physical Education in Kindergarten through Grade 8. Jarod is also a retired Professional Mixed Martial Artist who literally and figuratively fought his way through university and won multiple championship belts in the Welterweight division. Now, Jarod is fighting to improve education in his school board and across Ontario, Canada. If you're interested in working in Education or pursuing a doctoral degree, Jarod will tell you how he does it and how the principals taught at LEAP changed his direction in life for the best.

Thomas Norman

Professor of Management

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Dr. Thomas Norman is a Professor at California State University, Dominguez Hills where he teaches management skills that help students jumpstart their careers and begin living their best lives. With an active approach to learning that focuses on each student’s unique strengths Dr. Norman helps his students embrace advances in technology using a life design approach. Leaders use his DART model to optimize the talent in their organizations. In addition to conference presentations in dozens of cities worldwide, Dr. Norman has lectured at universities in Vietnam, Ethiopia, Albania, Singapore and China. He is particularly interested working with leaders in emerging economies. His publications appear in Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution, Frontiers of Business Research in China, Journal of Human Resource Education, Journal of Education for Business and International Review of Entrepreneurship.

Neha Gupta

Neha Gupta is a teen expert who works in helping teens find their passion, achieve success academically and get into their dream school. She is a TEDx speaker, has been on Good Morning LA, NBC, CBS, and was one of the most popular speakers at 2019 LEAP! If you are a high schooler, this session is for you. Neha is the founder of College Shortcuts, a college admissions agency that has helped 95% of students get into their dream school.

Marvin Epstein

Co - Founder

Kama International

Marvin Epstein is a serial entrepreneur who has built a variety of businesses including a co-founder of Karma International- an exclusive private membership organization dedicated to connecting exceptional & inspirational entrepreneurs both socially &professionally. Previously he created I.A.T. Capital, a private enterprise working with fellow entrepreneurs and executives in a variety of business investments including sports ,entertainment, new media technology and hospitality. His most recent endeavor in 2018he launched Pure Media Studio, a unique move studio producing films and music with original music soundtracks along with leveraging a social media influencer marketing strategy and other distribution relationships and philanthropy. His distinctive methodology of relationship driven partnerships has created an efficient and effective process to provide value and rewarding opportunities for himself, his partners and clients.

He is known as a branding thought leader and his goal is to inspire fellow entrepreneurs and future leaders sharing unique and effective business strategies while raising awareness and hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities to improve the lives of others. An experienced public speaker, he believes that humility is the key characteristic to inspire great leadership and experience happiness. He has shared his philosophy and insight with audiences of college students as well entrepreneurs. From speaking on the prestigious stage at Harvard University to in 2019 doing a TEDx talk on Humility that he is now following up by releasing his book called, Humility Branding. A graduate with a degree in business administration from Long Beach State University he continues to impact the lives of college students and corporate executives while raising awareness and hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities such as LEAP Foundation to improve the lives of others

Dan Pierce and Bianca Bee

Co - Founders

Mentally Fit

Dan Pierce and Bianca Bee are the founders of Mentally Fit. Dan and Bianca started their company due to their own experiences with mental health growing up and wanting others like themselves to have more access to support, resources, and education.

Bianca grew up in the church in Florida, where she received most of her mental health support. Dan struggled with addiction and mental illness from a young age – he saw his first therapist by age 11 and started attending addiction treatment programs at age 15.

Together, the pair started Mentally Fit as part of a mission to "bridge the gap" in mental health, making it affordable, accessible, and relatable for people worldwide.

Hammad Zaidi

Founder/CEO/Entrepreneur

Lonely Seal Family of Companies

Hammad Zaidi is a creative entrepreneur who is the founder and CEO of Lonely Seal Releasing and the Lonely Seal Film Festival. Zaidi is also a partner at Industry Corporation, the developers or Designware, the world's most advanced screen management software, and he's a Co-Founder of Hourglass24, a crowdfunding-oriented sales platform which launches in the fall of 2018.

Zaidi is a member of the Producers Guild of America and the Writers Guild of America, He has written, produced and or directed several films, TV series, documentaries, and video games. Additionally, Hammad Zaidi is also a member of METal International. Hammad received his MFA from the UCLA Film School in 1994.

