Current Mentors

Dianne W. Appolito, LCSW is co-founder and CEO of Stone Creek Psychotherapy and Wellness Center, Inc. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science at the University of Houston in 1972, and her Masters of Social Work from the University of Houston in 1983. Ms. Appolito trained with internationally recognized systems therapist Dr. Harold Goolishian from UTMB. She has over thirty years of experience in the field of psychotherapy. She began a private practice in the West Houston/Katy area in 1983, where she gained extensive experience in systems therapy, family therapy, couples, adolescents and adults. Ms. Appolito is the leading expert in assessing and treating AD/HD. In 2003, with co-founder Dana Debes, LCSW, she developed the business model that is now Stone Creek Psychotherapy and Wellness Center. The success of Stone Creek has resulted in its selection as one of the inaugural Cougar 100, University of Houston’s top alumni developed businesses. At Stone Creek they have developed a multi-disciplinary team of licensed therapists to approach mental health with a unique business model called Neurosystemic Therapy.

After serving as President & CEO of Memorial Park Conservancy for more than eleven years, Shellye Arnold assumed the position of President Emeritus in November 2024. Memorial Park Conservancy is a nonprofit organization charged with operating and maintaining 1,100 acres of Houston’s Memorial Park. At 1,500 acres, Memorial Park is the city’s largest urban park with an important place in the nation’s history and welcomes over 4 million visitors annually from 170 zip codes across the region. She joined the Conservancy in March 2013 and, with her staff, Board, project partners, design team, and donors has led the transformation of Memorial Park that is currently underway. Memorial Park’s Ten-Year Plan will deliver more than $200M of improvements by 2028. This includes the 100-acre Clay Family Eastern Glades and Sports Complex that both opened in 2020, a new 1-mile segment of the Seymour Lieberman Trail that opened in 2022, the 100-acre Kinder Land Bridge and Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Prairie that opened February 2023 and the Running Complex which opened November 2023.

Shellye and her team led the creation and adoption of the 2015 Memorial Park Master Plan, engaging thousands of Houstonians as well as ecologists, scientists and other consultants to inform this visionary plan. Starting with a team of three and a $300K annual budget, Shellye worked closely with her leadership team to build the Conservancy. Today, the Conservancy has 70+ employees and has raised over $125M in private funds and $100M in public funds to deliver the planned improvements to Memorial Park, program Memorial Park for Park visitors, and care for the Park. She has implemented progressive employment practices yielding retention rates that are double national averages; built a high-functioning, diverse and inclusive Board of Directors; and delivered a Master Plan that has won multiple local, national and global awards. In 2022, a New York Times article named the Land Bridge and Prairie project as one of the world’s 11 most innovative projects. She and her team work to ensure that Memorial Park welcomes all Houstonians and that the Conservancy reflects Houston in terms of composition and how the organization improves, operates, and programs Memorial Park.

Shellye brings a background in results-oriented leadership and change management from her nearly 20 years at Cisco Systems, Hewlett-Packard, Compaq Computer Corporation and McKinsey & Company. Having studied public policy, she spent the first part of her career with the Texas and U.S. Departments of Commerce, where she worked on the North American Free Trade Agreement. For the State Department, she delivered analysis that impacted U.S. trade policy. Shellye speaks Spanish fluently and previously worked as a volunteer public health worker and leader in multiple Latin American countries. A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, Shellye also holds a master’s in public policy from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs. The Houston Chronicle identified Shellye as “one of Houston’s most interesting people.” She was named one of Houston’s “Fifty Most Influential Women of 2022” and one of the Houston Business Journal’s “Women Who Mean Business” of 2023.

A native Houstonian, Shellye cares deeply for the city’s public and green spaces that forge life-affirming connections to others, to nature, and to health. She is grateful to the staff, Board, donors, project partners, visionaries, volunteers, civic leaders, planners, builders, park visitors and others who are making the transformation of Memorial Park possible. Shellye and her wife, Tina Sabuco, volunteer in animal rescue and delight in their many adopted dogs and cats.

Heather Bisesti is an artist-engineer dedicated to bridging the worlds of art, engineering, and design. With a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MFA in Sculpture from University of Houston, her career spans roles at General Motors, Delphi Automotive, and Bosch Rexroth, as well as leadership in arts and technology education. She played a key role in establishing the Arts & Technology Center at the University of Houston and now teaches engineering design at Rice University’s Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen, where she inspires students to apply creativity and the engineering design process to solve unique real-world problems.

Heather’s work merges traditional craftsmanship with advanced manufacturing, including woodworking, ceramics, 3D printing, and printmaking. Passionate about innovation, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration, she is also involved in entrepreneurial initiatives. This includes mentoring for OwlSpark/RED Labs and her role as Resident Designer of Nexus, Rice Office of Innovation’s home at the ion. Her latest projects include designing 3D printed furniture, research modern technology applications in printmaking, and creating electronic wallpaper.

