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Alumni

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Bentley Alumni Conference

May 9 and 10, 2024 at Bentley University

Conference Program

The Bentley Alumni Conference includes 33 sessions, three keynote speeches and two upskilling workshops, plus receptions and industry-based networking opportunities.

Sessions focus on six key themes: business ethics; diversity, equity and inclusion; entrepreneurship; health industries; innovation; and sustainability. Follow a single theme or mix it up and take in a variety of topics — the choice is yours.

Wednesday, May 8

2:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Early Check-in
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Thursday, May 9

7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Registration and Check-in

8:00 to 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast and Networking by Industry

9:00 to 10:00 a.m.

Bentley as a Learning Hub
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Welcome and plenary session led by Bentley University Division of Strategy and Innovation

In the first session kicking off the inaugural Bentley Alumni Conference, you’ll explore how to best take advantage of these inspiring two days to learn from one another, discover new perspectives and think innovatively. You’ll also hear about ways you can continue to use Bentley as an ongoing learning resource in your career — starting with an overview of the findings from the Bentley-Gallup Business in Society Report.

10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Upskilling Workshop

Alteryx Essentials: A Beginner’s Guide to Data Transformation and Analysis
Theme: Innovation
Maithy Tremblay, CPA, CIA, Senior Lecturer in Accounting, Bentley University
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Join our Alteryx Basic Training program to kickstart your journey into the world of data transformation and analysis. This hands-on training will empower you with the fundamental skills needed to navigate Alteryx Designer. Learn how to efficiently cleanse, integrate and analyze data, automating workflows to save time and increase productivity. Our experienced faculty member will guide you through practical exercises, ensuring that you gain the confidence to leverage Alteryx for your data-driven projects.

This upskilling workshop will have a 20-person limit. Please be sure to sign up in advance if you are interested; walk-ins will not be permitted for this session.

10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Breakout Session I

The Great Wealth Transfer: Are You and Your Family Prepared?
Theme: Innovation
Brian Sullivan ’01, MSIAM ’02, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Dietz & Lynch Capital
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Over the next 20 years, a wealth transfer will occur as the baby boomer generation passes the remainder of their wealth to millennials and subsequent generations. Baby boomers (born 1946 to 1964) are considered the wealthiest generation. It is imperative that families develop a plan to transfer assets, since the transfer of wealth is inevitable. For most families, their wealth was acquired during this lifetime and not inherited from the previous generation. When starting to plan for transferring their wealth, pre-retirees should prepare for their retirement first, healthcare costs second and their remaining transferring assets last. Including qualified tax and legal professionals is essential, and preparing your heirs to take over your estate and eventually pass their remaining assets on to their own beneficiaries is equally important. This session will look at practical ways to prepare yourself and heirs through financial and philanthropic education.

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL, Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC.

Leading the State with Next-Generation Digital Services
Theme: DEI, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Sustainability
Janak Joshi, MBA ’21, Chief Digital Officer, Massachusetts State House
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Discover how Massachusetts is setting the benchmark in AI-led digital services for citizens with transparency, accessibility and security at its core — leveraging takeaways from entrepreneurship and applying them to government to serve the citizens of Massachusetts.
The Life Leadership Curve and Entrepreneurial Mindset
Theme: Entrepreneurship, Innovation
Frank Reiman ’10, Director Accelerator and Leadership Advisor, The Siegfried Group | Kristy Litchfield ’10, Director and Leadership Advisor, The Siegfried Group
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After their Bentley years and starting their careers at PwC and EY, Frank and Kristy reconnected at The Siegfried Group to help people transform themselves into better leaders and exponentially improve their lives. During a working session, we’ll walk through how we have elevated Fortune 500 CFOs and executive leaders. We’ll use those same strategies to help participants clarify, simplify, understand, commit and agree upon how to achieve their top priorities.
The Power of the First Follower
Theme: Business Ethics, DEI, Entrepreneurship
Xu Simon, MBA ’15, Chief Operating Officer, Enozo Technologies Inc.
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Entrepreneurship is not limited to those who generate novel ideas; the entrepreneurial space also embraces leaders who recognize the value of others’ ideas and can implement their transformation from concept to product. This session will highlight the value of the co-founder as the first follower in an entrepreneurial enterprise.
Unleashing the Power of Mindfulness: A Path to Entrepreneurial Success
Theme: Entrepreneurship
Alicia Ramsdell ’03, MST ’06, Founder and CEO, Mindful Career Path
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Drawing from her personal journey, Alicia will share insights on how integrating mindfulness practices can unlock innovation, resilience and purpose in your entrepreneurial endeavors. Discover the profound impact of mindfulness on decision-making, creativity and overall success, and learn practical strategies for building a purpose-driven business that combines financial growth with social impact. Through inspiring anecdotes and valuable lessons, this session will equip you with the tools and mindset to navigate challenges, overcome obstacles and cultivate a thriving entrepreneurial journey.