Leslie Gifford

President and Creative Director

360 Sweater Company

Leslie Gifford, President and Creative Director of 360Sweater Company, has been in the sweater business for the past 20 years. Leslie’s previous sweater company was sold in less than four years to a NYSE company. As President and Creative Director of 360Cashmere and NAKEDCASHMERE, Leslie’s husband Bruce proudly reports directly to Leslie along with their daughter, Alexandra Gifford Edelman, who manages the New York showroom and son, Andrew Gifford, as CMO, runs the Marketing and Digital teams. Working together as a family has been a dream come true. Leslie founded 360Sweater back in 2009 with just seven employees and a single retail contemporary knitwear brand, 360Cashmere​. Today, 360Sweater is celebrating their 10 year Anniversary and is comprised of two, multi-million dollar retail brands, 360Cashmere and ​Skull Cashmere,​ along with its newer, direct-to-consumer knitwear brand, ​NAKEDCASHMERE​. Since the inception of NAKEDCASHMERE, the brand has more than doubled in profits year after year. Along with running a successful business, Leslie is also heavily involved in giving back to many philanthropy groups and non-profit organizations. In 2016, Leslie created the signature LOVE Collection in partnership with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which is the largest cancer research organization in the world and was started by Evelyn Lauder of the Esteée Lauder Companies. To date, NAKEDCASHMERE has donated in excess of $200,000. Next September, Leslie and Bruce will be honored by the City of Hope for their support for the last 10 years. Leslie has single handedly created a company culture rooted in the concept of family, collaboration, inclusion and philanthropy. With Leslie’s incredible leadership, 360Sweater continues to be a tight-knit family with a total of 40 employees composed of 96% women and four extremely supportive men. She is notorious for going the extra mile for each and every one of her employees. Leslie is extremely passionate about nurturing her employees talents, allowing each person to tailor their position to best meet their skill sets and excel in the areas they’re most passionate about. Employee loyalty is so strong, that the majority of Leslie’s original staff members still remain happily working at 360Sweater, only now with larger titles and dedicated departments to run.

David Dorfman

Associate Actuary

Transamerica

David Dorfman graduated from UCSB with a BA, majoring in Mathematics/Economics. He then received an MS degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. David began his career at the Principal Financial Group in Des Moines, IA. While there, his main focus was in the annuity field. After eight years, David left Des Moines to work at my current employer, Transamerica. He currently prices Life Insurance, and has also spent time on the Financial Reporting side of the business. He has worked for Transamerica for almost 18 years.

Dr. Kimberly Lee

Facial Plastic Surgeon

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgery Center

Dr. Kimberly J. Lee’s surgical expertise lies in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, eyes, nose, and neck. Dr. Lee was raised in the Bay Area and graduated from Stanford University where she majored in Biological Sciences and won the prestigious Dinkelspiel Award for her "intellectual organizational and leadership skills." She then graduated from Stanford University School of Medicine before moving to Los Angeles, where she completed her residency and served as Chief Resident in Head and Neck Surgery / Facial Plastic Surgery at UCLA and completed an additional sub-specialized fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Beverly Hills. Actively engaged in clinical research, Dr. Lee participated in various research studies at Stanford and UCLA to advance and optimize patient care and management. Dr. Lee is the lead author of several published articles in peerreviewed journals and book chapters, including Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America, Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, The Laryngoscope, Master Techniques in Rhinoplasty, and Master Techniques in Blepharoplasty and Periorbital Rejuvenation. She is a frequent presenter at national conferences. She is excited to be a part of the LEAP Leadership Program and is looking forward to meeting all of you.

Monique Trinh

Senior Division Fund Analyst

David Geffen School of Medicine, Pediatrics

Monique Trinh is a first-generation college student with a B.S. in Environmental Science. She began her career as a Groundwater Analyst for Tetra Tech, an Environmental Engineering company, and pivoted into Healthcare in 2009. Since then, Monique has held roles on the clinical side (front and back office) from 2009-2012 before switching to the administration side in 2012. Her current role is Senior Division Fund Analyst for the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine in the Pediatrics Department, reporting to the Chief Financial Officer. She provides specific and general financial, accounting, and analytical assistance for various department accounts/funds while improving processes and creating financial tools for the various Pediatric administrative teams and other Campus Departments. Pediatrics consists of 19 divisions that support: a clinical mission that focuses on patient care and outreach with affiliates; an educational mission that helps to mentor and train medical students, residents, and fellows; and a research mission that focuses on finding groundbreaking tests and treatments for a multitude of Pediatric issues.

Her extracurricular activities involve serving as Co-chair of the UCLA Health InspirAsian Affinity Network, a Staff Representative for the UCLA Pediatrics JEDI Committee, and a peer mentor for the UCLA CHR Staff Enrichment Program and UCLA CHR Professional Development Program. Outside of work, she is a 2023 Master of Healthcare Administration Candidate from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and a mom to two rescues: Isis (a 15-year-old beagle mix) and Kingsley (an 8-year-old pitbull). She looks forward to meeting you virtually and answering any questions you may have.

Dr. Roger Katz

Former Clinical Professor David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA

Allergy Asthma Care Center Inc

Board Certified in Pediatrics Allergy,Asthma,Immunology. Private group specialty practice. Past president, Joint Council Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Author-coauthor of over 100 articles, chapters, monologs in medicine. Nominated as Best Doctors in America 1993-present. Recognized as a Top Doctor World wide

Gerry Riskin

Founder & Chairman

Edge International

Bio Sketch Gerry Riskin B. Com, LLB, P. Admin Lawyer, author and management consultant and founder and chairman of Edge International. Began practicing law in1973 and was Managing Partner of a law firm in Canada and Hong Kong. Books include The Successful Lawyer, Creating The Marketing Mindset, Herding Cats and beyond KNOWING. I have served hundreds of law firm clients around the globe from small boutiques to the largest law firms in the world. I am still a Canadian but have resided on the Caribbean Island of Anguilla, British West Indies for more than 25 years.