Jessica Bolaños is a seasoned digital media professional with over 20 years of expertise in marketing and social impact. A Houston native raised in Friendswood with family roots in Colombia, Jessica brings a unique cultural perspective to her work. She partners with impact-driven organizations serving multicultural communities, crafting stories that inform, inspire, and drive meaningful outcomes.

Jessica’s journey began as a brand ambassador and market manager for local and national experiential marketing agencies, representing industry giants like L’Oreal and Dodge/Chrysler. Her background includes an exciting stint as a touring freestyle hip-hop dancer for Anheuser-Busch and selling cosmetics alongside Lizzo.

In 2013, while a student in WCE, Jessica co-founded Goodspero with her partner, Nelson Vanegas, a video content marketing agency fueled by a shared mission to support organizations through storytelling and innovative technologies like generative AI, that accelerate impact and engagement. Together, Jessica and Nelson produce documentary-style stories and guide teams in leveraging tech tools and social media strategies that drive positive change in the world. They also lead the production teams for TEDxHouston, TEDxHoustonWomen, and TEDxInternationalSpaceUniversity.

Giving is central to Jessica’s mission in life. She actively supports women’s education and entrepreneurial initiatives through KIVA micro-lending programs in Bolivia, Peru, and Kenya, and at home in Houston through the Wolff Center, the Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals, and the National Association of Women Business Owners.

When she’s not storytelling, Jessica finds joy in bookstores, art museums, writing non-fiction thought pieces, indulging in desserts and pandebono (pronounced pahn-de-boh-no), listening to Beyoncé, and exploring nature around the world with her husband.

DD Carpenter is the Co-Founder Adroit Partners, LLC – Headquartered in Houston, Texas.

About Adroit Partners

• Women-owned staffing firm specializing in workforce solutions
  • Contract, Contract to Hire and Direct Hire Staffing
  • Expertise
  • Accounting & Finance
  • Administrative Support
  • Information Technology
  • Professional
  • Electronic Assembly/Light Industrial
  • Verticals We Serve
    • Business Services
    • Education
    • Energy
    • Healthcare
    • Publishing
    • Transportation
  • Certified Diversity Supplier/Texas HUB
    • Women Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA) – Diversity Supplier of the Year 2014
    • Staffing Industry Analyst – Diversity Supplier of the Year 2015 & 2016 – Inc 5000 America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies, Houston Business Journal fast 100 – Women Presidents Organization 50 Fastest Growing
  • Privately Held – Founded in 2012
    • 700% Growth in 2013
    • 1000% Growth 2014
    • $17M in Revenue in 2021 and Growing
  • In September of 2022, Adroit Partners was awarded the University of Houston System contract as their Primary Staffing Supplier

  About DD Carpenter

  • A native Houstonian
  • 37 year Staffing Veteran
  • Fifth year WCE Mentor
  • Huge Houston Astros Fan & Cheers on the Houston Texans
  • Active in PugHearts Animal Rescue Group
  • Junior League of Houston Member
  • A graduate of SMU

Boma is the Founder and CEO of BomaCurates LLC, a digital marketing company specializing in social media strategy, email marketing, and music curation. She is a Wolff Center Alum and graduated in 2017. She was recognized as a Black Marketer on the Rise by the African American Marketing Association and honored with the Rising Star Award from the Professional Association of Young Africans.

Over the course of her career, she has developed marketing strategies across multiple digital channels for companies and organizations in various industries. When she’s not working she enjoys hanging with friends and family, helping her church, and enjoying the city!

Nayab brings over a decade of experience in television and broadcast media, working with top global networks like Network18 (CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz, & CNN-IBN), Zee Group, and STAR TV, reaching an audience of over 670 million worldwide. Her expertise spans various genres—Business News (English and Regional), General Entertainment (Regional)—where she specialized in Brand Development, Marketing, and Events. Through strategic brand campaigns, customized content innovations, and large-scale events, Nayab has significantly contributed to both direct and indirect revenue growth.

As an entrepreneur, she founded Bohra Pantry, a USA-based spice brand for Bohra cuisine, and co-founded Indian Food Trail, a food-tech platform empowering Indian women through micro-entrepreneurship. Indian Food Trail allowed users to experience authentic home-cooked regional Indian cuisines, while also donating a meal to a child in need for every meal sold. Recognized as a SMART 50 startup by IIM-C and the Department of Science and Technology in 2018, the venture stood out among 15,000 global startups.

Nayab is experienced in venture capital, with a focus on E-commerce, Consumer Packaged Goods, Retail & Distribution, Media, and FinTech. She earned a global fellowship from Included VC, placing in the top 3% of global applicants across forty-one nationalities.

A passionate advocate for women, Nayab serves on the board and is President (2025) of the Federation of Houston Professional Women (FHPW) and President Elect for the FHPW Educational Foundation, supporting women of color and women-led organizations. She was honored as a Woman of Excellence 2022 by FHPW and recognized by the Texas Business Hall of Fame, where she received the T.T. & W.F. Chao Award and scholarship.