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

A Slam Dunk: Learning about Leadership through the Boston Celtics
Theme: Innovation
J. Andrew Shepardson, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Bentley University | Barbara Stevens, Former Women’s Basketball Head Coach, Bentley University | Jeff Twiss, Vice President for Media Services and Alumni Relations, Boston Celtics
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Over lunch, hear about an exciting update from Bentley: a multiyear partnership with the 17-time world champion Boston Celtics that will bring Bentley students opportunities for career shadowing, consulting with the esports division and more. In a fireside chat moderated by Dean Andrew Shepardson, former Bentley women’s basketball coach Barbara Stevens and Celtics executive Jeff Twiss will discuss how they build culture and develop leaders.
Bentley University - Boston Celtics

1:15 to 2:15 p.m. Breakout Session II

Bringing Your Authentic Self to Work
Theme: DEI
Ali Kane ’13, Founder and Principal, ALK Consulting | Karima Ricketts ’10, Founder, Multifaceted Enterprises
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Dominique Wilburn, director of programs and communication for the Gloria Cordes Larson Center for Women and Business, will moderate a roundtable discussion with the alumni speakers on intersectionality and bringing your authentic self to work.
Building Alumni Communities and Networking for Success
Theme: Entrepreneurship
Joshua Hollander ’96, Director, Strategic Collaboratives, Premier Inc.
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Whether you are pursuing a new job, an initial career opportunity, or establishing and growing your own business, the art of expanding your network is undeniably crucial. Traditionally, the advice is to push yourself out of your comfort zone. An alternate and equally effective approach involves seeking out individuals who can bolster your network while keeping you within your comfort zone. During this session, Joshua will delve into how this networking approach can prove highly effective for Bentley alumni, guiding you through the steps to implement this strategy within your own industry.
Harnessing Employee Ideas for Rapid Growth
Theme: Innovation
Katie Armstrong, MBA ’22, Co-founder and Consultant, ArmstrongLin Optimal Solutions
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Many companies make it a goal for management to drive the organization’s growth. This can often lead to a top-down approach to rolling out projects, which is intended to improve efficiency and drive innovation. But what if employees at the ground floor were motivated to drive growth? Flipping the pyramid on its head can be a powerful way to harness the expertise of employees who deal directly with customers, suppliers and the product itself. These employees often have a treasure trove of knowledge built from years of experience. Giving these employees a voice can result in exponential, sustainable growth.
Living Your Values: Lessons from Hard Ethical Decisions in Business
Theme: Business Ethics, DEI
Daniel Lieber ’95, MBA ’00, President, Innovative Ideas Unlimited | Matthew Mangels ’94, MST ’95, Owner, Matthew L. Mangels CPA LLC | Beth Anne Collopy, Senior System Analyst, Overture Partners LLC
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Join a conversation about living your values and how decisions are made when hard ethical questions come up. Learn about the real-world consequences of being truthful, honest and forthright, even when contracts and jobs are on the line. You’ll hear about the specific journeys the presenters have taken in their careers through contracts, whistleblowing, lawsuits, international dilemmas, personal strife and professional ethical canons. You will see the support structures that were necessary and be able to ask questions. The Bentley education provided the strength of character to know how to do the right thing.
Why I Keep Pushing: The Fresh Start Contracting Story
Theme: Entrepreneurship
Ben O’Sullivan-Pierce ’08, Owner/Founder, Fresh Start Contracting
Two friends started a painting business in college and grew it into a $16 million construction company with no plans of slowing down. This session will discuss the journey from two guys and a truck to 40 employees — and a lot of responsibility. With some help from a professor to incorporate the business, we already had a job waiting for us when we graduated in 2008. Each year we were in business was tough and full of surprises, but it was exciting, and we managed to grow every year. Right now, we do more work in one slow week than we did in a year at the start. Learning how to scale, manage employees and give great service to clients is the key to this business success.

