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.
For 20 years, Matt was an executive in the radio industry, before becoming an investor and the founding CEO for the School of Rock. In five years, Matt grew that franchise from five locations to 55 schools – the largest of music schools in the world. In 2012, he opened the first One River School of Art + Design in Englewood, NJ. He franchised the concept in 2017 and currently has 12 locations, with up to five more expected to open this year. For more information go to http://oneriverschool.com/franchise
where he led all modeling and valuation work for the firm’s M&A and fundraising assignments."
Michael S. Fenster, MD, better known as Chef Dr. Mike, is one of a handful of physicians worldwide to hold both culinary and medical degrees and is the only Interventional Cardiologist and Professional Chef to do so. He is also the only cardiologist with joint academic appointments in both the Medical and Culinary Arts. He is a board certified Interventional Cardiologist, Professional Chef, and Professor of Culinary Medicine at The University of Montana where he teaches the same.
Moaz Hamid joined REME in 2018 as managing director. In this role, he runs the company’s daily operations and creates the long-term roadmap and vision for the company. He is also focused on assuring that business development, tech team, product team, concierge and other REME staff offer the highest level of customer service that can help a large number of people. REME’s strategy is to view its role through the customer’s perspective to guarantee that the customer’s life is enhanced. Clients are made to feel that they are appreciated, part of the REME community, and that REME is adding value to their lives and making their lives healthier, happier and more creative and productive.
Melanie Aronson is the founder and CEO of Panion, a people-first community management platform helping organizations build more privacy, empathy and meaningful connection into online and offline communities. She has a bachelors in anthropology from Columbia University and a masters in documentary filmmaking from the School of Visuals Arts in NYC. She is also a Fulbright recipient. Melanie worked in sales for Apple for almost 3 years and for more than 10 years as a freelance filmmaker, photographer and designer. Melanie has lived an international life, residing in NYC, Spain, Italy, Sweden and now in Portugal.
Matia Johnson is a native Washingtonian, strategic communications specialist, visual design guru, screenwriter, and newlywed! She has an undergraduate degree in English and Communications, and a masters in Producing Film and Video. With over 10 years of experience in publications, program development, and communications in both the government and nonprofit field, she has developed a niche for branding and has established Innovative Minds Media, DC’s premier branding agency for small business start ups. “IMM” specializes in digital branding, marketing, and small business tools for Creatives, those who are looking to open their own business, or take their business to the next level. As a rising entrepreneur herself, Matia continues to trust in GOD, determination, skills, and passion to see her dreams, and other people’s, take the shape of reality.
Michael H. Drobnis is the CEO of OptfinITy, LLC, , a technology solutions firm which has received numerous industry awards including a ranking of the top 250 small technology businesses worldwide. Mr. Drobnis has over 22 years of technology experience across many different industries and disciplines, including but not limited to records management, disaster recovery and business continuance planning, system security, web design and development, project management, technology and infrastructure design. As an accomplished technology executive and project manager, his vision and expertise have helped hundred's of organizations work smarter and more efficiently through the use and development of proper technology solutions and collaboration tools. Mr. Drobnis received his MBA with a concentration in technology from the McCallum Graduate School of Business at Bentley University in Massachusetts. He has served on the Fairfax County Information Technology Policy Advisory Committee, the ITT Technical Institute Curriculum Advisory Board, as the President and on the board of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and on the board of the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Drobnis is an alumni of Leadership Fairfax and The FBI Citizens Academy and is the proud father of 3 girls in West Springfield.
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.
Melissa Eboli AKA Chef Via Melissa is a nutritional chef based out of NY. Her services include event catering, dinner parties, cooking classes and recipe development. When she's not in the kitchen, she can be seen making guest appearances on Dr. Oz , in addition to being published in the likes of Women's Day, Readers Digest and Huffington post to name a few. Her passion as a chef is to create healthy dishes with a modern twist using the cleanest of ingredients.