Marcus Ford is a retired food service executive with over 35 years experience in leading and mentoring others. His career started in 1974 after attending the University of Houston. He was the General Manager for a local restaurant group for 6 years and was then recruited by Sysco Foods in Houston, TX. After starting in sales Louis was quickly promoted to Vice President of Sales, Vice President of National Accounts, and Vice President of Marketing. Seventeen years later in 1997 he took over as the Corporate Vice President of National Accounts for International Multifoods based in Denver, CO. Over the next 14 years Louis played a key role in several successful acquisitions and mergers, including Roma Foods and Performance Food Group. His last 5 years he served as President of Performance Food Group in Portland, OR. Louis is known for his leadership, team building and negotiating skills.

With a passion to serve and give back, Louis currently mentors in Katy ISD, co-chairs on a Development Board for a new parochial elementary school, and is an active Lifetime Member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. All of which support youth education and values.

Louis lives in Houston and is strongly committed to his faith, family and the sharing of his business and personal experiences with young entrepreneurs in hope of making a fundamental difference in their lives. He has been a WCE Mentor since 2018 and was Mentor of the Year in 2022.

Danna Diamond is a seasoned shopping center professional with over 30 years of experience leasing enclosed shopping centers. She has been involved as a leasing professional with MetroNational, Simon Property Group and Urban Retail Properties, and has concluded leases with a broad spectrum of national retailers.

She has worked on a diverse portfolio of assets. The most recent projects include Memorial City Mall and the Houston Galleria. She has successfully leased to a broad range of tenants including luxury, bridge, moderate and junior. She is able to evaluate a project and create a place based on sales, demographics and location.

Danna has been married for 26 years and has two daughters, age 23 and 20. She is involved in various activities outside of her career which include volunteering with Work Faith Connection, a weekly Bible study, an investment club that has been together over 10 years, and has recently joined the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and will be working on the International Committee. Her long-term objectives are to stay pertinent and continue to be a contributor as long as she is on the planet.

Dr. Tom Duening has 40 years of experience as an entrepreneur. He started his first business in 1984 and has founded or co-founded nine other ventures since then. In 1997, he founded U.S. Learning Systems, which provided content development and management services for e-learning companies across the United States. The company was acquired in 1999 by HighTechCampus.com, an integrated e-learning company focused on corporate compliance training. He next founded the Applied Management Sciences Institute (AMSI), a management consulting and research firm. He left AMSI in 2002 to establish Ansrsource, a company that provides learning design and content development to a wide range of publishers, universities, and corporations. Ansrsource, principally based in Bangalore, India, recently celebrated its 22nd year of operations. In 2006, he founded the Arizona Technology Investor Forum, which became the most active angel investment group in Arizona. The Group (now known as Arizona Tech Investors) continues to provide critical funding to startup ventures. His latest venture is PushRock Venture Partners. PushRock invests in startups in emerging markets around the world.

In addition to his startup experience, Dr. Duening has 32 years of experience in teaching entrepreneurship and in running university-based entrepreneurship centers. Dr. Duening began his career in academia in 1991 when he was recruited to be the Assistant Dean of the University of Houston College of Business Administration. There, he became a founding faculty member in the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, the precursor to the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship. Dr. Duening went on to create centers for entrepreneurship at the University of Houston-Downtown and in the Fulton School of Engineering at Arizona State University. He retired as the El Pomar Chair for Business & Entrepreneurship from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs in 2024.

Dr. Duening is well known for his advocacy of entrepreneurship as a life path, and for his research into human potential. In addition to having written 19 books on business and entrepreneurship, he publishes widely on topics in management, organizational behavior, and philosophy. Dr. Duening holds a BS degree in natural sciences from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point; and an MA degree in philosophy of science and a PhD in higher education administration, both from the University of Minnesota.

Ron has been a loyal supporter of the University of Houston. From the very beginning, he played a pivotal role in shaping the program, participating in the initial meetings led by Bill Sherrill. Ron contributed as an original stakeholder, mentored a student from the inaugural class, led one of the first roundtables, and spoke at the first retreat. He was also among the first five individuals to receive the WCE Excellence in Mentoring award.

In 2001, Ron founded U.S. LED, Ltd., a manufacturer of commercial and industrial LED lighting, retrofitting 4,000 to 5,000 buildings annually across the U.S. Along with his wife, Margarita, Ron also founded US Signs, a national sign company they successfully ran for thirty-one years before selling it in 2011.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Ron has pursued a life of adventure and achievement. From 2008 to 2012, he was a successful race car driver. At the age of 64, he set track records on all six tracks in his class and won the NASA National Championship in 2010, racing his Corvette in the ST2 Class. In 2011 and 2012, he competed professionally in the Grand-Am series, finishing in the top ten in five of six races during his first season.

Ron’s adventurous spirit extends beyond the track. At 70, he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, and at 75, he hiked the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim—23 miles in just 13 hours. Ron considers his greatest achievement to be meeting his wife, Margarita, 51 years ago.

Marcus Yates Ford was born in Houston, Texas. The Missouri City native attended Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, and continued his education at the University of Houston, where he obtained his undergraduate degree in Psychology and a minor in African American Studies. Passionate about education and entrepreneurship, he is a certified educator with nineteen years of experience and has been a marketing consultant for over twenty five years. He is currently the CTE Academy Specialist at Westfield High School.