2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Boundless: Transform Your Organization by Making Silos a Thing of the Past
Keynote Speaker: Vala Afshar, P ’25, Chief Digital Evangelist, Salesforce
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In Boundless, Vala Afshar, a digital transformation and customer success expert practitioner, will define a new mindset and business operating model that is needed to succeed in an increasingly digital-first, AI-powered, decentralized and hyper-connected knowledge-sharing world. The Boundless blueprint will reveal how to demolish organizational silos once and for all, allowing resources to flow across networks, ecosystems and communities. Afshar will explain the seven principles underlying this unique and effective Boundless paradigm: connection, integration, distribution, mobility, continuity, autonomy and shared success.

3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Breakout Session III

Building and Running a Successful Private Business
Theme: Entrepreneurship
Brian Kelleher ’14, Private Wealth Advisor, J.P. Morgan Wealth Management | Chuck Coppa ’85, CEO and CFO, American Power Group | Garren Hilow ’10, Former CEO/Owner, Abveris | Joe Shaker ’90, CEO/Co-Founder, TruVideo and Owner, Shaker Auto Group
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The entrepreneur’s journey of starting a business is difficult, but it can be even more difficult to guide the company through subsequent growth stages and step into the role of a CEO of a thriving company. Brian will draw on his experience in working with dozens of CEOs and business owners to lead a roundtable discussion of three Bentley alumni who have founded or work as CEO of successful private middle market businesses to discuss their journeys in entrepreneurship and the different stages of growing their businesses.
Healthcare Consolidation: Examining Trends and Strategies in Ownership Models
Theme: Health Industries
Joshua Hollander ’96, Director, Strategic Collaboratives, Premier Inc. | Doug Costa ’00, Operating Partner, Varsity Healthcare | Michael Flammini ’96, Chief Business Development Officer, Privia Health
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We’ll explore the transformative landscape of healthcare consolidation by dissecting two prevailing trends. The first: creating regional or national footprints through specialty-focused approaches, often led by private equity firms. The second trend: empowering provider owners to retain their practices while affiliating with a larger parent organization. Both models harness scale to negotiate favorable commercial payer reimbursement rates, optimize revenue cycle management, and provide essential back-end support. Delve into the financial and strategic considerations associated with these ownership models, understanding the impact on the healthcare ecosystem and the evolving role of private equity in reshaping medical specialties. Whether you’re a provider, administrator or industry stakeholder, this opportunity offers a unique lens into the evolving healthcare landscape, enabling you to make informed decisions in this dynamic environment.
Spark Innovation and Creativity Through Design Thinking
Theme: Entrepreneurship, Innovation
Gaurav Shah, MBA ’02, MSHFID ’12, Senior Director of Academic Technologies and User Experience, Bentley University
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Design thinking has been at the core of numerous successful products and services across various industries, and can help accelerate solutions for solving complex problems. In this session, you’ll get an overview of the five stages of the design thinking methodology and learn the techniques that enable companies and individuals to innovatively create or enhance products and services. This session will provide hands-on activities and will also include a mindful technique that helps boost creativity. Come join us if you are interested in uncovering your creative side and want to learn the techniques for idea generation and problem solving.
Women Winning in Technology Sales: Emotional Intelligence over Artificial Intelligence
Theme: DEI, Innovation
Kelly Lichtenberger ’93, Head of Worldwide Sales Development, Avanan
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In the ever-evolving landscape of technology sales, the role of women is becoming increasingly prominent. It’s not just technical knowledge and artificial intelligence that drive success — women bring a unique perspective to technology sales, focusing on the power of emotional intelligence. Join us for an enlightening presentation where we explore how to leverage emotional intelligence to build lasting relationships and close deals.

