Community & Guest List
Calvin Dark has built his reputation as a creative branding, media, and communications professional for a diverse group of clients & partners. In 2014, Calvin co-founded RC Communications to help clients find their voices to tell complex stories.
Throughout his career, Calvin held several leadership roles where he advised embassies, international organizations, foundations & multinational corporations on their strategic communications, public affairs & media outreach.
Calvin appears regularly in US and international media as a commentator and analyst on foreign affairs, US politics, current events.
Calvin is a graduate of Duke University, a Fulbright Scholar to Morocco, and speaks English, French, Spanish & Arabic.
Throughout his career, Calvin held several leadership roles where he advised embassies, international organizations, foundations & multinational corporations on their strategic communications, public affairs & media outreach.
Calvin appears regularly in US and international media as a commentator and analyst on foreign affairs, US politics, current events.
Calvin is a graduate of Duke University, a Fulbright Scholar to Morocco, and speaks English, French, Spanish & Arabic.
Marissa Eyon is in her 3rd year of being an entrepreneur as CEO of FASTSIGNS of Springfield. Her passion for people really helps her and her team provide impactful communication solutions. With Marissa's civilian Navy experience, she ensure her products are high quality and can easily meet any requirements or regulations your complex project might require. When Marissa isn't helping her team deliver awesome signs, she spends as many free moments with her husband of 20 years and three children.
Erin Bradley is the Founder and CEO of Zyia Active, an activewear lifestyle brand that believes in embracing physical activity with excitement, vigor, and delight. Since founding the company in 2017, Erin has led Zyia’s growth from inception to its position today as a leading activewear brand. As CEO, Erin is heavily involved in the design process of the company’s high-quality activewear from coordinating product releases to managing production schedules to planning photoshoots. Erin was named a 2020 Ernst & Young LLP National Entrepreneur of the Year®, and Zyia Active has been recognized as a Utah Business Fastest Growing company and a Mountain West Capital Network Emerging Elite company.
Denise Casagrande is the President and COO of PCG Digital. Her days are spent leading and growing the digital agency while making advancements in digital marketing that her team can provide for their clients. She wrote her first book 'Can You See Me Now?' in 2017, is an international speaker, a 40 under 40 award recipient, and a thought leader in social media marketing and advertising. Denise resides at the Jersey Shore with her husband George, and can always be found at the local beach.
Chris Erhardt is the CEO and co-founder of the online recording studio and music publishing house Tunedly. He co-founded Tunedly in 2015 and led the company through two business accelerators in New York and St. Louis, raised angel and VC funds and now manages a team of five employees and over 30 independent contractors. Throughout his career Chris has become deeply involved in business development and advocacy. He has been a speaker at an increasing number of tech and music conferences, including CMW, several accelerator events, and coast to coast startup festivals.
Chris Castanes is an award winning insurance agent, speaker and author of “You're Going To Be Great At This!”. As president of Surf Financial Brokers since 2011, he helps his clients with life and disability, and long term insurance. He is originally from Fayetteville, NC and began his career in sales and marketing after graduating from North Carolina State University in 1985. He resides in North Myrtle Beach, SC with his wife and daughter.
Rachael is the owner of Fiori Marketing, a social media and digital marketing firm based in Spokane, WA. She helps small businesses and solo-preneurs simplify the complex world of social media and focus on marketing that makes a difference. Rachael studied public relations at Pepperdine University and has worked in marketing for the last 9 years. Initially, she started her career working for universities and then branched out to a wide variety of clients through marketing firms. Now, she has her own firm that you can find on Instagram at @fiorimarketing.
Mira Whiting is an award-winning portrait and event photographer who loves making her clients feel calm, comfortable, and confident. Mira offers Newborn, Branding, Family, and Event Photography. Also a mom, Mira understands how busy life is and how kids don't always cooperate. Mira is based in the Greater Boston area.
Danica is the CEO and founder of Everywhere Agency - perhaps the leading influencer marketing agency in the country. Her agency works with some of America's most beloved brands, matching them with influencers to tell their stories online. Before launching Everywhere, Danica was a well-known media executive and television producer. She worked on such acclaimed shows as Sesame Street and Saturday Night Live. Danica is one of the founders of the Influencer Marketing Association, a non-profit devoted to keeping the "human" in influencer marketing.
Hailing from Australia, Sammy is the co-founder and COO of Fitspot Wellness (Techstars '16), a certified Pilates instructor, and lifelong lover of fitness. After finding it frustrating to stay healthy in a typical 9-to-5 environment, she and her business partner, Jon, teamed up to create Fitspot, a leading provider of workplace wellness. Fitspot is a fully managed wellness partner that provides on-site fitness classes, workshops, massages, meditation, health screenings, and virtual services for employees around the country. Fitspot is on a mission is to help companies reap the benefits of a healthier, happier workforce.