His goal is to create, enhance or inspire the students to fulfill a void or need in society. One of his proudest assignments as an educator was teaching Entrepreneurship at Carl Wunsche, Sr Career Academy in Spring ISD.

As a consultant, two of his notable clients have been the Cengage Group; a global education tech company and premium goods; the premier locally owned sneaker boutique in Houston. Marcus also has a keen eye for design and love of literature, he has completed interior design projects and is currently involved in a jewelry design venture. His most prized work is being a published author. He has successfully released books “Discovering Devotion”, “Inspirations”, “Foundation”, and "Signature” under his Majestic Forte Publishing imprint.

<>When not working, Marcus enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter and being involved in church activities. He also enjoys a variety of hobbies, which include cooking, cultural learning, listening to music, reading and traveling.

Chuck grew a manufacturing business from a start-up to $20MM and sold in 2006. He retired in 2012 and has dedicated his life to giving back through mentoring and coaching.

He now serves as the chair of a Vistage CEO Peer Advisory Group. Vistage is a world-wide coaching and peer group organization. He was recently been inducted into the Silver Fox Advisors.

Chuck authored a book that released in 2021 titled “Purpose a Journey from Breakdown to Breakthrough”.

After many decades of adventurous pursuits which included distance cycling, off-shore sailboat racing, and motorcycle touring, he has scaled down to walking and golf.

Chuck started mentoring with WCE in the late 90’s and has recently served as a mentor in 3 classes.

Shalee Hindes is an entrepreneur, finance professional, and proud University of Houston alum. She graduated from the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship in 2018 and earned her Accounting degree in 2020, all while competing on the UH Bowling Team. She is currently pursuing her MBA and CPA at UH.

A Texas native from Austin, Shalee has firsthand experience in both entrepreneurship and corporate finance. She founded her own welding company and has also worked with Fortune 50 companies, gaining expertise in M&A, financial analysis, and business strategy.

Passionate about mentoring, Shalee loves helping aspiring entrepreneurs turn their ideas into reality. She enjoys sharing real-world insights, problem-solving strategies, and the lessons she’s learned from both startups and the corporate world. When she's not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, her brother, and her beloved cats.

Fareed is a dynamic entrepreneur with a strong foundation in product leadership and technology consulting. As a seasoned real estate investor, they specialize in retail, multifamily, and office properties, while also actively supporting innovative ventures as a startups investor. With global expertise and experience living in six cities across four countries, Fareed brings a unique perspective and a well-rounded approach to driving growth and innovation in diverse industries.

Kristi Johnson is the Co-Founder Adroit Partners, LLC – Headquartered in Houston, Texas.

About Adroit Partners

• Women-owned staffing firm established in 2012.
  • Provide Contract, Contract to Hire and Direct Hire Staffing services to some of Houston's largest employers, including the University of Houston.
  • Nationally recognized by;
    • Women’s Business Enterprise National Council
    • Women President’s Organization
    • Staffing Industry Analysts
    • Houston Business Journal
    • Inc. 5000
  • Expertise
  • Accounting & Finance
  • Administrative Support
  • Information Technology
  • Professional
  • Electronic Assembly/Light Industrial
  • Verticals We Serve
    • Business Services
    • Education
    • Energy
    • Healthcare
    • Publishing
    • Transportation
  • Certified Diversity Supplier/Texas HUB
    • Women Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA) – Diversity Supplier of the Year 2014
    • Staffing Industry Analyst – Diversity Supplier of the Year 2015 & 2016 – Inc 5000 America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies, Houston Business Journal fast 100 – Women Presidents Organization 50 Fastest Growing
  • In September of 2022, Adroit Partners was awarded the University of Houston System contract as their Primary Staffing Supplier

  About Kristi Johnson

  • More than 30 years of experience in business development and executive leadership
  • A third-generation native Houstonian
  • Married 40 years, Proud parent to 2 daughters and 3 grandsons
  • Alumni of Texas A&M, UH, and Goldman Sachs 10K Small Businesses

Greg Kallus is a seasoned financial professional with over 25 years of experience with a focus on helping individuals, families, and business owners achieve their financial goals. Greg is currently a Financial Advisor with 1847Financial, an Independent Firm, specializing in comprehensive financial planning, investment management, life insurance, and retirement planning strategies tailored to each client’s unique needs and objectives. Prior to that he spent over 17 years at Invesco, one of the largest global investment firms, as a financial and retirement plans consultant. He holds his Series 7 and 66 FINRA licenses.

Greg is a La Grange, TX, native and is still active in numerous local charitable, church and service- related organizations.

Greg received a Bachelor’s Degree from The University of Texas at Austin and an Associate’s Degree in Business from Blinn College. He obtained his Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS®) and his Chartered Retirement Plan Consultant (CRPC®) designations from the College of Financial Planning. He is committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in his practice.

Outside of work Greg enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, snow skiing, camping, cooking, college sports, and staying active in the community.