4:45 to 6:00 p.m.

Cocktail Reception
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Close out day one of the conference over hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine with alumni, faculty and staff. Talk about what you learned and what inspired you, and what you’re looking forward to in day two.

6:30 p.m.

Community Gatherings
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Don’t want the fun to end? Keep the conversation going at one of several casual meetups at some of Waltham’s best restaurants. Themes include alumni of color, cross-cultural and global business, entrepreneurship, health industries, LGBTQIA+ and women in business.

Friday, May 10

7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Registration
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8:00 to 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast and Networking by Business Topic
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9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Upskilling Workshop

Field Experiences: Using Virtual Reality to Immerse Users in Hard-to-Reach Environments
Theme: Upskilling Workshop, Innovation, Sustainability
Gaurav Shah, MBA ’02, MSHFID ’12, Senior Director of Academic Technologies and User Experience, Bentley University | Zana Cranmer, Assistant Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences, Bentley University | Jon Ericson, Associate Professor, Experience Design, Bentley University | Betsy Stoner, Assistant Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences, Bentley University | Steve Salina ’91, P ’19 ’21, Principal Instructional and Research Media Production and Infrastructure Engineer, Bentley University
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Go on a journey of two immersive experiences using the Meta virtual reality headsets that Bentley faculty use in teaching and research. In the first, coastal marine ecosystem, we’ll explore the nearshore marine ecosystems (e.g., coral reefs) that are vital for many ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, but are acutely threatened from global change. In the second experience, wind turbines, you’ll get the sense of what it feels like to stand next to a turbine, one of the fastest-growing sources of renewable energy. Building energy infrastructure of any kind typically requires public input, and virtual reality can be a way to improve communication between developers, government and stakeholders. Step into a one-of-a-kind experience that will help you understand how VR can be used to engage communities in the renewable energy project planning process.

This upskilling workshop will have a 15-person limit. Please be sure to sign up in advance if you are interested; walk-ins will not be permitted for this session.

9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Breakout Session IV

Building Companies that Do Good — When Revenue Is Not the Only Motivation
Theme: Business Ethics, Entrepreneurship
Guillermo Fernandes ’13, CEO, Blockpliance
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Shareholder return and value maximization are generally seen through the eyes of pure monetary value. A Bentley education provides entrepreneurs a unique perspective into business ethics and corporate morals that can, and should, be applied to create new definitions of value. Making money is mandatory to keep the business alive, but this session will explore the idea of creating profitable companies that have a mission to make more than money — to help our communities and transform the systems that we use today into ethical systems with moral business practices.
Building A Unicorn: The Road Less Traveled
Theme: Entrepreneurship
Debbie Millin ’92, CEO, UpperLevel Solutions
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Do you believe in unicorns? Entrepreneur Debbie Millin ’92 believes in unicorns and believes in herself, having made decisions throughout her career that were outside the norm but brought great success. Through a unique combination of technology and humanity, she grew Globalization Partners/G-P from three people to 1,000+ employees globally, and a valuation in January 2022 of $4.2 billion. That’s a unicorn (a company valued at over $1 billion) four times over in less than six years. Debbie will share her insights and experiences to help you build your own unicorn.
Beyond the Surface: Reimagining Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in a World of Challenges
Theme: DEI
Theresa Medina ’86, President, Accelerated Results | Lakeya (Graves) Newton ’11, Director of Marketing and Staff Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Coordinator, King School | Drake Peabody ’09, Head of Group FP&A, IHS Towers | Phillip Spencer ’15, Diversity and Employee Engagement Senior Manager, Entegris
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Engage in a compelling conversation addressing the contemporary hurdles in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within the current political and corporate landscape. In a conversation moderated by Patrick Couillard-Hale, director, office of diversity and inclusion, our distinguished alumni panel — accomplished leaders in equity and inclusion across diverse industries — will explore the intricacies of DEI, dispelling misunderstandings and emphasizing its paramount significance. This session invites participants to explore often-overlooked dimensions of diversity, actively discussing the challenges and resistance confronting DEI initiatives. Come be part of an enlightening discourse that transcends mere rhetoric, offering tangible insights into authentically and strategically championing DEI in our dynamic world.
A Panel on Clean Energy Careers
Theme: Sustainability
Gregson Curtin ’19, Associate, CCA Capital | Ashton Kille ’18, Senior Associate, Overlay Capital | Josh Swerdloff ’19, Senior Analyst, Green Giraffe | Maxwell Urda ’20, ESG Analyst, Longfellow Investment Management
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In a roundtable discussion moderated by Colin W. Smith, these Bentley alumni will share how they built careers in the clean energy industry, how the Inflation Reduction Act impacted their careers over the past two years, where they see the industry in the next five to 10 years, and how professionals with no experience can enter into the industry.