Limor Mojdehiazad

Family Law Attorney

Law Office of Limor Mojdehiazad, APC

As a Family Law Attorney Limor uses her natural ability to put her clients at ease and lend support when it’s needed most. Her tenacious personality, relentless negotiation skills, and understanding of the law help her achieve excellent results for her clients and a reputation as one of LA County's leading young attorneys. In addition to running her own private practice in Century City she volunteers at the Harriet Buhai Center for Family Law on a monthly basis to serve the indigent in need of family law services. Limor has trained with presiding family law judges and at the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University. You can connect with her on her newly launched page @lawyerlimor where she provides online mentorship to young professionals and self-help tips for self-represented litigants.

Matt Neco

In-House Counsel

Stealth & Search Mode

Matt is a business and technology lawyer, mediator, and advisor. Over the course of more than 25 years he has worked on a slew of deals, disputes, bankruptcies, and many aspects of starting, running, growing, and buying and selling businesses and assets, with a focus on tech and intellectual property, among other areas. He started his career at a mid-size law firm and before five years had passed opened his own practice. Entrepreneurial, he later co-founded a music-related tech start-up. He segued into in-house general counsel roles, primarily in new and disruptive tech, more than 15 years ago, including in decentralized P2P media distribution apps and ad tech, a UGC and publisher growth stage tech start-up acquired by Intuit, and an ad-tech company with multiple consumer apps (including P2P) also acquired by a public company. He is involved in blockchain, NFTs, and De-Fi. Matt has been product counsel for many apps, SaaS, and web and mobile sites and platforms, including compliance with HIPPA, DMCA, CDA 230, and ADA.

Matt managed high-stakes copyright litigation that went to the U.S. Supreme Court. He taught IP Licensing law at Pepperdine Law School. He has worked closely and extensively with outside counsel and effectively managed multiple millions of dollars of focused legal spend. He prepares and takes an entity smoothly through financing and M&A deals with outside and co-counsel. Matt has negotiated, drafted, reviewed, revised, and worked on successfully implementing and fulfilling countless contracts and licenses (in and out-bound), MSAs, Terms, Conditions, Privacy Policies, and internal policies, guidelines, and procedures, and as a C-Suite member works closely with other executives, boards, as well as developers (including on IP issues involving open source software) and with other teams (sales, bus dev., HR, customer satisfaction, etc.) to close business deals, and help the business excel.

Matt is strong at win-win outcomes, dispute mitigation, avoidance, and resolution counsel. He produces actionable, understandable items and measured advice, and has experience in ambassadorial reputation management, Board of Directors work, including meeting preparation, participation, counseling, and Corporate Secretary work. Matt has extensive legal strategy, tactics, and execution experience within fast-growing, disruptive, technology companies, strong business judgment, operational experience and cultural values, and partners well with all levels of management, business, and technology teams. Matt is driven to contribute to, and motivated by, outstanding leadership, products and services, and customer-oriented values and commitments to teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusion. He also focuses on wellness.

Paul Freese

President, Board of Directors

Human Trafficking Legal Network

I've been a public interest attorney for 30 years with special focus upon foster youth empowerment and homelessness prevention and empowerment. I've served on many local and national Boards, Task Forces and policy advisory committees and have extensive public speaking and career mentoring experience. I am a veteran of the US Army and a former Maryknoll Lay Missioner who conducted investigative journalism for the Catholic Church in the Philippines during the Marcos Dictatorship.

Tony Azzi

President

The Azzi Group

As the founder of The Azzi Group and Executive Managing Director Investments at Marcus & Millichap, Tony is consistently ranked as one of the top investment agents in the country because of his dedication to his clients -- ranking #1 agent nationwide in multifamily and 4th overall. Tony’s veteran insight and skills ensure that all of his clients enjoy the best possible outcomes and experience. Tony is a specialist in commercial real estate property throughout Southern California with an emphasis on multifamily and retail investments. He is a Senior Director in Marcus & Millichap’s National Multi Housing Group and a Director of both the National Retail Group and Special Assets Services groups.

Experience & Achievements: Tony Azzi brings more than 30 years of experience navigating the complexities of commercial real estate investment and is known for getting results. He has closed approximately $4.7 billion in transactions and sells properties at an average of 99% of list price. Tony joined Marcus & Millichap in September 1986 as an agent in the Encino office. In July 1992, Tony was inducted as a Senior Investment Associate and in July 2003, he was promoted to Vice President of Investments. He was elected to the prestigious designation of Senior Vice President Investments in January 2008 and became an Executive Managing Director Investments in 2016. As part of the Marcus & Millichap family, Tony is consistently a top performing broker and has been a member of the Chairman’s Club nine times, most recently in 2017. He has been awarded the National Achievement Award for 21 consecutive years and has received recognition as a top ten Investment Professional in 2009, 2014, 2015 and 2016.