In 2019, Susan Manning co-founded and served as a consultant for Manning Pool Service before retiring. Previously, she worked with ActionCOACH, where she played a key role in growing a business from a $40,000 job to $4 million in annual revenue within five years. Susan's contributions earned a National Award for Company Culture, and she was also nominated for the Female National Entrepreneur Award. In 2001, Susan became the Director of Montessori Elementary Education at Montessori Country Day School, a role she held for seven years. Earlier in her career, she managed a 1,000,000-square-foot showroom for Wilson Business Products, collaborating with architects and designers to specify commercial office furniture. Susan holds a degree in Art History from the University of Houston and earned Lower and Upper Elementary education certifications from the American Montessori Society. She also studied the “Structure of Language” for two years under Nathaniel Newby and spent four years studying business with Doug Winnie.

Greg Marconi is the Managing Partner at Virtelis, a Houston-based real estate private equity firm, and a Partner at Trube Corporation, a real estate development firm in Austin, TX. With a primary focus on acquisitions and developments across various real estate asset classes, Greg also serves as a Director at Newmark, a global real estate consulting firm, advising port- and petrochemical- related corporations on strategic capital projects and creative financing solutions.

Before founding Virtelis, Greg was a co-founding partner at Post Lake Capital Partners, where he led the firm’s acquisition and development activities. Over his 15-year career in real estate, Greg has transacted on over $3 billion in deals and is currently developing projects valued at more than $200 million, alongside his consulting practice.

Greg earned a degree in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University, where he was an active member of the university’s Ice Hockey and Cycling teams. He has furthered his education with certificates in Entrepreneurship & Innovation from Stanford University, Financial Modeling from New York University, and Commercial Real Estate Development from NAIOP. Greg is also a licensed broker in the State of Texas.

He is an active member of professional organizations such as NAIOP, CoreNet, and the Urban Land Institute. Additionally, he participates in Fellowship in Discipleship, the USA Hockey Association, the Texas A&M Alumni Association, and the Greater Houston Port Bureau.

Greg lives in Texas with his beautiful wife and two wonderful children.

Cheryl Masters is the president of Backyard Oasis, located in Tomball, TX. A rare female Certified Building Professional (2024), Cheryl started with Backyard Oasis in 2004 as a pool designer and sales associate. In 2007, she was promoted to sales director, and in 2009, was named President, which she still is today.

Prior to her tenure with Backyard Oasis, Ms. Masters worked her way from switchboard operator to the general manager of three automobile dealerships in a career that spanned 20 years in the automotive industry. She attended the Karl Singer School of Finance as well as the Automobile Dealers Association – Dealers Academy.

Her experience as the Sales Director, then Finance Director, then General Sales Director, and finally General Manager gave her the knowledge and skill to easily integrate into Backyard Oasis and to guide it to the thriving custom luxury pool building company it is today.

Under Cheryl’s direction and guidance, Backyard Oasis has been awarded a myriad of honors including:

• 2011 International award of Excellence – Merit Award for Residential Lazy River
• 2019 Southwest Pool and Spa Silver Design Award
• 2020 PHTA - Silver Design Award
• 2022 Southwest Pool and Spa Award of Excellence – Silver
• 2022 International Award of Excellence -Silver
• 2023 Southwest Pool and Spa Award of Excellence -Silver Design Award
• Pebbletec Worlds Greatest Pool recipient 2021,2022 and 2023
• Recognized in Living Magazine “Leading Women” 2020 and 2024
• Pulse of the City - Honored for Excellence in Customer Service 2014-2023

In addition to her steadfast dedication to Backyard Oasis, she enjoys spending time with her 6-month-old granddaughter, traveling, cooking and time she can spend at the shooting range.

LeRoy Melcher grew up in Houston, Texas as the oldest twin in a family of three boys, two steps and one half. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics at the Colorado College in 1982 and his law degree from the University of Texas in 1985. He practiced law for eight years in Houston, first with Butler & Binion and later with Brown McCarroll.

In 1994, he purchased from the IRS a commercial bakery serving Houston's largest hotels, hospitals and airlines. He later co- founded an internet based office furniture market operating across the United States and Canada.

In 2011, LeRoy co-founded Floors for Living, growing it to be Houston's largest retail flooring chain.

In 2021, he founded Cortera Gas, LLC, an LPG refining company in El Campo, Texas.

LeRoy earned his pilot's license at 18 and flew turbo props and light jets as a contract pilot across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Today he manages his family's olive farm in France, runs the occasional marathon in the winter and a triathlon in the summer. His book and short stories are available as Amazon Kindle downloads.

LeRoy and his wife Janet have five children.

Tim Payton is a successful and passionate entrepreneur. Tim has experience in corporate management, small business ownership, mergers and acquisitions, and most recently with new business start-ups. Tim is currently on the Board of Directors at RAM Windows, a Houston, TX based window and door manufacturer and is also a founding partner at Austin Mod Homes, a custom residential construction developer in the Austin, TX region.