10:15 to 11:15 a.m.

Unleashing Innovation: Robotics as a Catalyst for Digital Transformation
Theme: Innovation
Keynote Speaker: Chad Wright, MSCIS ’01, Chief Information Officer, Boston Dynamics
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As companies strive to align their digital transformation strategies with business objectives, they may face challenges in harnessing innovation and creativity to maximize human resources and overcome obstacles such as labor shortages, outdated equipment and worker safety concerns. In this presentation, Chad will explore the transformative power of robotics in driving creative digital transformation, including a visit from Spot the robot.

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Lunch, Awards Presentation and Engagement Panel
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The 2024 Harry C. Bentley Alumni Achievement Award and Emerging Alumni Leader Award will be presented, and the newest Global Alumni Board members will be introduced. They will participate in a discussion about ways to volunteer, stay engaged and their motivation for giving back to Bentley.

1:15 to 2:15 p.m. Breakout Session V

B-Corp CPA Firm Changes Industry Standard
Theme: Business Ethics, DEI, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Sustainability
David McLaren ’92, CPA, CGMA, CRFAC, ABGOV, RFI, CRFAU – Founder and Managing Partner, McLaren & Associates, CPAs PC
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Inspirational presentation on how to do things differently in a CPA firm, from sustainability to ethics and DEI. McLaren leads the first B-Corp certified CPA firm on the East Coast.
Cannabis, Ice Cream and Politics
Theme: DEI, Entrepreneurship
Chris Fevry ’16, CEO and Co-Founder, Dris Brands; Massachusetts Social Equity Cannabis Advisory Board Member | Gerly Adrien ’11, Adjunct Professor of Business Strategy at Bentley University, Small Business Owner of Tipping Cow Ice Cream, Former City Councilor at City of Everett, MA
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In an engaging fireside chat moderated by Mary Marcel, associate professor of Experience Design at Bentley University, the alumni presenters will explore how a Bentley education intricately intertwines with future success, whether in post-graduate endeavors or in the pursuit of entrepreneurship. They’ll share invaluable insights into circumventing potential pitfalls through their experiences pursuing cannabis and ice cream companies as people of color, in addition to discussing the importance of DEI in their respective industries. You’ll leave the session feeling empowered to embark on your own entrepreneurial journey and with a better understanding of the importance of DEI in entrepreneurship.
Deep Dive Networking Strategies for the Leading Executive
Theme: Innovation, Entrepreneurship
Adam W. Barney ’05, Founder, Adam Barney
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This workshop is specifically designed to provide you with the tools and insights you need to build and maintain long-term business relationships. Through interactive sessions, you’ll learn effective strategies for following up after meetings and events, and best practices for engaging in meaningful conversations that leave a lasting impression. We’ll cover a range of topics, including how to identify and prioritize promising business opportunities, how to establish a rapport with potential partners or clients, and how to effectively communicate your value proposition. Additionally, we’ll review the latest trends in virtual communication and provide you with practical tips for making a strong impression in online meetings and other virtual settings.