Tim began his career with the Valspar Corporation (now Sherwin-Williams) as a project and process engineer. He relocated multiple times across the United States with Valspar over a ten-year period while holding roles with increasing responsibilities including plant manager, IT & customer service manager and market manager with P&L responsibility for a $50M+ business unit division.

In 2007, Tim purchased RAM Windows, a small regional window manufacturer from the founding family. During his time as President and owner of RAM Windows, he introduced a new sales strategy focused on product distribution in luxury new residential construction that increased sales revenue by a factor of 10X. He also expanded the geographic scope of the company beyond the local area through new products dedicated to the commercial and hospitality markets. After twelve years of leadership, Tim managed the sale and transition of the company to a private equity firm.

Tim earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University in Chemical Engineering as well as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University with majors in finance, management & strategy, and international business. He also completed a study abroad program at the University College of London.

During his spare time, Tim enjoys volunteering at the East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry food pantry and spending time traveling with his wife and four children.

Reid Pennebaker has a broad range of experience across 20+ years, from seed stage ventures to multinational corporations.

Reid has worked for the New Ventures branch of Toyota Tsusho, a Toyota Group company charged with investing in and partnering with cutting-edge technology companies. Prior to that, he was a key member of the Continental Airlines Investor Relations team during several headline-making moments, culminating with the merger with United Airlines. He has also served as a management consultant for Mainspring Partners assisting small & mid-sized businesses with growth-related challenges.

Reid has an MBA from Tulane University and dual degrees in Entrepreneurship and Management from the University of Houston. In his free time, Reid is a mentor at the University of Houston WCE Entrepreneurship Program. He is passionate about international travel having visited over 50 countries, is an avid road biker, and relishes any opportunity to practice his Spanish.

Sand 'N Sea Properties, LLC (SNS) was founded by a family of Galvestonians over 50 years ago, and today, the family is still at the helm, led by President Anne Reiswerg. Over the years, Sand 'N Sea has established itself as a leader in Galveston vacation rentals and real estate sales and as a strong supporter of the community. The SNS family now includes a successful team of REALTORS® and a talented staff of long-term employees.

Anne Reiswerg (a BOI – Born on the Island) has been a part of Sand 'N Sea since 1983 and today, she co-owns Sand 'N Sea and oversees all operations for the company.

In 1974, Anne’s mother, Bert, started the business with 14 properties, and she used pencils, erasers and one large calendar to manage reservations. Anne joined the company eight years later to help with the ever-expanding vacation-rentals side of the business. From the days when vacation rentals were managed only by Realtors® through the addition of Vrbo (2005) and Airbnb (2007) to the vacation landscape, Anne has guided Sand 'N Sea to its current position as a leader in Galveston’s real estate and short term rental market.

Today, the company manages approximately 190 vacation homes on West Galveston Island, and it has integrated technology systems that manage every part of the rentals business – from marketing and maintenance to reservations and guest experience. A licensed real estate broker, Anne works closely with her team of 15 REALTORS® all of whom are known throughout the region for their coastal real estate experience and professional expertise. Like Anne, they live and work on the island and know it intimately – from the beach to the bay and everywhere in between.

In addition to her responsibilities as an owner, Anne stays abreast of real estate and vacation rentals trends and over the years, and she has served on community boards and committees focusing on island tourism, vacation rentals and real estate.

Sand 'N Sea is deeply involved in the Galveston community and the company participates in discourse and action on numerous local and state issues, including state and local real estate and vacation rental legislation and advocacy, beach maintenance and restoration, tourism issues, tax dollar allocation to the island’s West End and the quality of services provided by the City of Galveston. Each year, Sand 'N Sea provides the community with annual statistics on the Galveston Island real estate market, distributing the information in a variety of ways: publishing them in the local newspaper and magazines; sending over 50,000 emails to clients; mailing postcards to more than 10,000 island property owners; and posting on social media and its website.

SNS is a proud corporate sponsor/member of the Galveston Association of Realtors; Houston Association of Realtors; Texas Association of Realtors; National Association of Realtors; West Galveston Property Owners Association; Friends of Galveston Island State Park; Meals on Wheels; Galveston Association of Vacation Rental Managers; Galveston Family Resource Center; Galveston Chamber of Commerce; Galveston’s Own Farmer’s Market; Galveston Hotel & Lodging Association; Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council; Historic Downtown Strand & Seaport Partnership; Bryan Museum; Galveston Arts Center; the 1894 Grand Opera House; GISD Discovery Club; Galveston Historical Foundation; East End Historical District Association; Galveston Independent School District; Moody Early Childhood Center; Artist Boat; Galveston Island Tree Conservancy; Short Term Rental Organization of Galveston; Texas Hotel & Lodging Association; Texas Travel Alliance; and Turtle Island Restoration Network; Downtown Lofts Tour; FeatherFest; FOGISP Nature Walks; Gulf Coast Big Brothers, Big Sisters; Dickens on the Strand; and the Galveston Historic Homes Tour.

Along with her family, Anne remains committed to Sand 'N Sea’s mission to provide a great experience for their real estate clients, for their vacation-rental homeowners and guests, and for Sand 'N Sea’s REALTORS® and employees.

Vicki Richards Upchurch is a Registered Nurse (RN) and seasoned coach specializing in personal and business development. With nearly 20 years of experience, she founded her business after a successful career in Sales and Operations Management within the healthcare industry. Recognizing a need for guidance among individuals and untrained managers promoted into leadership roles, she pivoted her expertise to fill these gaps.

Her professional accolades include recognition as the #1 Sales Representative in the nation, Turnaround Branch Manager of the Year, Top Sales Manager, and induction into the prestigious President's Club.

Beyond her professional achievements, Vicki is deeply committed to community service. She served for nearly a decade on the board of the Bay Area Club, a local 12-step program encompassing Alateen, Al-Anon, and AA. She also volunteered on the Crisis Hotline for Bay Area Turning Point and worked with Bridge Over Troubled Waters, two local women's shelters. Additionally, she is a proud member of Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society for Nurses.

As a certified Master Life Coach, Business Management Coach, and Licensed HeartMath® Coach, Vicki uses evidence-based tools such as biofeedback to promote stress reduction. She tailors her approach with Core Value Assessments, ensuring alignment with each client’s belief system. Vicki conducts annual women's retreats addressing key issues and guides managers with practical, hands-on training to enhance leadership skills. She is especially known for her compassionate approach, helping personal development clients navigate significant life transitions and create more meaningful lives.

Jazmin is a Serial Entrepreneur at heart, having founded her first start-up and hired her first employee at the age of 15. With extensive experience working with businesses of all sizes across multiple industries, she possesses expertise in customer service, sales, business development, and business strategy, supported by business degrees both nationally and internationally.

With over 3 years as an active investor in land, Jazmin has co-sponsored 1,600+ multifamily units and is an LP for 170+ units. She is the founder of S•H•E, co-author of “Powerful Female Immigrants Vol II,” and recently earned an advanced management certification from Rice University.

Mike recently started another company, Commercial Lister, providing digital marketing to commercial brokerage firms.

Prior to starting Nodus Solutions Mike spent six years with Compaq Computer Company as their manager of Desktop Support and Development. Mike was responsible for developing the first Intranet at Compaq and it is still in use and bears the original name. Before joining Compaq Mike worked for Exxon as the manager of Desktop implementations. Mike implemented Windows 3.0 at Exxon and Word 1.0 (yes there was a Word 1.0!), Prior to Exxon Mike worked for Accenture as a systems analyst.

He earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and his M.B.A. from the University of Houston. He enjoys time with his three children and grandchildren with his wife, playing tennis, riding his bike (not a motorcycle), running and swimming.

Margaret Sucré-Vail is an Investment Advisor Representative, founder and principal of Sucré-Vail Wealth Advisors since 1997. She is a specialist in financial services for high income professionals, with more than 40 years of experience in finance, insurance, and investment services.

In 1982 she began in the insurance industry and immediately knew she had a passion for working with people to ensure they were protected from unnecessary risk. There is her deep passion and commitment to the industry was born. She made her debut in the financial services industry in 1987. Margaret completed her Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA) designation through the College for Financial Planning and Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) Designation which demonstrates she has met educational, competence, conduct and ethical standards to carry out a fiduciary standard of care and serve the best interests of her clients.

She has also received extensive and specialized training in the psychology of the financial needs of health care professionals.

According to Margaret, “More than ever, high income professionals need full-service wealth management solutions that include tax reduction and asset protection strategies. Henry and I believe our goal should be to preserve the wealth of our clients without unnecessary risk and we take our roles as advocates for our clients very seriously.”

When not busy with clients, Margaret’s community interests throughout the Houston area include: a current member of The Houston Methodist Clear Lake Women’s Advisory Group; past President of ABPW, past member of the Board of Directors of Armand Bayou Nature Center, a past member of the finance council for St Bernadette’s Catholic Church, past treasurer of Bay Oaks Country Club Women’s Association.

Margaret is happily married to her business partner Henry Vail II. She is a mother of two and grandmother of six. Margaret and Henry's greatest delight is spending time with their six grandchildren at their 2nd home in Lakeway TX.

I’m James C. Valles, a proud Texan born in El Paso and a seasoned real estate professional with over two decades of experience across various facets of the real estate industry. As the owner and broker of R.E.D. Right Realty in Houston, Texas, I bring a deep understanding of the market and a passion for helping others achieve their goals—whether buying, selling, or investing in real estate.

My journey to real estate started with a foundation in public service. Before moving to Houston in 2000, I worked as an assistant committee clerk at the Texas House of Representatives, where I gained valuable insights into legislative processes while supporting judicial affairs and a long-serving state representative.

At just 20 years old, I moved to Houston and entered the real estate finance sector with RBC Builder Finance. There, I analyzed credit risk and financed land acquisition, development, and home construction across the United States. This role ignited my passion for real estate, and over the years, I transitioned through various sectors, including lending, title, and wholesale real estate. These experiences ultimately led me to earn my broker’s license and establish R.E.D. Right Realty.