Driving Toward Equitable and Accessible Healthcare in Massachusetts — for All People
Theme: Health Industries
Mary Kathryn Fallon, MSA ’96, CPA, Assistant Director of Finance and Operations, Harvard Medical School — The Family Van & Mobile Health Map Program | Jessica Perez-Rosello ’93, MBA ’94, P ’27, Associate Chief Information Officer, Commonwealth of MA, Executive Office of Health and Human Services
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In this presentation, we will take you on a health equity journey — from policy creation to implementation. We will first review the five domains of the social determinants of health that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. We will explore why and how MassHealth is implementing and prioritizing policies to drive health equity. Then, through the lens of The Family Van, a mobile health clinic that provides free care in under-resourced neighborhoods, participants will learn about the barriers to care people face and how policies are improving health equity. Finally, we will show how large policymakers and small social service organizations must work together to drive equity forward.
Enhancing Your Mental Fitness: Why Only 20% of Teams and Individuals Achieve Their True Potential
Theme: Innovation
Marc Cote ’86, Leadership and Executive Coach, FocalPoint Coaching
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When you’re not mentally fit, you feel mental stress — anxiety, frustration or unhappiness — as you handle work and relationship challenges. The bad news is that 80% of people score below the minimum level of mental fitness required for peak performance and happiness. The great news? With recent breakthroughs in neuroscience and technology, you can now improve your mental fitness significantly. During this session, you’ll learn what’s standing in your way of peak performance and happiness, and how to begin to move forward.
Unwrapping Bitcoin: Solving Today’s Recurring Problems
Theme: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Sustainability
Alex Kim ’23, Business Development Lead – Americas, Zetachain
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The harsh reality is that most tools and techniques used today to address human error, resource management and programmatic failures are antiquated. In combination with increasing political, cultural and social tensions, disruptive technologies have never been so prevalent. Bitcoin creates a solution to address these problems from an incentive perspective. Beyond revolutionizing cross-border payments using blockchain technology, Bitcoin presents an immutable opportunity to solve today’s challenges — data integrity, climate change and more.

2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Renaissance Reimagined: An Iconic Age of Innovation, Ideas — and Humanity
Keynote Speaker: CK Kerley, Corporate Trainer and University Instructor
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In this inspiring, insightful session, Fortune 500 keynoter and Rutgers Business School instructor Christina “CK” Kerley will take you on an exploration — and celebration — of the modern-day renaissance. Drawing parallels with the immense contributions of the original Renaissance, this presentation will show how the profound progress of our current era is similarly monumental. Attendees will learn from a series of achievements across next-generation technologies, lifelong learning, human-machine collaboration, entrepreneurship, curiosity, diversity and humanity. And much like the Renaissance reshaped the world centuries ago, this iconic age — characterized by relentless innovation and revolutionary ideas — will come to be admired by future generations.

3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Breakout Session VI

Entrepreneurship and Motherhood: Navigating the Unique Path to Success
Theme: DEI, Entrepreneurship
Alyssa Minchella Helms ’11, CEO and Founder, HelmsBnB
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In this touching and empowering session, Alyssa will delve into the challenges and triumphs of balancing the demands of building a successful business with the joys and responsibilities of starting a family and now being a mother to an active two-year-old. You’ll discover practical strategies for navigating the unique hurdles that entrepreneurial mothers often face, from managing time effectively to actively creating a supportive work environment. Alyssa will share lessons learned from her non-traditional route into short-term rental management, drawing on her more traditional Bentley background of public accounting and corporate finance. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur, a budding business owner, or someone contemplating the leap into entrepreneurship while raising a family, this session promises valuable insights, actionable advice and a sense of solidarity. Learn how embracing diversity, resilience and a commitment to work-life balance can not only drive your professional success, but also enhance your journey as a mother and leader. Gain inspiration and practical wisdom for carving out your own path to entrepreneurial success while celebrating the unique joys of motherhood.
The Institutions Built to Help Startups Are Failing Them
Theme: Innovation, Entrepreneurship
Kyle York ’05, Co-founder, CEO and Managing Partner, York IE | Tom Daly, MBA ’14, CEO, Big Network
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It’s a rite of passage for growing, successful startups: the moment when consultants, analysts and agencies come knocking. Our previous company, Dyn, spent millions a year on these firms at the height of our scaling journey, en route to our acquisition by Oracle. And it wasn’t worth it. Most startups and growth-stage companies don’t need management consulting. They need strategic advisory services and tactical execution support. They need to get it from proven entrepreneurs and operators, and they need to get it at a price that demonstrates actual value. Too many of the institutions that were built to help companies — management consultants, venture capitalists, analyst firms, agencies — are failing them. It's time for a new model that truly supports the growth of all businesses. In this session, we’ll discuss our journey of bootstrapping and then scaling Dyn, how we approach today’s startups and how we lead our own companies. We’ll also discuss today’s startup scene and how as Bentley alumni, we support innovative entrepreneurs that want to bring their best ideas to the world. Entrepreneurs will also learn what to look for and how to choose firms that truly provide value and contribute to their sustainable growth.
Overcome Adversity and Build Resilience in Your Personal and Professional Life
Theme: Health Industries
Rob Swymer ’83, Founder, Peak State Performance
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Resilience empowers you to thrive in the face of adversity, to manage stress and uncertainty, and to develop a growth mindset. In these uncertain times, the ability to build resilience will transform your personal and professional relationships, creating deeper human connections. In this interactive presentation, Rob shares his proven Triple A formula to overcome adversity, build resilience, and create the foundation for stronger mental health.
Taking on the 800 Pound Gorilla
Theme: Entrepreneurship
Bob Ripley ’80, Founder, Trust Tax Services of America; Director of Finance and Operations, Concord Museum
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Starting a company from scratch can be very daunting, but if you always keep your customer first and service their pain points you will win out.
Unlocking the Potential of AI: Enhancing Business ROI and Empowering Human Talent
Theme: Innovation
Alec Biedrzycki ’09, Director of Marketing, Jasper | Jason Mazur ’05, Founding Partner, All Points Digital
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Artificial Intelligence is the hot topic of the past two years, but how do you apply it to actual business utility? Alec and Jason will explore the power of generative AI technology and its potential to enhance business ROI and empower human talent. Through specific examples and expert insights, they’ll discuss how generative AI can transform various industries and functions at an organization. Join them as they unlock the potential of AI and its impact on businesses and individuals alike.

5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Closing Reception
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Wrap up the conference with a fun night out at Branchline, where you can continue conversations and connect further with fellow alumni over great food, drink and ambiance. Heavy appetizers and two drink tickets are included with your conference registration fee.

About the Keynote Speakers

Vala Afshar, P ’25

Vala Afshar Vala Afshar P ’25 is Chief Digital Evangelist at Salesforce, a bestselling author, U.S. patent holding inventor, podcaster, columnist and keynote speaker. With over one million social media followers, Vala is recognized as a top business and innovation influencer.

Afshar is co-author of the 2023 bestselling book BOUNDLESS. He has written over 650 articles and has interviewed over 1,200 business executives on his weekly podcast.

Prior to Salesforce, Afshar served as Vice President of Engineering, Chief Customer Officer and Chief Marketing Officer in the tech industry.

CK Kerley

CKWith 25 years of experience delivering engaging and educational tech keynotes and trainings, Christina Kerley — known simply as “CK” — remains at the forefront of her field. Renowned for her boundless energy and relentless reinvention, CK is currently focused on artificial intelligence (AI), the tech megatrends, the reskilling revolution . . . and whatever’s coming next. CK captivates (and keeps!) the imagination of her audiences. She’s headlined at scores of Fortune 500s and trained thousands of executives at companies including Verizon, Microsoft, Amazon, Cisco, Johnson & Johnson, Nestle, Frost & Sullivan, ADP, Best Buy, Bissell, TEDx, The United Nations, The Ad Council, the ANA, the IAB and many more.