A Commitment to Excellence

I created R.E.D. Right Realty—short for “Real Estate Done Right”—because I take immense pride in delivering ethical, top-notch service to my clients. Buying or selling a home is one of the most significant decisions a person can make, and I make it my mission to ensure every client feels informed, supported, and valued. My brokerage specializes in connecting buyers, sellers, and investors with opportunities that align with their unique goals. I bring comprehensive market knowledge, strong negotiation skills, and a no-pressure approach to every transaction.

Mentorship and Community Impact

Being selected as a mentor in the University of Houston Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship Program is an honor that reflects my commitment to fostering growth in others. My career has been built on resilience and reinvention, including overcoming personal challenges and rediscovering my purpose through recovery. These experiences have shaped my belief in cultivating relationships, sharing knowledge, and demonstrating that integrity and persistence are the cornerstones of success.

Beyond Real Estate

Houston has been my home for over 20 years, and I cherish the opportunity to contribute to this vibrant community. Outside of work, I focus on family, community engagement, and personal growth. Since 2017, I’ve been in recovery from alcoholism, a journey that has taught me the importance of gratitude, determination, and giving back. I’m passionate about using my experiences to inspire and uplift others, whether I’m mentoring future leaders or guiding clients through successful real estate transactions.

Every day, I’m driven by the desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those I serve, and I’m excited to bring that same energy and passion to my role as a mentor.

Nelson is a Director/Executive Producer and video strategist with a dedication to social impact. As Co-Founder of Goodspero, he leverages his globally conscious mindset to help organizations tell stories that drive social change.

Raised in Houston with Salvadoran heritage, Nelson’s journey into media began at Univision Houston, where he spent a decade as Creative Production Director, producing content and campaigns that resonated with English and Spanish speaking audiences. Recognized for his innovative approach to video and digital, Nelson was instrumental in shaping Univision Houston's creative direction, solidifying his expertise in the fast-evolving media landscape during the transition from traditional to new digital media platforms.

He has owned a number of businesses including a recording studio and video production house. In 2013 alongside his wife, Jessica Bolaños, he co-founded Goodspero, a video and digital agency specializing in content marketing, storytelling, and social media support, with a mission to empower socially conscious organizations through video and cutting-edge digital strategies.

Nelson's personal mission is to use technology and visual storytelling to empower social do-gooders. He believes teaching amplifies everyone's efforts and is his way of leaving a long-lasting impact. He is also committed to amplifying BIPOC voices, having served as President of the Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals to advocate for diversity, inclusion, and fair and accurate representation in Houston's newsrooms. He is also a board member for the University of Houston’s Hispanic Alumni Association as well as a mentor for the #1 ranked Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship in the Bauer School of Business at the University of Houston, actively supporting entrepreneurial students.

When he’s not behind a camera or mentoring future leaders, Nelson enjoys mountain biking, eating pupusas and tamarindo (pronounced tah-ma-reen-doh), traveling to El Salvador to work on the family vacation rental business and adventure park, and learning about construction as he prepares to take over the family construction business with his sister. His commitment to community, creativity, and education continues to leave a lasting mark on those he mentors and the stories he tells.

Bill Ward has 46 years of experience in the furniture retail business. Bill served as the President & Chief Operating Officer of Star Furniture from 1998-2018. Star Furniture is a retail furniture chain consisting of nine showcase stores and two clearance centers located in four cities. Results driven senior executive with comprehensive leadership skills in all facets of furniture retailing. Utilizing a unique blend of experience in store operations, warehousing, distribution, logistics, expansion, sales and customer service to reach goals and objectives. Recognized for creating and leading a profitable, operationally sound, distinguished company with an emphasis on fostering a culture of respect, integrity, accountability and high performance. Part of the team that created a brand that customers identified with and was well respected within the industry.

As a former business development, marketing, and sales leader — and a three-time entrepreneur — I was known as the leader to work for if you wanted to get developed or promoted. Over the last ten years, I have been fully committed to individual and team coaching.

As an experienced executive and leadership coach, I have partnered with leaders at different stages of their journey, from first-time managers to seasoned leaders at the pinnacle of their career. My clients describe me as candid, pragmatic, collaborative, compassionate, resourceful, confidential, and a trusted thinking partner. I am committed to going above and beyond with every leader and team I work with.

• Coached an SVP of Finance in preparing to transition into the CFO role at a top-tier full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer in the U.S. Coaching emphasized executive presence, emotional intelligence, and effective delegation.
• Coached a VP of Engineering through a successful transition to SVP of Product & Engineering, overseeing ten technology brands serving over 40,000 automotive dealers and manufacturers globally with innovative digital solutions. Coaching centered on empowerment, delegation, and strategic networking.
• Coached an EVP and her team at a leading global chemical company specializing in plastics, chemicals, and refining solutions through a period of significant change and market turbulence. Coaching focused on enhancing team alignment, fostering innovation, and sharpening strategic thinking.
• Coached the executive team (Managing Director, Artistic & Music Director, COO, and CAO) of a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Award- winning Opera Company through a transformative period of industry-wide change and uncertainty. Coaching centered on strategic thinking, conflict resolution, and fostering resilience.