For over a decade CK has been a highly popular faculty member at Rutgers Business School for Executive Education. Additionally, she has guest lectured at Stanford, Cornell, Vanderbilt, Carnegie Mellon, Northwestern, and USF.

While CK deserves acclaim for her charismatic personality and humor, it’s important to recognize her exceptionalism. What truly sets CK apart is her unwavering passion for reinvention. Throughout three decades she has evolved and pivoted from: smartphones to smart things; apps to AIs; big media to social media; Internets to “Outernets;” devices to data; Web 2 to Web 3; and wearable to spatial computing.

A creature of two spectacular contrasts, CK built her career in fast-paced NYC and relocated to sun-soaked SoCal in 2020 (and travels between coasts quarterly). Always on-trend, ahead of the curve, and in pursuit of the next BIG thing, learn more at: allthingsCK.com

Barbara Stevens

Barbara StevensIn the history of NCAA women’s basketball, only six coaches have amassed at least 1,000 career victories, an elite group that includes Bentley University’s Hall of Fame coach, Barbara Stevens. Stevens is the only non-Division I coach in that exclusive club. She was inducted into the Bentley Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005 and a 2020 selection for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The pinnacle of her coaching career came in 2014 with a perfect season and the program’s first-ever NCAA Division II national championship. Stevens as been awarded the prestigious Carol Eckman Award from the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, given for sportsmanship, commitment to the student-athlete, honesty, ethical behavior, courage and dedication to purpose, as well as the Inspirational Leader Award from Dream Big!, an organization that provides girls from low-income situations with resources to participate in sports. In 2022, Stevens was a commencement speaker at her alma mater, Bridgewater State University, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Public Education. She retired in June 2020 fourth all-time in career victories with a 43-year record of 1058-291. Barbara is a native of Southbridge and resides in Waltham.

Jeff Twiss

Jeff TwissJeff Twiss joined the Celtics in 1981 upon receiving his Master’s Degree in Sport Management from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Prior to his association with the Celtics and the NBA, Twiss was a teacher and a three-sport coach at Union High School in Randolph, VT. He graduated from the University of Vermont in 1977. Twiss serves as the conduit for the media with Celtics ownership, coaches, players and staff and he is the contact for former Celtics players. Twiss was elected by his peers to serve as President of the National Basketball Public Relations Directors Association in 1987. In 1992, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Vermont. In 1999, Twiss received the University of Massachusetts Sports Management department’s Harold J. VanderZwaag Distinguished Alumni Award. In September 2004, he was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. And in 2005, Twiss received the NBA’s McHugh/Splaver “Tribute to Excellence” award. Twiss was recognized by the Boston Press Photographer’s Association as their Sports Personality Award winner for 2009. Jeff and his wife, Sarah, have two children: Cameron and Lindsay, and two grandchildren, Connor and Soledad.

Chad Wright, MSCIS ’01

Chad WrightChad Wright is Chief Information Officer at Boston Dynamics, a Boston area robotics company whose mission is to imagine and create exceptional robots that enrich people’s lives. The winner of BostonCIO’s CIO of the Year in 2022 and a Finalist for InspireCIO’s National CIO of the Year in 2023, Chad’s career in Information Technology has spanned 30 years, including roles in a variety of industries, such as marketing, software, healthcare, retail and robotics. He’s worked at some of Boston’s most innovative companies, including Avid, Endeca Technologies, athenahealth and Amazon Robotics. In addition to his leadership roles, Chad’s background includes business systems analysis, data analytics and project management with direct experience in ERP implementations, Cybersecurity, IT Service Management and IT Strategy. Chad graduated from the College of the Holy Cross with a degree in Mathematics and a Concentration in Computer Science. He holds a Master’s Degree in Information Technology from Bentley University and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. In his efforts to give back to the next generation of IT professionals, Chad is also an Adjunct Lecturer at Bentley, teaching courses in Project Management, Data Management, and Systems Analysis and Design, to both graduate and undergraduate students.